Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CUMBERLAND . C ARLISLE . — Union Lodge ( No . 389 . )—This lodge held its usual monthly meeting at the Masonic Rooms , English-street , on Tuesday , August 26 th , at seven o ' clock in the evening . There was a numerous and punctual attendance . The lodge was opened with the usual solemnity by the W . M ., Bro . Wilson , and all preliminary business being carefully despatchedBro . T . C

, Mulcaster was called to perform all necessary work previous to being passed to the second degree , which he executed with merit and ability ; he then retired , and lodge was duly opened in the F . C . ' s . The AA . M . called Bro . Hayward to pass our brother , which he performed with his usual ability ; he also explained the working tools , and gave tho charge , assisted by Bros . Blacklock , S . W . ; Hodgson , Acting J . W . ; Banister , " Acting S . D . ;

Johnston , J . D . ; Murray , I . G . ; Storey , Tyler ; and Fisher , Sec . Bro . Banister executed the S . D . 's part in quite a model form , with ease , regularity , grace ; and exquisite order , which elicited universal praise and admiration ; he also delivered the lecture appertaining to the second degree in a style that could not be excelled—it was definite , eloquent , ancl very impressive . Tho brethren expressed the pleasure they had in having such a thoroughly enlightened Mason as a member of Lodge No .

389 . Bro . Banister stated that he would attend as often as circumstances would permit , and would feel a pleasure in doing all lie could to satisfy their eager desire to become thoroughly enlightened in Masonry . The brethren thanked Bro . Banister for his kindness , and hoped by strictly attending to his precepts that they might merit his kind favour . The lodge was finally and solemnly closed . The brethren retired to the ante-room , were they performed the physical and mental duties to good effect , ancl finished with the Tyler ' s toast . They separated at an early hour , delighted with the growing prosperity of their lodge .

DURHAM . SOUTH SHIELDS . LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OR THE FREEMASONS' HALE . The erection of a hall for Masonic purposes having been , for some time past , felt to be much needed by the Masonic body at South Shields , whose numbers have much increased lately , it was decided that there should be such a building , and about a month

ago operations were commenced hy the contractors for the work . The site , a very eligible one , is in Fowler-street . The new building will comprise a commodious lodge-room , with convenient rooms attached on the upper story ; and below two shops , which will be for business purposes . The contractors for the works aro Messrs . Scott and Suddards , builders ; and the plans are from designs by Mr . R . S . Forster , under whose superintendence the work will be completed . The ceremony of laying the

foundation stone of the building took place on Wednesday , the 27 th ult . Bro . R . B . Ridley officiated as Dir . of Cers ., and shortly afterwards the members of the Craft , dressed in Masonic clothing , proceeded in procession to the site of the intended building . Upon arriving at tbe site of the intended erection , the brethren halted , aud allowed Bro . George Potts , who was appointed to lay the stone , with the other officers , to proceed to

their allotted position for the performance of the ceremony , a platform having been erected for the accommodation of the brethren taking part in it . A large concourse of spectators , including a number of ladies , was assembled to witness the ceremony , and , on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone , the site of the new building was decorated with a profusion of flags and banners . The brethren having taken their places , the proceedings were commenced

by the officiating P . M . addressing- the assemblage as follows : — " Friends and Brethren , —We are assembled here this clay to lay the foundation stone of a building which is to bo dedicated to the purposes of Masonry . I pray the Most High Jiat the good work may be prosperous , ancl that for many years to come the brethren of St . Hilda's Lodge may meet together m the house to be-erected on this stone in peace and happiness , ™ practice Freemasonry according to the principles of our Order . "

At the conclusion of this address , the choir sang an anthem , afterjvhich the upper stone was raised slowly , the band playing the National Anthem . Prayer having been offered up by the Chaplain ( the Rev . T . Featherstone , incumbent of Holy

Saviour's , Tynemouth ) , the Secretary read the following inscription , engraved on a brass plate , which was afterwards to bo placed above the cavity of the stone : — " This corner stone of St . Hilda ' s Masonic Hall , was laid by Bro . George Potts , P . M ., P . Prov . S . GW ., on the 27 th clay of August , 1863 , with Masonic honours . The Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , G . AI . ; John Fawcett , Esq ., Prov . G . M . ; H . Fenwick , Esq ., M . P ., D . Prov . G . M . ; J . RoddamWMRSForsterarchitectTrustees :

, .. ; . . , . R , B . Ridley , H . Hewison , J . L . Barker , W . Wright , . and J . Forrest . Building Committee : J . Roddam , II . Hedley , R . H . Evans , R . Jobling , W . Pratt , J . S . Oldroyd , and G . " Lawson . Scott ancl Suddard , contractors ; R . S . Forster , Secretary . " A phial , containing a number of coins of the present reign , together with copies of the NoHh and South Shields Gazette " and Daily Telegraphic Edition , Newcastle Chronicle and

Journal , with the names of the Building Committee , & c , was then handed by the Treasurer to the officiating P . M ., who deposited it in a cavity of the stone , and at the same time placed above them the brass plate , previously handed to him by the Secretary . Bro . Ridley also handed to the officiating P . M . a phial containing water brought from the river Jordan , which had been presented to the lodge bBro . P . M . Wm . Orelof the Leinster

y , Lodge ( No . 3 S 7 ) of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . AVith this water it was intended to prepare the cement to be spread upon the foundation stone of the intended building . Bro . Toshach then presented to the officiating P . M . a beautiful silver trowel , bearing the following inscription . — " Presented to Bro . George Potts , P . M ., by the brethren of St . Hilda ' s Lodge ( No . 292 ) , South Shields , on the occasion of his laying the

foundation stone of the Freemasons' Hall , August 27 th , 1862 . " The officiating P . M . accepted the trowel , and proceeded to spread the cement on the lower stone . This having been clone , the upper stone was lowered to its place . The Junior Warden handing to the P . M . the plumb-rule , the Senior AVarden the level , and the AV . M . the square , the stone was then regularly adjusted by the P . M ., who , having given it three knocks with a mallett , handed to him" by the architect , said : —¦ " Brethren , I declare

this stone , the foundation of your now Masonic Hall , to be truly and properly laid . May this undertaking be conducted by the Craftsmen according to good faith , brotherly love , peace , and harmony . The Officers bearing the consecrating vessels then handed them to the officiating P . M ., who thereupon strewed the stone with , corn as an emblem of plenty , and poured wine upon it as an emblem of joy , and oil as an emblem of peace and comfort .

The plans of the building were next handed by the architect to the officiating P . M ., who , having inspected them , returned them to the architect , who was requested to x'l'oceed with his work without loss of time . The assemblage was subsequently addressed by Bros . Potts , Mayson ( North Shields ) , ancl Davis ( Newcastle ) . The Chaplain having delivered the benediction , the band layed the National Anthemand tho proceedings were brought

p , to a close . The brethren then re-formed in procession , and returned to the Central Hall , when the lodge was closed in due form . At four o ' clock the brethren and their friends assembled in the large hall of the Mechanics' Institute , and partook of an excellent collation , provided by Bro . Dunn .

HAMPSHIRE . SOUTHAMPTON . —Lodge of Peace and Harmony ( No . . 462 ) . — This excellent lodge , the largest in Hampshire , met on AA ' cdnesday week last , and amongst other visitors , had the pleasure of the presence of Bro . Fred . Binckes , P . M ., ancl Secretary of the Boys' School , who dropped in on his road to attend the Prov . G-rand Lodge of Dorset . The ceremonies of the eveningalways embracing one or two degrees and several

candidateshaving been gone through with very great ability by the AV . M ., Bro . T . P . Payne , P . M . 152 , and his officers , the brethren sat clown to an elegant banquet . After the usual preliminary toasts , the Rev . Dr . Bradshaw gave the " Masonic Charities" in a most eloquent address , coupling the name of Bro . P . M . Binckes , who , in an able and powerful appeal , urged the claims of the Charities , particularly the Boys' School , on the attention of the brethren , at the close of which the AV . M . said he should feel most happy to act as steward in the ensuing year , and to subscribe tea guineas himself . The health of Bro . Rankin Stebbing being given in a very handsome manner as A \ P . of the Board of