Provincial.

ancient usage , in the presence of a large assembly of tho brethren of this and the adjacent province ; the day ' s proceedings generally giving much satisfaction . The Committee having had their attention especially directed to the great increase of work during the last few years in the Provincial Grand Secretary ' s department , recommend ar . Annual Grant of £ 10 10 s . from the Provincial Grand Lodge Funds , to meet the incidental expenses and charges upon tho

efficient discharge of the duties of this important department . The Contributions from the Province in aid of the Masonic Charities during the past year have been rather above tho average . Bro . Frederick Ware , Prov . G . Reg ., and P . M . No . 960 , who represented the Province as Steward at the Boys ' Pestival , obtained a list of subscriptions and donations amounting to £ 136 10 s . ; the list of Bro . P . II . Rowland , P . Prov . J . G . AV ., and P . M . No . 364 , who represented the Province as

Steward at the Girls' Festival , amounting to £ 88 14 s . 6 d . To both these brethren thanks are due for the earnestness with which they have performed their very onerous duties as representative Stewards of the Province . The Committee regret to state that the Charity Jewel , hitherto presented to brethren who have served as Stewards at the Festivals of the Boys' and Girls' Schools , can no longer bo obtained for presentation as heretofore . On making application for tire

Jewel last year , the Committee were informed that no Certificate would he granted in future , unless the brother serving as Steward qualified as a Life Governor of each Charity : that is to say , by contributing- personally to each School £ 10 10 s . in addition to his fees as Steward . The Committee much regret the adoption of this Rule , which thoy fear will put an end , practically , to a system which has worked so well in thisProvince , and by means of which so large an amount has been contributed

in support of the Masonic Charities . Representations have been made , and will again be urged in the proper quarters , to endeavour to obtain a relaxation of the rale . In the meantime the Committee cannot recommend the usual

votes for the approval of Provincial Grand Lodge ; nor r . re they in a position to name any brother to undertake the duties of Steward for this Province , on behalf of either charity , for the ensuing year . Tho Committee have the pleasure to report the Election to the Girls' School , in April last , of the candidate Mary Hannah Davius , recommended by the Afan Lodge , No . 833 , Aberavon , and nominated for the support of the Province at a Special

Meeting of this Committee , held at Cardiff in November last . To obtain this result very considerable effort was called for , and the Election was only secured by borrowing at tho last moment a large number of votes , which have to be repaid in October . The Committee recommend for the support of the Province , as a candidate for Election to the Boys' School , Sidney George Morganoue of several children of Pro . William a

, Morgan , deceased member- of the Bate Lodge , Ho . 9 G 0 . Tire case , as represented to the Committee by this lodge , appears to be a most deserving one . Brethren are therefore requested to reserve their votes , and to transmit them to the Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Walter AVhittington , Neath , as usual . In moving the adoption of the report , the Dep . Prov . G . M . entered at some leugth into the various matters therein referred

to , more especially affording information aird explanation as to the course which it had been deemed expedient to pursue in reference to the Charity Jewel question , in conjunction with other provinces similarly situated , holding the same views . The motion was ably seconded by Bro . G . B . Block P . Prov . G . J . AV ., and unanimously carried .

A vote of £ 5 5 s . to tire Aberdare Dorcas Relief Fund , proposed by Bro . T . J . Dyke , P . Prov . G . S . W ., seconded by Bro . Lawrence Tullock , Prov . G . Register , was agreed to , and a collection in aid of the poor having been made in conformity with the usual custom , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form .

Shortly after four o'clock the brethren , to the number of 130 , sat dowu to arr excellent repast , provided with much care and good taste by Bro . Arthur Jones , the host of the Black Lion Hotel . The R . W . Ptovincial Grand Master occupied the chair , being supported by the AV . Dep . Prov . G . AI ., the several visitors , and a goodly array of Provincial Grand Officers and brethren of tho Province . On the removal of the cloth , tho customary loyal and Masonic toasts were given and heartily responded to .

The musical arrangements were under the skilful superintendence of Bro . Frederick Atkins ( Mus . Bac . Oxon ) , Prov . Grand Organist , the talented and much esteemed organist of the Bute Lodge , No . 960 , Cardiff . A number of excellent songs were admirably sung , among those who kindly contributed to the harmony of the evening were Bros . Homfray , Eve , Hurman , Jones-Herson , L . Williams , G . H . AVhite , & c . desiredthe

The general aarangeraents wove all that could be , - officers and members of the St . David's Lodge so exerted themselves that nothing which could add to the comfort and convenience of the assembled lodges were left unattended to . _ Special trains were provided on the Tail * Vale and Yale of Neath Railways , by which the brethren from Cardiff , Swansea . Neath , and Aberavon , were enabled to return the same evening ,

SWANSEA— Talbot Lodge ( No . 1323 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this Lodge was held at the Masonic Rooms on Wednesday last , when there were present : Bros . Edward J . Morris ( Dep . Prov . G . M . ) , AV . M . ; G . B . Brock , P . Piov . J . G . AV ., J . AV . ; Rev . C . T . Heartley , P . Prov . G . Chap ., Chaplain ; Samuel B . Power , Treasurer ; AVilliam Cox , P . Prov . G . Treas ., Secretary ; J . G . Hall , P . Prov . S . G . AV . Dir . Cers ; E . P . Daniel , SDJJonesHewsonPProvGDCJDGeorge Allen

.: . - . . . ... . ; , P . Prov . G . Sec . Organist ; AV . Mills I . G ; Alfred Baker , Thornton Andrews , John AVilliams , M . D ; AV . J . Bees , H . Kennard Bill . H . Simons , & c ., and the following visitors : Bros . P . H . Rowland , P . Prov . J . G . W . P . M . 364 ; R . Thomas P . Prov . J . G . AV . P . M . 364 ; AValter AVhittington , Prov . G . Secretary , ? . M . 364 ; aud Edwin C . Pole , Prov . G . D . C . AV . M . 364 . The Lodge was opened in due form , and with solemn prayer , and the

minutes of the last regular Lodges and Lodge of Emergency were read and confirmed . The AV . AI . then preceded to work the first lecture , assisted as follows-. —1 st Section , Bro . AValter Mills , Steward ; 2 nd Section , Bro . J . G . Hall , P . Prov . S . G . AV ., D . C . 3 rd Section , G . B . Brock , Prov . J . G . AV ., J . AV . ; 4 th Sectron J . G . Hall , P . Prov . S . G . AV ., D . C ; 5 th Section , C . T . Heartley , P . Prov . G . Chap ., Chaplain ; 6 th Section , AV . AVhittington , Prov-G . Sec ; 7 th Section . J . Jones-Hewson , P . Prov . G . D . C , J . D ; triese Drouireri

The manner in wlncli eacli ancl all or aqumvuu themselves , won for them well deserved commendation . Nothing could be more satisfactory than the working throughout , and this notwithstanding the unavoidable absence of Bros . Bath , AVilliams , aud Daniel , who were to have worked the 1 st , 2 nd , and Gfcli , Section , their places being voluntarily filled in an admirable maimer by the brethren above named . Dr . John LloydSwanseaPhysicianwas proposed as a candidate for

, , , initiation at next meetiug of the Lodge by Bro . George Allen , P . Prov . G . Sec , seconded by Bro . J . G . Hall , P . Prov . S . G . AV ., and after other routine business the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony . The Brethren dined together after the closing of the Lodgo as usual , the AA ' . M . presiding , the customary toasts were giverr from the chair , and Bros . Jones-Hewson , Cox , and others contributed most agreeably to tbe harmony which prevailed , and custom

the brethren separated in conformity with shortly before Ten o'clock . [ We are imformed that it is in contemplation to attach a Royal Arch Chapter to this Lodge , and that a petition most iu ' fluentially and numerously signed has been forwarded to head quarters , presided over and officered by some of the most skilled and advanced Masons in the Province , it may safely be predicted that the New Chapter will be as successfully arid admirably worked as is the Lodge to which it will bo attached . ]

SUFFOLK . IsrswiCH . — - Perfect Friendship Lodge ( No . 376 ) . — This Lodge met on the 20 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall . Present : — Kr-os . W . A . Smith , AA ' . M . ; J . B . Fraser ; S . AV . ; James Franks , P . M ., as J . AV . ; Rev . Charles AVoodward ( Chaplain to the Boys ' School ) , Chap , ; S . B . Ling , Sec . ; A . Christie , S . D . ; N . Tracey , I . G . ; G . Spalding , Tyler ; James Godball , I . G . ; R . AA ' oodward

G . R . Scopes : S . S . Golding , R . Parker , John Gay , and G . 11 . Manistre . A'isitors : Bros . J . A . Staddon , AV . T > AVestgate , Henry Juff , J . A . Pettit , R . Burrows , AV . P . Mills-C . Davy ( 225 ) , P . AI . 's ; P . Cornell , AV . M . 114 ; L . Jonas , 1024 : J . Dunne , 372 ; and Elliott . The brethren assembled at 6 . 30 . The lodge was opened in due form , with solemn prayer , and the minutes of last lodgo wero read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Mr . Gay , declared unanimous , and that gentleman