Provincial Lodges.

the Secretary . The W . M . gave the J . W . orders to call the brethren from refreshment to labour , and after giving " our next merry meeting , " the Lodge was closed in form and with prayer , at about ele \* en o ' clock . The members departed from the Lodge much gratified with the proceedings of the day . The next meeting will take place on the third Wednesday in February . LODGE OF FRIENDSHIP , OLDHAM ( NO . 344 ) . —On Wednesday , the 3 rd January , the brethren of the Lodge of Friendship celebrated the festival of St . John the

Evangelist , in their new room , which has jusft been completed and decorated in the most characteristic and Masonic manner , rendering it one of the most commodious and best Lodge-rooms in the province . The Lodge was opened at 2 o ' clock . After the confirmation of the minutes of the preceding meeting , and the transaction of some preliminary | business , the W . M . elect , Br . Daniel Evans , was duly installed , the beautiful installation ceremony being performed in a very impressive manner by the Prov . J . G . D . of E . L ., Br . Isaac Gaitskell , P . M . and P . Z . of 344 . The W . M . theninvested

the folloAving officers for the year , A'iz .: —Brs . Jno . Bamford , P . M . ; H . W . Litler , S . W . ; J . Booth , J . W . ; T . Martinson , Treasurer ; Jno . S . Hague , Chaplain ; W . Hudson , Secretary ; Robert Holt , D . C ; S . Cooper , S . D . ; Jno . Sharpies , J . D . ; B . Travis , I . G . ; U . Shaw , Tyler . Br . Wm . Blackburne , and J . N . Breakey , Ste-vards ; Kichard Greaves , Organist . The banquet took place at 5 o ' clock . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts followed , but our limits will not permit us tojrive eA'en an outline of the speeches , many of which were excellent . In the course of the evening

the W . M ., in a A'ery feeling and impressive address , presented Br . Jno . Bamford , on passing the chair , with a beautiful P . M . 's jewel , as a small token of the high esteem entertained for Br . Bamford by the members of his Lodge , as a mark of their fraternal regard , and of their clue appreciation of the benefits rendered by him to the Lodge whilst acting as W . M . The Lodge of Friendship is now in a very flourishing state , numbering upwards of 70 members . A Royal Arch Chapter was attached about three years ago , and on the 21 st December last , a Knight Templars' Encampment Avas consecrated .

LANCASHIRE—WEST DIVISION . LWERPOOL . —The sixth annual Masonic ball took place in the Town-hall , on Tuesday , January 9 , when upwards of fi \* e hundred laches and gentlemen danced to the strains of two capital quadrille bands provided by Mr . G . A . W . Phillipps , whose selection comprised some of the latest effusions of D'Albert and other popular composers . Much credit is due to the Committee for their admirable arrangements .

LINCOLNSHIRE . LODGE OF HARMONY , BOSTON ( NO . 339 ) . —On the 28 th Dec . last , Br . Fred . Cooke , P . G . S . D . ( The Worshipful Mayor of Boston ) , was duly installed into the chair by Br . P . M . Greenwood , and the ceremony was performed most admirably . The W . M . then appointed Brs . Pocklington , S . W ; Smith , J . W ; Close , Secretary ; Jackson , Treasurer ; Keller , S . D ; Ed . Jackson , J . D ; and Howell , I . G . The

brethren entered into a voluntary subscrip tion in aid of the Patriotic Fund , when £ 5 . 5 s . was received and forwarded to the Treasurer , by P . M . Daulton . Br . Colyer was passed to the 2 nd . degree , and a banquet ivas afterwards served at Br . Buttons , the W . M . presiding , ancl the S . W . occupying the vice-chair , when upwards of thirty brethren assembled , ancl the usual Masonic toasts were given , which ivere drank with great enthusiasm . HUNDRED OF ELLOE LODGE , SPALDING ( NO . 690 ) . —Wednesday the 27 th Dec .

last , being St . John ' s Day , a festival Avas held in celebration of the event . Br . Bates , was duly installed W . M . for the ensuing year , after which he appointed Brs . Pocklington , S . W ; Wood , J . W ; ancl Clark , Secretary ; and the brethren present then partook of a most sumptuous banquet provided by Br . Gray , at the White Hart Hotel . MONMOUTHSHIRE . LOYAL MONMOUTH LODGE ( No . 671 ) . —The brethren of this Lodge assembled at the Freemason ' s Hall , on the 2 nd Jan ., and were ably presided over by the W . M . Br .