Consecration Of The Byfield Lodge, No. 2632.

The addresses having been delivered , the W . M . rose and , having presented a Fouunder ' s jewel to each of the Consecrating Officers , proposed and the S . W . seconded , " That a cordial vote of thanks be given to the Consecrating Officers for the able manner in which they had performed the ceremonies of the day , " and the motion havine bten carried by acclamation

and gracefully acknowledged by the GRAND SECRETARY on behalf of himself and his colleagues , a Committee to frame by laws was appointed and sund'y propositions for initiation and joining were handed in . The other business was then disposed of and Ldge was closed in due form , with solemn prayer .

The brethren then adjourned to the barquet-rcom and dined together , under the presidency of Bro . Boulton , W . M . Subsequently the usual list of toasts was honoured , those of "The Consecrating and Installing Officers" and "The VV . M . " —proposed by the GRAND SECRETARY—being received with especial favour .

The toast of " Tee Masonic Charities " was also given and heartily and eloquently acknowledged by Bro . J AMES TERRY , P . G . S . B ., Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , who announced that Bro . Bouhon , as first W . M ., had undertaken to serve as Steward for the Old People .

The musical arrangements throughout were under the direction of Bro . Harry Greene , and in the intervals between the speeches that followed the banquet a number of good songs were admirably rendered . The founders of the Byfield Lodge are Bro * . James Boulton , G . P . ; Waller Gladding . 1816 and 933 ; and R . C . Flint , 1365 , the principal officers designated in the warrant ; Bros . W . B . Abrahans , P . M . and Sec .

1816 ; W . Stewart , 186 ; F . Cole , 1607 ; and W . G . Mortlock , 2157 ; and thrse were present together with the following visitors : Bros . E . H . Brown , W . M . 1685 ; E . Smith , P . M . 1816 ; R . Innes , D . C . 2409 ; W . J . Loveday , 1607 ; M . Jutsum , P . M . ; J . Jarman , Org . 1000 ; L . Breeze , 16 79 ; R . Tucker , J . Byford , P . M ., Treas . 898 ; j . Wright , P . M . 95 ; R . Williams , 95 ; G . Robins , P . M .

1056 ; G . F . Penny , 21 S 4 ; S . V . Abraham , P . G . P . ; W . D . Church , P . M ., Sec . 1365 ; D . Campbell , P . M . 1365 ; J . Newton , P . G . P . ; W . S . Page , P . M ., Sec . 186 ; ] . Moore Smith , W . M . 2573 ; H . Madden , 2513 ; C . H . Amendt , 1365 ; G . Bane , P . M . 1625 ; G . S . Smith , Org . 2157 ; P . J . Lynch , 1306 ; F . Lloyd Palmer , 2054 ; S . A . Slanger , P . M . 12 ; A . Calver , P . M . 933 ; and H . Sadler , G . Tyler .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Wiltshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WILTSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the ' tbove Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Salisbury , on Wednesday , the 6 . h inst ., under the banner of the Elias de Derham Lodge , No . 443 . A good attendance of Salisbury , De \ izes , and Swindon brethren was presided over by Bro . the Earl of Radnor , P . G . M ., who appointed the following as his P . G . Officers for the year : Bro . H . Howse , P . M . 178 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ J . A . Randell , P . M . 178 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ F . S . Hanccck , P . M . 178 ... ... Prov . G . M . O .

„ J . C . Maclean , P . M . 401 ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ E . Waters , P . M . 443 - - - P ™ . J-G . O . „ Rev . F . W . Macdonald , P . M . 443 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ H . Bevir , P . M . 401 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ T . H . Chandler , P . M . 401 ... ... Prov . G . R . of M .

„ G . M . Wilson , P . M . 443 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ A . Plummer , P . M . 401 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ F . Griffin , W . M . 443 - - •••Prov . J . G . D . „ B . W . Crees , P . M . 178 ... ... Prov . G I . of W . „ J . Chandler , P . M . 178 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . ,, F . G . Bdlirgham , P . M . 178 ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ W . S . Bambridge , P . M . 178 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ A . Barnes , W . M . 401 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ W . Dear , 401 ... - ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . The usual collection of alms was made and amounted to £ 2 4 s . 3 d . — vihich it was decided to devote too the funds of the South Wilts Dispensary . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the White Hart Hotel , where luncheon was partaken of , and the usual Masonic toasts honoured .

Provincial Priory Of Kent And Surrey.

PROVINCIAL PRIORY OF KENT AND SURREY .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Priory of Kent and Surrey , was held at Mark Masons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 23 rd ult . 0 ; ving to the much regretted absence , through illness , of the Provincial Prior , the Rig ht Hon . the Earl of Onslow , G . C . M . G ., the Provincial Priory was opened by the Sub-Prior , Sir Knight Hjratio Ward . Dispensation to hold the meeting out of the Province having been read , ard ihe minu ' es of last meeting read and confirmed . The muster roll was tailed , and the Treasurer ' s accounts approved , the Treasurer being re-elected . A very handsome state sword , was presented by Sir Knight Ward to

the Province , and a cordial vote of thanks passed to him for the sam ? . The Prov . Officers were appointed and inves ' ed as follows 1 Sir Knig ht Horatio Ward ... ... Prov . Sub-Prior . ,, Rev . H . Cummings ... ... Prov . Prelate . „ J , M . McLeod ... ... Prov . Chancellor . ,, J . G . Kirchoffer ... ... Prov . Senior Constable . „ Frank Williams ... ... Prov . Junior Constable .

,, Col . Bircham ... ... Prov .. 1 reasurer . „ A . H . Bateman ... ... Prov . Rfg . and Vice-Chan . „ B . R . Bryant ... ... Pi ov . Marshal . ,, R . Clout ... ... ... Prov . Almoner .

,, R . j . Voisey ... ... Prov . Warden of Regalia . ,, J . Dimsdale ... ... Prov . Herald . „ W . Briant ... ... Prov . ist Std . Br . „ J . Barnwell ... ... Prov . 2 nd Std . Br .

„ A . H . Bevan ... ... Pi ov . Banner Bearer . ,, Sibert Saunders ... ... P , c , v . Priors Banner Bearer . „ Major Collins ... ... Piov . Sword Bearer . „ H . M . Biggleston ... ... Prov . Capt . of Guard . Frater Harrison was elected and invested Guard . The alms were collected and Prov . Piijry closed .

The sir knights subsequently dined togethtrat Freemasons' Tavern , under the presidency of Sir Knight Horatio Ward , when the toasts usual to Christian Masonry were duly honoured . Amongst the guests were the Great Prelate , Sir Knig ht the Rev . E . C . Wright , the Great Vice-Chancellor , Sir Knight Matier , and Sir Knight C . Morton Challender .

Masonic Banquet And Ball.

MASONIC BANQUET AND BALL .

A Masonic banquet and ball took place at the North London Academy of Dancing , Devonshire Villa , 133 , Seven Sisters' -road , on Monday , the 28 th ult ., and proved a great success , about 60 being present . The banquet was timed for 8 . 30 , and Bro . J . A . Soper ably took the chair , when the usual toasts were proposed by the CHAIRMAN , viz ., " The CJueen and the Craft , " " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and " The Grand Officers . "

Bro . REVNOI . DSON proposed "The Health of the Visitors , " and Mr . ROLANDS ably responded . " The Ladies' Health , " was proposed , with a few appropriate remarks , by Bro . TOYNTON , and Bro . W . W . ROWE humorously responded on their behalf .

Bro . R . C . MASON then proposed " The Health of the Committee of the Ball , " complimenting them for the perfect manner in which all the arrangements were carried out . Bro . COOKE , in responding , said he would like to couple the name of Messrs . Beale and Co ., expressed his gratification at the success of the function , and hoped it would become an annual fixture .

Bro . WOODROW , in a few well-chosen words , proposed "The Health of the Chairman , " and the company then repaired to the ball room , where the wellarranged programme of 18 dances was gone through , the company dispersing at three o ' clock after spending a most enjoyable evening . The following M . Cs . officiated : Bros . W . W . Rowe , J . W . Cooke , W . Toynton , F . F . Reynoldson , and J . A . Soper . Amongst others present were Bros . W . B . Inder , W . Digby Owen , C . J . Wotten , C . T . Plucknett , G . W . Harvey , W . E .

Beale , W . W . Wooder , J . Powell , J . Emary , and W . W . Rowe , jun ., Messrs . T . W . Rowe , A . H . Rowland , T . Smith , Sage , H . Inder , and J . Inder , Masters Powell , Mrs . W . W . Rowe , Mrs . W . W . Rowe , jun ., Mrs . T . W . Rowe , Mrs . W . Cooke , Mrs . W . Toynton , Mrs . J . A . Soper , Mrs . R . C . Mason , Mrs . W . Digby Owen , Mrs . Bonner , Mrs . W . Inder , Mrs . H . Inder , Mrs . J . Inder , Mrs . Wotten , Mrs . Plucknett , Mrs . Woodrow , Miss Inder , Miss Ray Miss E . Hodge , and Miss Powell .

Old Masonians' Cricket Club.

OLD MASONIANS' CRICKET CLUB .

A most enjoyable evening was spent with the Old Masonians and their friends on Friday , the Sth instant , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , the occasion being the first Bohemian concert given by the Cricket Club . The President , Bro . R . Harold Williams ( an old Masonian ) was in the chair . Mr . J . H . Hewett opened the concert with a pianoforte solo— " The Geisha " —and the following ladies and gentlemen contributed to the programme : Bro . C .

Patrick O'Doherty , who was in good form , sang " The storm fiend " and " Queen of the earth " with much effect . Miss Lottie Lewis sang " In the time of roses " and "The land of yesterday" in a most pleasing manner . Mr . G . N . Cook ' s humorous songs—' ¦ ' They ' re coming on again " and " My Diary " were much liked—and encores called for in both instances . Mr . H . W . Orchard ( tenor ) and Mr , S . Tinney ( bass ) were also very good in their respective songs . Miss Ethel

O'Doherty was heard to advantage in " The gift" and " Thady O'FIynn . " The hit of the evening was made by Mr . E . N . Proff , who recited in capital style " Me and Bill , " " The house that Jack built , " and gave a humorous rendering of " The charge of the Light Brigade . " This gentleman's elocutionary powers were much appreciated and encores vociferously demanded . Mr . Harry Hawkes was also on the programme , but did not appear .

During the evening presentations were made to Messrs . R . McLeod and R . Norman for their valuable services in the cricket field last season . The CHAIRMAN , after thanking the artists for their services , stated that the Old Masonians' Cricket Club had passed through a most successful season , and he hoped the club would continue to receive the hearty support of all old boys who took an interest in the great national game . After a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman , the concert terminated .

Opening Of A New Masonic Hall At Lyme Regis.

OPENING OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT LYME REGIS .

The brethren of the Montagu Lodge , No . 665 , were peculiarly happy in electing to hold their first meeting for this year in a new hall at Lyme Regis . The late Bro . J . M , P . Montagu , P . D . P . G . M . for Dorset , founded a lodge to bear his name in the town as early as the 26 th February , 1856 , and hitherto its rendezvous has been located at the Royal Lion Hotel . Although dignified by the title

" Masonic Hall , " the room in which the brethren prosecuted their labours was not exclusively the property of No . 665 . For years past it has been felt , then , that a less commodious , yetmore comfortable , meeting-place was desirable . Moreover , the Provincial Grand Master , it was clearly known , was averse to the members meeting at an hotel .

In 1890 an opulent brother came forward as a candidate for Freemasonry . Impressed with the dignity of the ceremonies , and realising the cheerlessness and practical publicity of the lodge-room , this worthy patron—Bro . T . E . D . Philpot , then Mayor of the ancient borough—resolved on building a hall worthy the name and in keeping with the decorum of an ancient ritual . A suitable site was easily available close by the old lodge , conveniently excluded from the main

thoroughfare , and most pleasantly situated on an eminence looking direct south over a fine stretch of the English Channel from Portland Light to Start Point . Midway about in this bend of picturesque coast , founded on a bed of famous blue lias , rises the new Montagu Hall . Mr . Vialls , A . R . I . B . A ., was the architect engaged , and Bro . H . Randall the builder . On "holy ground , " due " east and west , " extends the main building . Entering

on the S . W . corner by a porchway , one looks into a lodge room , 48 ft . long , by 21 ft . broad . At the east end beyond a proscenium projects a spacious apse . An elliptic roof , constructed with trussed principals , moulded and panelled throughout , with lower members finished in pitch pine , rises from a cornice on either side , and spans the main hall . The foot of each tiuss—eight in all—forms a block

for an incandescent burner . Twenty double pilasters , reeded and tastefully moulded , bhving caps and bases with cantilevers to roof , form substantial side supports , The ( ront of the proscenium is formed by a massive entablature and moulded pilasters , leaving a semi-elliptic presentment for future decoration and the sacred sign . Two large lanterns wilh ceiling lights , glazed in muffled glass ; and leaving a margin for ventilation open into the roof . Looking south , face five windows