Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hants And The Isle Of Wight.

Bro . LANCASTER read the patent for the appointment of Bro . Goble , who then took the obligation , and was next invested and saluted in Masonic form . The D . P . G . M . said he heartily thanked the Prov . Grand Master for having selected him as his Deputy , and he assured him he would endeavour to carry out the duties to the satisfaction of every officer and brother of the province . He made some graceful allusions to the late Deputy , and read

extracts from two letters he had received from him , which were full of sympathy , and in one of which he said that if his memory served him rightly he had never come into personal conflict with any of the brethren . He added , in a letter written from on board the Gaul on the 2 nd of July , that he looked forward to meeting all the brethren with the highest satisfaction , and to supporting him as his successor , and to join in the congratulations which he was sure his appointment would evoke . ( Applause ) . The Prov . Grand Master then invested the cfficers for the year as follows :

Bro . A . E . F . Francis , 215 S ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ E . A . Fan * , 1373 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ,, H . Searle , 96 ... ... ... " ) r > / - ru „ A . T . Richardson , 69 S j Prov ' G > Cha P - „ J . W . Gieve , igejo ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ VV . Dunn , 195 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ H . Cr . Giles , 1903 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ J . Homan . s og .. ... ... - j „ W . E . Duck , 1 S 34 ... ... .., ) Fr ov' SG-Ds-„ A . T . Hicks , 1-X 2 ... ... ... L Z „ , " A . Millidge , 151 j Prov . J . G . Ds . „ C . S . Dusautoy , 359 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of VV .

„ h . VV . Ward , 76 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Shepherd , 551 ... ... .., Prov . D . G . D . C . „ S . Frampton , 1 S 03 ... ... ... " ) „ J . M . Godfrey , 804 ... ... ... [ Prov . A . G . D . Cs . „ R . Young , 18 S 4 ... ... ... ) „ H . Hussey , 17 S 0 ... ... .., Prov . G . S . B .

„ T . M . Taylor , 35 ... ... ... " ) „ R . Wyatt , 1428 ... ... ... C Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ G . H . Atkinson , 1331 ... ... ... j „ H . Siebert , 342 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ G . F . Lancaster , 309 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec .

„ u . Kogers , 2109 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . „ E . G . A . Nash , 2153 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . P . „ E . R . Ratclil'f ... ... ... " ] ,, F . Fairweather , 31 ) 4 ... ... ... | „ Chandler , 2068 ... ... ... „ „ „ . , ¦ irov

„ Evans , 342 ... ... ... - . u . ouvas . „ Dake , ejo 3 ... ... ... ... | „ Guy , 1 S 6 9 ... ... ... ... I „ J . Exall ... ... ... ... ' Prov . G . Tyler . The PROV . G . M . went on to refer to the increase of Masonry in the

province during thc year , and particularly spoke of the interesting ceremony at St . Paul ' s , the great Centenary Festival of the Boys' School-in which their own province came out , he said , very well—and to the recent interesting service at Salisbury Cathedral , in which , he said , though it was outside their own province , he was glad to assist . ( Hear , hear ) .

After the transaction of some further business , Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , and the brethren afterwards partook of a banquet in the hall , under the presidency of the Prov . G . M . The arrangements for the meeting were admirably made and carried out by the Ryde brethren .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

CONSECRATION OF THE NORTHERN STAR OF CHINA LODGE , No . 2 G 7-J fE . C . J .

We have been asked to publish the following : An event of considerable importance in the hibtory of Newchwang took place on Saturday , June iSth . This was the consecration of the above lod ge . It had been expected that the official opening - of the lodge would have been held in the autumn of last year , but owing to the non-arrival of lhe warrant from England before the closing of the port for the winter , this had to be postponed until now . On the above date , however , the impressive

ceremony was performed in a most effective and solemn manner by R . W . liro . Lewis Moore , the District Grand Master for Northern China , assisted ' y VV . Bro . VV . H . Anderson , D , D . G . M ., and thc warrant handed over to 'he members of the lodge . The meeting was attended by a considerable "umber of both resident and non-resident Masons .

After the consecration , Bro . Moore installed Bro . J . N . Segerdal as the hrst VV . M ., and invested the following ollicers : Bros . A . Schmidt , S . W . ; '• 1 'awcett , J . W . ; F . C . McCalfum , Treas . ; W . J . Lister , Sec . G . H . Unnefalher , S . D . ; F . Hopkins , J . D . ; J . Clark , I . G . ; J . Armour , D . C ; and W . Sloss , Steward . At the close of the ceremonies , thc brethren adjourned to the Assembly Kcomc , where a substantial repast had been prepared .

the usual Masonic toasts having been duly honoured , several of the !^ ? t-j * rommcnt residents , who are not Freemasons but who had been Y ' ' f" ! ? > anc-i although they only " came in at the tail end of the ^ . ii- cjuet , " joined heattil y in contributing to the passing of a very pleasant , ' usical evening . The stage in the ball-room was utilised for the convetnce

• cf the singers , and the entertainment was kept up until a late hour . v i- ¦ f Freemasons of Newchwang are to be congratulated on the spirit icli has induced them to conquer many difficulties and establish a lodge of [ u Y ° wn which now numbers nearly 40 members , and to have obtained and nushed such a r ; omfortable room for their rolace of meeting .

/ - - ? dav ^ i -V' Ducl , ESS 01 ' ' ALBANY and her children , who returned to Claremont , on Tues-VVinchc ii a M ! 101- v * sit t 0 the - * Mrs ' K > C * Moreton , at Crookliam House , in-ipa / i j ' . 8 ° Balmoral en a visit to the Queen when the Court leaves Osborne , - eau of staying at Birkhall , Deesidc .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Duke of Edinburgh Lodge , No . 1182 . The above lodge , consecrated at the Coffee House , Wavertree , in the year iS 5 / , started on a career of great promise , having several Craftsmen of repute at the head of affairs , and the early indications of success then given have been verified on attachment to its transference to " another place "—the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool . The annual installation meeting held there on the nth inst . afforded emphatic evidence of

the vitality of the lodge , which has very greatly distinguished itself with respect to the essence of Freemasonry—hearty , liberal , and spontaneous support of the various Charities , in the city and in London , which have for their object the welfare of children , old men , and old women . The chair at the commencement of the proceedings was occupied by Bro . H . B . Wright , the retiring W . M ., and he crowned his year's work in connection with that important office by introducing six candidates to the Order , and afterwards installing his successor in the chair . Amongst the chiefs of the lodge present

besides the W . M . were Bros . T . Davies , P . P . G . P . ; A . Morris , P . M . ; G . B . Kirkland , P . M . ; J . Williams , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . H . Ferguson , P . M . ; W . Rawsthorne , P . M . ; J . Edwards , P . G . S ., Treas . ; R . Tunnicliffe , P . M ., D . C ; T . Burrows , P . M . ; and amongst the visitors were Bros . W . Goodacre , P . G . S . B . England , P . ov . Grand Secretary ; W . H . Bucknell , P . P . Assist . Grand Director of Ceremonies Shropshire ; I . Macnab , P . P . G . W . ; J . Lane , P . M . 2042 ; P . Armstrong , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . M'Murray , P . S . G . D . ( Mayor of Bootle ); S . L . Fraser , P . P . G . S . ot W . ; T . I .

Jarman , P . P . G . D . C ; C . Fothergill , P . P . G . D . ; J . Hughes , P . M . 1675 ; R , M'Gee , P . M . 1675 ; R . H . Webster , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . D . Jay , W . M . 1264 ; N . Christensen , P . M . 1393 ; L . H . Eaton , P . M . 1547 ; G . Davies , l . P . M . 1356 ; J . R . Bottomley , P . P . G . D . C ; L . Gibson , P . M . 1094 ; and R . R . Martin , P . M . 1094 . Bro . Robert Wright was impressively installed Worshipful Master , and the subjoined brethren were invested officers for the ensuing year—Bros . H . B . Wright , l . P . M . ;

Isaac Grace , jun ., S . W . ; David Robertson , J . W . ; A . Morris , P . M ., Treas . ; Richard Johnson , Sec . ; Walter Allison , S . D . ; J . Starkey , J . D . ; J . Bowman , I . G . ; T . W . Outhwaite , H . G . Grace , J . Clarke , and G . Payne , Stwds . ; J . K . Cave , Org . ; George Johnston , P . M ., D . C . ; and H . du Chemin , Tyler . Bro . H . B . Wright , I . P . M ., was the recipient of a valuable Past Master ' s jewel in recognition of the services he had rendered to the lodge .

Banquet was served to about 120 brethren , and in the course of the evening an excellent musical programme was given by Bros . Green , Lane , Kirkham , Edwards , T . Wright , Burt , Hollis , and Cave .

Acacia Lodge , No . 2321 . This lodge held its usual monthly meeting on Thursday , the 4 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Rawson-se-uare , Bradford , and notwithstanding the holiday season , _ there was a good attendance , Bro . J . Morton , W . M ., presided , and the oflicers supporting him were Bros . S . A . Bailey . l . P . M . ; John W . Bland , S . W . ; J . B . Fearnley , as J . W . ; Fred Beteridge , Chap . ; C . H . Ellis , P . M ., Treas . ; J . T . Last , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., Sec . ; W . S . Smith , as S . D .: VV . Durrance , as J . D . ; VV . H . Barton , I . G . ; Jno . Cooper ,

Tyler ; T . W . Holmes , P . M ., P . P . G . O . ; John Hayle , P . M . ; and a number of the brethren . Visitors : Bros . F . C . Robinson , P . M . 1648 , P . P . G . D . ; Wm . Oddy , P . M . 3 S 7 , P . P . G . D . C ; F . Ronnfeldt , P . M . 101 S ; Wm . Leach , 40 S ; H . Heaton , S . W . 25 S ; VV . II . Briggs , J . VV . 302 ; II . F . Scales , 239 ; and A . J . Taylor , Org . aGCrj . After the lodge had been opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting confirmed . Bro . Ledgard was passed to the Second Degree by Bro . Eilis , P . M ., Treas . and the working tools were explained and the charge delivered by Bro . Fearnley , acting

J . W . The Secretary read an interesting letter he had received trom the W . M . of Acacia , No . 34 , of the jurisdiction of the " Grand Lodge of NebrasVa , U . S . A ., enclosing copy of a resolution which had been passed at the last meeting of that lodge , of which the following is a copy : " Copy of resolutions trom Acacia Lodge , No . 34 , Nebraska , proposed by Bro . James A . Grimison , J . D . j and seconded by M . W . Bro . Chas . J . Phelps , P . G . M ., and were adopted unanimously . Whereas our Wo'shipful Master on the iSth of last March received a Fraternal communication from Bro . J . T . Last , P . M ., P . P . G . R .,

Sec . of Lodge Acacia , No . 2321 , on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , meeting at Bradford , Yorkshire , containing many items of interest to us and the Craft , as well as an exemplification of the pleasant thoughts clustering around and associated with our common and much revered name 'Acacia , ' and whereas said Lodge Acacia , meeting at Bradford , Yorkshire , on the 2 nd day of June , 1 S 9 S , by resolution passed for that purpose sent 'Fraternal Greetings and hearty good wishes' to the Worshipful Master , Wardens , and brethren of our lodge . Therefore be it resolved : First , that

we request our Worshipful Master to reply to the communication of Bro . J . T . Last in due and ample form giving to him all the information asked for and extending to him our full appreciation of the honour conferred upon us by his kind thoughtfulness of and manifested interest in our Acacia Lodge , No . 34 , A . F . and A . M . Second , that we acknowledge with gratitude the * Fraternal greetings and hearty good wishes of Lodge Acacia , No . 2321 , of Bradford , Yorkshire , England , ' and third , that Acacia Lolge , No . 34 , assembled at Schuyler , in the jurisdiction of the State Nebraska , U . S . A ., on the

evening of July 7 th , 1 S 7 S , hereby sends Fraternal greetings to Lodge Acacia , 2 3 21 , Bradford , England , with the hearty wish that each and all its members may spend many happy years ere the ' sprig of Acacia' blooms o ' er their graves . " On the motion of Bro . Fearnley , J . W ., seconded by Bro . Bailey , l . P . M . supported by Bro . Ellis , P . M ., Treas ., and the W . M ., the following resolution was passed : It was proposed by Bro . J . B . Fearnley , J . W ., seconded by Bro . S . A . Bailey , I . P . M ., " That the Secretary having read a letter dated the 16 th July , 1 S 9 S , from the W . M . of the

Acacia Lodge , No . 34 , Free and Accepted Masons of the Jurisdiction of Nebraska , U . S . A ., accompanied by a copy of a resolution of that lodge , duly passed at a regular meeting assembled at Schuyler , ColHix County , in the State of Nebraska , U . S . A ., in the evening of Thursday , the 7 th day of July , 1 S 9 S , sending fraternal greetings and hearty good wishes to the W . M . and brethren of our lodge . It is resolved that the copy of such resolution read by the Secretary be entered on the minutes of the lodge , and also be it resolved that this lodge heartily reciprocates the cordial good wishes and

fraternal greetings of our brethren in the far West , and that this resolution b : entered on the minutes of the lodge and a copy thereof be forwarded by the Secretary to the VV . M . of Acacia Lodge , No . 34 , State of Nebraska , U . S . A . " Bro . Ellis , P . M , Treas ., in supporting the resolution referred to the universality of Freemasonry , and related his pleasant experiences in visiting lodges in Australia and N ; w Zealand during his recent voyage and the kindnesses he received from so many Freemasons in those countries , both outside as well as inside the lodges . The resignation of a member was recorded , andafter " Hearty good wishes " from the visitors , the lodge was closed .

, After refieshment the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bro . Last , P . P . G . Keg ., proposed "The Visitors" and gave them a very cordial welcome , indeed , at this season of the year when so many of the members were away , visitors were doubly welcome . In resoonding , Bro . Robinson , P . P . G . D ., said the meeting had been an interesting

one having regard to the communications from the Nebraska Lodge ; they were indebted he said , to the Secretary , Bro . Last , for giving them so much information regarding Freemasonry over the water , the exchange of courtesies and greetings which had taken place between the members of the two lodges bearing the same name was a matter for gratification ; he was pleased to see the work in the lodge had been very creditably done , and he was pleased to have had an opportunity of again visiting tlu lodge .

Bro . H . Heaton , S . W . 258 , also responded , and referred in some interesting remarks to the Nebraska correspondence . Other toasts , including "The VV . M ., " " The Past Masters , " and " The Ollicers " followed , concluding with the Tyler's toast . Bros . Holmes , Taylor , Durrance , Last , and Smith contributed songs and music during thc evening .

THK OUEKN will probably defer her departure from Osborne beyond the date originally fixed , as the work of lighting Balmoral Castle with electricity , which is now in progress , will not be completed until the beginning of September . There are to be Goo lamps , and there will be over 1000 when the electric light is extended to the outbuildings , lhe water is brought from the River Gelden throujh half a mile of underground pipes to the tuiblne house , which is more than a mile frcm Balmoral . Thfl c urrent is to be transmitted to the Castle by cables laid underground .