Craft: Provincial.

WOLSEY LODGE , No . 1656 . THE regular meeting was held on Monday , at the Greyhound Hotel , Hampton Court , under the presidency of Bro . Peate P . G . Organist Middx ., who was supported by Bros . Spooner I . P . M ., Rice S . W ., Simpson J . W ., Flack S . D ., Gaunt I . G ., John Gilbert Tyler , and several others .

The business included the raising of three Brethren ( Bros . John Pam , John Harnell and Thompson ) and the passing of two others , while one gentleman was initiated into the mysteries of the Craft . Bro . Bice S . W . was elected Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , and Bro . Featherstone Treasurer .

At the conclusion of the business the Brethren dined together , an excellent repast being provided by the proprietress Mrs . C . Caulfield , under the personal superintendence of her efficient Manager , Brother Frederick Trotman . The usual toasts were honoured .

WILBERFORCE LODGE , No . 2134 . THE annual gathering took place in the Masonic Hall , St . Luke ' s Street , Hull , on Tuesday , 14 th inst ., when the unanimous choice of the Brethren having been accorded to Brother G . Ecles S . W . he was regularly installed . Bro . T . T . Davis P . M . P . P . G . Reg . presented to the retiring Master Bro . A . Spring a jewel , bearing the following inscription :

Presented to BBO . A . SPUING , by the Brethren of the Wilberforce Lodge , in appreciation of his sterling merit as a Mason , as a token of their high esteem and regard for him as Worshipful Master , 1895 and 1896 .

Bro . Spring feelingly acknowledged the spontaneous gift of the Brethren , and assured them that he should ever regard it as a memento of their good feeling towards him during his tenure of office . The ceremony of installation was impressively performed by Bros . J . T . Belt I . P . M ., and T . B . Redfearn P . M . P . P . G . S .

ARDWICK LODGE , No . 2185 . THE annual meeting and festival of St . John in connection with this Lodge , which recently took place at the Mosley Hotel , Piccadilly , Manchester , was in every way a very successful function , and Bro . W . Goodman W . M . may congratulate himself upon having made his advent into office with somewhat of eclat . The Installing Master was Bro . R . W . Atkinson W . M ., who was supported and assisted by the Past Masters of the Lodge .

Bro . Goodman having been placed m tne chair of K . S . according to ancient usage and prescription , he invested the following Officers : Bros . T . C . Lilley S . W ., W . Rostron J . W ., J . E . Chapman Treasurer , W . J . Melling P . M . Secretary , H . G . Walker S . D ., Ben Walker J . D ., J . W . Atkinson P . M . D . C , C . W . Dove I . G ., Browne Chaplain , Turner , Wright , Shaw , Fleetwood , Ostara , Hobson and Young Stewards .

The festival of St . John was subsequently held in the large dining hall of the hotel , a very recherche banquet being provided . Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured and duly responded to , these being enlivened by songs , Sec , the contributories being Bros . F . Ridsdale Bowley P . M . 2216 , H . Crellin and J . G . Hewson 581 , J . Robinson P . M . 1219 , C . M . Nesbitt 1055 , all of the Manchester concerts , H . G . Walker , Ben Walker , and others .

The reply to the toast of the Provincial Grand Officers devolved upon Bro . J . W . Millward P . M . 992 Prov . G . Supt . Wks ., who , in reverting to the enforced absence of Bro . Geo . Mellor , D . G . M ., said he regretted to inform the Brethren that the subject of their enthusiasm was at present in feeble health and consequently was not able to take any active part in the business of the Craft .

The proceedings , which were of a most enjoyable kind throughout , were not brought to a close until a very late hour of the evening .

PHILBRICK LODGE , No . 2255 . ON the 9 th inst ., at the Forest Hotel , Chingford , Bro . G . S . Daunton W . M . Jas . Bell S . W ., Chamberlain P . P . G . R . Treas ., H . W . Clark Secretary H . E . Bridgman S . D ., H . J . Cullingham J . D ., Egbert Roberts Prov . G . Org . Org-Past Masters : —Bros . Charles Salter , Thomas Humphreys P . M . P . P . G . S . W . Essex . Bros . Lewis , Walsh , Charles Spreag , H . Rattle , T . Hawkins , C . Courtney .

Visitors : —Bros . Sidwell Jones 1900 , A . Mills 704 , A . Collins 1962 , H . Dehane P . M . 1543 P . P . G . S . D . Essex , D . B . Crane 2398 , Jas . Grose 957 A . D . C , J . Milroy . The Lodge was opened and three gentlemen were initiated into the Order . Several communications were read , and , after hearty good wishes , the Lodge was closed . After the banquet the usual Loyal and other toasts were honoured .

Bio . Daunton W . M ., in acknowledging his toast , said he was gratified beyond measure at the manner the Brethren had received it . He certainly confessed he had spent considerable time in perfecting himself in the ritual , and also mentioned he had made up his mind there should be a ladies outing , and thought if the Philbrick and the Brixton Lodges made one party it would show the fraternal feeling existing between them .

In proposing the toast of the initiates , the W . M . congratulated the newly-admitted Brethren on becoming Freemasons , and gave them some very good advice . Bro . Rattle was pleased so far as he had gone—it had been his ambition for years , but he was timid , and was glad that the something he had dreaded was a myth . He had always heard that a bad man never made a good Mason , and a good man never made a bad one .

Bro . Hawkins was also pleased he had taken the step he had so long wished for , and was determined to go on with it to the utmost of his power and ability . Bro . Courtney was a proud man that night . He had up to the present worked for himself and family not without success , and would endeavour to do the same for Freemasonry .

At 9-30 , in accordance with custom , the toast of " George Adams " was received with enthusiasm .

Bro . Dehane being called upon as a visitor , commented on the admirable working of the W . M . and Officers , and thanked them for thc pleasant and hospitable reception the guests had received . He especially asked the Brethren to support the Provincial Charity Committee by sending in their

Craft: Provincial.

votes early . He had arranged for a telegram to be sent giving the result of the Girls election that day , as regarded the two candidates the county were interested in . Brother Thos . Humphreys thanked the Brethren for the reception of his request for their sanction that a Lo Ige of Instruction might be established at

Brentwood under the warrant of Philbrick Lodge , himself as Preceptor . Bro . Mills , Collins , Crane and Grose also responded . The Officers toast was well received , and the Tyler concluded the evening . The musical arrangements were under the management of Bro . Egbert Roberts Pr . G . Org . assisted bv Bros . Sidwell Jones , Crane and Chamberlain .

INSTRUCTION .

TEMPLE LODGE , No . 70 . THIS Plymouth Lodge closed its session on the 9 th inst . The occasion was commemorated by most of those who had attended during the past twelve months having supper together . This was presided over by tho permanent officials Bros . C . G . Withell Preceptor , G . Dunsterville Sec , and W . Chappel Treas . A most enjoyable evening was spent , each Brother doing his best to contribute to its success .

This Lodge of Instruction holds a unique position , it being the only one in the Three Towns , and as the Three Towns contribute about three quarters of the Masonic body of the Province of Devon it necessarily is very much appreciated . Some short time since it was resolved that every Brother who attended should contribute a penny for working expenses . The success of this in the cause of charity has been most gratifying , for on this occasion the Treasurer was instructed to pay the residue of £ 5 5 s to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund .

As there is every probability of a Widows Annuitant Fund being successfully started in this Province shortly , the Brethren decided that their first future efforts should be to assist that Fund , especially as it is intended that it shall be worked on the same lines as the other two Provincial Charities—no paid Officers . This Fund will also complete the trio of Charities in the Province , old Men , old Women , and Children .

SYMPATHY LODGE , No . 483 . A MEETING was held at the Star Hotel , Gravesend , on Monday , when Bro . Edward B . Wilks occupied the Master ' s chair , being assisted by Bro . Henry Forss Preceptor , and Bros . Bowen S . W ., Axell J . W ., Beamish S . D ., White J . D ., and Ingman Secretary , besides several other Brethren .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Gee as candidate . The questions leading from the first to the second degree were answered by Bro . White , a candidate for passing at the next regular Lodge meeting . The Preceptor then worked the first section of the first lecture , with the assistance of the Brethren .

Bro . Bowen was elected as W . M . for the next meeting . A vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Wilks for the admirable manner in which he had fulfilled his duties in the chair , and the Lodge was adjourned .

ISRAEL LODGE , No . 205 . ON Sunday evening Bro . W . M . Stiles Grand Treasurer worked the installation ceremony before a large gathering of well-known Freemasons at the above Lodge , which is held at the Rising Sun , Globe Road , Mile End , E . Among those present were Bros . William A . Scurrah Vice-President of the Board of General Purposes , J . F . Bromhead P . P . S . W . Essex , H . Stiles , H . Thompson Lyon , Collings , Dancyger , Mitchell , Gaskell , Richmond , Emden , Cantor , Yetton , Hetherington , Davis , Laurie , & c , in all seventy Brethren .

The acting W . M . was Bro . Ben Da Costa the popular Preceptor of the Lodge , with Bro . Berlyn S . W ., L . A . Da Costa J . W ., Dancyger S . D ., M , Da Costa J . D ., I . Davis I . G . The ceremony of installation having been rehearsed , Bro . Stiles gave the three addresses in veiy effective style , which drew forth the hearty congratulations from the Brethren .

Bro . Henry Sadler followed with a lecture on " Freemasonry , Operative and Speculative , " in which he traced some of our latter day ceremonies from their genesis . In the centre of the Lodge was exhibited an ancient tracing board , which Bio . Sadler explained was most unique , and the only one extant , he having discovered it in an old chest . The various phases of marking the Lodge floor were explained , some of them evoking much laughter .

All doubt as to the meaning of " Constitutional Roll " was removed by the lecturer ' s lucid explanation , and the exhibition of two of the actual rolls , the engrossed coat-of-arms on one of them being specially admired for the beauty of its illumination . This one was said to be about 250 years old . An explanation of the " Israel Board " followed , and Bro . Sadler ' s peroration , " I firmly believe , however , that this venerable institution of ours is the only society in existence that can fairly claim to have preserved and practised

this valuable and important method of imparting knowledge from a far distant period down to the present day , " was received with enthusiasm . At the conclusion of the lecture various questions were asked by Bros , J . J . Hall , Toye , Harris , and others . Honorary membership of the Lodge was conferred on the Grand Treasurer and his brother , Bro . Scurrah , and Bro . Thompson Lyon . Hearty votes were accorded Bros . Stiles , Scurrah , and Sadler , the Brethren receiving the names with acclamation .

Various new members were admitted , and the W . M . closed the Lodge . We may mention that this popular Lodge meets every Sunday evening , at tbe Rising Sun , Globe Road , Mile End , E ., at 7 p . m ., under the Preceptorship of Bro . Ben Da Costa .

WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 . THE regular meeting was held on Tuesday , at Bro . George Butcher ' s , Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , Harrow Road , Bro . Major Reed W . M ., C . T . Brown S . W ., T . W . Mogford J . W ., G . D . Mogford W . M . 2362 J . D ., J . Fletcher I . G ., H . Dehane P . M . 1543 P . P . S . G . D . Essex Preceptor , R . J . Rogers P . M . Treasurer , F . Wortham Secretary , Butcher , W . Bragg , Wynman , Beesley , E . J . Potter , and several others .

The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Beesley candidate , and then the ceremony of passing , with Bro . Potter candidate . Bro . Halston answered the questions leading to the second degree .