Provincial.

sources and its very close proximity , Swansea should have con - tributed so _ few to swell tbe numbers ; tbe Cardiff lodges also were very inadequately represented as far as numbers went . _ The Neath brethren , with tbe earnestness and zeal which distinguish them on all these occasions , had laboured most successfully to receive and entertain the Provincial Grand Lodge with tbe utmost eclat . The Masonic Hall in which the meetings of

the Cambrian Lodge are usually held , being considered not sufficiently capacious , it was determined to hold the Provincial Grand Lodge in the Town Hall , which was most kindly placed at the disposal of the brethren for the occasion . It was suitably fitted up with raised dais and every convenience , and most tastefully decorated with banners , flowers , and choice plants . _ The Prov . G . officers and other brethren assembled in good time in tbe

rooms set apart for their use . Among those present were Bros . E . F . Langley , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; F . D . Michael , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; Charles Bath , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; James G . Hall , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; P . H . Rowland , P . Prov . J . G . AV . ; Rowland Thomas , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; Revs . John Davies , David Thomas , and T . B . Hosken , P . Prov . G . Chaplains ; A . B . Allen , P . Prov . G . Treas . ; W . M . Rees , Prov . G . Treas . ; Philip Bird , Prov . G . Eeg .: M . Tennant , P . Prov . G . Eeg . ; John Jones , jun ., Prov . G . Sec . ; Walter Whittington , John Felson , and David AVilliams , P . Prov . G . Sees . ; T . B . Bell , P . Prov . J . G . D . ; E . J . Thomas ,

Ihomas Powell , P . Donaldson , and Evan Jones , P . Prov . G . Dirs . of Cers . ; J . A . F . Snead and F . A . Hopwood , Prov . G . S . B . 's ; Richard Eve and AV . H . Bell , P . G . Pursts . ; Lawrence Tulloch , Jones Hewson , George Causick , B . Webb , J . T . Nettell , George Bradford , Edwin Pole , P . Prov . G . Stewards . Among the distinguished visitors present were the E . AV . the District G . M . for China , Bro . Henry Murray ; the V . W . tbe G . Chap , the Rev . Charles J . MartynS . J . HomfrayProvJGAVMonmouth

; , . ... ; G . J . Smith , Prov . G . Sec . South Wales ( Western Division ); John _ Vaugban , Prov . G . Supt . of Works , South AVales ( Western Division ); Frederick Binckes , See . Roval Masonic Institution for Boys ; E . A . Moore , P . Prov . G . Reg ., & c . Tbe Prov . G . Lodge was opened at half-past 12 o ' clock by tbe R . W . the Prov . G . M ., Bro . Theodore Mansei Talbot , who conducted the business of the day with tbe ability which he

invariably displays , He was supported by the Deputy Prov . G . Master , Bro . Edward James Morris ; the R . AA . the District G . M . of China ; the V . W . Bro . Martyn , G . Chaplain ; and by the Prov . G . officers and other brethren . The minutes of the last Prov . G . Lodge held at Merthyr Tydfil , on tbe 3 rd September , 1868 , were read by the Prov . G . Sec . and confirmed .

The Prov . G . Treasurer ' s accounts for the past year were then presented , and on the motion of Bro . D . AVilliams , P . Prov . G . Sec , seconded by Bro . Philip Bird , Prov . G . Reg ., were received and adopted , printed statements of same being freely circulated among the brethren .

On the proposition of Bro . Rowland Thomas , P . Prov . J . G . AV ., seconded by Bro . James G . Hall , P . Prov . J . G . AV . Bro . AVilliam Morgan Rees was unanimousl y re-elected Prov . G . Treas . for the ensuing year . The R . W- the Prov . G . Master then appointed and invested tbe following brethren as Prov . G . officers for the ensuing year , viz .: — Bro . Thomas Bruce Bell PM 960 SGAV

, .. ... „ George Browne Brock , AV . M . 237 J . G . AV . „ Thomas Butterfil Hosken , AV . M . 651 G . Chap . „ David Thomas , AV . M . 833 G . Chap . „ William Morgan Rees , P . M . 364 G . Treas . „ Edward Stock Hill , W . M . 36 G . Reg . „ James Tregenning Nettel , 237 G . Sec . „ Homal Cuthbertson , P . M . 364 S . G . D . AVilliam Edward Jones AVM 110 JGD

„ , .. ... „ George Robeitson , 36 G . Supt . of AVorks „ AVilliam Williams , AV . M . 960 G . Dir , of Cers . „ David Longdon , 833 G . Dir . of Cers . „ Laurence Tullock , . 236 G . S . B . „ Leonard Middleton , 364 G . Org . „ James Williams , 651 G . Purst . „ James Davies , 260 G . Tyler „ Charles Pegge , 364 " )

„ Robert Wrentmore Thomas , 364 ( „ „ , , „ Albert Harries , 1101 G " Ste , vards „ William Phillips , 237 J The report of the Provincial Grand Lodge Committee was

then presented , printed copies of same being handed to each brother present . REPORT OP PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE CoiatiTTEE . " The Provincial Grand Lodge Committee have the pleasure to place before the Provincial Grand Lodge their usual annual report .

" The lodges of the province , with one exception , continue to work most satisfactorily , iu harmony and ivith brotherly feeling , maintaining the high character they have deservedly earned . " The position tf the St . David's Lodge , Aberdare , remains unaltered . In the last report of the committee , the hope was indulged in , and indeed the belief expressed , that its meetings would be resumed ; but the committee regret to report that their

expectations have not been realised . " Since tbe establishment of the system of steward representation , the committee have had the gratification of annually recording its continued success . "Up to the year 1864 , the contributions from this large province to the various Masonic charities were represented by a very few small private donations , one or two annual subscriptions

from lodges , and by sums occasionally voted at annual meetings ofthe Provincial Grand Lodge , with the express object of purchasing life governorships for each lodge in succession . In 1865 the province was represented , for the first time , by a steward at the festival ofthe Boy's School ; and from this period the work has been carried on with great zeal and energy : how successful , in its results , will be learned from the following statement of amounts contributed , viz .:

—To Boys' School : In 1365 Bro . Edward J . Morris , D . Prov . G . M . £ s . d . Steward 211 10 0 1866 Bro . E . F . Langley , P . Prov . S . G . W . Steward 115 4 6 1867 Bro . Charles Bath , P . Prov . S . G . AV . Steward 130 0 0 1868 Bro . H . LI . PrichardProv . J . G . W .

, Steward 100 18 0 1869 Bro . David Williams , P . Prov , G . Sec . Steward 157 1 6 £ 714 14 0 To Girls' School : In 1866 Bro . Edward J . Morris , D . Prov . G . M . Steward 119 19 3

1867 Bro . R . F . Langley , P . Prov . S . G . W . Steward 77 14 0 1868 Bro . Charles Bath , P . Prov . S . G . W . Steward 96 12 0 1869 Bro . H . LI . Prichard , Prov . J . G . W . Steward 47 7 0 £ 341 12 3

To Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution : In 1868 The E . AV . Prov . G . M . Steward £ 125 11 6 " It will thus be seen that tbe province is now annually represented by its steward at each of the Masonic School Festivals , and will also , at intervals , be presented at the festivals of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . " The duty of the stewards is to collect subscriptions and donations throughout tbe province , and generally to advocate tbe

claims of each charity , with the object of affording the brethren more information respecting them , and of obtaining increased support . Hitherto this very honourable duty has been undertaken by volunteers from the Glamorgan , Indefatigable , and Afan Lodges—awl how ably performed is amply evidenced by results above stated . The desire to share in this good work , so far from declining , is increasing , several brethren of nigh Masonic position and influence having intimated their wish to serve as

stewards at the earliest opportunity . The committee are , however , of opinion that for tbe present tbe interests of the various charities , and the influence of the province , would be best sustained by the appointment of two stewards annually , one for each charity ; and with the view of permitting each lodge in succession to contribute good service to the cause , it has been thought desirable to invite every lodge , in rotation , to nominate or to elect a steward to represent the province . This system , if approved of and adopted , would give to each lodge , in its turn , the opportunity of supplying a steward ; and as by a by-law of