Provincial.

the last occasion of the kind , a difference of opinion arose on this point . The consideration of the question was postponed . The lodge was closed at eight o ' clock . DURHAM . StryDEEEAlTD . —St . John's Lodge ( No . 80 ) . —The brethren of this lodge met at the Queen ' s Hotel . Fawcett-street , on the 7 th

ult ., to celebrate the Festival of St . John the Evangelist . Sixtytwo sat down to au excellent dinner , served up in Bro . Shiel ' s usual style . The profusion and variety of the viands , and the judicious and impartial superintendence given , was highly satisfactory to all . Bro . S . J . AA ' ade , AA ' . M ., occupied the chair . ; the vice-chairmen were the senior and junior wardens , Bros . Simon AA ' anless and . Robert Dixon . Several P . M . 's were

present . At the left of the chairman was the Mayor of the borough , Bro . E . T . Gourley . The sister lodges were represented by Bro . Gilmore , of Phcenix ; Bro . Joseph Stainsby , AA ' . M . of the Palatine ; and Bro . A . Cooke , of the AA'illiamson . The repast being over , the loyal and patriotic toasts were given with great zest , and acknowledged by the mayor . The lodge was then opened on the first degree , and due honour was paid

to the chief officers of the Craft . Several other toasts were given . The " Masonic Charities and their Claims " were very ably and earnestly propounded by Bro . Levy , P . M . of the Palatine and Prov . G . J . W . Bro . Mark Douglass , P . M ., gave the " Worshipful Master , " setting forth the merits of Bro . AA'ade , and the high promise he gave to the future of St . John ' s Lodge . The WM . lied with much energy and effect . Bro . AV . H .

. rep Crookes , P . M . of St . John's and Prov . G . S ., iu a highly complimentary speech , presented to the Secretary , iu the name of the brethren , a pair of gold pebble spectacles , in a rich case , bearing the following inscription -. — " Presented to Bro . Robert Hodgson , Sec . of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 80 , hy the brethren as a token of their xespect and esteem , and in acknowledgment of his valuable services for many years A . L . 5872 , A . D . 1868 . " The gift

was received by the Secretary in a grateful and suitable manner . Toasts and songs alternately followed . The vocal department was well sustained by Bros . Robert Terry , J . N . Ditchburn , and others , and a most pleasant evening was spent .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . KlKKDALE . —Prince of Wales Lodge ( No . 1 , 035 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of the above lodge was held on tbe 9 th nit . The lodge was opened at 6 . 30 p . m by the respected AA' . M . Bro . Newell , supported by the following brethren as officers , viz .: — Bros . Fozzard , P . M ., as P . M . ; AVilliams , S . AV . ; Boyers , J . W . ; WinstanleyTreas . ; AVarbrick , See . ; DraperS . D . ; Carver

, , , I . G . ; Lovelady and Birnie , Stewards . The minutes of the last regular lodge meeting , also the emergencies of December 19 th and 31 st were read and confirmed . The ballot then went round for Mr . Goore Balshaw , which proved unanimous , and he being in attendance , and properly prepared , was regularly initiated into Freemasonry , and declared himself a subscribing member . Bro . BoyersJ . AA ' . very ably explained the working tools in this

, , degree , and Bro . AVilliams , S . W ., gave the charge very impressively . Bro . Andrew Brack was examined , passed satisfactorily , then entrusted with the test of merit , and retired for preparation . The lodge was then opened in the 2 nd degree , and Bro . Brack was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . Bro . Williams , S . AA' ., explained the tools in this degree . Bro . Thos . Gooch was examined , passed satisfactorily , then entrusted with

the test of merit , and retired for preparation . The lodge was then opened in the third degree . The brethren were called from labour to refreshment , and after partaking of the requirements as food for the body , were called from refreshment to labour , when Bro . J . Gooch was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason . The AA ' . M ., Bro . Newell , explained the tools in this degree . Too much credit cannot be given to the W . M .

for the manner in which the degrees were given , and argues well for a happy and prosperous year . The lodge was then closed down to the 2 nd and 1 st degrees , when the resignation of Bro . Almond was read and accepted- Bro . Boyers , J . AV ., proposed that the jewel given to P . M . AA . Fozzard be enlarged , and made of the same value as the one presented to P . M . Bro . Shephard , which was seconded by Bro . AA' . Price , aud carried unanimousl y . Bro . AA ' . Price then gave notice of the follow-iiig

motion : — " That a more suitable and convenient room be ob--taiued for our lod ge meetings to be held in . " Bro ., Fozzard , P . M ., proposed that a committee be appointed to inspect , obtain the terms , and all information from Bio . Holden for the letting

of the new Masonic . Hall , Kirkdale-road , and report same at our regular lodge meeting on Feb . 2 nd , seconded by Bro . Price , and carried unanimously . Bro . George Morgan proposed the following as a committee : —Bros . Newel , W . M . ; Fozzard , P . M . ; AA'illiams , S . AV . ; Boyers , J . AV . ; and the Sec , Bro . Warbrick . Seconded by Bro . Lovelady , and carried unanimously . Proposed by Bro . Warbrick , that Mr . AV . Price be allowed to withdraw from being initiated in this lodge , on account of its beiug

inconvenient for him to attend on this lodge night as explained . Seconded by Bro . Fozzard , and carried unanimously . Bro . W . Price proposed that the sum of five guineas be given to Bro . Laidley , of this lodge , who is in deep distress . Seconded by Bro . Carver , and carried unanimously . Mr . J . 0 . Brine , of Kirkdale , was then proposed for initiation by Bro . M'Nab , and seconded by Bro . Fozzard , P . M . There being nothing more for the good of Freemasonry iu general , or this lodge iu particular , the lodge was closed in time , form , and solemn prayer .

LEICESTERSHIRE . MELIOK MOWBUAY —Rutland Lodge ( No . 1 , 130 ) . —The second annual festival of this young lodge was held ou the Sth ult . The lodge was opened at three o ' clock in the afternoon , when Bro . F . S . ~ Petty was raised to the sublime degree of AA ' . M . At four o'clock Bros . Kelly , D . Prov . G . M ., and Duff , P . M ., arrived from Leicesterto instal the AV . M . electin which

, , ceremony Bro . Morris , P . M ., of Wymondham , Leicester , also assisted , attending the lodge at very great inconvenience . The AV . M . elect , Bro . Rev . W . K . Robinson , was installed in the chair of K . S ., according to ancient custom , and received the cordial congratulations of the lodge . The following brethren were invested as the officers for the ensuing year : Bros . Rev . AA' . LangleyS . AV . ; H . DouglasJ . AV . ; Hugh MorrisP . M .

, , , , Treas . ; AV . Adcock , Sec . ; AA'iuter Johnson , S . D . ; J . E . Bright , J . D . ; Markham , I . G . ; C . Fernely , Organist ; Fast and Weaver , Stewards ; and Tarville , Tyler . The lodge was closed in form with solemn prayer . At the banquet which followed , and which reflected great credit on the host , Bro . Selby . The W . M . presided , and gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts in a very able manner . Bro . Kelly , D . Prov . G . M ., was most

enthusiastically received . It has been entirely through bis fostering care that this lodge has been enabled to exist , and he , in responding to the toast of his own health , congratulated the Melton brethren that his help would be no longer needed , for that at last the gavel was in the hands of au expert brother , able and willing to instruct his lodge ; one who had proved himself a lover of the Craft . The evening was spent very

pleasantly , and the enjoyment of the brethren much enhanced by the excellent singing of Bros . Johnson , Adcock , and Petty , who were accompanied on the piano by the talented organist , Bro . Fernely .

MONMOUTHSHIRE . NEWPOET . Silurian Lodge ( No . 471 ) . The usual monthly meeting of the members of this lodge took place on the 5 th inst ., and there was a very large assembly of brethren present . Amongst the number we noticed Bros . Steel , AV . M . of the Abergavenny Lodge 818 ; ParsonsAV . M .

, , Colston Lodge , Bristol , and several P . G . officers of this county . The lodge was opened in due form , when the minutes of the last lodge were read and confirmed . The lodge was then opened in the second degree , when Bros . AVm . B . Smith , and AA m . Hughes , were examined in open lodge as to the progress each had made as F . C . ' s and having given proof of their diligencewere entrusted with the test of

, merit , and retired until the lodge was opened in the third degree , when the above brethren were raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by the AV . M ., Bro . Oliver ; the ceremony being performed iu a first class manner . The lodge was then closed down to the first degree , when Bros . Prosser and AVilkins were examined in open lodge as to the progress each had made as E . Apprenticesand having

, answered satisfactorily , they retired , when the lodge was again raised to the second degree , aud these two brethren were passed to the degree of F . C . Freemasons . A lecture on the tracing board on this degree was admirably given by Bro . Thome , P . M . The lodge was then closed down , and after the usual questions had heen asked by the AV . M ., if any one had anything to propose for the good of Freemasonry , or the Silurian Lodge iu