Provincial

Drane , Jones , Howell , and Thomas . All of these gentlemen were duly accepted , and the four latter being in attendance , were initiated into the E . A . degree in due form , and according to ancient custom , the ceremony being fully and ably performed by the AA . M . Lodge having been closed shortly after nine o ' clock , the brethren adjourned in large numbers to the Angel Hotel , where an excellent supper had been provided by that well-known Masonic caterer , Bro . H . Cousens . A most agreeable evening was spent , under tho presidency of the muchrespected W . M . ; and tho brethren separated at an early hour , the Newport contingent departing by a special train at eleven o ' clock .

India.

INDIA .

( From ihe Masonic Record of Western India . ) BOMBAY . LODGE TKUTH ( No . 914 , E . G . ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge took place at the Freemasons' Hall near Baboola Tank , ou Monday the 2 nd Jan ., a large number of members and visitors being present . The lodge was opened by Bro . H . WiekhamP . M . and the minutes of the last meeting were read

, , and confirmed . The AV . M . elect was presented by Bro . W . S . Crawford , to receive the benefit of installation , ancl a board of installed Masters being formed by Bros . Wiekham and Crawford , of Truth ; A . King , of Concord ; J . Mackinlay , of Perseverance ; and Captain Martin of St . John , Secunderabad . Bro . Cornforth was installed in the Eastern Chair according to ancient custom , for the ensuing year ; the ceremony being impressivel

y per formed by Bro . Wiekham , the Senior P . M . of the lodge . On re-admittance of the brethren to the lodge , the AV . M . invested his officers as follows : —Bros . C . E . Mitchell , S . AV . ; R . Roberts , J . AV . ; F . D . Parker , Soc . ; R . Newton , S . D . ; J . Key , J . D . ; C . Clifton , I . G . ; AV . G . King , Tyler . Bro . Farnham , who had been re-elected Treasurer , not being present , was not invested . The lodge was then lowered to the E . A . Degree , when Dr .

Sydney Smith and Mr . John Sykes were regularly introduced and initiated into tho mysteries of Freemasonry by Bro . Cornforth , tho newly appointed officers duly appreciating their position by the correct and impressive manner in which the ceremony was performed . The rest of the business being of a formal character tho lodge was closed iu peace and harmony , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . The final toast having been drunk , the brethren reparatcd after a most pleasant evening , which was enlivened by the songs of the A \ . M ., Bros . Roberts , Keily , Hutchinson , King , and others . LODGE PERSEVERANCE ( NO . 351 , S . C . )—The regular meeting

of this flourishing lodge was held on the evening of tho 15 th Jan . Present—Bros . J . Jamieson , AA . M . ; E . Freeborn , S . AV . ; T . Wood , J . AV . ; G . Brooks , Sec ; AV . Read , S . D .-, H . Bailey , J . D . ; G . L . F . Council , I . G . ; J . Houghland , Tyler ; R . \ i . Barton , P . G . M . ; N . W . Oliver , P . G . Depute Master ; F . L . Brown , P . G . Sub . M . ; J . Mackinlay , P . S . G . AA . j J . Hodgart , P . J . G . AV . ; K . R . Cama , P . G . Sec . ; Cursetjce Johangir TarrachundP . G . Clerk ; J . H . Irvineand J . MathewsP . G .

, , , Stewards ; Framjeo Cowasjee Mehta , P . G . Jeweller ; B . Field , P . G . Standard Bearer ; T . Greenwood , P . G . Sword Bearer ; N . N . Framjee , P . G . Dir . of Cers . ; H . Bailey , P . G . Tyler . Members—Bros . J . Mackenzie , Fletcher , Reeves , Thompson , Gleaves , Hodgart , Baird , Lockley , Shand , Patterson , Hannaford , Abraham , Natchell , Faulkner , Kennedy , Showell , Sims , Hewett . King , Masson , Morland , MaeNeill , Abbott , Billington ,

aud several others . A isitors—Bros . H . AVickham , P . M . 740 ; AV . I-I . Crawford , P . M . ; Nanabhoy , P . M . 342 ; J . J . Farnham , P . M . 757 ; Cowasjee Patel , W . Johnson , G . Judd , C . Swanseger , Bun-owes , Fido , Otto , J . J . Lamnah , Binks , Connelly , Fasulbhoy Nbormahomed , Mitchell , Syms , Mackay , and many more . The lodge having been formally opened the ballot was severally taken for Bros . E . Nelson and J . Yraser for affiliation , and

Messrs . J . Ryan , C . E . Green , and E . Chilcott for initiation , which proved quite clear . The next business was the installation of the AA . M . elect . Previous to this business Bro . J . Jamieson addressed the lodge eulogising on the merits of the newly elected Master and the prosperous condition in which the lodgo was passing from his hands . There was , he said , to the credit ofthe general fund 2 , 000 rupees , and to the charity fund 1 , 200 rupees . He further spoke of the admirable way in which his officers assisted him during the past year , and of the brotherly love and unity that had existed amongt the brethren ,

India.

and tendered his grateful thanks to the lodge , after which he vacated the chair delivering the hiram to the Right AA'orshipful the Provincial Grand Master , R . B . Barton . Bro . Norman AA ashington Oliver , accompanied by the Past , Depute , and Substitute Masters and Deacons , how advanced to the altar , where the constitutional and obligatory charge was delivered to him in a most impressive and touching style in a speech of great eloquence and some duration by the Provincial Grand Master ,

in which he dilated on the excellent character of Bro . Oliver , the position ho held , and the pious and Christian walk of life he pursued , and recommended the brethren generally to follow the example of their new Master , as he felt assured that if that wore done nothing but a brotherly and harmonious feeling could exist in tho lodge . Bro . R . B . Barton said he had personally known him as one of his best friends for many years , and he found everything to admire in himas his reciprocity ancl

, general bearing stamped him as a gentleman , and ho felt proud to see the excellent selection that was made by the brethren of Lodge Perseverence in a head to govern them , feeling convinced that he would do justice to the post that was so unanimously voted to him and which he so richly deserved , being about the oldest member in Bombay ; after which he duly installed Bro . N . AV . Oliver in the chair , the brethren

saluting him in the usual manner . —The ceremonies being ended , Bro . Oliver rose , aud in a speech of much feeling thanked the lodge for the kindness displayed towards him , and for the hearty and ready way in which lie was received by the brethren , saying that as they had so kindly selected him for their Master for the ensuing year , he would endeavourto merit the trust reposed in him by doing what was just ancl upright ; ye felt that he had a serious duty to perform which

demanded more time than he could well spare ; but , notwithstanding all that , he would do ^ his duty to the best of his ability , ancl only hoped that all would respond to his call . He then proceeded to select his officers -. —Bros . J . Jamieson , Deputy Master ; J . Mackinlay , Sub-Master ; T . AVood , S . AV ; J . Firth , J . W . ; C . Jones , Treas . ; G . Brooks , Sec ; Fletcher , S . D . ; Greenwood , J . D . ; R . L . King , 1 . G . ; H . Bailey , Tyler . — This ended the evening ' s business ancl the lodgo was closed

with solemn prayer . LODGE RISING STAE ( No . 342 . S . C ) . —At the regular annual meeting of the above lodge , held on the 20 th December last , at the lodge rooms , Colaba , there were present : —Bros . Nov .-rojee Nanabhoy Framjee , AV . M . ; Merwanjee Manockjee Sethna , P . M . ; M . E . Cama , P . D . M . ; Dossabhoy Ruttonjee Colah , Sub . M . j J . Anderson , P . M . ; J . Hodgart , P . M . ; Bros Curtsetjee Jehangeer TarachundoffSAVMuncherjee

Cow-, g . .. ; asjee Murzban , oflg . J . AA . ; Jehangeer Gustadjee , Secretary ; Ilormusjee Pestonjee Framjee , oflg S . D . ; Dossabhoy Byramjce Pessikakana , offg . J . D . ; Muncherjee Framroz , I . G . ; Cowasjee Sorabjee Patell , Tyler ; Framjee Cowasjee Metha , Steward ; Rustomjee Cowasjee Bahdoorjee , Dir . of Cirs . Members : Bros . Dossabhoy Ilormusjee Cama , Pestonjee Ilormusjee Cama , Jehangeer Merwanjee , Jejeebhoy Jehangeer Lamna . Alsitors :

Bro . J . Mackinlay ; Bros . H . Prescott , j . Lockley , Taylor , Constantino , II . Showell , ancl several others . —The lodge having been opened in the first degree , the minutes of tbe last regular meeting of the 20 th November , as also thoso of the Standing Committee ofthe 19 th ofthe same month , were read ancl confirmed . —The summons was next read , ancl tho immediate business of the evening being to instal the AA . M . elect , Bro . NOWROJEE NANABHOY FEAMJEE rose ancl said : Brethren ,

before proceeding with the business , I should like to give a short history of the working of the lodge during my occupation of the chair , previous to my retiring from it . The number of initiations during the past year have been but very few ; the reasoivof which is that we were careful in the selection of members to join the fraternity . Al e looked to the quality and not to the quantity . J am glad to say that the officers for the past have been diligent and attentive to their dutiesancl

year very , had it not been for their cordial co-operation , I could not have performed my duties to the satisfaction of' the brethren ; another matter of gratification is that the History of the Lodge , which was begun some time ago , by Senior AA arden , Brother Ardashir Framjee , is now nearly complete , and I hope that our new master will push this subject on ancl have the whole completed during his term of office . Again , I havo to congratulate

you on another matter connected with Masonry . In a wealthy city like Bombay the Masons are at present without a temple of their own , but I am now glad to say that the necessary arrangements regarding the purchase of the land , & c . to build a Masonic