Provincial.

It was announced thafc tho committee appointed at tho last Prov . Grand Loclge , to take the requisite steps preliminary to the establishment of a local benevolent fund had not yet sufficieutly matured their plans to lay them before the province , but hoped to do so prior to the next mooting of Prov . Grand Lodgo . The R . AV . D . Prov . G . M . next drew the serious attention of the Brethren to tho late anonymous and slanderous attacks which have been made upon the M . AV . Grand Master the Earl of Zetlandiu a publication named the Masonic Observer

, , ivhich attack the Grand Master had viewed in so serious an aspect as to deem ifc necessary himself to bring the subject before Gi-and Lodgo at their last quarterly communication , ancl to appeal to the sympathy aud support of his Brethren . Ho warmly repudiated the charges made , as utterly false , unfounded , and scurrilous , and eloquently expressed his fall conviction that our Grand Master—than whom a more honourable ancl high-minded nobleman did not exist—was altogether incapable of the slihtest approach to the unworthy conduct attributed to him .

g Shortly after the appeal of the M . AV . Grand Master to Grand Lodge , in September last , a deputation had waitedjjupon him ( the D . Ih-ov . G . M . ) train the Royal Clarence Lodge , the oldest aud largest in the province , who suggested , in accordance with a resolution passed in their Lodge , the propriety of tho adoption of some such step by this Prov . Grand Lodgo , as that taken by tho Prov . Grand Loclge of Oxford , and subsequently by many others ; and the suggestion perfectly coinciding with his own views and feelings , ho had promised to bring the subject before Prov

Grand Lodge at this meeting . Since that time he hacl also been in communication with the R . AA . Vrov . G . M ., Bro . H . Shute , who had expressed a very strong opinion as to the necessity of maintaining intact and unimpaired the dignity of our Grand Master , and a full determination strenuously to support his Prov . Grand

Lodge iu any steps which might' be taken in so important a matter , and personally to attend the next quarterly communication of Grand Loclge , to present any address , orjgive effect to any resolution which the province might adopt . The D . Prov . G . M . also expressed his intention to be present upon that occasion , and he had bceu assured of the support ancl attendance of many Brethren iu this province . In the unavoidable absence of Bro , Dr . Bryant , P . M . No . SI ( Prov . Grand Com ., K . T . )& cwho had taken the initiative in this matterthe It . AA . D . Prov . G . M .

, , , expressed his willingness to convene an especial Prov . Grand Lodge to take the subject into consideration , should the Brethren think such stop desirable ; bufc there appearing to be the most perfect unanimity of feeling as to tho course to be adopted , it was proposed by Bro . S . li . Taylor , Prov . G . Treas ., seconded by Bro . Geo . Chick , P . Prov . G . S . AA " ., and carried , amidst tbe-hearty acclamations of the Brethren , "That this Provincial Grand Lodge has heard with the deepest regret , the slanderous attacks and uufounded personal charges ivhich have been brought

against the M . AA . Grand Master the Earl of Zetland , in the pages of a publication called the Masonic Observer , ancl desires to express its firm and unabated confidence in the strict impartiality ancl integrity of the Grand Master . " It was further proposed by Bro . Samuel Taylor , seconded by Bro . AA m . Harris , Prov . S . G . AA " ., and carried unanimously , "Thafc a committee , consisting of the R . AV . Prov . G . M ., the R . AV . D . Prov . G . M ., the Prov . G . AVardens and P . Prov . G . AA ardensProv . G . Treas . and Prov . G . Sectogether with the AA orshiful Masters

, , , p of the various Lodges iu the province , bo appointed to prepare a suitable address in accordance with the foregoing resolution , to be properly engrossed upon vellum , and presented by the R . AV . Prov . G . M . Bro . Henry Shute , at the next quarterly communication of Grand Loclge , or in such manner as shall be determined upon by the saicl committee . "

The R . AV . D . Prov . G . M . then alluded to a proposition ivhich hacl been laid before him , for tbe purpose of carrying into effect a Masonic Ball , which it was in contemplation to give at the A iotoria Rooms , Clifton ; the proceeds to he devoted to the fund for the restoration of St . Mary Reclcliffe Church ; ancl stated that , 'if a majority of the Brethren in the province should determine that such proceeding would be desirable , it should receive his hearty support and co-operation . Upon the proposition of Bro . J . Bell , Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks , seconded by Bro . S . C . Mitchell , S . AV . No . SI , a committee was appointed to consider the propriety of adopting the course suggested , or otherwise , and report thereon ,