Provincial.

vote , at the same time he did not under-rate his difficulties in succeeding a brother so able as Bro . H . B . White . Bro . Bowes closed an earnest speech , hy assuring the brethren that he would discharge the duties of his office Avith jealous care , ever striving to secure efficient working ancl to promote harmony and good will . Bro . WXLIS proposed " The P . M . 's , AA ' ardens , and Officers of No . 148 " coupling with it the name of the Immediate P . M .

, , Bro . H . B . AVhite . The good working of any lodge depended , in no small degree on the immediate P . M . In Bro . H . B . " White they had an excellent man and Mason—he had clone more for the lodge than could be easily estimated . Freemasonry in "Warrington was deeply indebted to him . In the S . AV . they had a gentleman known everywhere for his urbanity ancl benevolent dispositionand they need onllook at the J . W . to

con-, y clude that his whole soul Avas in his work . The other officers having been chosen , all of them with the same wisdom , he was sure that all would go on well ancl prosperously . Bro . II . B . AVHITE , P . M ., said he had already had so many opportunities of speaking of himself during the past year that on that head he should content himself by thanking them for the fraternal and hearty manner in which they had honoured

the toast ; he could not , however , let slip the opportunity of expressing the obligations he was under to the officers of the past year . Bro . Knight , the late S . W ., had been a regular attendant in his place , and merited the esteem of every llason by the candid ancl unselfish way in which he had withdrawn himself from the list of candidates for the chair , stating that the pressure of business had prevented his acquiring the proficiency

in the working ancl jurisprudence of the Craft so requisite for the chair . The late J . AA . was now AV . M ., and his unanimous election to that office rendered any remarks as to his proficiency unnecessary , ancl he ( Bro . AAliite ) might say that the present J . AV ., Bro . Pettitt , had , during his diaconal year of office been his right hand , and that without bis ever ready assistance ancl consistent support , the AV . M . would have been nowhere . In

conclusion , Bro . AVhite observed that the remarks previously made on tlie Masonic Charities enabled him to explain the object of the motion for increasing the subscriptions of which he had given notice on the preceding evening . He ( Bro . White )

felt that although the lodge had nearly doubled its numbers , and had greatly increased in efficiency of Avorking , during the past 2-J years , and although the local charity had been fairly supported , the three grand charities had had no support Avhatcver , but he trusted that his motion Avould be carried , ancl the lodge thus enabled to subscribe annually to those admirable institutions . Bro . C . PETTITTJ . W . ancl Secsaid he had not for a moment

, , anticipated having to assist in responding to a toast ; but from the flattering remarks , so complimentary to himself , and the manner in Avhich those remarks had been so warmly received , he must say that with such a WM . as Bro . H . B . White had proved himself to be , it had not been possible for him ( Bro . Pettitt ) or any other officer to work too willingly , too much —• or to work enough in supporting that AV . M . in his sincere ,

enthusiastic , and self-denying efforts to promote the welfare of the lodge . In Bro . Bowes they had such a successor to Bro . AVhite , that himself and all the officers would also be proud to work under to the utmost of his and their abilities , and be emulous only in promoting the good of Masonry in general , and of this loclge particularly . Bro . Pettitt thanked the brethren for the kind and flattering reception his name ancl humble efforts had received , and sat down amidst Masonic cheering .

The W . MASTEB proposed "The Masonic Charities . " He said preceding speakers had anticipated him by saying much that he intended to say . If the Charities were not the crown of Freemasonry , they were certainly among its brightest ornaments . He then mentioned that he had seen suggested by a correspondent of the EEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE , a plan for increasing the means of the various Charities , ancl he trusted that it Avould be carried out . He concluded by giving a sentiment ,

suggested by the Rev . Bro . Porter— " Our poor and necessitous brethren , increase to their means , and decrease to their numbers . " Bro . HEPHEED , ex-Mayor of AVarrington , rose , and in appropriate terms , welcomed and propose : ! the toast of " The Visiting-Brethren , " coupling therewith the name of Bro . Saunders , Prov . G . Org . Drunk Avith full Masonic honours . Bro . SAUNDEES , Prov . G . Org ., said he thanked the brethren for the truly fraternal manner in which the toast had been

proposed and received . He never remembered enjoying a day so much . The W . MASTEE rose ancl said they would csrtainly be wanting in gratitude if they separatee ! without toasting " The Musical Brethren . " The music they had listened to Avas of the very best character in every respect . For himself , he must say he had been delighted . The musical brethren came from Liverpool without fee or reward , and he knew at some inconvenience

to themselves to afford them pleasure . He coupled Avith the toast the name of Bro . Armstrong , Prov . G . Purst ., and the toast Avas drunk Avith full Masonic honours . Bro . ABMSTEONG , Prov . G . Purst ., responded , and expressed the gratification and pleasure they had experienced during the evening , in promoting the harmony on this occasion . The Rev . Bro . POETEE proposed " The Health of the Ladies , " which was drunk with great enthusiasm and eclat

. The AA . MASTEE proposed , and Captain CAUTWEIOHT ably responded to , " The Army , Navy , ancl A olunteers . " Bro . WHITE , P . M ., proposed "The Health of Bro . John Holloway , " for the excellent manner in which he had executed everything connected with the banquet ; it had been a great success , and their thanks were due to him . Drunk with full Masonic honours .

Bro . HOLLOWAY said that , if his efforts had given satisfaction , he was amply repaid for bis exertions , and thanked the brethren for the honour and compliment just paid him in a manner so truly fraternal . The Rev . Bro . POETEE most ably ancl Masonically proposed "Our Brethren , East , AA csfc , North , and South , " which was received with enthusiasm and drunk with all Masonic honours . The J . AV ., by command of the W . M ., now called the brethren

from refreshment to labour , and the lodge heing closed in ancient and solemn form , the brethren separated in perfect harmony , much pleased Avith , and will not soon forget , the happily-spent festival of St . John the Evangelist , 1863 .

MONMOUTHSHIRE . NEWPOET . —Silurian Lodge ( No . 471 ) . —The progress of Freemasonry has been sufficient to characterise this town as one of the foremost in developing the high aims and objects of the mysterious Order . The parent lodge , the " Silurian" has brought Avithin its fold many of the best and most distinguished of its citizensAvho evince their appreciation of the Graft binducing

, y a continuous accession of numbers . The recurrence of Saint John's day—a red letter day in the Masonic calendar in Newport—Avitnesses the elevation to the office of local chief some one more than ordinarily appreciated among the fraternity . The installation day of the lodge Avas Tuesday , the 29 th December , on Avhich occasion the brotherhood judiciously selected our esteemed townsman , Bro . R . B . Evans , to fill the important office of WM . The installation took place at the elegant

Masonichall , in Dock-street , at high noon . Bro . Henry Bridges , of Bridgwater , D . Prov . G . M . for Somerset and Prov . G . S . B ., had tlie distinguished honour of performing the solemn and mysterious rites , as he has on many previous occasions been privileged to do . Previous to the installation , a great accession to the brotherhood was observed ; the novitiates having the pleasing honour of participating , to some extent , in the ceremonial .

The musical service Avas under the control of Bro . Henry John Groves , organist of St . AVoollos church , and P . Prov . G . Org . ; and we are permitted , with pleasure , to state his effective rendering of the "Dead March in Saul , " and other compositions , during the ceremonial was most effective . The installation ceremony being a service so peculiarly " religious , " it may justly he said , judging therefrom , that Masonry is strictly the handmaid of Christianit The following appointments Avere made : —

y . Bros . Richard Baugh Evans , AA . M . ; S . Harrison , P . M . ; John Griffith , S . W . ; Bartholomew Thomas , J . W . ; W . Pickford , Prov . G . Tyler , as Treas . ; A \ . AA illiams , Prov . G . Sec , as Sec . ; Chas . Oliver , S . D . ; G . J . Hands , J . D . ; H . J . Gratte , I . G . ; Parnell and Gobbett , Stewards ; AV . M'Fce , Tyler . Among the brethren present here and at the banquet were those above namedand Bros . Henry BridgesD . Prov . G . M . for Somerset ; C .

, , Lyne , D . Prov . G . M . for Monmouth ; Dr . Morgan , P . M . Isca Lodge , Mayor of Newport ; George Jones , ex-Mayor ; Capt . George Hoinfray , Prov . G . Sword Bearer ; Thos . F . Lewis , town councillor and P . M . ; Thos . Beynon , P . M ., town councillor , and Prov . G . Pursuivant ; John AVhitchurch , P . M . ; Edward AVells , P . M ., Prov . G . S . W . for Monmouthshire ; R . J . Cathcart , P . M . Isca Lodge : John Middleton , Sec . Isca Lodge ; Chas .