Provincial Lodges.

SCOTLAND . B . VNPF .- ~ Tiie members of the St . John ' s Lodge held their first meeting of the season , on the 23 rd October . Br . Jas . Mason , W . M ., occupied the chair , and , in his usual masterly style , initiated Mr . Alex . Bairn ' s father into tho mysteries of the craft .

THE COLONIES . CAPE OF GOOD HOPE . —On Thursday , August 3 rd ., a grand ball was given at the Masonic Hotel , Cape Town , Cape of Good Hope , by the Brethren of the British Lodge ( No . 419 . ) , and the Goecle Tronw Lodge ( which isnot cm ' the official list in the calender ); the Brethren appeared in full masonic costume . A tastefully laid out supper was provided , and after ample justice had been done to the profusion of good

things set before them , the Brethren adjourned to a splendidly decorated suite of rooms , adorned with the flags of all nations , interspersed with masonic banners , emblems , and divers devices . Terpsichorean amusements then commenced , ancl w ere , to use a hackneyed but expressive phrase , "kepthp to a late , " or rather ' till an early "hour . " Mr . Holt ' s excellent band was in attendance , and performed its part in an admirable manner . A more agreeable evening has rarely been passed by the brethren in that locality , and we are informed that so gratified were they with the entire proceedings ,

that a similar entertainment is speedily to be got up , in order that those who delight to "trip tho light fantastic toe , " may again indulge in their favourite pastime ; to bring the Brethren , ' and the fair portion of their families , into pruternal communion , and thus promote that sociality and good feeling which distinguish your ancient and honorable fraternity .

AUSTRALIA . —PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE- —On the 17 th June , the various lodges of freemasons met at hi gh twelve , at the Masonic Hall , Adelaide , to celebrate the festival of St . John the Baptist , upwards of seventy being present . The Provincial Grand Lod ge was opened in due form by brother G . S . Kingston , M . L . C . Acting Provincial Grand Master , and the various private lodges afterwards went through their routine business . At about six o ' clock the officers and brothers adjourned to the assembly-room of the Napoleon Bonaparte , whore a sumptuous banquet was provided .

by the host , Brother Ramsay . The chair was occupied by tlie Acting Provincial Grand Master , supported on the right by Brothers Dr . Kent , Deputy Prov . G . M . ; Joseph , Bagot , M . L . C , and Henry , Prov . G . Stewards ; and on his left by Brothers Alderman Lazar , Prov . G . Director of Ceremonies ; Gleeson , J . D . ; Haue , Prov . Q . Pursuivant ; Lomax , Prov . G . Steward ; Dodgson , P . M . ; Lambert , and Gosse . Brothers Wicksteed , Prov . J . G . Deacon , and Mooro , Prov . G . Steward , acted as croupiers . The cloth having been drawnthe usual masonic toasts were honoured

, , interspersed and enlivened by songs and music . At half-past eleven , "Burns ' s Farewell" announced that the Sabbath day was approaching , and tlie knock from the chairman ' s gavel was followed by instant separation . The universal feeling was , that so pleasant a meeting had never before been held by the craft , in South Australia .

CELEBRATION OF ST . JOHN ' FESTIVAL , AT ADELAIDE . —On the evening of the 22 nd June , the Brethren of the Lodge of Unity , and those of the Adelaide St . John ' s Lodge , met at Brother John Smith ' s , Port Adelaide , to celebrate the Festival of St . John . About fifty-three Brethren set down to supper . The usual masonic toasts were proposed and dul y honoured . At 12 o ' clock the Acting-Worshipful Master , Brother P . M . French , left the chair , ancl the Brethren retired , having spent a most agreeable masonic evening .

NEW MASONIC HALL , AT ADELAIDE . —A meeting of the shareholders of the " Masonic Hall Association , " took place on Monday evening , June 5 , at the lodgoroom , North-terrace . The meeting was called to adopt a Deed of Settlement , to elect directors , trustees , and auditors . The chairman , Mr . J . Lazar , explained the nature of the business , and the position in which matters stood . He also congratulated the shareholders upon the success of the undertaking . A ballot for the officers then took place , the result of which was the return of the ] following gentlemen : —Directors , J . Lazar , Esq ., R . McClure , Esq ., E . Mitchell , Esq ., F . Haire , Esq ., and A . Abraham ,