Provincial.

it to say they included a large number belonging to the lodge itself and a goodly number of visitors from Accrington , Over Darwen , Clitheroe , Clayton-le-Dale , Southport , and Manchester , and also of the Lodge of Fidelity , Angel Inn , Blackburn . Banquet ended , the AA . M . gave the usual loyal toasts , which Avere most loyally received , as were also the Masonic toasts of The Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , and the Past and Present Provincial Grand Officers of East Lancashire .

The "Health of the AA orshipful Master and his Officers for the present year , " was proposed in eulogistic terms , to which the AV . M , responded in a suitable address , and said , it gave him inexpressible pleasure to propose-the"health of Bro . George P . Hartley , tho Immediate past Master , and the officers of the past year , for to them he must acknowledge he owed the honorable and dignified position in which he was then placedas AV . M . of a lod numbering more than one

, ge hundred brethren . Moreover , the late W . M . had exerted himself most energetically to place the lodge at the end of his official year in the proud position of clearing many certain old incumbrances of a pecuniary nature , so that his ( the W . M . 's ) path was plain , easy , and comfortable . But , besides this , he had the felicity of presiding over a lodge united in heart and soul to promote the best interests of Masonry .

Need he say any further , except that he could assure the brethren he would do all in his power to promote the harmony and prosperity of the Lodge 345 . G . P . Hartley , P . M ., responded in brief terms , and was loudly applauded . The health of the ' - ' Past Master " was then duly acknowledged by the Warden . The toast of the "Visiting Brethren" was responded to by Bro . Holgate of Manchester , in appropriate and Masonic feeling . A response was also elicited from the brothers of each visiting lodge . Bro . Alderman Tipludy proposed

" Our Absent Brethren , " and said he regretted they had not then amongst them Bro . Frederick Binckes , the Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , as he was sure that brother lvould most eloquently have advocated the claims of that valuable institution . It happened , however , that Bro . Binekes ' s engagements precluded his personal attendance , but he had sent a letter of apology , which Brother Tipludy

would take the liberty of reading ; after which , and a few other appropriate remarks , in which the claims of the institution were earnestly put forward , the toast was drunk with all honours , and we are happy to say that it elicited much applause and the substantial donations of £ 21 . The remaining toasts were quickly disposed of , and the lodge closed at 10-45 . The entertainment of the evening was especially

enlivened by the musical talents of Bros . Baron , Towers , Birkett , and Abbot . We must not omit that the health of his worship the mayor , James Thompson , Esq ., was duly honoured and replied to . It was universally regretted by the brethren that Bro . Thomas Clough , P . M ., and P . Prov . G . R . of East Lancashire , was prevented by ill health from attending the festival ; his better health was most cordially proposed by Brother Tipludy , and enthusiastically received . The customary Tylers' toast closed the proceedings of this most interesting ; happy , and successful Masonic re-union .

LEICESTERSHIRE . LEIOESTEB . — St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 279 ) . —The brethren of this lodge celebrated their annual festival on St . John's Day , the 27 th ult ., when the W . M . was duly installed for the ensuing year , and the officers appointed and invested . The lodge was opened at six o ' clock , p . m ., when the chair was taken by the outgoing AV . M . Bro . Tibbits . There were also present Bros .

, Kelly , P . M ., and D . Prov . G . M . ; Underwood , Buck , Pettifer , Weare , Morris and Marris , P . M . ' s ; Revs . E . W . Woodcock , ( W . M . ) and J . G . Packer , Adlard , J . W . ; Jackson , Sec ; Ride , S . D . ; Stretton , J . G . ; J . B . Jacques , B . Jacques , G . A . Davies , L . A . Clarke , and others . Visitors : Bros . Sheppard , P . M ., and M . A . Lewin , of the John of Gaunt Lodge , and J . F . Klein , P . G . S . ( London ) . The minutes of the election of the AA ' . M .

having been duly confirmed , the chair was taken by the D . P . G . M . and the lodge was opened in the second degree , when the Rev . Bro . Woodcock , having been presented as AV . M . elect for installation , gave his assent to the ancient charges and book the O . B . for the proper government of the lodge during his year of office . A M . M . 's lodge and a board of installed masters were then respectively opened , and ho was duly installed iu ancient form into the chair of K . S ., and properly intrusted and saluted . The M . M . ' s being then admitted the new W . M . Avas proclaimed ,

saluted , and had the charge and the working tools delivered , and so , in regular gradatiou down to the past degrees . The AV . M . then appointed and invested the following as the officers for the ensuing ^ year : —W . Tibbits , I . P . M . ; L . A . Clarke , S . AV . ; J . Adlard , J . W . ; AV . Jackson , Sec ; G . Ride , S . D . ; C Stretton , J . D . ; C . Bainbridge , Tyler . The office of S . G . was left open until the next lodge . Bro . Crawford , P . M ., and for many years Treasurer , having resigned office and membership on

account of ill-health , thanks were voted to him for his past services , and Bro . Charles Morris , P . M ., was delegated to the office and invested by tho AV . M . The brethren then adjourned to the banquet , and spent a few hours very pleasantly .

SUFFOLK . AVOODBRIDGE . —Doric Lodge ( No . SI ) . —The annual meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., being St . John's Day . The brethren met at their private lodge room in Doric-place at two o ' clock , and installed Bro . Joseph Cullingford as their W . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremony of installation was effectively performed by Bro . J . Dallenger , P . M . The AV . M . appointed ' the following brethren as his officers : —

Bros . A . Jeffries , S . W . ; W . Hayward , J . W . ; E . Fitzgerald , P . M ., Sec . ; J . Dallenger , P . M ., Dir . of Cers . ; T . Grimwood , S . D . ; B . Dove , J . D . ; J . Brickels , P . M ., and G . Middledtich , Stewards ; B . Gall , I . G ., who were duly invested . Bro . J . Brickels was elected as Treas ., and Bro . M . Moore as Tyler . After the ceremonies the brethren adjourned at four o ' clock to the Sun Innwhere an excellent banquet was provided by Bro .

, Solomon A . Grout , and of which upwards of twenty brethren paatook , the new AV . M . presided . The absence , through temporary illness , of an old and highly esteemed brother , Benjamin Head , of London , who generally attends this lodge at the annual meeting was deeply felt , and his health and speedy recovery was duly proposed and honoured . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to in the

accustomed manner , and after spending a pleasant evening the social hand retired at a timely hour , highly gratified with the proceedings of the evening . IPSAVICH . —Prince of Wales Lodge ( No . 959 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Golden Lion Hotel on Monday evening , the 2 nd inst . Bro . Edward Dorling , W . M ., occupied the chair , supported by his officers . There Avere

present Bros . Hy . Thomas , Prov . S . G . W ., and AV . M . Lodge British Union ; C . T . Townsend , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; Westgate , P . G . S . and W . M . Lodge St . Luke ; Pettitt , Helms , Light , AVilliams , Booth , Chinnock , Green , Cuckow , J . H . Townsend ,

Alloway , & c . Bro . Williams , Sec . of the Angel Lodge , Colchester , was among the visitors . The lodge having been opened in the first degree , two gentlemen were initiated into the mysteries of the Craft . In consequence of the elevation of Bro . AV . AVestgatc , the late S . AV . in the lodge , to the chair of the AV . M . in the Lodge St . Luke , an entire change of officers took place . The'W . M . ' s appointments were as follows : —Bros . F . B . Jennings " S . W . ; John HelmsJ . AV . ; E . C TiddS . D . ;

, , , J . H . Townsend , J . D . ; Geo . Light , I . G . After the disposal of the usual lodge business , the brethren sat down to a well served banquet provided by the worthy host , Mr . John Sarrod . After the usual toasts , each brother pledged his brother in bumpers , wishing him a happy and prosperous new year . This is probably the last meeting of the lodge in this hotel , as the new Masonic Hall in Brook-streetbuilt expressly by the members of this

, lodge , is announced for consecration on the 22 nd of the present month . IPSWICH . —St . Luhe's , Lodge ( No . 225 ) . —The members of this lodge met on AVeduesday , the 27 th ult ., at the Coaeb and Horses , Brook-street , to celebrate the Festival of St . John the Evangelist . There were present Bros . AV . T . Westgate , AV . M . ; C . Davy , S . W . ; B . Smith , J . AV . ; Richmond , I . P . M .-, P .

Whitehead , S . D . ; Brown , J . D . ; AV . B . Rando , I . G . ; A . Barber , Sec , P . M . ; Clark , Treas ., P . M . ; J . Whitehead and R . Cade , P . M . 's ; Hobart , Talbott , Cuckow , Plory , C . Godbull , & c Visitors : Bros . Dorling , W . M . 959 , P . M . ' CSO , P . G . Sec . Suffolk ; C . T . Townsend , P . M . 516 , 959 , 936 , and 100 S , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; J . Head , P . M . 376 , 936 , 959 , and 1008 , P . Prov . J . G . AV . ; J . A . Pettit , P . M . 376 , 959 , P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; C . J . Pedgrift , AV . M . 388 , P . Prov . G . Reg . ; Altoway , Treas . 959 ,

1008 ,- J . H . Townsend , I . G . 959 ; G . Green , 959 ; & c . The lodge having been opened in the first degree , the W . M . requested the J . W . to call the brethren from labour to refreshment , and the I party sat down to a well-served banquet , provided by Bro .