Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

CHATHAM . Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity ( No . „ v—jhe annual festival of thc above lodge was held on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., at the Sun Hotel , the date of the festival having been altered from the urevious Wednesday , by dispensation from the Provincial Grand AIaster , in

consequence of the funeral of the Duke of Clarence . The Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity stands No . 20 on . the register of the Grand Lodge of England , and is the oldest provincial lodge in England , and , with but few exceptions , the very oldest lodge of Freemasons , its charter having been granted in 1723 . The handsome lodge room at the Sun Hotel presented a

crowded appearance on Wednesday afternoon , it hiving become known that Earl Amherst , the Provincial Grand Master for Kent , had signified his intention to be present . Among those present besides his lordship were Bro . A . Spencer ( Mayor of Alaidstone ) , Bro . VV . Russell , Prov . Grand Treas . j Bro . C . T . Smith ( Mayor of Chatham ) , P . M . ; and other distinguished brethren

from the Aletropohs and various lodges in the province . Bros , the Dean of Rochester , Sir J . E . Gorst , M . P ., Sir A . Clarke , and J . S . Eastes , D . P . G . M ., were unavoidably prevented being present , each of these distinguished brethren sending letters of regret and expressions of fraternal regards . The ceremony of installing the newly-elected W . M ., Bro .

F . H . Collins , was very ably performed by Bro . VV . T . Wiggins , the retiring Master . The lodge room at this period presented a brilliant and crowded appearance , from the large number of brethren in attendance , including visitors from nearly every lodge in Kent . The following brethren were appointed officers of the lodge , and each duly invested by the new AIaster with the

collar and jewel of office , viz ., Bros . C . E . Skinner , S . VV . j G . VV . Church , J . W . j T . Williams , S . D . ; C . D . Lew , J . D . ; A . B . Hearn , l . G . ; C . T . Smith , P . M ., D . C . j A . Cooper , Org . j G . E . Bond and W . P . Payne , Stwds . A pleasing portion of the proceedings was the presentation of a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . VV . T . Wiggins , from the lodge , as a token of the able and

efficient manner in which he had presided over its affairs during the past year . At the close of the business the annual banquet wis held , presided over by Bro . Collins , the newly-installed Master , who was supported by Earl Amherst and other influential brethren . The after-dinner proceedings were enlivened by some excellent singing given by a party of professional singers ,

including Miss Finnes , Aliss Newlyn , and Bros . Oldroyd , Holliday , and Mr . Voysey . A portion of the performers of the Royal Afarine Band occupied the gallery and gave a choice selection of music during the dinner . On the departure of Earl Amherst coloured lights and fires were burnt in the front of the Sun Hotel . The banquet was agreat success , the host , Bro . Spurrier , as usual catering in his best manner .

DEVIZES . Wiltshire Lodgeof Fidelity ( No . 663 ) . — The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Alasonic Hall on Tuesday , the 19 th ultimo . In the absence of the outgoing W . M . ( Bro . the Rev . Walter Ilumphrys ) , owing to the death of a relative , the S . W . Bro . Benjamin VVhite Crees was installed as W . AI . by

Bros . VV . H . Bush , P . M ., and H . Howse , P . M .. The newly-installed W . M . appointed and invested the ofiicers of the lodge for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . Rev . W , Humphrys , I . P . M . and Chaplain ; J . P . Alartin , S . W . j F . G . Billingham , J . W . ; F . S . Hancock , P . M ., Treas . ; T . C . Hopkins , P . M ., Sec . j F . Reynolds , S . D . ; F . Wyatt , | . D . j H . Howse , P . AL , D . C . j H . Ii . Baker , acting Org ., and I . G . j I . Hunt ,

Steward ; C . R . Barnes , Tyler . The addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren , were delivered by Bro . T . C . Hopkins , P . M . A vote of condolence with the M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and H . R . H . the Princess of Wales , on the death of the Duke of Clarence , was passed amidst expressions of fraternal and heartfelt sympathy . This sad event cast a gloom over the whole proceedings , and in consequence thereof the usual installation banquet was postponed .

HAMPTON COURT . Hemming Lodge ( No . 1512 ) . —This lodge met at the Greyhound Hotel on the 2 ist ult . Among those present were Bros , A . F . Scholding , W . M . j W . l ' isher , P . M . 834 , & c , S . W ., VV . AI . elect ; J . Smith , J ; -i J- C . Jessett , P . AL , P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; Capt . L C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., Sec ; I . XV . Clarke ,

s-U . j H . Robinson , J . D . j E . H . Trotter , I . G . j G . J . lagg H . Wheatley , P . AL , P . A . G . D . C , P . Cronin , and C . Wheatley , Stwds . j G . Ransford , P . M ., D . C . j T . W . Ockenden , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; W . Spearing , P . AL , P . P . | J -S . B . ; and R . Eales , P . AI . Among the visitors were Uros . Geo . Everett , P . AI . 177 , G . Treas . j Glass , P . M . j Harvey , P . M . j Oliver , P . M . ; and Alajor Wallington ,

Ihe minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Dove was raised to thc Third Degree and Bro . Ruff passed to the Second Degree , both ceremonies being well performed . Bro . W . Fisher , S . W ., having Men presented , was duly installed as W . AL The following appointments and investitures were made -. Bros . J . Smith , « , ; . •'„ J * W . Clarke , I . W . ; lessett , Treas . ; Captain

\ v h * "i . * * H * Robinson , S . D . ; E . H . Trotter , J . D . ; W . Hopkins , I . G . j G . Ransford , D . C . j G . J . Tagg , anT ' r V * Whitley , P . Cronin , R . Kent , C . Wheatley , M , V > f " ' St * -vds . j and J . Gilbert , Tyler . A Past ¦ aster s jewel was presented to Bro . A . 1 * . Scholding , as If ir a vote of '' mnks passed to him for his services ln , l 1 , 0 a , cec - A sum of money was voted from the ' . "" Be lunds to ilie Tl „ - „„„ -r „ ,..: „ : „ i i .-.. _ . i 11 ... wi ftoitiiiuuiai i uiu

I'IShpr V \ ' If 11 ••""! ' ! ' mm . , r .. a- c , ' ; " _•>having been elected to represent the lodge a ? Steward forthe Jubilee Festival of tbe R . M . B . I ., the cuin ,: " " l " " Save a notice 0 f motion that the sum of 10 Ther » n f V f T d i rom the lod funds to head llis '' stand aX 11 the , "l't Committee having been received fromlir „ i * i '?! ' ° , ° P for non-attendance were received Sec •Nil * " * II " " * PI ' . D . P . G . M . j H . II . Room , P . G . ^•" Uopkins'Tr r M ' i ' 7455 J * , 13 arneU * - un - •'•M * u * cn closed ' and m ™ y othcrs * Tllc lod S c vas

Provincial Meetings.

An excellent banquet followed , and upon the removal of the cloth the customary loyal toasts were drunk in silence . Bro . G . Everett , P . M ., G . Treas ., responded on behalf of " The Grand Officers . " He feelingly touched upon the great loss the Craft had sustained by the premature deaths

of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence , P . G . W ., and Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . D ., Grand Secretary . By thc death of the former a great blow had fallen upon the Royal Family and the nation at large , and by the demise of the latter a gap had been created in Masonic circles not easily to be filled .

A few other toasts followed , and thc proceedings term ! nated at an early houi . There was no musical programme The jewel was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

NE WCASTLE- UNDER-L YME . Sutherland Lodge of Unity ( No . 460 ) . —The time honoured Festival of St . John the Baptist was celebrated at the Castle Hotel , on Friday , the ijth ult ., under the presidency of Bro . W . H . Newby , W . lVL , who was supported by Bros . F . Skerrett , as I . P . M . j T . VV . Eardley , S . W . j T . Edwards , J . W . j S . Hyslop , P . M .,

P . P . G . P ., Treas . ; J . Green Ainsworth , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Sec . j VV . E . Pattison , J . D . ; J . M . Adlington , I . G . ; A . Pepper and R . C Downs , Stwds . ; B . Hancock , Tyler ; and several other brethren , together with the following visitors : Bros . J . Bromley , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Taylor , P . P . S . G . W . ; Alfred L . Broad , P . P . J . G . W . ; VV . H . Hoivson , W . M . 2064 , - Geo . Wilks , S . W . 20 G 4 J James

Wearing , J . W . 2064 ,- John Mason , W . M . nS ; George Bradford , W . M . 2149 ; W . Edwards , Org . 41 S ; R . D . Viggars , Thomas Wri g ht , Walter Home , J . P . Howson , F . J . Hawley , E . Harrison , Haydon Mercer , J . G . Howson , H . Newland , P . G D ., and W . H . Robinson . The lodge was opened and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . T . W . Eardley ,

S . VV ., VV . AI . . elect , wis presented by Bro . W . H . Newby , and he was duly installed into the chair of K . S . by the acting I . P . M ., Bro . F . Skerrett , P . G . Stwd ., who displayed equal ability to the other occasions when he has performed the same ceremony . Bro . T . W . Eardley being duly installed into the chair , the officers for the year were invested and addressed by Bro . A . L . Broad , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., as

follows : Bros . T . Edwards , S . W . j F . Skerrett , P . M ., J . W . j L . C . A . Edgeworth , Chap , j S . Hyslop , Treas . ; J . G . Ainsworth , Sec ; VV . E . Pattison , S . D . j J . Al . Adlington , J . D . ; A . Pepper , I . G . j J . Ingamells , P . M ., D . C . ; F . Alountford , P . M ., Org . ; and R . C . Downs , Rushforth , and J . G . Howson , Stwds . The working tools were presented by Bro . W . H . Newby , I . P . AL , who also

gave the addresses to the W . AI . and the Wardens ; Bro . A . T . Broad , P . AL , gave the concluding address to the brethren . " Hearty good wishes " were expressed by the many visiting brethren present , and the lodge was closed . At the banquet which subsequently followed , the usual byal and Alasonic toasts were proposed . Bro . J . Green Ainsworth , P . AL , P . P . S . G . D ., proposed

" The Health of the W . M ., " and remarked that he was the last of those he had the honour of lirst showing the li g ht of Freemasonry , and had great pleasure in seeing his friend in the high position which the lodge had placed him , for he was quite certain ( from the ability he had shown in the previous offices ) he would ( ill the post with credit to himself and the lodge .

The toast was received with enthusiasm , and the VV . M . in a short pithy speech pledged himself to make every exertion to carry out his duties to the best | of his ability , and carry out the work as he had seen it done by his predecessors in the office . The VV . AI . proposed " The Health of the I . P . M ., Bro . VV . H . Newby . " He said he bad filled the position of

AIaster of that lodge in a very crc : ! i ; able manner . He had had a very prosperous year , and he left the chair with as much popularity as he entered it . Bro . VV . H . Newby responded , and said : I cannot express the pride and pleasure 1 at this moment feel at receiving such an eulogium at your hands . I shall ever remember this mark of your esteem and approbation . Proud indeed

was I when this time last year you placed me in the chair of K . S ., but prouder far am I to-night in knowing that my efforts to maintain the prestige , honour , and prosperity of No . 4 G 0 has met with such hearty approval and approbation . I would especially thank every ofiicer for his regular and punctual attendance during the year , and for their devotion in helping to make the yeara red-letter year in our

history . As I intimated this afternoon , this has been no sinecure year , it has been constant work , otherwise the 21 ceremonies we have performed cou \ d not have been accomplished , and at the commencement of the year for the first time we undertook a ball , with what success Alasons and non-Masons alike bore favourable testimony , and from the proceeds of which we were able to send 40 guineas to the Alasonic Charities . All this is work we have every reason

tu be proud of , and , on my own behalf and on behalf of every member of this lodge , 1 tender them our sincerest thanks . Now , W . Sir , 1 cordiilly wish you an equally prosperous and successful year , and in return for the help and assistance rendered to myself , I shall be pleased to do all I can for you or them . I love Masonry , I love my mother lodge . Alay the G . A . O . T . U . prosper it and us . Other toasts followed , which were all drunk in silence , owing to the death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , P . G . W . SWINTON .

Egerton Lodge ( No . 2216 ) . —The annual festival of this lodge was held at the Bull ' s Head Hotel , on Wednesday , the 27 th ult . lt was a most successful one , and the installation ceremony was well conducted . The following brethren were present : Bros . J . Lee Wood , P . AL , W . M . j R . Wardle , I . P . AL ; J . Chadderton , P . AL , P . P . A . G . S . ; II . Bennett , S . W . ; F . R . Bowley ,

S . D . ; A . B . Worthington , J . D . ; A . Swindley , I . G . j P . Jones , Org . ; Frank Hewitt , Dr . O'Grady , | uhn Knight , J . Connor , S . J . Hampson , J . T . Seddon , \ V . J . Widdowson , K . lladfield , and T . Winkley . The following visiting brethren were also present : Bros . T . Shorrocks , P . M . 350 ; Thos . Banks , 1354 ; Sam Heyes , I . P . AL 1 S 14 ; Thomas Stewart , 1 S 14 ; | . Hodgkiss . S . W . 350 ; I . Kamsbottom , W . M , 325 ; and ' W . Smith , W . M . 1 S 1 . 1 .

THORNE . St . Nicholas Lodge ( No . 2259 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 20 th ult ., in the Peace Hall . Present : Bros . S . 11 . C . Ashlin , W . AL ; J . II . Bletcher , 1 . P . AI . ; J . Constable ,

Provincial Meetings.

S . W . ; G . Kenyon , J . W . j A . L . Peace , Treas . j W . P . Robotham , Sec . ; Rev . J . J . Littlewood , Chap . ; VV . Martin , S . D . ; A . Goodhive , | . D . ; T . Barber , l . G . ; F . T . Turner , Stwd . ; VV . G . Winter , P . AI . ; B . Maskill , and F . Webb . Visitors : Bros . VV . Lingbridge , P . G . S . of Works j C . Fretwell , P . AI . 242 ; ' F . Hanson , C . Buckland , H . VV . Turner , C . D . Goodair , W . Blake , and R . Pigott . After the lodge was opened , Bro . Langbridge gave one

of his interesting Masonic lectures . Bro . A . L . Peace proposed , and the VV . AI . seconded , that a vote of heartfelt condolence be sent to the M . W . G . M . and the Princess of Wales on their sad bereavement , which was unanimously carried , and the Secretary requested to forward the same to proper quarters . After lodge the brethren partook of a li ght supper , and spent the remainder of the evening in an unusually quiet manner in silent respect for the memory of the Duke of Clarence .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

DONCASTER . St . Magdalen Chapter ( No . 242 ) . —The monthly meeting of this chapter was held at Nether Hall , on the 29 th ult ., when there were present Comps . F . D . Walker , acting Z . ; G . E . Wilkie , H . ; T . B . Ogle , J . ; J . Constable , acting S . E . ; J . Rand , acting S . N . j G . Brooke , Treas . ;

F . Webb , T . Foster , C . Woodhouse , F . D . Fenton , and J . Hirst , Janitor . The chapter having been opened , and the minutes of last meeting read and confirmed , ballots were taken for the various officers with , the following results : Comps . T . B . Ogle , M . E . Z . ; (' ,. E . Wilkie , H . j S . Pegler , J . j G . Brooke , P . Z ., Treas . j T . Foster , S . E . j | . Constable , S . N . j F . Webb , P . S . j and J . Hirst , Janitor . "

WOOLWICH . Union Waterloo Chapter ( No . 13 ) . —The installation meeting ot the above ancient and honourable chapter took place on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Mount Pleasant , when Comps . C H . Canning , Z . 14 G 2 , was installed as Z . j W . Tailby , H . j and W . Akers , J . Comp . A . Penfold , P . Z . 13 and 1472

, P . Z . and Treas . 913 , and P . P . G . 1 st A . S ., officiated as Installing Officer , and his faultless and impressive working was much admired and appreciated . The ofiicers invested were as follows : Comps . G . Kennedy , P . Z ., S . E . j Capt . G Spinks , P . Z ., Treas . j F . Barry , S . N . j W . Keeble , P . S . J H . Syer , ist A . S . ; and Widgery , 2 nd A . S . Comp . Penfold then delivered the addresses , and so concluded a

perfect ceremony , for the excellence of which he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks , the same to be recorded on the minutes of the chapter . Comp . Penfold having returned thanks , a handsome P . Z . ' s jewel was presented to Comp . R . Warren , l . P . Z , for his services to the chapter during the past year , for which he returned thanks . Five guineas were voted to the Royal Alasonic Benevolent

Institution , and several sums to local Charities . Comp . Henry de Grey , the oldest member uf the chapter , tendered his resignation , which was accepted with the deepest regret , and he was unanimously elected an honorary member . The chapter was then closed . The banquet was partaken of at Bro . Capern ' s house , thc Earl of Chatham , Thomas-street , and was much enjoyed ,

the menu and service biting of the best . The usual loyal and Royal Arch toasts were honoured , but the lamented death ot our late distinguished biother , the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , for whom the chapter was in deep mourning , prevented the possibility of music and singing , nevertheless a most enjoyable evening was

spent by the companions , and with them we heartily wish success to the Union Waterloo Chapter . Among the other companions present were Comps . VV . G . Lock and W . G . Crowdy , Auditors ; J . Hancock , J . Johnson , G . VV . King , D . Jenkins , and A . Fenn . Visitors : Comps . J . AilluJ , M . E . Z . S 29 ; and C . Jolly , P . Z . and AI . E . Z . elect 1473 .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

DARLINGTON . Darlington Lodge ( No . 250 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on tne 14 th ult ., at thc Freemasons' Hall , Archer-street , Bro . Ur . Hill Drury , W . AL , presiding . The minutes of the last regular lodge were read and confirmed . Bro . Kev . K . A . Waters was balloted for as a joining member and unanimously elected .

Bro . Hill Drury then rose and in sorrowful terms alluded to the great loss which the nation , and especially Freemasons , had sustained in the lamented death , that morning , of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondile , and concluded by proposing the following motion : " That this lodge records its deep sorrow at the death of H . K . I I . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale which took place this morning and its heartfelt sympathy with H . R . H . the Prince

of Wales , M . W . G . M ., the Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family in their great bereavement , and prays that i . G . O . O . T . U . may in tlis mercy sustain and support them in their hour of grief and mourning . " This was seconded by Bro . Bailey , P . M ., and carried amid solemn silence . Ihe lodge was then closed . The resolution was at once telegraphed to Sandringham and the following reply received in due course . " To the Worshipful AIaster , Darlington Alark Lodge ,

Darlington . " liis Royal Highness the Prince of Wales desires mc to convey to you and to the members uf your lodge his heartfelt and lraternal thanks for your kind telegram of sympathy with him in his deep atlliciion . " ( Signed ) DICIITON Pitouvs , General : Comptroller . " sandringham , January lOth , iSy _\"

EGREMONT . Sewell Lodge ( No . 421 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Oddfellows ' Hall on Thursday , Hie i . Sth ultimo , when Bro . J . Lowery , Worshipful . Master elect , was installed by Bro . G . Dalrymple , P . AL , P . A . G . D . C . Ei gland , assisted by Bio . Craig , P . M ., P . P . G . Al . O ., and the following were