Provincial Meetings.

Bro . J . H . Custance , l . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " said that that was the principal toast of the evening . They had had a good sample of his working that day . He had worked hard for the lodge , Masonry and its Charities , and he was held in the greatest respect by the brethren , who looked upon him as a good and genial friend .

The toast was drunk with acclamation , and The Worshipful Master , on rising to respond , received a very hearty greeting . He thanked Bro . Custance for his kind words , and the brethren for their flattering reception . As W . M . of the lod ? e , he had attained the summit of his Masonic career , and if he could conduct the business of the lodge with confidence , without discord , and keep all the

members together , he would be more than satisfied , but if he failed , it would be his misfortune . The Worshipful Master gave "The I . P . M ., Bro . Custance . " He said it was his privilege and pleasure to pin on Bro . Custance ' s breast a Past Master's jewel , which he had deservedly won for the great services he had rendered to the lodge . His year of office had been a most successful

one . His working of the Three Degrees was perfect , and he had more than surpassed their expectations . He had excelled all their , previous Masters , and had received grand honours from the Prov . Grand Lodge . He ( the W . M . ) hoped he would continue to give his great assistance to the lodge , and , in conclusion , he remarked that the brethren would always look up to Bro . Custance , and never forget

the happy time that he was the ruler of the lodge . Bro . . J . H . Custance , I . P . M ., who was well received , stated in reply that the year just passed had been one of love to him . He appreciated the jewel , and he was glad he had gone through the chair in the St . John's , which he looked upon as his premier lodge , and where he had spent a very happy time . He had had kind support from all ,

which would never be effaced from his memory . In giving "The Installing Master , Bro . E . W . Allen , " the VV . M . said that to know him was to appreciate him . He woS a good Mason , and an old English gentleman . His rendering of the installation ceremony and the addresses was grand , he had never seen it done better . He ( Bro . Allen ) was the brightest jewel in the lodge , and he was

grateful that he had installed him as their Master . In responding to the toast , Bro . Allen said that he had had the honour of installing many Worshipful Masters in that lodge , but the words that had fallen from the W . M . that night were the warmest that he had ever received . In his opinion the installation ceremony was the most beautiful in the Craft , and if , as it had been stated that evening , he

had excelled himself he was proud and gratified . The members would be glad to know that his list , as Steward this year for the " Girls , " was the largest in the province . The W . M . proposed "The Visitors , " to whom he gave a hearty greeting . Bro . A . Probyn responded . He looked upon the W . M . as his son , who was a Mason heart and soul—no one could have a better friend . He would make one of the best of

Worshipful Masters , and the members were to be congratulated on their happy choice . The working of the lodge was excellent , and he had never seen the installation ceremony done better . Bro . Russell also replied in suitable terms . Bros . J . Osborne , P . M ., and W . C . Page , P . M ., also responded , bearing testimony to the good working of the W . M . and Bro . Allen . The W . M . gave " The Past Masters , " remarking that

they were equal to those of any other lodge , and were the backbone , guides , and custodians of the lodge . Bro . Foxley , in reply , said that the W . M . would keep up the great reputation the lodge had in the province . In giving "The Treasurer and Secretary , " the W . M . said that they were both well tried and efficient officers , and that their position was gained by sheer hard work in the

Craft . Bro . Capt . Finch , P . M ., Treas ., responded . He had been associated with the lodge for many years . They could not have a better W . M ., who would have his hearty co-operation and support . Bro . Dearing , P . M ., Sec , also replied . He was the

means of the W . M . joining the lodge . He ( the VV . M . ) was not only respected there , but in other lodges , and he would faithfully discharge his duties . The toast of "The Officers" was duly honoured , and suitably acknowledged , and the pleasant gathering brought to a close with the Tyler ' s : oast .

MANCHESTER . Affability Lodg e ( No . 317 ) . —We were very pleased to have the pleasure of visiting this successful lodge on Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., at the Freemasons ' Hall , Cioper-street . The lodge was opened by Bro . J-. Read , W . M ., supported by all his officers . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed .

The VV . M . opened the lodge in the Third Degree . The chair was occupied by Bro . J . Bladon , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , who efficiently performed the ceremony . Bro . F . Spencer , S . W ., presented the working tools . After the usual business had been transacted and " Hearty good wishes " expressed from Provincial Grand Lodge and numerous Craft lodges in this and other provincesthe lodge was closed .

, Subsequently the brethren adjourned to the festive board , when a long list of loyal and other toasts were Kiven and responded to . Songs and recitations were given by several brethren present of great excellence . The following were present : Bros . J . Read , W . M . ; S .

ataton , L . P . M . ; F . Spencer , S . W . ; T . Bushell , J . W . ; J . S . Whitehead , Sec . ; A . A'len , S . D . ; N . Field , J . D . j A . Rottmayer , I . G . ; J . Bladon , P . M ., P . M ., P . P . A -G . D . C , D . C . ; E . G . Chesworth , P . M . ; J . Mountain , '•M . j J . Garside , P . M . ; W . H . Akerman , P . M . ; J . iJawson , P . M . ; J . Hardwicke-Marsh , W . M . 19301

" •U K . Smith , J . A . K . Haddad , H . A . Whaik , J . Lhenery , A . Findlow , W . A . Boyer , W . Charlton , O . A . Hamson , C . J . Guest , A . Sinclair , J . Simcock , W . Brocklehurst , and E . A . de Cantillon , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . E- W . Rowsell , 2359 ; H . W . Barrington , 104 ; C . Garrett , ¦ 572 ; II . Hamer . 9 so ; G . S . Smith , P . M . 1134 , 1170 , •" 359 , 2447 . P . G . Org " . ; A . K . Boothroyd , S . W . 2359 ; and " •L . Boothroyd , 2351 ) .

SOUTHALL . Jersey Lodge ( No . 2163 ) . —The installation meeting was neid at tne Railway Hotel , on Monday , the » Ui inst . The lodge was opened by Bro . VV . A . Cocks , W -M . The W . M . elect , Bro . W . Freemantle , was pre-

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sented , and most ably installed into his office by the retiring VV . M ., the Wardens' chairs during the ceremony being respectively occupied by Bros . F . P . Ansell , P . M . 551 , and S . H . Parkhouse , P . M . 1642 . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . C . Mead , W . M . 3 S 2 , S . W . ; C . C . Sanger , J . W . ; A . J . Hanson , Treas . ; W . F . Sanger , Sec . ; A . L . Butters , S . D . ; E . H . Moseley ,

J . D . ; E . Purnell , I . G . ; R . Pontifex , D . C ; Leo H . Walker . Org . ; J . A . Webb and T . S . Hardman , Stwds . ; and G . L . Duffin , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel of the lodge was presented to the l . P . M . by the W . M . in token of satisfaction of the brethren for the excellent manner he had performed the duties of his office . An excellent banquet was afterwards served , at which

the W . M . presided in his usual well-known genial mann r . Among the visitors were Bros . E . Prince , l . P . M . ; E . Porter , P . M . ; W . BJ . Squire , l . P . M . ; F . J . Thayre , P . M . ; R . J . Rogers , W . M . ; A . Pooley , P . M . ; and others . Bro . J . Tidmarsh , P . M ., Prov . J . G . D ., responded in a forcible and eloquent speech for "The Provincial Grand

Officers . " Bro . F . P . Ansell , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Hants and Isle of Wight , responding for "The Visitors , " said he came expressly from Ventnor to support the W . M . in the chair , and thanked the Installing Master for the courtesy in offering him the Warden's chair , and congratulated him on the very efficient manner he had worked the ceremonies .

SUTTON BRIDGE . Alexandra Lodge ( No . 985 ) . — The 30 th installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Bridge Hotel , on Mondav , the 23 rd ult ., when there were present Bros . S . J . Coupland , W . M . ; Rev . G . F . H . Foxton , P . P . G . Chap ., l . P . M . ; H . Healey , S . W . ; J . G . Dunlop , J . W . ; M . Cox , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., Treas ., ; J . R . Clarke , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P ., Sec . ; Chas . E . Ward , P . M .,

P . P . S . G . W ., D . C . ; Rev . J . F . C . Cudmore , Chap . ; A . H . Brooks , S . D . ; G . P . Hobson , acting J . D . ; T . H . Savage , I . G . ; S . S . Mossop , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; R . P . Mossop , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . H . Carter , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . ; W . Ridlington , P . M . ; J . E . Townsend , P . vl ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; E . Sunderland , P . M . ; W . Richardson , P . M . ; and D . Oliver , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . W . G .

Flanders , P . M . 471 , P . P . G . R . Mon . ; F . A . Barrington , S . W .. T . Peake , J . W ., Thos . H . Hodd , R . Catleugh , and H . Bradfield , of 107 ; Wm . R . Girling , W . M ., Wm . Bray , P . M ., P . G . Treas . Cambs ., Alfred J . Elworthy , S . W ., P . P . G . P . Cambs ., Jno . R . Bambridge , J . W ., and P . Bramall , of 809 ; Stephen A . Coxon , S . W . 442 , F . L . Gooch , P . M . 466 , P . P . G . P . Norths and Hunts , and F . B .

Kelly , 441 . The lodge having been opened by the VV . M ., and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , the W . M . requested Bro . Chas . E . Ward , D . C , to take the chair as Installing Master , upon which he presented his successor , Bro . Edward Sunderland for installation , who was duly installed into the chair of K . S ., invested .

proclaimed , and saluted . Ihe W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . S . J . Coupland , l . P . M . ; J . G . Dunlop , S . W . ; A . H . Brooks . J . W . ; Rev . J . F . E . Cudmore , Chap . ; Mark Cox , P . M ., Treas . ; J . R . Clarke , P . M ., Sec ; Chas . E . Ward , P . M ., D . C ; G . Peele Hobson , S . D . ; T . H . Savage , J . D . ; VV . Ridlington , P . M ., W . Foxton , and Jno . Mottram , Stewards : Harry

Healey , P . S . W ., Org . ; Jno . Francis , I . G . ; - and David Oliver , Tyler , each officer being conducted to his place and addressed by the I nstalling Master . Bro . Chas . E . Ward announced that the addresses to the W . M ., officers , and brethren , would be given by Bro . VV . G . Flanders , P . M . 471 , P . P . G . R . Mon ., son of one of the founders , wearing the apron of his father . The brethren were delighted with

the impressive manner in which the beautiful charges were delivered . " Hearty good wishes" having been given by the visitors and apologies from absent brethren read , the lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , put on by Host Bro . Clarke in his usual grand style , and presided over by the VV . M ., Bro . Edward Sunderland .

The usual loyal toasts were proposed by the VV . M . and honoured by the brethren with " God save the Queen " and " God bless the Prince of Wales . " Bro . J . G . Dunlop , S . W ., proposed "The R . W . Prov . Grand Alaster of Lincolnshire , Bro . VV . H . Smythe , D . L ., J . P ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " in a few well chosen remarks , which was responded

to by Bro . J . Hardy Carter , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C Bro . S . S . Mossop , P . P . G . R ., proposed the toast of the evening , "Bro . Edward Sunderland , W . M ., " and alluding to his long personal friendship he was sure from the way in which the new W . M . had conducted the various offices of the lodge the brethren would find him worthy of the high office of Master .

The Worshipful Master , in responding , said he was proud to have attained the highest honour the brethren could give and would do his best during his year of office to prove worthy of the confidence placed in him . Bro . R . P . Mossop , P . P . G . Std . Br ., proposed "The Installing Master , " and said he was sure the brethren were proud to have in Bro . Ward one who worked the

ceremonies so well and did so much to assist the lodge on installation evenings and at all other times , whilst on that occasion they were placed in the unique position in the lodge's history of having part of the ceremony so well rendered by Bro . Flanders , son of one of the founders of the lodge , whom the brethren thanked for his services and hoped he would be seen amongst them on future occasions .

Bro . Ward , in returning thanks , referred to the great pleasure he felt in being able to install the VV . M ., and especially to install one who had so much at heart the interests of the lodge . Bro . Flanders felt privileged in being permitted to take a part in the ceremony of the evening , having only the evening before , in looking through papers of the lodire with

his friend , the Secretary , Bro . Clarke , found that his late father was one of the founders of the lodge 30 years ago . T hat was his first visit , but he hoped it would not be his last . Bro . W . Bray , P . G . Treas . Cambs , in proposing "The Masonic Charities , " considered the toast one most highly

honoured amongst Freemasons , who were pleased to help the brother who had fallen out from the prosperous path of life , or his widow left unprovided for , and to maintain and educate his orphan children . The lodge was fortunate in having a brother , whose name he was pleased to couple with the toast—Bro . C E . Ward , P . P . Charity Steward—who

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had done so much for the Charities , having in 1 S 90 , when representing the Province of Lincolnshire at the Girts' Festiva l , taken uo the largest list of the year , and in 1 S 92 , as representative of the lodge at the Benevolent Festival , had the highest list in the province . Bro . Ward , in returning thanks for the hearty reception of the toast , said he was thanktul to the brethren for the splendid manner in which' they had responded to his rather

frequent calls upon them , without which it would have been impossible to have attained such results , the lodee , five years since , having only one brother ( Bro . S . S . Mossop ) with Life votes in Central Charities—now increased to 25 brethren holding 95 votes . Unfortunately , through agricultural depression , the lodge now had very heavy calls upon its funds for families of deceased brethren , hence he made one more appeal for liberal contributions to the

Chanty-box . The sum of £ 3 7 s . was contributed to the Benevolent Fund by the brethren present . Bro . G . F . H . Foxton proposed "The Visitors , " saying how pleased the brethren were to see so many distinguished visitors , some of whom were from such long distances . Bro . Girling , W . M . 802 , in responding , expressed the pleasure it had given him and several of his officers to

respond to the most liberal invitation received , which was for the VV . M ., Wardens , and any brethren of S 09 . They had seen good working and spent a mo- > t enjoyable evening , and extended a heartv welcome to the brethren of 9 -15 who would visit S 09 at Wisbech . Bro . Flanders , who also responded , considered it one of the greatest pleasures for Masons to visit each other ' s lodge and to be enabled to become acquiinted with one

another . It had been a great treat to him that night , and he thanked them . Bros . Gooch , P . M . 466 , and S . A . Coxon , S . W . 441 , also thanked the brethren for their hearty reception of the toast . The remaining toasts were duly honoured , and , after

the Tyler s toast had been given , a very pleasint evening was bronght to an end . Bro . H . Healey presided over the musicil arrangements , songs being sung b y Bros . Dunlop , Healey , W . R . Girling , E . Sunderland , S . A . Coxon , VV . Richardson , A . J . Elworthy , and Master Willie Clarke ; also recitations by Bro . Flanders .

THORNE . St . Nicholas Lodge ( No . 2259 ) . —The annual installation gathering of this lodge took place on Wednesday , the 1 st inst ., when there were present Bros . J . Constable , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., W . M . ; S . II . C . Ashlin , l . P . M . ; W . Martin , J . W . ; A . L . Peace , Treas . ; W . P . Robotham , Sec ; Rev . J . G . Littlewood , Chap . ; J . H . Bletcher , Almoner ; H . A . Fenton , D . C ; T .

Barber , J . D . ; B . Maskill , Stwd . ; F . Pine , Tyler ; E . Hirst , R . N . Brunyee , W . Pickering , F . Webb , and G . Eland . Visitors : Bros . E . Ne vsum , VV . M . 242 ; C Fox , W . M . 14 S 2 ; J . G . Loam , W . M . 630 ; C . A . Cheesman , W . M . 12 S J S . M . | Peare , W . M . 207 S ; W . Staniland , 5 66 , P . P . G . S . B . ; VV . Boulton , 458 ; T . Duff , 242 ; H . Foster , 242 ; T . Spowart , 1239 ; W . Middleton , 120 ; W . G . Beek , 209 , P . P . G . D . C , 200 ; M . R . J .

Behrendt , 14 S 2 ; T . C Horobin , 1482 , P . P . G . D . ; H . L . Burtonshaw , 14 S 2 , P . P . G . D . ; H . Thorpe , 45 S ; and others . The lodge having been opened , Bro . John Constable , W . M ., performed the first part of the installation ceremony . The VV . M . elect , Bro . A . L . Peace , was presented b / ms son , Bro . S . M . Peace , W . M . 207 S ; that was considered something unique—probably never known before—a

brother-son presenting his brother-father . Bro . Staniland performed the second part of the ceremony in a very splendid and correct style , and Bro . Ashlin gave the addresses to the VV . M ., officers , and brethren with good taste and feeling . Hearty congratulations were given all round , and telegrams and messages were received from Bros . Weigall , P . P . G . C ; Matthewman , P . A . G . Sec . j Watson , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; and others . The following

ollicers were invested for the ensuing year : Bros . John Constable , l . P . M . ; W . Martin ; S . W . ; J . H . Pawson , J . W . ; VV . P . Robotham , Sec ; Rev . J . G . Littlewood , Chap . ; B . Maskill , Treas . ; R . N . Brunyee , D . C ; J . H . Bletcher , Almoner ; T . Barber , S . D . ; II . A . Fenton , J . D . ; G . Eland , I . G . ; E . Simpson , Org . ; E . Hirst and VV . T . Chambers , Stewards ; and F . Pine , Tyler . Bro . Constable was unanimously re-elected Charity Steward .

After the lodge was closed , the brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , where a splendid banquet had been provided , to which ample justice was done . The usual Masonic toasts followed , interspersed with some splendid harmony by Bros . Webb , Duff , Middleton , Robotham , Fox , Peace , and Fenton , and capital recitations by Bros . Middleton and Hirst . Altogether a delightful evening was spent , concluding with Bro . Middleton ' s "Auld Lang Syne , " given in a style such as he alone can give .

TUNBRIDGE WELLS . Pantiles Lodge ( No . 2200 ) . —There was an unusually large gathering of members and visitors at the installation meeting of the above lodge in the Pump Room , on Wednesday , the ist inst ., the W . M . elect being very popular in the Craft . Among those present w . ire : Bros . Josiah Wilmot , W . M . ; C . J . Gallird , J . W ., VV . VL elect ; T . Ryder , P . M . ; B . S . Wilmot , P . AI . ; R . buvenson ,

P . M ., Sec ; T . Potter , Treas . ; T . Millidge , W . M . 1 G 7 S ; G . S . Crimpin , W . M . 10 S 2 ; C . Godsmark , W . M . 1209 ; E . Putman , S . W . 1362 ; J . G . Calwav , 1612 , P . P . G . P . Sussex ; F . Cronk , W . M . 1414 ; S . VV . Shaw , 709 , P . P . J . G . W . ; S . H . Greenstreet , W . M . 125 ; W . skinner , W . M . S 74 ; B . Rix , P . M . 874 i H . Harris , Sec . 874 ; J . A . Anscombe , S . D . S 74 ; G . | D . Warner , P . M . 1678 , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Abrey , P . M . 1 G 71 , P . G . D . ; A . H .

Tester , Stwd . S 74 ; A . 1 . Simpson , P . M . ; N . Grunwell , I . P . M . ; J . S . Fletcher , S . D . ; J . Corfield , J . D . ; W . H . Downs , D . C ; W . Rule , A . D . C ; A . Burslem , I . G . ; E . O . Howis , Org . ; Geo . Grover and T . Best , Stwds . ; H . A . Burton , J . Lessels , W . Tupper , E . Westbroik , W . Wiseman , J . T . Hudson , A . M . Duret , P . P . J . G . W . ; G . Smith , A . G . Stovold , R . J . Langley , D . Hoadley , E . E .

Fenwick , M . A . H . Edwardes , F . L . Williams , E , Oliver , J . W . S 74 ; B . Shrubsole , 593 ; and J . W . Boulter , Tyler . Alter some formal business , liro . Chas . J . Gallard , VV . M . elect , was duly installed W . M .., the Installing Master being Bro . N . Grunwell , who carried out the onerous duties in a most exemplary manner . Bro . Potter having been appointed to one of the chairs , his resignation as Treasurer