Provincial.

and was much pleased with his courage in bringing up such an one . In respect to the latter part of it , referring to re-appointments , he pointed out that the hopes of obtaining higher honours acted as an incentive to action , ivhich more than counterbalanced any pecuniary loss—a point of view in which the lodge cordially concurred , and in support of which Bro . Captain Ridgway made an admirable and telling speech . Bro . I . AVatts moved that such of the brethren as were in arrears with their fees should be expunged from the lists : but on the motion of the P . G . M .,. it was decided they should have a month ' s time allowed them in which to

pay . The G . S ., Br . Rogers , read the statement of accounts , duly examined and signed by the auditors , Bros . AV . Cann and Isaac Latimer , which showed a balance in hand of £ 211 Os Id . The same brethren were re-appointed as auditors for the ensuing

year . The report by the Committee of petitions -was read by Br . Gover , mentioning the various grants made in charity . It Avished to point out to lodges how permanent an advantage would be conferred on the province , if instead of making individual members governors or subscribers , all votes were purchased in the name of the lodge . It showed there was a large field for charitfor the Devonshire brethren both in their corporate and

y individual capacity , and recommended the adoption of a plan , working excellently in other provinces , viz ., the periodical purchase of life governorships or subscriberships by a small quarterly payment of a shilling and upwards , by which means every brother . would have the chance of having his name connected with some great Masonic Charity , and thereby give an increased impetus to efforts on behalf of loss fortunate brethren .

After some remarks from Bro . Metham and Bro . Capt . Ridgway , the former in favour and the latter rather against the proposal , on the prosition of Bro . Metham , 50 guineas were voted to the Fortescue Annuity Fund , and 50 guineas to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . This was all the business of the Lodge , and the brethren proceeded to church in grand procession , headed by the band of the

Paignton Artilley Volunteers , taking in their walk a round of the town . The Rev . G . J . Lyne read tho lessons , and the sermon , a very excellent one , on a subject the same as treated by Bro . Metham in his oration , was preached by Bro . the Rev . J . R . Nankivell . Tho service ended , the procession reformed , and returned to the lodge by the same Avay as come . The G . S ., Bro . Rogers , read a report of the lodges of Devon , giving the names of the Masters , time of meeting , and number of members . The Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Huyshe , proceeded to the -appointment of officers for the ensuing year : — Bro . Metham received the collar of D . Prov . G . M ., and the

other offices were distributed as follows : — Bro . Captain Clarke , PI ' OA \ G . S / W . „ Capt . Shanks , Prov . G .. J . AV-., Rev . N . Clark , Prov . G . Chaplain . „ Rev . C . J . Lyne , Prov . G . Chaplain . „ Major Russell , 1205 , Prov . G . Reg . „ Samuel Jnnes , W . \ 5 ., Prov . G . S . D . „ J . Greenfield , Prov . G . J . D .

„ L . AVestcott , Prov . G . Supt . of AVks . „ H . Miller Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . „ AV . Oram , P . M . 421 , Prov . G . Ast . Dir of Cers . „ J . B . Price , P . M . 202 Prov . G . Swd . Bearer . „ J . Pridbam , P . M . 710 , Prov . G . Organist . „ ¦ J . H . Snell , P . M . 282 , Prov . G . Purst . „ J . M . Hifflev , P . M . 233 Prov . G . Steward . „ E . A . Davies , P . M . 223 , Prov . G .

„ S . S . Tremayue . P . M . 1212 ... Prov . G . „ „ H . AA . Hoope , AA . M . 1254 ... Prov . G . „ W . Littleton , P . M . 1091 Prov . G . „ J . H . AVestlake , AV . M . 666 ... Prov . G .

Bro . J . Way , of Exeter , on the proposal of Bro . S . Jew , seconded by Bro . I . AVatts , was elected to the office of Provin-• cial Grand Tyler . The appointments being made , the brethren turned from labour to refreshment , and adjourned to the Churston Hotel , Avhere a capital banquet was set out , and to which over 100 of the brethren sat down . As the banquet was not served until after five o'clock , the time was too short to permit of core than the usual loyal and Masonic toasts .

In responding to the health of the Prov . G . M ., Bro . Huyshe referred to the recent visit of the American brethren to England , and the sister countries , mentioned tbe hearty reception they had received , and their gratifiaction at it , and said he believed nothing was so calculated , or hacl assisted so much toallay thejealouslythathad existed between the two countries as Freemasonry . A few more remarks brought the time near seven o ' clock , when the brethren rose in order to catch the train leaving a few minutes after the hour .

AVEST LANCASHIRE . . AVHI TTLE-LE- WOODS . —Townley Darker Lodge ( 1032 ) . —T ™ , festival of this Lodge was held at the Howard Arms Hot AVhittle Springs , kept Bro . S . T . Settle , P . M ., on Thurs ^ f last , for the installing Bro . H . J . Ri gby , AVorshipful -M as te fc elect , into the ebair of King Solomon , according to ancj custom . The installing master was Bro . Capt Tfnnl

. George P . M . of 730 and 1 , 032 . There were present-Bros . J . CorWf S . AV . ; D . Stansfield , P . M . 730 and 1 , 032 ; S . T . Settl e PAT 1 , 032 ; R . Pickup , P . M ., 1 , 032 ; J . Atherton , P . M . 1 n _ 9 T Yates , P . M . 730 ; J . Heald , P . M ., 730 j-Hilton , ' pj , . R . T . Martin , I . D . ; H . Marsden , sec . ; S . Fowler S D * ' J . Blackburn , J . D . ;—AAlIson , I . G . ; C . Rhodes , J . Dob ' son ' E * BrewsterAV . M . B . WhiteheadJ . QuinnJoseph Smith '

, , , D A Calderbank , AVm . Corbett , J . Ruddick , J . Hutchinson T Yates ' H . Whittaiker ,, W . Robinson , P . M ., 730 , Robinson , ' Sayle J Entwistle , P . M ., 113 , P . Hodgkinson , T . AVhittle , H Tattersall S . AV . 730 , and M . Barton , Tyler . The ceremony of installa- ' tion having been performed , the AVorshi pful Master proceeded to the appointment of his officers as follows : —Bros f fWhef-fc S . AV . ; R . T . Martin , J . VV . ; D . Stanfield , P . M . " Treas H MarsdenSecFowler Blackburn ' '

, ; , S . D . ; J . , J . —AVilson I . G . ; and M . Barton , O . G . After the transaction of this ' business the brethren retired to the large room to partake of refreshment . The banqueting hall , which is a model of beauty for its decorative adornments , had been speciall y prepared for the occasion , and was even more beautiful than last year It had an aspect of brilliancy . The royal arms had been

, quartered over the AVorshipful master ' s chair ; aud on the west side there hung the portrait of the worth y and esteemed patron of the lodge , Bro . R . Townley Parker , of Cuerden Hall . It is full length , and considered a capital likeness . The ceiling is embellished with emblematic paper , in blue , with gold stars . Hung round the room at suitable places were handsome eii"ravof Masonic institutions whicli

ings have been presented to the lodge . The dinner was of a most recherche description , and was served up m . excellent style . The post of honour was filled by the Worshipful Master ( Bro . H . J . Rigby ) , alKl the vice-chair was occupied by Bro . James Corbett , S . W . The W . M . < rave the usual loyal and patriotic toasts , and ' they were drunk with great enthusiasm . The AA . M . then <* ave successivel the °

y " M . W . G . M ., Marquis of Ripon , " The Most AA . M . Past Gn . nd Master and the rest of the Grand Officers , past and present ; " "The R . W . Prov . G . M . of the AVestern Province of Lancashire , Sir T . G . FerniorHe ' sketh , M . P . ; " " The Dep . Prov . G . M ., and the rest of the Prov . G ' Officers , past and present ; " " The Dep . Prov . G . M . of the Eastern Province of Lancashire ColStarkie" The

, . ; " Dep . Prov . G . M ., and the rest of the Prov . G . Officers , past and present . All these toasts were drunk with Masonic honours . The AV . M . said he had now to submit to them the toast of the evening , and he had exceeding great pleasure in proposing it . He would ask them to drink the very good health of " Bro . R T . Parker , Patron of the Lodge . " He need not advert at any length to the noble character of that gentlemanwho well

, was known throughout Lancashire , and universally respected for his many and distinguishing virtues . Their worthy patron took an active interest in the establishment of their Lodge , and at its consecration he mado them many valuable presents . ' He took a lively interest in Masonic Institutions , and forwarded the cause in every way ho could . He ( the AA . M . ) was sure the brethren ivere deeplindebted to himand they would testiltheir

y , y regard by the hearty response to the toast which he had the pleasure to propose to them . He gave them "The Health of Bro . R . T . Parker , the Patron of the Lodge . " The AV . M . called upon Bro . Capt . G . Hoult , as the Senior P . M ., to r espond to the toast . Bro . Captain Geo . Hoult , on rising , was cordially greeted . Ho said he was sorry that their esteemed patron and brother