Provincial Meetings.

Sapey , W . M . 114 s ; and D . T . Bostel , W . M . 1 G 36 . Amongst the members of the lodge present , in addition to the ollicers , svere Bros . T . Weller-Poley , P . G . D . ; Sir Robert Raper , P . P . J . G . W . ; H . E . Breach , P . G . Stsvd . ; W . H . Barrett , P . P . G . D . C ; G . C Inkpen , P . M . ; C . E . Ormerod , P . P . G . S . of W . Surrey ; H . Heather , A . Goodger , W . Turner , Barsvell , Cheeseman , D . Waddington , S . Baker , H . Koblich , Rev . M . F . Hilton , A . Purchase , A . Mannings , and others .

CHINGFORD . William Shurmur Lodge ( No . 2374 ) . —A meeting of this vigorous lodge svas held on Thursday , the 2 ist ult ., at the Royal Forest Hotel , svhen , notivithstandin . fr the prevailing epidemic , a large number of brethren svere in attendance . In consequence of the much lamented death of the Dukeof Clarence and Avondale , K . G ., P . G . W ., the

lodge svas draped in deep Alasonic mourning . There svere four candidates for initiation , four passings , and tsvo rais ings , all of svhich ceremonies svere performed in a most solemn and impressive manner . Ten gentlemen svere proposed for initiation . It svas unanimously decided that a petition should be presented praying for a charter to hold a Royal Arch chapter in connection wilh this lodge . A resolution of condolence and sympathy vvith their Royal

Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales and all the Royal Family in their sad bereavement svas unanimously passed . Bro . H . F . Bromhead , S . W ., represented the lodge at the obsequies at the Royal Chapel at Windsor , and svas the bearer of a splendid lloral emblem . It svas also resolved that a similar vote of sympathy and condolence should be passed to the svidosv and family of the late respected Grand Secretary , Col . Shadsvell H . Clerke .

COCKERMOUTH . Skiddaw Lodge ( No . 1002 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of this lodge svas held in the Masonic Hall , on Tuesday evening , the 2 nd inst . Bro . J . Hewson , W . AL , presided , supported by Bros . Dr . D . Forsyth , S . W . ; H . Peacock , P . AL , P . P . G . S . B ., as J . W . ( in the absence , from influenza , of Bro . A . Entsvistle ); and other officers .

The minutes of the installation meeting having been read , and there being no svork , Bro . W . F . Lamonby , P . AL , P . P . G . Reg ., took the chair , after svhich , on the motion of Bro . R . Robinson , senior P . AL , P . P . S . G . D ., seconded by Bro . H . Bosvman , Secretary , a vote of thanks svas passed . Bro . Lamonby , in response , expressed the pleasure it had afforded nim to be once more at svork in his mother

lodge , and he added that , although that might be the last time he should be svith them , he should , as he had been for now approaching 27 years , continue a subscribing member . The VV . AI . read the copy of a telegram of congratulation sent to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales only a month before ; also the gracious reply thereto from the Al . W . Grand Alaster . He moved that the copies

be inserted in the lodge minutes , which svas seconded by Bro . T . C . Burn , P . AL , and carried . Bro . Lamonby , P . AL , moved that the lollosving resolution be placed after the foregoing in the minutes : " That the brethren of Skiddasv Lodge take the earliest opportunity of expressing their deep sorrosv at the untimely decease of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , Prov . Grand Alaster of Berkshire , and Past Grand Warden of England , and they further

desire to record their sincere and heartfelt sympathy svith H . R . H . the M . W . Grand Alaster and her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales in their sad bereavement . " The resolution svas seconded by Bro . Peacock , P . AL , supported by Bro . VV . H . Lessthsvaite , P . AL , P . P . G . Org ., and carried . The lodge svas then closed . Subsequently , on the invitation of Bro . R . C . Shawyer , the brethren were invited to partake of supper at the Globe Hotel , by svay of farewell to Bro . Lamonby , P . AL , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

COLCHESTER . Angel Lodge ( No . 51 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge svas held on Thursday , the 28 th ultimo , at the Three Cups Hotel . An interesting feature of the proceedings svas that Bro . E . L . Railing , the I . G . of the lodge , attended to bid faresvell to tbe brethren on the eve of his departure for Cape Tosvn . Bro . Railing , in addressing the

lodge , said one of the regrets which he felt on leaving thc old country svas the severance of many ties , not the least of which svas that bound him to the Angel Lodge . When he accepted office last October he did so in the hope that he should be able to fulfil the duties , and perhaps at the end of his year be called to higher functions . In nosv taking his

leave of the brethren he should not lose his interest in the lodge , but trusted that he might hear in the home of his adoption of its continued prosperity . The W . AL , Bro . F . C H . Jenes , expressed his regret at losing the services of Bro . Railing as an officer of the lodge , but in the name of the brethren svished him a safe and pleasant voyage , and every prosperity in his nesv home .

CROYDON . George Price Lodge . ( No . 2096 ) . —This lodge held the first regular meeting at its nesv meeting place , the Public Hall , on Saturday , the Gth inst . There svere present Bros . J . H . Price , W . AL ; J . C . Leaver , S . W . ; F . VV . Leaver , J . VV . ; D . Langton , P . AL , Sec . ; J . S . Hinton , acting S . D . ; VV . D . Haysvard , D . C , acting

J . D . ; N . C Cresv , acting I . G . j 1 ' . Cambridge , P . AL , Org . ; I ' . T . Ridpath , P . M ., and J . Jones , Stsvds . j Lane , Tyler j VV . G . Goode , LP . AL ; J . S . Fraser , P . AL ; Pearson , Jones , Whitford , Fielder , and Sheldon . The visitors were Bros . C . Sargeant , S . W . 12 G 1 ; Herbert Abraham , 1017 ; VV . O . Welsford , Sec . 1 . 321 ; Geo . VV . Eve , 1 G 70 ; G . E . Grimes , J . W . 1321 ; W . Knglelield ,

P . AL 1321 ; and II . List , 22 S 4 . After thc lodge had been opened , and tbe minutes confirmed , a ballot was taken for two candidates for initiation , Alessrs . William George Sheldon and Herbert Armstrong Brown , and they were both unanimously elected . The formergentlcman being present , was regularly initiated , the charge being given by Bro . Ridpath , P . M . Votes of condoIer . ee svere passed expressing the sympathy of the

lodge with the M . W . G . M . upon the death ol H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale . and vvith the svidosv of the late Col . Shadsvell H . Clerke , G . S . The lodge liaving been closed , the brethren sal down to a most enjoyable dinner . The VV . AI . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , and during the evening songs antl recitations svere given , liro . Cambridge , P . P . G . Organist , acting as accompanist .

Provincial Meetings.

DONCASTER . St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 242 ) . —This lodge svas held on Friday , the 4 th instant , in the Nether Hall Rooms , svhen there svere present Bros . J . Fitzgerald , W . AI ; F . D . Walker , P . P . J . G . D ., acting LP . AL ; F . Webb , S . VV . ; E . Nesvsum , J . VV . ; F . Rand , P . J . G . D ., D . of C ; J . Rayner , Sec . j C . Woodhouse , Org . ; W . Blake , acting J . D : ; T . Foster , LG . ; S . Lester , Stsvd . ; G .

Brooke , P . P . J . VV . ; A . VV . Fretsvell , P . AI . ; A . Parkin , P . M . ; H . C . White , W . H . Chambers , J . Gibson , C . Hopkinson , T . Barron , R . Allott , H . Hinchcliff , J . VV . Smith , T . W . Turner , and J . H . Pasvson . Visitors * . Bros . J . Constable , LP . AL , 14 S 2 ; G . Milner , 1511 ; H . D . Fenton , 2259 ; and J . Hust , and W . Mason , Tylers . Bro . Rand announced that the lodge ' s share of the proceeds of the late ball svas £ 6 13 s . 4 d ., svhich he should

propose at the next lodge ss-as made up to £ 20 and sent to the Alasonic Charities . Bro . Walker proposed a vote of condolence to be sent to the AI . W . G . AI ., the Prince of VVales , and Princess May on their sad bereavement . This svas seconded by Bro . Parkin , and carried unanimously . After " Hearty good svishes" the lodge svas closed . The brethren aftersvards partook of supper in the anteroom , svhen the usual Alasonic toasts svere duly honoured .

FENTON . Minerva Lodge ( No . 1942 ) . —The Festival of St . John and installation of the VV . M . elect took place on Tuesday , the 26 th ult ., at the Nesv Tosvn Hall , svhere the Iodge is nosv regularly held . The W . AL , Bro . W . R . Wooldridge , svas supported by the svhole of his officers , and the follosving brethren and visitors : Bros . T . Ashsvorth , P . AL , P . P . G . R . ; J . Stevenson , P . AL , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Dugan , P . AL ; Enoch Hallam , P . AL ; E . Peake , P . AL 637

P . P . G . P . ; W . T . McNeal , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; j . Darlington , L . Alarshall , E . Day , J . Stevenson , J . Alason , W . AL 98 ; VV . Brickel , P . AI . 1715 ; G . VV . Bradford , VV . AI . 2149 ; S . Bentley , P . AL 98 , P . P . J . G . D . j Edsvin Nail , W . M . 1914 ; G . Radford , S . W . 54 G ; G . L . Birch , 2114 ; R . VV . Day , 41 S ; R . Williams , J . W . G 37 ; and E . Harding , LG . G 37 . The usual formal business having been disposed of , Bro .

Wooldridge proceeded to install his successor , Bro . H . R . Strange , and this he did in an efficient manner , follosving closely the " Emulation" svorking as taught by Bro . Sudlosv at the provincial lodgeof instruction held under the auspices of the P . G . AI ., Bro . Col . Foster Gough . According to custom in this lodge , the LP . AL of the preceding 12 months is presented svith a Past Alaster ' s collar svhen he vacates the I . P . AI . ' s chair , and this svas presented by Bro .

Wooldridge to Bro . Enoch Hallam svith a fesv heart-spoken svords gratefully acknowledging the services Bro . Hallam had rendered to the lodge as W . AI . and LP . AL Bros . Ashsvorth , McNeal , Stevenson , Dugan , Peake , and Hallam assisted Bro . Wooldridge by giving some of the addresses and the svorking tools , and Bro . Wooldridge , in handing the custody of the svarrant to his successor , transferred it as pure and unsullied as he received it , and closed his year

of ollice svith a record of good sound svork accomplished , The officers svere invested by Bro . Strange as follosvs : Bros , 1 . Foster , S . VV . ; J . Hindle , J . VV . ; T . Ashworth , Treas . j F . IL Darwin , Sec ; G . Taylor , S . D . ; T . C . Wright , J . D . ; John Stevenson , D . C . ; F . D . Bradley , Org . ; L , Alarshall , I . G . j J . Darlington , Steward j and T . Warren

Tyler . " Hearty good svishes " having been tendered , the lodge svas duly closed , and the brethren proceeded by special car to Longton , svhere an excellent banquet had been provided at the Crown and Anchor Hotel , and where a vcry harmonious and enjoyable evening svas spent .

HYDE . Fortitude Lodge ( No . 4 61 ) . —The annual installation meeting of this lodge svas held at the Commercial Hotel on Thursday , the 28 th ult . There svas a very large gathering of brethren present , among svhom svere Bros , loseph f . Bosvker , W . AL j John Robinson , S . W . j J . J . Tinker , J . W . j Chas . E . Brooke , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . j VVm . Barker , P . AL , P . P . G . P ., Sec . j Thos .

Perrin , LP . AL ; Ed . Dibley , P . AL , P . P . G . Stsvd . j Thos . Warrington , P . AL ; Ben . C Bradley , S . D . ; Hubert J . Owen , J . D . ; VV . P . J . Fasscus and Geo . Graham , Stsvds . ; Jas . Whiteley , LG . ; Jos . Hudson , Tyler ; Jas . Harding , Samuel Adams , Thos . Fildes , and Wm . Spencer . Visitors Bros . J . E . Radford , P . AL 336 ; Wm . Tsvidale , P . M . 33 G ; J-s . Alarshall , $$ 0 ; J- Bailey , P . AI . 3 G 1 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; Thos . Sedgsvick , 3 G 1 ; Richard Griffiths , S . D . 3 G 1 ; ( j . VV .

Sidebotham , W . AL 3 G 1 ; AL Middleton , 33 G ; and others . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the previous meeting svere read and confirmed , and the balancesheet adopted . Bro . John E . Radford , P . AL of the Benevolence Lodge , No . 336 , oi Marple , svas the Installing Alaster , and he appointed as the Installing Ofliccrs Bros . Ed . Dibley , P . M ., P . P . G . S ., as S . VV . ; ' C E . Brooke , P . AL , P . G . Std . Br ., as J . W . ; and J . Tsvidale , P . M ., as I . G .

Bro . Joseph Bosvker , J . W ., W . AI . elect , svas presented to the Installing Alaster by Bro . Barker , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., and he svas installed into the chair in a most admirable and clever manner by Bro . Radford , svho performed the ceremony of Emulation , svhich svas a great treat to those svho had the privilege of being present . The follosving officers svere invested for the ensuing year , and they svere addressed by Bro . W . Barker , P . P . G . P ., with thc

exception of the Secretary , who svas addressed by Bro . Dr . G . VV . Sidebotham , W . M . 3 G 1 : —Bros . John Robinson , S . W . ; J . J . Tinker , J . VV . ; C . E . Brooke , P . AL , P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; VV . Barker , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P ., Sec . ; B . C . Bradley , S . D . ; II . J . Owen , J . D . ; J . Whiteley , I . G . ; VV . P . J . Favvcus and G . Graham , Stesvards ; and J . Hudson , Tyler . The svorking tools svere presented by Bros . Dr . Sidebotham , Perrin , P . M ., and Brooke , Prov . G .

Sid . Br . The address to the W . M . svas given by Bro . Radford , that to the Wardens by Bro . VV . Tsvidale , P . AL , and to the brethren by Bro . G . W . Sidebotham . After a very large number of visitors had expressed " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge svas closed . Subsequently a banquet svas held , svhen the usual loyal toasts svere propos . d .

Ihe toast of " Ihe W . M . svas proposed by Bro . l'hos . Perrin , P . AL I le said that Bro . Boivker came to the chair under favourable auspices , and from the very able manner he had conducted the other offices he had filled , he svas quite sure that he svould be a very svorthy W . AI . The VV . M . responded , and at the same time proposed "The Health of the LP . AL , " svhich svas received svith applause .

Provincial Meetings.

Bro . Dr . G . W . Sidebotham responded on behalf of "The Visitors , " and remarked , on account of the unavoidable absence of Bro . Richard Nesvhouse , Prov . G . Secretary , he svould say svhat he knesv Bro . Nesvhouse svould have done had he been there , and in a splendid speech , svhich appealed to the sensitive feelings of every brother present , he exhorted them to do all they possibly could , more especially for the Benevolent Institution , pointing out that in this case

all votes accruing from a Stesvard this year svould be double value . He also said that if the Fortitude Lodge had not appointed a Stesvard , he svas going as one himself , and he svould be very pleased indeed if they svould include svhat they had to give in his list . After the toasts of "The Neivly-ins'ested Officers" and " The Masonic Charities " had been given , the proceedings terminated .

LEICESTER . Commercial Lodge ( No . 1391 ) . — The regular monthly meeting of this lodge svas held on the 29 th ult ., at Freemasons' Hall . The W . AL , Bro . T . S . H . Ashsvell , occupied the chair , and svas supported by the following officers : Bros . H . Howe , S . W . ; A . Fergusson , J . VV . ; R . B . Starkey , P . AL , P . P . A . G . P ., Treas . ; ] .

W . Beazeley , Sec ; A . Chambers , S . D . ; G . J . B . Woolley , J . D . ; G . O . Alarshall , Org . ; F . W . Billson , as I . G . ; F . Lambert , Stsvd . ; and J . Tanser , Tyler . There svere also present Bros . J . Harrison , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; W . VV . Vincent , P . P . S . G . D . ; and J . G . Bower , P . S . G . D ., LP . AL Among the visitors svere Bros . E . Holmes , W . AI . 279 ; Thorpe , P . AL 523 ; Waring , P . M . 523 ; Pierson ,

and S . Gerson , 57 . After the minutes svere read and confirmed , the W . AI . said before commencing the business of the lodge he must refer to the great loss svhich Freemasons had sustained osving to the untimely death of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , K . G ., P . G . AI . of Berks . Occurring at a time svhen they , as Freemasons and loyal subjects

, svere particularly interested in his svelfare , they felt they could not better express their sympathy than by sending a letter of condolence to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , sympathising svith him and his family in their great sorrosv . The W . M . said he svould refer to the painful subject again later on in the evening , but svould nosv proceed svith the business . Bros . Alariette , Alexander , and Garrett were

then passed to the Degree of F . C , and after other business the W . AL again referred to the death of the Duke of Clarence , and said since he had been in the lodge he svas told that the Provincial Grand Lodge svould meet on the 30 th for the purpose of proposing a vote of condolence to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales in similar terms to those he had intended submitting to them , therefore he thought the

matter bad belter be left in the hands of the Provincial Grand Lodge . Thc VV . M . then referred in very feeling terms to the death of their esteemed Bro . J . Read , svho first sasv the light of Alasonry in the Commercial Lodge in 1 S 74 . He served the office of D . C , S . D ., Secretary , J . VV ., and S . W ., and svhile holding the latter office removed to London , or no doubt he svould have been

installed in the chair of K . S . He moved that a letter of condolence be sent by the Secretary to the svidow of their deceased brother , sympathising svith her in her great bereavement . Bro . H . Hosve , S . VV ., svho said he had knosvn Bro . Read a number of years , seconded the resolution in very appropriate svords . The Organist , Bro . G . O . Alarshall , P . G . Stwd ., then played the Dead March in "Saul " in an

impressive manner . Ihe W . AL said he he had great pleasure in proposing that Bro . W . H . Barrosv , Mus . Doc , 1 P . AL 523 , be made an honorary member of the lodge , for the great services he had rendered to the lodge for many years past . The resolution svas seconded b y Bro . Bosver , LP . AL , and most heartily supported by Bros . Vincent , P . AL ,

and Harrison , P . AL , and carried unanimously . The Charity box svas sent round the lodge for the relief of a svidosv ( now living in Leicester ) of a deceased brother of a Peterborough lodge , and the sum of £ 1 19 s . Gd . collected . Apologies for non-attendance svere received from Bros . C . J . Wilkinson , P . AL ; the Rev . J . VV . Willson , ALA ., Chap . ; Nesbit ; Gibbons ; \ . H . Alarshall , LP . AL 270 ; and the Rev . H . j . Alason , Al . ' A ., P . AL 114 G .

MANCHESTER . Avon Lodge ( No . 1633 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge svas held on VVednesday , the 27 th ult ., at thc Wheatsheaf Hotel , High-street . An extraordinary amount of svork presented itself to the members in the circular of the proceedings . There svere three initiations , one passing , and one raising . The lodge was

presided over by the W . AL , Bro . VV . F . Farrington , who opened the lodge . The minutes of thc previous meeting sverc read and continued . The ballot svas taken for three gentlemen , and , proving favourable , they svere initialed by Bro . VV . I '" . Fanington . The ceremony of passing vvas performed by Bro . Charles Ssvinn , LP . AL , and the raising by Bro . G . Alacfarlane . P . M . Bro . VV . F .

Farrington , W . AL , acted as Installing Alaster , and appointed as his ollicers Bros . T . Cavanale , P . M ., as S . W ., and G . Alacfarlane as J . W . The W . AI . elect , Bro . J . T . Kensyorthy , svas presented , and duly installed into the chair of K . S . Ihe follosving ollicers svere insested and addressed by Bro . Charles Swinn , P . AL : Bros . W . F . Farrington , LP . AL ; William Batteisby , S . VV . ; John | as .

Wills , J . W . ; William Craven , P . M ., Treas . ; William Brown , P . AL , Sec . ; Aaron Jacobson , S . D . ; Herman Alason , J . D . ; John E . Greensvood , I . G . ; George Alacfarlane , P . A 1 ., D . C , Charity Representative ; William Henry Barker , Org . ; William Padget , Fred . H . E . Carter , Henry R . Box , and Geo . lidsvard Cox , Stsvds . ; and E . de Cantillon , Tyler . The W . AL svas addressed b y Bro . T . Cavanale , P . AL ,

the Wardens by Bro . Macfarlane , P . AL , P . P . G . D . C , and the brethren by Bro . Farrington . At the conclusion of the installation apologies svere read from Bro . Col . Nicholas Le Gendre Starkie , P . G . AI ., and the D . P . G . AI ., Bro . Geo . Mellor , being unable to attend . Subsequenlly a banquet svas held , svhich had been admirably arranged and the tables beautifull y decorated , and prepared by Bro . Tom Wood , the proprietor .

The follosving brethren svere present : Bros . J . " ' ¦ Kenworthy , VV . M . ; William Battersby , S . W . ; J . JWills , J . W . ; VV . II . Farrington , LP . AL ; Charles Swinn , P . M . ; George Alacfarlane , P . M ., D . of Ci William Craven , P . M ., Treas . ; William Brown , P . M- > Sec ; T . B . Cavanale , P . AL ; Wm . Bostock , P . AI ., P . P . G . S . B . ; Aaron Jacobson , S . D . ; Herman Alason , J . D . ; John Ii . Greenwood , I . G . ; Win . Hy . Barker-Or-j . ; F . H . E . Carter and G . R . Box , Stsvds . j E . U «