Provincial.

ill the second degree , when they were severally re-admitted and passed to the degree of F . C . in the order named . Samuel Fielden , who had been balloted for , being in attendance , was next introduced and regularly initiated by the S . W ., who also gave the charge and explained the working tools . P . M . Ward , a visitor , occupied the chair of K . S . during the ceremonies . Several candidates were proposed , after which the lodgo was closed in form and with solemn . The Wear Valley Lodgo

prayer ¦ now numbers fifty-five members , and fonr more are candidates ¦ for admission , two of whom have been approved of . The lodge lias had the misfortune to lose already three members by death , the late W . M . being one of the three . There being no Past Masters living in the neighbourhood , unusual difficulties have been presented to the efficient working the lodge , but the untiring zeal of the S . W . Bro . Geo . Canneythe SecBro .

Still-, , , inan , and the other officers have overcome all obstacles , and the lodge now bids fair to become one of the most successful in the county . ESSEX . ROCHEOED . —Lodae of True FriendsUn ( So . 1601 . —The

annual celebration of the festival of St . John the Baptist took place on Monday the 2-itli ult . The following were present : — Bros . T . Bennett , Prov . J . G . W ., W . M ., in the chair ; J . Bowles , G . F . Browning , and J . Wiseman , P . M . 's ; W . Pissey , S . W . ; A . Rodd , J . W . ; G . Burgess , P . M ., See . ; W . Pavitt , S . D . ; D . B . Grout , acting J . D . ; J . Allen , I . G . ; and many other brethren , amongst whom as visitors were Bros . Becker , W . M . elect , and — Quilter from the Angel Lodge , Colchester ; J . G . Green ,

Prov . S . G . W ., P . M ., from St . Peter ' s Lodge , Maldon , and J . Harris , W . M ., and his Wardens , — Rowley and W . S . Cox , from the Priory Lodge , Southend . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes read and confirmed . Several letters were read from brethren in reply to invitations , expressing their regret at not being able to attend . The lodgo was opened in the second degree , when the retiring W . M . presented Bro . W . Pisseythe WM . electto Bro . G . Burgess

, , , who kindly undertook the duties of Installing Master , ancl the ceremony of installation followed . The W . M . appointed and invested the following officers : —Bros . T . Bennett , I . P . M . ; W . Pavitt , S . W . ; J . Allen , J . W . ; H . Wood , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Burgess , P . M ., Sec . ; D . B . Grout , S . D . ; C . C . Kendrick , J . D . ; E . Grout , I . G . ; and J . Topsfield , Tyler . The W . M . addressed the brethren , and alluded in feeling terms to the bereavement under which the Prov . G . M ., Bro . R . J . Basrshaw . is

sufferinsfrom the death of his wife , and which prevented his attendance at the annual meeting , ancl proposed that a letter of condolence "be sent to him , expressing the sympathies of the lodge with him in his heavy affliction , which was carried unanimously . Bro . Bennett proposed a vote of thanks to the Installing Master , Bro . Burgess , for the very able manner in which he had discharged tho duties of Installing Master , which was also carried unanimously . A gentleman residing in the neighbourhood , and

well known to the brethren , was then proposed and seconded as a fit and proper person to be made a Mason . Bro . Bennett , in a few but appropriate words , addressed the lodge touching the recent death of Bro . Alfred Thomas Jones , late J . D . of the lodge , and proposed that a letter of condolence should be also sent to the widow of the deceased brother , conveying the heartfelt sympathies of the lodge with her in her deep affliction , which was also unanimously agreed to . After transacting

the ordinary business , the lodge was closed in due form and with solemn prayer . The brethren sat down at four o'clock to a sumptuous banquet provided by Mr . A . Denton , of the Old Ship , which comprised every delicacy of the season . The cloth liaving been withdrawn , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to . The brethren separated about half-past ten , after having spent a most agreeable and harmonious evening .

SUFFOLK . STOWMAEKET . —The Freeman Memorial . —kt the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Suffolk , held at Stowmarket last week , it was announced by the Prov . G . M ., Bro . Col . Adair , that the memorial to the late Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . the Rev . Frederick William Freeman , M . A ., had been completed , as ordered at the previous Provincial Grand Lodge . The first part of the memorial consisted in purchasing a Governorship in the Boys' Masonic School , to be called " The Freeman Governorship ; " this was presented to the Phajnix Lodge ,

516 , and the rotes conferred are vested in the W . M . The other part of tho memorial has just been completed , and consists of a very handsome monument erected over the late brother's grave in the cemetery of pulham Market , adjoining the churchyard . The work has been done by Mr . J . E . Simpson , Stowmarket , ancl reflects great credit on him . The monument is constructed of the best Portland stone , rising from the ground in the form of three stepseach lOin . hih-. On this is placed a perfect

, g ashlar , measuring 2 ft . 6 in . each way . This again is surmounted by a cross 5 ft . high , the transom being 32 in ., and the section lOin . On the four sides of tile ashlar is handsomely carved the Knights Templar jewel , the V . Prov . G . M . 's jewel , the Royal Arch jewel , and the Provincial Grand Chaplain's jewel . The inscriptions are engraved on the edge oftlie top step , and are as follows : — " In memory of the Rev . Frederick William Freeman ,

M . A ., first perpetual curate of this parish , who died 22 nd March , 1863 , aged 51 years . Mark the perfect man and behold the upright , for the end of that man is peice "—Psalm xxxvii . ver . 37 . Under the D . Prov . G . M . ' s jewel— " Erected by the Freemasons of Suffolk to the memory of Bro . the Rev . F . W . Freeman , M . A ., late D . Prov . G . M . of the province , in fraternal remembrance of his active services to the Craft , and of his personal worth . " The monument , standing as it does just in the centre of the cemetery , presents a very imposing appearance .

SURREY . PROVINCIAL GEAND LODGE . A Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon , presided over by the R . W . the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Alexander Dobie , on Friday , the Sth inst ., under the auspices of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord ( No . 463 ) , whe . i numerous brethren from the various lodges in the province

attended . The following business was placed on the paper to be brought "before the Provincial Grand Lodge -. —To receive the report o £ the Finance ancl Audit Committee ; to elect a Provincial Grand Treasurer ; the appointment of Provincial Grand Officers . The following brethren occupied the respective offices at the opening of the Prov . G . Lodge : —Bros . Alexander Dobie , P . G . Reg . Prov . G . Master ; George HarcourtD . Prov . G . Master ;

, , R . Cartwright , Prov . S . G . W . ; E . Drewett , Prov . J . G . W . ; George Price , Prov . G . Treas . ; C . Greenwood , Prov . G . Sec . ; E . W . Price , Prov . G . Supt . of Works , supported by numerous other brethren . The Prov . G . Lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes were read , and being put for approval , were confirmed , and signed hy the Prov . G . Master .

The Treasurer ' s accounts were then presented , showing a balance in favour of the Prov . G . Lodge of £ 150 5 s . Tbe following votes were then made , viz .: — £ 30 to be paid to the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons , £ 5 5 s . to the Boys' School , and £ 5 5 s . to the Girls' School . Bro . George Price was re-elected Treasurer . The R . W . Prov . G . Master then made the following appointments : — Bro . G . Harcourt , 3 LD ., of Chertsey , was continued in his office of D . Prov . G . Master . Bro . W . Frederick Harrison Prov . S . G . W .

„ C . H . Woodward , P . M . & Sec . 463 „ J . G . W . „ Rev . L . H . P . Maurice „ G . Chap . „ Walter M . Wilkinson „ G . Reg . „ Charles Greenwood , „ G . Sec . „ Thomas E . Crispe , W . M . 463 ... „ S . G . Deacon . „ T . Goodwin , P . M . 463 „ J . G . Deacon . „ Henry Parsons „ G . Supt . of Works . „ W . N . Last „ G . Dir . of Cers .

„ J . Churchill „ G . Org . „ J . Dundas Down , G . S . Bearer . „ W . Purvis „ G . Purst . Bros . Compton , Steed , Ohren , G . J . Cutbush , Pearce , Knight , and Durant , Prov . G . Stewards . During the proceedings appropriate music was performed , and with the able assistance of Bros . Montem Smith , Fielding , Shoobridgeand Chaplin Henrythe whole was rendered very

, , effective . Upon the completion of the business the Prov . G- Lodge was closed according to ancient custom , and with prayers by the Prov . G . Chap ., and musical service . At five o ' clock the brethren adjourned to the banquet , at which the R . W . Bro . Dobie presided , and was ably supported by