Provincial Lodges.

A splendidly embossed testimonial on vellum / vas then , in the name of the P . G . L ., presented by the R . W . M . to Br . Crook , who has long and energetically laboured to promote the prosperity of the craft in the province . Tho office of Grand Organist has been in abeyance since ! tho revival of the Grand Lodge of Monmouth , but it is gratifying to find it now actively filled by so distinguished a musician as Br . Groves .

At the conclusion of the immediate business of tho Grand Lodge , its members proceeded to the Masonic Hall , where the Silurian Lodge was sitting . Arrangements were then made for the procession to the Town ¦ Hall , on the following programme : —

Band of the Monmouthshire Militia . Brethren of the Silurian Lodge , two and two . Brethren of the Monmouth Lodge , two' and two * The Provincial Grand Lodge . The P . G . Chaplain and the Chaplain of 093 . The G . W . The D . P . G . M .

The brethren having arrived at the Town Hall , divine service was performed ; Br . Sidebottom , P . G . D . C , of Oxford , and Chaplain of 693 , officiating in the reading-desk , and Br . Roberts , P . G . C , in the pulpit . On their return , the lodge was called off in due form , and the brethren sat down to a banquet served at the King ' s Head Hotel , the D . G . M . presiding , when a very pleasant evening Was passed .

NORTHUMBERLAND . St . PETER ' SLODGE ( NO . 706 ) . —A meeting of this was lodge , held at the Hope and Anchor Inn , Catterick's-buildings , nearByker , Newcastle-on-Tyne , on Monday evening , the 9 th October . At the conclusion of the business of the Lodge , on the Brethren retiring to refreshment , a motion was made by the AV . M . that a' subscription be entered into in aid of the sufferers by the late awful conflagration in Newcastle and Gateshead , and the Brethren subscribed the sum of 41 . 10 s . 6 rf .

SOMERSETSHIRE . THE GRAND LODGE . —Br . William Stradling , of Chilton Villa , n Deputy . Lieutenant of the county of Somerset , has resigned the Grand Treasurership of the Province . He has been succeeded by tlie election by acclamation of Br . Bales White to that important office . The Provincial Grand Lodge have passed a vote of thanks to Br . Stradling . Br . A . P . Browne was appointed Provincial Grand Secrtary

at the same time . LODGE OP UNANIMITY AND SINCERITY ( No . 327 ) , TAUNTON . —This important lodge has commenced its season of meetings most brilliantly . On the last lodge night , the R . AV . the P . G . M ., with Brs . Major Browne , Capt . Trevor , and other officers of the West Somerset Yeomanry Cavalry , were amongst the visitors . Four gentlemen were admitted into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry , and the son of the esteemed W . M . ( Hon . Major Napier ) , took an advancing step in the order . The W . M . was ably assisted in the arduous duties of the evening by Br . P . M . Abrahams .

BATH . —The brethren of this city have presented a magnificent gold snuff-box to Br . Temple , in testimony of esteem for his services as a Mason . We are delighted to record this , ancl wc cannot refrain from expressing a fervent hope that other brethren , whose admitted usefulness for 20 and 30 years have been so conspicuous , will have similar acknowledgments of their long-tried and unwearied services , —ED . M . M . Tlie testimonial bore the following inscription : —