Provincial Meetings.

and J . M . McLeod , P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire , Sec . R . M . I . Boys . The installation cerrmony was ably performed by the l . P . M ., Bro . V .. Wightman , who was the deserved recipient of praise from the large Board of Installed Masters . In this and a few other lodges in the Province of Norfolk a very pretty " point" is introduced in the installation which , though not "Emulation" working , is preserved as a landmark , the oiigin of which even the uld-est

Past Masters have been unable to discover , and which certainly added effect to Ihe ceremony of induction . The VV . M . invested Irs officers as follows : Bros . Colebv . S . W . ; Cubitt Page , J . W . ; Ladffll , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of Cers ., Treas . ; Comniins , P . M , P . P . G . Purst ., SPO ; B ^ idgmin . P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Dir . of Cers . ; Wilkinson , S . D . ; Downes , J . D . ; Dawson , I . G . ; Wilsin , Org . ; Havers and Stevens , Stwds . ; and Hollidge , Tyler .

The banquet was well served , and the VV . M ., whilst regretting an inadequate knowledge of th ^ . English tongue , proved the reverse by the graceful manner in which he submitted the toasts , and in his conduct as presiding officer could not be excelled . After the usual loyal toasts , that of " The P . G . M ., Lord

Suffield was honoured , regret at the cause of his absence •sudden indisposition—being expressed by the VV . M . The toasts of "The Grand Officers" and of "The Dep ity Provincial Grand Masti-r" were ably resp inded to by Bro . Hamon Le Strange , P . G . D ., < n most inters'ing speeches , and the cordial and affectionate welcome he received at the hands of Ihe brethren testified to the deserved

popularity he enjoys in the province . Bro . Le Strange incidentally mentioned that he was engaged in compiling a History of Norfolk Masonry , and permission was accorded him to examine the old records of this lodge . "The Health of th » . Worship ! ul Master " was feelingly proposed by the I . P . M ., who alluded to the truly fraternal affection Bro . Fasola had gained for himself by his upright

conduct and geniality to all with whom he had come in contact during his career in the city , as was evidenced by the large gathering that day . His Masonic conduct in the various minor offices in the lodge proved him thoroughly capable of carrying out the duties of his high office , and he prophesied a happy and useful year for the lodge under his rule . The toast having been honoured with acclamation ,

Bro . Fasola responded in a few brief but terse sentences , thanking the brethren for their consideration , and for the honour accorded to him in his unanimous election to the chair of that old lodge . He was proud of it , and would do his utmost to maintain its high reputation . He then proceeded to submit the toast of "The Installing Master , " who had crowned a good year ' s work by the admirable manner in which he had performed the ceremony ot the evening .

It was Ins pleasure and privilege to attach to Bro . Wightman ' s breast a Past Master's jewel , which had been subscribed for most readily by every member of the lodge , on whose behalf he expressed a hope that he would be long spared to wear the jewel , and esteem it as a mark of their high regard and esteem . Bro . Wightman , I . P . M ., in responding , felt deeply touched by the manner in which that unexpected gift had

b ? en made , and assured the brethren that so long as he was able to be of service , his best endeavours were at their d ' sposal . " 'The Visitors" was duly honoured , and , in response , the W . M . of the Union Lodge , and Bro . Valeriani and others expressed their delight at being present . Bro . Valeriani , asafellow countryman , speaking for himself and brethren who had journeyed from London

particularly expressed gratification with the whole of the proceedings of the day , and to the regard in which his oH friend and brother was held wherever he had made his home . Owing to the inclement weather several from Brighton and London had been unable to be present . Other toasts followed , and then came that of " The Masonic Charities , " responded to by Bro . McLeod , Secretary Boys' School , ar . dBro . Ladell , P . M . and Treasurer of

trc lodge . Bro . McLeod commenced his observations by a humorous , releitnceto the fact that at such an early hour in the morning ( 12 . 30 ) he felt he was commencing another day's work , and not having previously had an opportunity given to him of addressing a Norfolk audience , he should venture to detain them for some time in order to make up lost ground . After detailing statistics as to what Masonic Charity in general , and our three great Institutions in particular , had

done—especially during the year just closed—he proceeded to give information respecting the Boys' School for which he especially pleaded . He pointed out that the Province of Norfolk had during the past six years received great benefits from that Institution , having had on an avcrageof four-anda-half boys on the Foundation at a total cost to the funds of £ i 2 Co . During the same period the province had contri-I ut'd £ -t ^ 3 only . 'There were now three boys on the

Foundation , one being admitted by the Board nf Management to fill an extra vacancy that had ircurrid since the October election , when he narrowly missed cli rtion , and was highest on the list of unsuccessful candidates . He therefore considered he had made out a strong cam on them to support Bro . Capt . Mills , who had kindly undertaken to represent the province as a Steward at their next Festival . He hoped , also , that Bro . Captain

Mil's would be accompanied in the occasion by their VV . M ., as representing that lodge direct , and that the lodge would thus set a brilliant example to the rest of the provirce . lie felt particularly grateful to the W . M . for extending to him the cordial invitalhn , and had gladly availed himsell of it , as he was now enabled to say he had visi'e-d —with one exception—every province in the kingdom .

liro . I . 'idell also responded , and in allusion lo the figures given thi 111 by Bro . . MrLied , he could assuic that brother that Ihe claims of his Institution would not be lost sight of in that lodge . "The Officers" and Tyler ' s toast followed , and the meeting afterwards broke up amidst general congratulations on a harmonious and successful gathering .

OLD TRAFFORD . Talbot Lodge ( No . 2231 ) . —Th- installation meeting was held on Friday , the 19 th inst ., at the Stretford Local Board Offices , Talbot-road . Since this lodge was consecrated a few years ago it has made rapid progress , and has become one of Ihe most important in the Province of West Lancashire , and the working of the respective officers is almost perfection . Ihe brethren assembled punctually at two o ' clock . Bro . R . E . Stringlcman ,

Provincial Meetings.

VV . M ., opened the lodge , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Mr . Robert McConnell , which proving favourable , he was initiated in a most effective manner by Bro . F . Batty , I . P . M . The working tools were presented by Bro . McKay , J . ., who also delivered the charge in an able manner . At the close of the ceremony the ballot was taken for Bro . lohn Williams Jones , which was favourable . The lodge

was at this period adj turned for a few minutes . The brethren being c ^ ll- 'd on , the lodge was opened to the Second Degree by the Installing Master , Bro . Stringleman . Bros . G- R . Lloyd , P . G . T ., was appointed S . W . ; | ohn Boden , P . M ., Past Provincial G and Director of Ceremonies ; and Charles Cooler , P . G . P . Bro . John Roberts , S . W ., W . M . el ct , was p-es ^ nted to the Installing Master , by Bro . Frederick Batty , I . P . M ., and was duly installed .

Bro . J . Roberts is very popular , and being a public man , we predict a very successful year for the Talbot Lodge . The working tools in the respective Degrees were presented by Bro . Fred . Batty . P . M . ; he also presented the lodge warrant , etc . The following b ethren were invested as officers for the ensumg y .-ar : Bros . R . E . Stringleman , l . P . M . ; Chas . Mack iy , S . W . ; E Faulkner , J . W . ; G . R . Lloyd , P . M .. P . G . Treas ., Treas ; Wm . Lowsby ,

Sec ; Harold Nickson , S . D . ; F'ank Gr < -r n , J . D . ; Fred . Batty , P . M ., D . C . ; J hn Allin , Org . : Hen-v Happuld , 1 G . ; George Unsworth , S . | . Silvester , T . K . Peacock , Henry Edwards , Evans Jackson , and C 11 R > berts , Stwds . ; and VV . Chesshyre , P . M , Tyler . They were addre-std by Bro . G . R . Lloyd , P . M ., P . G . Treas ; Bro . Charles Martyne , P . M ., address-d B-o . G R . Lloyd , Treas . ; Bro . John Boden , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , addn-s-ed the W . M .

and brethren ; and Bro . Wm . Gi id ice , P . G . S . B , Prov . G . Sec , addressed the Wardens . The Auditors' leport of the Treasurer's accounts was adopteJ , and found very satisfactory . Bro . G . R . Llovd , P . G . Treas ., was elected Charity Representative . After " Hearty good wishes " ad been expressed from the numerous visirors present , the Grand and Provincial Grand Officers retired , and the 1 rdge was closed .

Subsequently a banquet took place , and was admirably served by Bro . VV . Wood . The usual toast list was proceeded with , when all the loyal and Masonic cnes were dealt with and enthusiastically receiv .-d and responded to . During the evening a b-autiful Past M ester ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Stringleman for the valuable services he had rende r ed to the lodge dudng his yerr of office . The magnificent present was gracelully acknowledged

by the l . P . M . The following brethren were present : Bros . E . Stringleman , VV . M . ; John Roberts , 5 . W . ; Charles Mackay , J . W . ; Edwin Faulkner , Sec . ; VV . Lowsby , S . D ; Harold Nickson , J . D ; Charles Martyne , P . M ., D . C ; John Allin , Org . ; Frank Green , I . G . ; W . Chesshyre , Tyler ; Fred . Batty , l . P . M . ; John Boden , P . M , P . P . G . D . C ; Geo . R . Lloyd , P . M ., P . G . Treas . ; Alfred Dowson , Geo . Unsworth , VV . B . Jackson , Wm . Grant , P . Baybut , T . Peacock , H . Happold . Wm . Goodacre , P . G .

S . B ., P . G . S . ; J . J . Lambert , P . P . G . Reg . ; E . L . Littler , P . P . G . P . ; and E . E . Levy . Visitors : Bras . J . Slyman , P . P . G . D . ; C . Heywooel , P . M ., P . f' . D . C ; G . S . Smith , P . G . Org . ; Chas . Cooper , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; H . Ogden , A . Dunkerley , VV . H . Jolliffe , VV . M . 1730 ; Geo . Cranston , T . Bowers , P . M . ; Harry H . Martyne , VV . M . 13 S 7 ; j . Walsh , John Law , P . M . ; C . W . Curran , P . M . ; and VV Tarrington , P . M . The jewel was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

OXFORD . Bertie Lodge ( No . 1515 ) . —Great progress has been made by the above lodge during the past few years , thanks to a succession of energetic and popular Masters , and it was evidenced on Thursday , the nth instant , by the large company present at the festival , which was undoubtedly one of the most successful the lodge has ever held . Prior engagements robbed the brethren of the

pleasure of welcoming the P . G . M . and the D . P . G . M ., but , nevertheless , there was a distinguished company present , including the Prov . Grand Treas ., Bro . Enhcilm ; Bros . E . J . Giles , VV . M . 340 ; Dr . Wilson , W . M . elect 357 J Darby , P . M . Marlborough Lodge ; A . J . Hill , P . M . 340 ; F . Bacon , P . M . 340 ; Matthews , P . M . ; Jenkin , P . M . 340 ; T . Ford , P . M . ; Buckell , P . M . ; Dr . Plumridge , P . M . ; Dan Symes , P . M . ; W . H . White , P . M . ; E .

F . Greenwood , P . M . ; VV . R . Bowden , P . M . ; and several members of Prov . G . Lodge , Sic ., so the new W . M . commenced his year of office under most auspicious surroundings . The ceremony of raising having been performed by Bro . Zacharias , whose year of office has , perhaps , been the most successful in the annals of the lodge , Bro . D . Symes , P . M ., installed Bro . VV . Harris , P . P . G . S ., in a most

impressive manner as W . M . for the ensuing year , the latter investing the following brethren as his officers : Bros . J . Zacharias , l . P . M . ; J . Hastings , S . W . ; II . M . Turner , J . W . ; F . T . Ford , " P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C , Treas . ; F . Marychrirch , P . P . G . D . C , Sec ; K . J . Verney , S . D . ; G . M . R . Cockburn , J . D . ; J . Rogers , I . G . ; H . Porter , DC ; T . VV . Taphouse , A . D . C ; J . H . Kempster , Org . ; E . F . Greenwood , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of W ., and A . E . Hunt , Stwds . ; and G . Norwood , P . P . G . Tyler

lylcr . The W . M . having closed the lodge , the brethren adjourned to the large hall , where the Stewards had provided a recherche banquet . A most enjoyable evening was spent , there being a strong muster of visitors , and songs were contributed in excellent style by Bros . II . J . Knowles , T . Lucas , H . M , 'Turner , H . Porter Brown , and W . R . Bowden , Dr . Plumridge , presiding at the piano .

"The Health of the VV . M . " was proposed by Bro . Zacharias , P . M ., in felicitous terms , allusion being made to the fact that the chair of the lodge had , only a few years back , been occupied by his brother , Bro . G . Harris , whose untimely death had been so deeply regretted by the members . Needless to say , it was drunk with the greatest

enthusiasm . 'The W . M . responded with the modesty which seems characteristic of newly-installed VV . M . 's . The speeches were short and to the point , Bro . Hastings saying a few well-chosen words in recommendation of Masonic Charities , more especially the Bcnevole . it . The meeting broke up with the heartiest good wishes for Bro . Harris during his year ol office .

Provincial Meetings.

SOUTHAMPTON . Royal Gloucester Lodge ( No . 130 ) . —There was a large gathering of Masons at the meeting of the above lodge on Tuesday , the 11 th inst ., when Bro . Bernard Harfield , " P . M . 1112 , P . P . G . Stwd ., was installed into the chair of a lodge over which his late father , Bro . Robert Harfield , presided half a cen ' ury ago . The work of

Installing Master had been undertaken by the Grand Master of the province , Bro . VV . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., this being his second visit to the Gloucester lolge within its Masinic year , but at the last moment he was unable to leave London till the afternoan train , being in attendance at a Southwestern Ra'l . vay B > ard meeting postaoned from Wednesday the 10 th inst ., to admit ot the directors attending Mrs .

Scotter s funeral . I he ceremony was therefore conducted by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro J . E . Le Feuvre , and was shorn of some of the ritual , the W . M . elect having , as shown abov , already pa > sed the chair of the Shirley Lodge . In handing over the ancient warrant of the lodge to the newly-installed Master , the D . P . G . M . said it had been entrusted to the keeping of many worthy Masons , and no

one of these on the roll of the lodge was kept in more honoured remembrance than ihe father of the present W . M . The following were invested as the officrs for the ensuing year : Bros C T . Penny , I . P . M . ; R . F . Collins , S . W . ; ' J . H . H . Hogge , J . W . ; R . VV . Lees , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Cole , P . M ., Sec ; Rev . F . J . Ashmall , Chap . ; A . J . Leach , S . D . ; A . A . Burnett , J . D . ; S . Darke ,

P . M ., D . C ; C . J . Sharp , I . G . ; J . T . Wells , Org . ; Arthur Angell and T . A . A . Cleveland , Stwds . ; and W . V ' are , Tyler . The Provincial Grand Master arrived just after the conclusion of the cersmony and was received in customary Masonic form . The Installing Master wis thanked for undertaking at short notice the installing work , and a cordial vote of thanks was awarded to the I . P . M .,

Bro . Penny , for the efficient manner in which he had fulfilled the duties of the chair during the past year , and a jewel was voted to him from the lodge funds . The l . P . M . returned thanks , and the visitors having tendered their " Hearty good wishes " to the VV . M ., the lodge was clased . The brethren afterwards sat down to an excellent banquet provided by Mr . Etheridge , under the superintendence of

Bro . Clarke , D . C . In responding for " The Grand Lodge of England , " the D . P . G . M . said it was possible that the important appointment of President of the Board of General Purposes , which was about to fall vacant by the retirement of Bro . Fenn , might be offered to Bro . R . Loveland Loveland , and he was sure that if that should be the case , Hampshire

Masons would heartily congratulate one of their number on receiving such a distinguished honour . "The Health of the Provincial Grand Master " was propose I from the Chair and warmly received , and in the course of his reply Bro . Beach expressed his regret that he could not reach Southampton in time to fulfil his promise to install Bro . Harfield , for it was always a pleasure to him to perform Masonic work , and it was a gratification to him at all

times to visit the Gloucester Lodge , where he always met so many old friends . He congratulated the brethren on the way in which the Province of Hampshire was coming to the front , and it would be an especial honour to them should one of their number be appointed to so prominent and important a position as that of President of the Board of General Purposes , and he was sure no worthier Mason lived than Bro . Loveland Loveland .

Replying for " The Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the P . G . S ., Bro . Goble , expressed his thanks to the Secretaries of lodges for the interest they took in their work , and the amount of labour they saved him by the assistance they always accorded him so readily . Several other toasts were honoured , the proceedings passing off most successfully .

SURBITON . Surbiton Lodge ( No . 2146 ) . —On Tuesday , the iGth inst ., there was a full attend ince of members under the presidency of Bro . G . F . Budden , W . M ., with his Wardens , Bros . Williams and Gilby assisting . The other officers were filled as usual , with the exception that Bro . A . Wilson , P . M ., acted as J . D . The W . M . gave an

interesting display of work in the initiation of Mr . A . J . Hollinshead , every detail of the ceremony was carried out with scrupulous fidelity to ritual . The S . W . gave the charge to the initiate in an impressive manner , and the working tools were explained by the J . W . 'The business on the agenda being over , Bro . A . Wilson , P . M ., rose to address the lodge . He said he had the

pleasurable duty put on him of presenting to their worthy Treasurer , Bro . Sebastian Hart , P . M ., a testimonial of the esteem and regard in which he was held by the members of the lodge , shown in the purchase by unanimous subscription of the handsome watch which he ( Bro . Wilson ) held in his hand . They all knew what Bro . Hart had done for the lodge since it was formed , and how carefully he had

guarded their funds from the time he was elected Treasurer . He found a debt , but now was able to show a balance ( £ 54 odd ) such as they had never before had . They all trusted that Bro . Hart might give them similar help for many years . Bro . Wilson then handed the watch to Bro . Hart , adding the hope that he might be spared long to wear it . Bro . Sebastian Hart , who was greatly affected by the

unexpected gift , thanked the members of the lodge for their great kindness , and assured them that the watch would be handed down to his son , who is Organist to the lodge , as a highly treasured possession . The lodge having been closed , the brethren partook of supper , specially arranged for in honour of the presentation , and the W . M . proposed in brief terms the customary

toasts . He called upon Bro . W . Drewett , P . M ., Sec . JiSy , P . P . G . Std . Br ., who was a visitor , to respond for " The Prov . Grand Officers , " and he took advantage of he opportunity to remind the brethren of the approaching Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , under the presidency of the Prov . Grand Master , at which it was hoped , he said , that Surrey would give noble support to the grand cause .

Responding for the toast of "The Treasurer , " Bro . Hart was able to more justly thank the brethren for their kind feeling towards him than he did when in lodge ; anil Bro . Hewitt added his testimony to that of Bro . Wilson in respect of the valuable assistance the lodge had had from their worthy Treasurer , when he was responding f " "The Past Master ' s " toast . A very successful evening was then brought to a close .