Provinciai.

several other members were present . The special business was to ballot for Mr . Heginbotham , pass Bro . J . Phillips , and raise Bro . Bagshaw . The ballot being clear for tho candidate , he was impressively initiated by the AV . M . Bro . Bullock then examined Bro . Phillips , who was highly complimented for bis proficiency , he never making the slightest slip or even hesitation in his replies . The W . M . then passed him to the degree of F . C . Bro . Bagshaw was next passed through tbe

F . O . 's ordeal , and retired . The lodge being opened to the third degree the AV . M . raised him to the sublime-degfEe of a M . M ., his working being perfect , and leaving tho proper impressions on the candidate's mind . The lodge was then regularly closed down . The W . M . announced that he had raised £ 5 to present to Bro . Cope , G . S . B ., who was a steward for the Royal Benevolent Institution . He also announced his

intention of accepting a stewardship for the Boys' School , drawing the brethren's attention to the correspondence on the subject of charity stewards , which had recently appeared in THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AZSZD MASONIC MIRROR , which lie hoped they would all read ; and the W . M . also drew attention to Bro ^ AVhite's letter on the subject of the Black , which had honoured Crewe with a fortnight's stay a few weeks

back , and whose doings the AA' . M . had made known . The brethren all seemed delighted and grateful to Bro . White for stopping for a time at least the career of such a villain . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren retired to their homes .

DORSETSHIRE . PoOEE . —St . John's Day was duly celebrated by the brethren of this town on tbe 27 th ult . A lodge was held in the evening at the Masonic Hall , when Bro . Richard Sydenham was reelected W . M , and ^ Bro . G . H . Gutch , Treas . The lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and spent the remainder of the evening in a very congenial manner . The

customary loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly honoured . SHAITBSBTTET . — -On tbe 27 th ult . the brethren of this town and neighbourhood celebrated the festival of St . John tlie Evangelist . The brethren assembled at their lodge-room , Town Hall , at 3 p . m ., when the now AV . M ., Bro . Jos . New , was installed to that office , and afterwards appointed his officers for

the year ensuing . —The appointments were as follow : —Bro . Richmond , S . W . ; Jos . Sutton , J . AV . ; Usher , Sec ; Swaine , S . D . ; C . J . Highman , J . D . ; and AV . T . Buckland , I . G . The lodge re-elected Bro . J . Bennett , Treasurer , and Bro . Belbin , Tyler . The brethren then proceeded to Bro . Gen . Freke ' s Grosvenor Arms Hotel , to dinner , which was served up in good style , and was highly appreciated by all present . An excellent baunch of mutton was presented for the occasion bBro . AV

y . Bennett , of Chihnark , from his splendid sheep which took tho gold medal prize against All England at the late agricultural show , Islington . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts , & c , were given and duly responded to , and a most agreeable evening -was spent by those present .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . FLEETWOOD . —Hesheth Lodge ( No . 950 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held , on the evening of the 4 th inst , in the lodge room at the Fleetwood Arms Hotel . The lodge having been opened in due form at six p . m ., Mr . Thos . Grimshaw , Master Mariner , of Fleetwood , being in attendance as an approved candidate to be admitted into our ancient Order , the ceremony

of initiation was most impressively performed by the AV . M ., Bro . J . Gibson . After which the brethren were called oft'from labour to refreshment , and spent the remainder of the night in the enjoyments afforded at the soiree and ball , which will bo found noticed iu another column under the head of " Masonic Festivities . " AVARAVICKSHIRE .

BIRMINGHAM . —Athol Lodge ( No . 74 ) . —Ihe installation of the AV . M . of this lodge took place on AVednesday , the 3 rd inst , at the Masonic Hall , Severn-street . A large number of the brethren of the lodge and a goodly complement of visitors assembled on the occasion . The usual routine business having been transacted , and the ceremony of initiation performed on a neophyte , Bro . Yates Poulton was passed to the degree of F . C . Bro . Charles Lee , P . M , proceeded to instal Bro . M . Smart into the chair of K . S . The ceremony was performed in a correct

and impressive manner . The AV . M . then proceeded to nominate and invest the following brethren as his officers for the year : — Bros . Charles Lee , P . M . ; James Bowker , S . W . ; R . T . Horley , J . AV . ; C . J . Penn , Treas . ; W . J . AA alters , Sec ; W . Baylis , Assist . Sec ; J . Fenn , S . D . ; Stephen AVood , J . D . ; Benjamin Hunt , S . W . ; Thomas Bragg , Dir . of Cers . ; J . Vaughan , Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; Alfred Minshull , John Clements , Michael Davis , AVilliam AVhitehouse , and R . H . Vertegans , Stewards ; J . Coates ,

Tyler . Bro . W . J . AValters proposed that the sum of fifteen guineas be given to the AVarwickshire Annuity Fund , which , being duly seconded , only awaits the confirmation of the next lodge . The scheme of the AVarwickshire Annuity Fund was first propounded in the Athol Lodge by the Prov . G . M , Lord Leigh , and this , we believe , will be the second contribution from No . 74 . The brethren then adjourned to an excellent banquet , provided by Bro . R . T . Horley , of the King's Head Hotel , whicli gave tbe greatest satisfaction .

YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . NEW MASONIC HAID IN LEEDS . A Masonic hall has been long wanted in Leeds , and several attempts have been made in years gone by to provide one . There are at present four lodges holding meetings in this town , and the Order musters a large number of members . § Each lodge has its separate place of meetingand they are held in private

, rooms . The Philanthropic Lodge ( No . 304 ) finding its members increasing , resolved to build a new hall on a good scale , which has been erected in Great George-street , on the north side of the Town Hall , and during the past and present week it has been opened with great eclat . On AVednesday , the 27 tb ult ,, the installation of the W . M . and the festival of St . John were celebrated . On Friday , tbe 29 th , a ball took place , to which

brethren of the Philanthropic had the privilege of inviting friends who were non-Masons . There was a brilliant reception , about 330 being present , and the ball passed off admirably . On Monday , Jan . 1 st , the Philanthropic Chapter held its meeting , and installed the officers for the ensuing year , and on Wednesday , Jan . 3 rd , there was a large gathering of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire to dedicate the hall to " Masonry . " This imposing ceremony was performed by Bro .

Bentley Shaw , of AVoodfield House , Huddersfield , the R . AV . D . Prov . G . M . in the unavoidable absence of the Earl de Grey and Ripon , 11 . W . Prov . G . Master of AVest Yorkshire . After the dedication a sumptuous banquet was served np to the brethren , and the events which have rapidly followed each other in the opening of this hall have created a lively interest in the Craft , and the greatest goodwill , fraternal fellowship , and harmony characterised the whole of the proceedings , and will long

be remembered by all who took part in these delightful meetings . The Masonic Hall fronts into Great Geovge's-streefc , and is faced with stone . It is in the early Gothic style , and possesses great originality in its design , which , although peculiar , is chaste , and , with the emblems of the Craft judiciously introduced in carved panels , its character is stamped at once as a building erected for a special object .

The entrance to the ball is at the south end , through a spacious vestibule and staircase , which is provided with an array of hat and cloak rails . At the foot of the stairs is the smoke room , 31 ft . long . 16 ft . wide , and 13 ft . high , efficientlyventilated . After ascending a spacious staircase to the first floor we find a handsome banqueting room , 52 ft . long , 22 ft . wide , and 15 ft . high , chastely decorated and finished ; a robing

room , 19 lt . long , 16 ft . wide , and 12 ft . high ; and a beautiful hall which occupies the entire size of the building to the front , and is 5 Sft . long , 29 ft . wide , and 27 ft . high . An arcade surrounds the walls with clustered shafts and curved capitals , from which springs a dome vaulted ceiling , most effectively carried out and decorated with a blue ground sprinkled with stars . The ribs are crimson and yellow , and the

contrast of colour is beautifully harmonious . The lower part of the walls is of a pleasing warm moroon colour , with black diaper thereon , and a border of blue and crimson of A andyke pattern . The east end , or dais , separates itself by a handsome arch , panelled in colour with a domical ceiling in blue mixed with stars , and the ribs of oak with gilt pateras picked in with Vermillion , the whole having a pleasing , rich , and elegant effect . The dais is raised three steps above the hall floor , and is fitted