Provincial.

ceremony being performed by Bro . Myles Taylor I . P . M . assisted by Bro . T . Hardy P . M . P . P . G . P . The newly-installed Master then appointed his Officers . The annual installation banquet was provided by Mrs . Brown , of the King ' s Head Hotel , at the close of which the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .

A handsome Past Master's jewel was presented to Bro . Myles Taylor , which was acknowledged in suitable terms . A large number of Visiting Brethren were present .

GODSON LODGE , No . 2385 . ON the 27 th inst ., the annual meeting was held in the Town Hall , Oldbury , when there was a large attendance of members from the Grand Lodges of Worcestershire and Staffordshire . ' Dr . Herbert Manley , West Bromwich , was installed as Worshipful Master , the coremony of installation being performed by Dr . G . B . Buttery Immediate Past Master .

At the close of the business mooting a banquet took place , Dr . Manley W . M . presiding .

IONIC LODGE , No . 2405 . AT the Masonic Rooms , St . Helens , on the 26 th inst ., Mr . Seton-Karr , M . P ., was initiated as a momber of this Lodge . Owing to the absence through illness of the W . M . Bro . J . 0 . Swift , Colonel White performed the initiation ceremony . There was a largo attendance of Brethren . Afterwards' Bro . F . A . R . Neill was installed Worshipful Master for the year .

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . THE annual meeting and Festival of St . John took place at tho Palatine Hotel , Hunt's Bank , Manchester , on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., Bro . Wm . Boden W . M .

From the nature of the summons issued to the Brethren , a heavy time had been anticipated , two ballots and three Raisings forming a very good prelude to an Installation . The Raisings , however , wero abandoned , and only ono ballot was proceeded with , that of Bro . John Henry Ratcliffe , Peace Lodge , No . 322 , the samo being successful .

The Brethren began to arrive soon after 2 p . m ., and an early commencement was made . A Board of Installed Masters having been formed , tho Officers consisting of Bro 3 . Wm . Boden W . M ., Jas . W . Abbott P . M . 1030 P . P . G . D . C . S . W ., Fred Hilton P . M . 1458 P . P . G . D . C . J . W ., and W . B . Russell

P . M . 1219 P . P . G . A . D . C I . G ., Bro . W . T . Schofield P . M . P . S . G . D . presented the W . M .-elect ( Bro . Warburton ) to receive the benefits of Installation . He also addressed the Wardens and Brethren , and invested several of tho Officers , the Working Tools of the various degrees boing presented and explained by Bro . Bridge Hopkinson P . M .

The Officers for 1895-6 are Bros . Wm . Boden I . P . M ., T . T . Hardicker S . W ., C J . Hall J . W ., A . Scarlett Chaplain , 0 . Rushton Treasurer , R . Meggitt Secretary , J . Kinsey Assist . Secretary , Geo . A . Bowden S . D ., H . Stott J . D ., J . Whittle D . C , B . Hopkinson P . M . Org ., A . G . Bryce I . G ., T . D . Lightfoot , C . Houston , T . Wooler , Budolph Stewards . Many of our Manchester readers may not be aware of the fact that

during the last few months the Palatine Hotel has undergone a change of management , which we hopo and believe will be for the better . Mr . and Mrs . Ross-Cattanach , who hail from the Imperial Hotel , Cork , may congratulate themselves upon commencing their duties under the most satisfactory auspices , for several important structural alterations , and many

desirable improvements , have been initiated and successfully carried out . The electric light has been introduced throughout the building , and a spacious and comfortable commercial and writing room have also been added , while it is in contemplation to shortly open what is expected to be the finest billiard saloon in the city .

The banquet which the management placed upon the tables , and to which over sixty sat down , was of the most recherche description , and received the commendations of members and visitors alike . Loyal and Masonic toasts were indulged in , the same being agreeably relieved by songs , etc ., from Bros . Howard , Blacow , Rushton , Howarth , Maltby , and Stokes . Brother Hopkinson P . M . presided successfully at the piano .

Bro . Schofield proposed the health of the newly-installed W . M . in a very telling speech , to which Bro . Warburton responded . The latter , in turn , proposed the health of the Installing Master ( Brother Wm . Boden ) , referring to the large amount of work accomplished by him

during the last two years . He was not sparse in eulogies which had been well earned , and to show the appreciation of the Brethren of the Lodge , of which Bro . Boden was one oi the founders , he presented to him on their behalf a handsome gold jewel , with the following legend : Presented to

W . BRO . WM . BODEN P . M ., by tho Brethren of the Duke of York Lodge , No . 2449 , ¦ for services as W . M . 1894-5 .

Bro . Wm . Boden I . P . M . responded . Ho said that it was very gratifying for him to acknowledge the kind and hearty manner in which the Brethren had received the toast of his health . It had often been said by Masters in the chair of K . S . that this was the happiest time of their lives , and the fact had been demonstrated to him now that ho had become a Past Master of the

Duke of York Lodge . He trusted that he might long be spared to the Brethren , so that he could render that assistance which they expected from him , and which in turn they had given to him from the period of tho consecration two years ago . It was not his intention to make a long speech , but he would do his best to offer a few remarks which ho hoped might strengthen the Worshipful Master , and assist him in carrying iorward the good work which he had that day undertaken .

During the past year he ( Bro . Boden ) had had the pleasure of initiating five members , and there had been three Joining Brethren , of whom he could say very confidently that both the Initiates and those who had joined were of that class and calibre of which Masons ought to consist . Indeed they were each and every one of them an acquisition to the noble institution of

Masonry . T J repeat an old phrase they were " the boys , and of the very best . " He might also take this opportunity of expressing to the Officers aud the Brethren of the Duke of York Lodge , his heartfelt thanks for their kind and valuable assistance during the past year . They had lessened his labours very considerably by attending to overy matter of detail in the ceremonies .

Provincial.

Addressing the Master , Bro . Boden said , I hope , Worshipful Sir , that the selection ot Officers which you have made will give you that valuable assistance without which no Lodge can succeed . I feel sure that the Brethren had unbounded confidence in me , and I trust they will have the same faithful confidence in you . And now , Worshipful Master , I come to the concluding portion of my remarks : the greatest trial through which I have passed during tho Inst two years . Words cannot express my feelings ,

for I love Masonry , and so far as any extra work is concerned , you may depend upon my doing it if placed in my hands . I cannot find words in which to express to you , Brethren , my sincere thanks for this beautiful Past Blaster's jewel which you have presented to me . I trust that I may long be spared to wear it , for I feel the greatest pride in being the proud possessor of such a token of respect and esteem from the Brethren of the Duke of York Lodge . Other toasts followed .

Besides those mentioned above , there were present , amongst others , Bros . R . H . Whitham , J . W . Heap , A . Sutclifte , Samuel Kew , W . Leigh , Edward Roberts P . M ., John Fairbairn . Visitors : Rev . J . 0 . Jelly P . M . P . P . G . Chap ., A . T . McGregor P . M . P . P . G . D ., M . B . Salt P . M . 1588 , W . Toombs W . M . 1588 , Walter Baron W . M . 1219 , S . A . Lever J . W . 2482 , Jas . E . Smith I . P . M . 210 . W . Dale I . P . M . 941 .

YE OLDE MASONIANS BOHEMIAN CONCERT .

rpHE second annual Bohemian concert of the Old Masonians took place 1 on Saturday , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , there being a goodly number of ladies and gentlemen present , says the " City Press . " The chair was occupied by Mr . C Howard Uwins . The programme was inaugurated by Miss C Bowler , who played a pianoforte solo excellently . Mr . A . H . Stephenson contributed the " Night Watch , " which was warmly received . Too much cannot be said in praise of Mr . A . B . Whitely , who infused a good

deal of humour into his songs , all of which were vociferously encored . The committee were fortunate in securing the services of Mr . William Ditrey , whose recent appearance at some of " the halls" has caused quite a sensation . This gentlemen gave a magnificent whistling solo , a recitation of a novel description , and a representation of a Kerry schoolmaster and his wife singing a duet at the piano , whilst tho house dog keeps up a tremendous howling and growling as the mistress tries to take out the top notes . AH

these items created much amusement and wero redomanded . Mr . H . Wilkinson , a comic vocalist of considerable promise , excelled himself in " The Millionaire , " and the " Nasty Twinkle in her Eye . " Amongst the others who assisted were Misses Brown and Blanche Gough , and Messrs . J . Smith , G . Brown , F . Dyer , E . Luke , VV . C Hatfield , Howard Kippax , C . Bruderor , & e . The accompaniments wero faultlessly performed by Miss C , Bowler aud Mr . J . Edward Fisher .

Easter Excursions.

EASTER EXCURSIONS .

ri" 1 HE Great Western Railway Company issue ordinary as well as Excursion JL tickets at their City and West End Offices , viz . —193 & 407 Oxford St ., ' W . ; 181 Tottenham CounRoad , W . ; 23 New Oxford Street , W . C . ; Gloucester Mansions , Cambridge Circus , Shaftesbury Avenue , W . C ; " The Piazza , " Covent Gardon Market , W . C ; 29 Charing Cross , S . W . ; 26 Regent St ., S . W . ; 17 Brompton Road , S . W . ; 137 Borough High Street ( Nags Head Yard ) , S . E . ; 4 Holborn Circus , E . C ; Minories ( opposite Goodman ' s Yard ); 5 Arthur Street East , London Bridge , E . C . ; Si Queen Victoria Street , E . C ;

67 Gresham Street , E . C . ; 4 Oheapside , E . C ; 269 Strand , W . C . ; and at the L . B . and S . C Company ' s Excursion Office ( under Grand Hotel ) , Trafalgar Square , at any of which places tickets can be obtained during the whole week preceding Easter . Tickets can also be obtained at Victoria ( L . C and D . By . ' ) , Kensington ( Addison Road ) , Aldgate , the stations on the Hammersmith and City Line , and at most of the stations on the Metropolitan and District Railways .

The Booking office at Paddington station will be open for the issue of tickets the whole day on Monday , Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday , before Easter . Cheap tickets at special low fares and available from 11 th to 15 th April ,

will be issued from London to Bath , Bristol , Exeter , Plymouth , Falmouth , Penzance , Yeovil , Dorchester , Weymouth , and certain other stations iu the South and West of England . Tickets at 25 / - return , available for 14 days , will also be issued for use on 11 th , 13 th and 15 th April , to Guernsey and Jersey .

On Thursday , 11 th April , an excursion reaching Exeter in 6 J hours , and Plymouth in 7 J hours , will leave Paddington at 7-55 a . m . Excursions will also be run on the same day to Bristol , Weston-Super-Mare , Taunton , Yeovil , Weymouth , Oxford , Birmingham , Shrewsbury , Chester , Cirencester , Gloucester , Cheltenham , Newport , Cardiff , Swansea , Evesham , Worcester , Malvern , & c .

On Good Friday , Cheap trains will run to Reading , Oxford , and other riverside stations . On Saturday , 13 th April , an Excursion will run to Bath and Bristol , and on Monday , Excursions will be made to Reading , Bath , Bristol , Cirencester , Gloucester , Cheltenham , & c . In addition to these excursions , cheap trains will be run to London from most of the Provincial towns , and between the principal centres of population .

On the Thursday before Easter most of the long distance trains will be duplicated ; the first portion , as a general rule , will take passengers for the longer distances , and the second those for less distant places . On Good Friday , the trains will run as on Sundays , with the addition of

the 5-30 a . m . Newspaper train , which will run as far as Oxford , Exeter and Swansea , calling at the intermediate stations , and connecting at Oxford with trams to the Worcester , Birmingham and Wolverhampton districts , and at Bathampton ( by special stop ) with the 8 - 47 a . m . train from Bathampton to the Weymouth line .

Cheap Third Class Excursion Tickets will be issued on Good Friday , Saturday , 13 th April , Easter Sunday and Monday , by specified trains from Paddington , Kensington ( Addison Road ) , Hammersmith , and certain stations on the Metropolitan , Metropolitan District and North London Railways , to Windsor , Taplow , Maidenhead , Henley and other popular riverside resorts .

The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Portsmouth Freemasons' Club , Limited , was held in the Lodge room on Tuesday , 19 th inst ., when a dividend of four per cent ., free of income tax , was declared . The directors were re-elected , and votes of thanks to them and to the Secretary ( Mr . E . S . Main ) were unanimously carried .