Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DERBYSHIRE . ALFKEION . —C ' ONSECliAiTON 01 ' THE ROYAL ALFKED LODGE ( NO . 1 , 028 ) . As a proof that tbe assertion ( contained in our recent report of the doings of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire ) that Masonry is prospering and flourishing in this province , is a correct one , we have the pleasure of recording the constitution

and consecration of a new lodge at Alfreton , which was opened for the first time on Tuesday last , under the most favourable auspices . The preliminary forms having been strictly complied with , the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Haughton C . Okeover , attended by several present and past officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire , proceeded by train to the George Hotel , Alfreton , where , a lodge having been opened by a duly appointed P . M . in

all the degrees of ancient Craft Masonry , they entered tbe room in procession and were received with the customary honours , the W . M . resigning his gavel to tbe acting Prov . G . M . The Wardens' seats were occupied by Bros . Alexandre Butel , P . Prov . S . G . W ., ns D . Prov . GUI . j ' T . Cox , Prov . S . G . W ., as S . W . ; and Henchly-Mason , P . Prov . S . G . W ., as J . W . An extempore prayer was offered by Bro . tbe Kev . Blair Mandate , Prov . G . Chap ., followed by a voluntary performed by Bro . Trimnell , P . Prov . G . Org . ; after which the acting Secretary , Bro . S . ltowbottom read the petition and warrant of constitution .

The brethren having signified their assent to the usual inquiries whether they approved of the officers named in the warrant , the acting Prov . G . M ., assisted by his Wardens , diffused the com , wine , and oil , and , having solemnly dedicated the lodge to God , to Masonry , and to charity , finished by constituting it in form . The charge was impressively repeated by Bro . T . Cox , Prov . S . G . W . The ceremony of installing the W . M . elect was then

commenced , and Bro . George Cressy Hall having been presented to the acting Prov . G . M . by Bro . A . Butel , P . Prov . S . G . W ., tbe latter , at the request of the D . Prov . G . M ., assumed the gavel , and in a masterly and impressive style conducted the installation .

The W . M . next invested his officers as follows : —Bro . Thomas Horsley , S . W . ; W . Wilson , J . W . ; John Senior Turner , Treas . ; Kev . J . W . Maltby , Chap . ; W . Coatcs Haslam , S . D . ; W . Horsloy , J . D . j Josh . Haynes , I . G . The lodge was shortly afterwards closed in ancient form . The following brethren were present -. —Bros . Okeover , D . Prov . G . M . ; Thos . Cox , Prov . S . G . W . ; Alex . Butel , Henchly-Mason , and John Gamble , P . Prov . S . G . W ' s . ; Blair Mandale ,

Prov . G . Chap . ; Jas . Crossloy , Prov . G , Reg . ; W . W . Booth , Prov . G . Stipt . of Works ; I ! . Wilson , P . Prov . Supt . of Works ; T . H . Ncwbold , Prov . G . S . B . ; Alfred Wallis , Prov . G . Purst . ; T . Tallis Trinnell , P . Prov . G . Org . ; W . Drew , Prov . G . Tyler , all of the province of Derbyshire . Bros . M . Fowles , Prov . G . Purst . of Notts , P . M . 47 ; i \ T . Carter , W . M . 4 , 7 ; H . Attenborough , S . W . 47 ; John Hall , 47 , all of the Newstead Lodge , Nottingham . Bros . W . Mach ' m Ingle , 253 ; W . Manning Lacey ,

253 ; T . Sbipton , W . M . GS 1 ; II . Osborne , S . W . GS 1 ; H . W . Brentnali , 50 G ; Henry Burn , 731 ; J . Jones , 731 ; W . Brooker , 884 ; W . Adsetts , 787 ; W . Watson , 787 ; Martin 11 . D . Cooke , W . Faulkner , 731 , G . Org . ; Siddall , 787 ; W . Haslam , 787 . Most of the above-named brethren banquetted together in the spacious lodge room , after the ceremonies , under the presidency of the newly-installed W . M ., assisted by his Wardens . The ] oy : i ] and Masonic toasts were received with appropriate

honours , aud congratulatory speeches were addressed to Bro . Hall upon the success of tbe undertaking . It appeared to be the unanimous opinion of the brethren that the establishment of the Royal Alfred Lodge would be a direct benefit to the Craft , and that a more judicious selection of officers could not have been made . A magnificent banner was , in the course of tlie evening , presented to the lodge bv Bro . John Gamble , P . Prov . S . G . W .

DEVONSHIRE . MoniCE TOWN , DAVENPOKT . —Lodge St . Aubyn ( No . 954 ) . — This lodge held its usual monthly meeting on Tuesday , the 13 th inst ., at half-past six . The duties commenced by tbe raising of four candidates , after which three were passed to tbe second degree , the ceremonies being performed by Bro . Kent ,

W . M ., in bis usual efficient style . The usual monthly business having been brought to a close , two gentlemen were named as candidates for initiation and one as a joining brother . At tbe refreshment table the visitors were loud in their praises of tbe reception , and expressed their gratification at the working of the lodge and the appearance cf its appointments .

DURHAM . IlAETLErooL . —Harbour of Refuge Lodge ( No . 7 G 4 ) . —A regular lodge was holden at West Hartlepool on tbe 13 th Dec ., 1864 ; present , Bros . G . W . Kirk , M . D ., P . J . G . W ., W . M . j XV . Brunton , S . W . j K , B . Harpley , J . W . ; Henry Rank , P . M ., acting J . D ., & e . ; and visiting brethren James Groves , W . M . of St . Helen ' s Lodge ( No . 531 ); Emra Holmes , Prov . G . Sec , S . W . of No . 531 ; Stonier Leigh , & c . The lodge having been

opened in due form and with solemn prayer , and the ordinary business haying been completed , the following candidates for initiation into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry were balloted for , accepted , and duly entered into the 1 st degree , or that of E . A ., the ceremonies being gone through by the W . M ., Bro . Kirk : —Mr . W . Harrison , and ' Heir Adolpli Bremer , of Hamburgh . Lodge being then raised to the 3 rd degree , Bro . Charles Pace was raised to the sublime degree of

M . M ., the principal part of the impressive ceremonies being performed by Bro . Jas . Groves . Lodge being closed , tbe brethren then retired to refreshment , and an evening begun in . peace was closed in harmony .

KENT . ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BELVIDEHE LODGE ( No . 503 ) . The annal meeting of the above lodge was held on Tuesday , the Gt-li inst ., at tbe Star Hotel , Maidstone , when the ' ceremony of tbe installation of the W . M .., Bro . J . Couper , took place . The lodge was visited by the following brethren : —Bro . J . Munn , P . Prov . S . G . D . ; li . Dives , Prov . G . Sec . ; W . Moore , IV . F . of 290

Catt , T . Instom , N . Martin , and A . Winter , ; T . F . Nottlingham , P . Prov . S . G . W ., and L . A . Hart , Prov . S . G . D ., 77 ; A . Cooley , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; and J . Herrrington , W . M ., 184 ; J . Keddell , P . Prov . S . G . W ., 15 S ; F . W . Elers , Prov , J . G . W . ; H . Stock , P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works , 558 ; J . F . Goldfinch , WM . 133 ; H . L . Sopwith , S 74 ; E . Mudd and J . W . Radley , 20 ; E . J . Stilwell , 917 ; A . T . Kyte , 400 ; W . E . and G . Stone 311 S . J . BartlettJ . WoolcottJ . H . Costa

, ; , , , Swinfen , Field , & c . Among the brethren of Belvidero Lodge were Bros . Pike , Philpott , Serjeant , Wardlaw , Vale , J . Cruttenden , jun ., Page , F . Day , Monekton , Style , Blake , & c . The lodge having been opened in the first and second degrees , the W . M ., Bro . J . B . Tolputt , in the most complimentary terms , presented Bro . K . Pearson ( one of the founders of Belvidere Lodge ) , with a very gratifying testimonial from the brethren

of the lodge , on his retirement from the office of Secretary , tbe duties of which office be has gratuitously transacted with the utmost zeal and ability for the last ten years . The testimonial was very beautifully engrossed on a large sheet , signed at the foot , in ' different compartments , by the Past Masters , Worshipful Masters , Officers , and about fifty of the brethren , tbe R . W . Prov . G . M ., Viscount Holmesdale , heading the list . A very elegantly illuminated border surrounded it , in which was displayed on shields the emblems of tbe various offices he had held in his own and the Provincial lodges . The testimonial was handsomely framed and glazed ; and was couched in tbe

following terms : — "BELVIDERE LODGE , 503 . " "To P . M . lino . HOBERV P EAKSON , P . S . 503 , PAST PBOV . J . G . D . KENT . " " We , the Worshipful Master , Past Masters , aud brethren of tbe Belvidere Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , desire to express our hearty thanks for the zeal and ability with which you havo for so many years gratuitously filled the office of

Secretary to this lodge , and to record our high appreciation of your eminent services as Warden , Worshipful Master , Past Master , and above all as a brother , whole valuable Masonic knowledge has always been in the kindest way placed at our command . " Knowing that the prosperity and welfare of the lodge , both Masonically and financially , has ever been your study , and that your successful exertions in that direction have been to you a labour of love , and beyond all price , we desire to acknowledge it in the same spirit .