Provincial.

The lodge then having been raised to the second degree , Bro . Barfoot most efficiently and impressively passed Bro . Hillier . This done the great work of the evening began . The installation of the new Master was performed most solemnly and correctly , to the great admiration of the assembled board of P . M . ' s , that excellent and indefatigable man , Bro . J . Poynter , being installing Master . The new AV . M . having been saluted in the chairproceeded

, to invest his officers as follows : — Bro . Jones Senior Warden „ Dyer Junior Warden „ C . Yearsley Senior"Beacon „ A . B . Trevennen Junior Deacon „ C . Barfoot I . P . M . „ J . Poynter , P . M M . C .

„ Squire ; Organist „ Drew Secretary „ Hodges Inner Guard „ Frampton Tyler The banquet was held at the Red Lion ; and at half-past six , p . m ., Bro . Yearsley , as Steward , showed the results of a most admirable catering ; . AVhilst seldom has a more bountifully spread board been loaded with cheer for Masons just released from real and hard work , seldom also has a host had cause to congratulate himself

upon more unmistakeable signs that his company fully appreciated his catering . At table , right and left of the AV . M . were seated , as visitors , Bros . Rev .- AV . M . Heath , Prov . G . Chap ., Dorset ; Capt . Barrett , Prov . G . D ., Dorset ; Thomas Coombs , Prov . G . S . Sec , Dorset ; Capt . Fyler ; Capt . Gould ; Doctor Thome ; T . Bartlett ; J . Phippard , & c . To meet them were gathered members of the lodold and

ge . recent , so that between thirty-five and forty brethren welcomed the new master into the commencement of his duties . After the usual routine toasts , the toast of the evening , "The Lodge of Unity" was drunk with much enthusiasm . The unanimity and harmony of that re-union showed fully that his was no misnomer . Both Master and Wardens pledged themselves to progress , and this incoming year is regarded as

one of great promise to this enterprising lodge . Assisted as he is by such energetic brethren as the M . C . Bro . Paynter , P . M . and the I . P . M . Bro . Barfoot at once reminded the AV . M . of his great good fortune , and warn him that if he , with such co-adjntors in his lodge , do not perform all that is expected of him it will be his own fault . AVe hear that great exertions aro being made in refurnishing the lodge room , aud that one brother has kindly volunteered a most liberal donation for that purpose . Masonry is flourishing in AVareham , semper Jloreat .

DURHAM . HAKTEEPOOI ,. —St . Helen ' s Lodge ( No . 531 ) . —A meeting of the members of this lodge was held on AVeduesday , the 27 th Ailt . ( St . John's Day ) , when there was a fair attendance of the brethren , including visitors . The business on hand was tho installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . A . Nathan , aud appointment of his officers for the ensuing year . The retiring Master , Bro .

George Moore , M . D ., P . Prov ., J . G . AV ., performed the ceremony of installation in a solemn and impressive manner , after which the following officers were invested by the newly installed AA . M . -. Bros . W . Stonier Leigh , S . AV . ; L . M . Hill , S . W . ; W . Stoekill , S . D . ; James , 1 . Armstrong-, J . D .,- H . Sale , I . G .,- James Mowbray , Tyler ; W . J . Sivewright and H . Maginness , Stewards . Bro . Thos Forbes was also invested Treasurerand Bro . Stonier

, Leigh re-appointed Hon . Secretary . The banquet in celebration of the festival of St . John the Evangelist ( the twentieth annual festival of this lodge ) was subsequently held at the King's Head Hotel , and reflected no little credit on the catering of its worth y host , Mr . Smith . The W . M . presided , and was supported ri ght and left by Bros . Dr . Moore , I . P . M . ; James Groves , Provincial Senior Grand Deacon ( Mayor of Hartlepool ); AV . W .

Brunton , AV . M . 764 ; AV . C . Ward Jackson , J . P . ; R . B . Harpley , Senior Warden 764 ; Simpson Armstrong , P . M . ; Robert Inglis , M . D . ; and others . The cloth removed , and the door tyled , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and responded to with spirit . Bro . Groves returning thanks for the Prov . G . Officers , and following with the toast , the " Immediate Past Master Dr . Moore ; " which was most enthusiastically received , thus testifying to the high appreciation , by

the brethren of his abilities , and acknowledging the many valuable services rendered by him to the lodge during the three years of his mastership . Bro . Moore , in proposing- the next toast , " tho W . M ., " said that having been acquainted with Bro . Nathan for thirteen years , and associated with him during that time in the lodge , he could give his personal testimony to his character as a man and a Mason . He was exceedingly leased to be the humble instrument of lacing him in the

p p chair of K . S . He trusted the lodge would support him with unanimity , and believed that if they did they would see no reason to regret the choice they had made . The W . M . briefly thanked him for his expressions of good will ; and hoped Avhea his term of office expired to deliver up his emblem untarnished . After the " Past Officers , " ( responded to by Bro . Sivewright , Bro . Groves proposed tho " Present Officers , " coupling with it

the name of Bro . Leigh , S . W . and Sec , remarking that he was himself , as a rule , opposed to appointing a brother to a double office , but , under the circumstances , he could not object to it , and from the peculiar aptitude for his duties that Bro . Leig-li had already displayed , lie had no doubt but that at the end of another year they would have to compliment him on the manner in which he had discharged the duties of both offices . The " Harbour of Refuge Lod " " ( AVest Hartlepool ) followed

ge , to which its Bro . Brunton , AV . M . responded in a short and pithy speech , and in which ho said that though it was his first visit he could not feel an equal pleasure in visiting any other lodge , nor could lie hut feel the sincerest emotions of gratitude to the St . Helen's Lodge , when he saw opposite to him Bra . Moore , the first AV . M . of his own lodge , and on his left Bro . Groveswhowhen they required ithad come over many it

, , , winter's night to render them assistance . Songs and recitations agreeably interspersed the proceedings until about 8 p . m ., when the brethren separated , one and all acknowledging it to have been a red-letter day in the annals of the St . Helen's Lodge .

ESSEX . BRIGHTIJXGSEA . —Lodge of Hope ( No . 433 ) . —The last regular meeting of this prosperous lodge was holden on the 1 st inst . at the Swan Inn . The W . M ., Bro . Lake , occupied the chair , assisted by the following officers and brethren , who Avere present , viz .: —Bros . G . Riches , S . AA . ; H . York , J . W . ; AV . MinterI . G . ; Jos . FrancisS . D . ; AV . BragJ . D .- W .

, , , , Claney , P . M . and Treas . ; AV . Harmer , Tyler ,- Watford , P . M . ; Coppin , P . M . ; C . Blyth , P . M . ; and the the following M . M . 's : —Bros . Long , R . Salmon , , T . Salmon , G . Parker , T . AVellum , G . Wellnra , D . Griggs , A . Aldons , Clossin , Wenlock , C . Angier , Pose , Dove , and John E . Wiseman , Hon . Sec . The lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of tho previous meeting Avere readand confirmed . The lod was then opened

, ge , and closed in the second and third degrees respectively . There being no initiations , passings , or raisings for the evenings , Bro . Bishop , P . M ., delivered a highly interesting lecture on the tracing board in the first degree which was listened to with great attention . It was next proposed by Bro . G . Riches , and seconded by Bro . Clarey , that a lodge of instruction , in connection with this mother lodge , be holden at the Anchor Inn ,

Brightlingsea , on the 17 th inst . Bro . William Goff , of the Royal Arch Lodge , 1 G 5 , Scotland , who was present at the meeting as a visitor , was proposed by Bro . Jos . Salmons , and . seconded by Bro . C . Angier , as a joining member . There being no further business , the brethren adjourned to the refreshment . Bro . Lake , the able AV . M ., presided at the banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been given , and duly honoured ,

tho Tyler's toast brought tho proceedings of this happy evening to a close , and the brethren dispersed iu peace and harmony , hoping that all others might have spent their new year's day as well as had fallen to the lot of the brethren of this house . AVe must not omit to add that some excellent songs were sung during the evening . The lodge was honoured by the attendance of two visiting- brethren : Bro . Goff , before mentioned , and Bro . Stephen Webb , P . M ., 272 , Chelmsford .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . WAMEraGTON . —Lodge of Lights ( No . 14 S ) . —The regular monthly meeting of the lodge was hold on Tuesday , December 26 , at the Masonic Rooms , Sankoy-street . In the absence of the W . M ., Bro . Gilbert Greenall , MP ., Prov . S . G . W . —the S . W ., Bro . H . B . White , Prov . S . G . W ., ruled tho lodge , and was supported by Bros . W . Smith , J . W . ; John Bowes , P . M .,