Provincial.

S . Zeffertt , Vincent Bird , P . M . ; E . Basset , aud numerous other brethren . The E . W . Prov . G . Master opened the lodgo in due form , and Bro . the Eev . J . Dickinson , Prov . G . Chap ., invoked the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe on their labours . The Prov . G . Sec . then read the minutes of the several Grand Lodges that had been hold during the past year . There were some incidental discussions arising on these minutes . In reply to Watts

Bro . , it was stated that the Committee of Petitions consisted of the D . Prov . G . M ., the Treasurer , and Secretary . Bro . Watts suggested subsequentl y that the committee should consist of the W . M . of each of the lodges , and that they should meet once a quarter at Plymouth . An amendment was moved to this by Bro . Cock , who said he came more than a hundred miles to attend this meeting , and he thought that there should be something like fairnessand that the meetings should be held

, alternately at Exeter and at Plymouth . He moved an amendment to this eft ' ect , and it was carried by a large majority . It was agreed that the meetings should be quarterly , and that each lodge should be requested to nominate either the W . M . or a delegate to act for the year . The Prov . G . Sec . also rend the returns of the different lodges . Some of these had only just been sent in , whereas they ought

to have been made before the end of February . The balance to credit of the Prov . G . Lodge was estimated to be about £ 106 ; but as it could not be exactly stated from the cause mentioned , a discussion arose npon the difficulties of getting in tho returns . It was suggested that the returns should be sent in , printed , and sent round to the lodges before the end of June . The Prov . G . Master said that if there were any lodges that did uot send in their returns by that time , he should make it a rule , however painful to him it might be , to preclude these lodges receiving aiiy appointments to tho Prov . G . Lodge—a determination which elicited loud cheers .

Another question arose as to the amount that had boen received during the past year lor fees of honour from the members appointed to oflice in Prov . G . Lodge . In consequence of the absence from England of Bro . J . P . Ley this could not be stated with certainty : But Bro . C ' ann , the permanent G . Treas ., stated that he hud that morning , since he entered the room , received several fee ? . The Prov . G . Sec . had also received some , and there were others to come in . [ Since tho meeting the

writer of this report has received a letter from Bro . Ley , stating that he had received £ 13 13 s . fees . ]—Bro . S . Jew , P . Prov . G . Treas ., spoke of the neglect in these matters in past years , and urged that tiie law should be enforce ;! , that no officer who had not paid his dues should be permitted to rank as a Prov . G . Officer . He moved that there should be a scrutiny of the accounts since the year 1859 , for the purpose of ascertaining what dues were unpaid . The matter was one of importance in

every point of view , as it was from these fees that tho Fortescue Annuity Fund received additions . Bro . the Rev . J . C . Carwithen suggested that the time should be confined to the period from 1861 , and this was unanimously agreed to . The Committee on Petitions recommended votes of £ 10 , and two sums of £ 5 each , shown be given to certain applicants , which was agreed to . The D . Prov . G . Master stated that he should act at the next

meetings G . Steward of the Girls' School , to which he intended to contribute ten guineas as his subscription , and he called upon the Prov . G . Lodge to subscribe liberally towards this institution . He proceeded to show that little was done by Devon , as compared with other provinces , in behalf of this institution , and concluded an eloquent appeal by moving that 25 guineas be voted from tho funds of Prov . G . Lodge to this object . The motion was seconded by Bro . Col . Elliott .

Bro . Clase proposed that it should be 50 guineas ; but the Prov . G . Master said that their funds would not allow of so largo a sum being thus appropriated , and the vote of 25 guineas was unanimously agreed to . £ 10 was also voted to the Widows' , and £ 10 to the Benevolent Fund .

The Treasurer next read a statement of the Fortescue Annuity Fund , in account with Bio . John Pope , the Treasurer . The account showed receipts to the amount of £ 11 G 15 s . Sd ., and payments to the amount of £ 87 5 s . 9 ( 1 ., leaving a balance in the hands of the Treasurer of £ 29 9 s . lid . The assets showed investments : Amount on land debentures , £ 1 , 100 ; ditto , Devon and Exeter Club . £ 200 ; cash in Savings' Bank , £ 45 17 s . 7 d . ¦ The ^ rov . G . M . then proceeded to the appointment of his officers .

On the motion of Bro . Rodd P . M ., seconded by Bro . Dowse-P . M „ Bro . T . S . Bayly , P . M . of Lodge Sincerity , was appointed G . Treas . L . P . Motham , P . M ., P . G . D . of England , D . Prov . G . M . ; Capt . Tanner Davy , P . M ., P . Prov . & ., Prov . S . G . W . ; Major G . H . S . Yates , P . M ., Prov . J . G . W . ; Rev . John Dickenson , P . G . Chap ., Prov . G . Chap . ; Dr . William Langley Pope , Chap ., Prov . G . Chap . ; Levett Prinsep , W . M ., Prov . G . Reg . ; Wm . Goddard RogersP . M . Prov . G . Sec . Wm . H . Geachsias

, , ; , W . M ., Prov . S . G . D . ; J . J . Hambly , P . M ., Prov . J . G . D . ; J . S . Phillips , P . M ., Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; James Hawton , P . M ., Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; George Warren , P . M ., Prov . G . Assist , of Cers . ; Josiah Austin , P . M ., Prov . G . Org . ; Wm . Cotton , P . M ., Prov . G . Sword Bearer ; Peter James , P . M ., Prov . G . Purs . Stewards : Wm . Easton , P . M . ; Wm . Oram , P . M . ; W . K . Miehell , P . M . ; F . Codd , P . M . ; C . S . Wiltshire , P . M ., W . M . ;

Samuel Jones , P . M ., W . M . James Gregory , Prov . G . Tyler ; John Rogers , P . M ., Prov . Assist . G . Tyler . The remainder of the business transacted was of no public importance . Shortly after four o'clock , the brethren , to the number of 122 , sat down to an excellent cold collation , supplied by Bro . Pearse , the lessee of the Eoyal Hotel . The R . W . the Prov . G . M ., the Rev . John Huyshepresidedand was supported on his riht by

, , g the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Motham , and on his left by the Prov . G . Chap ., tho Eev . J . 'Dickenson , and bv other Grand Officers . Bro , Lieut .-Col . Elliott , P . S . G . W ., in " the absence of Bro . Capt . Tanner Davy , S . G . W ., who was , we regret to say , prevented from being present b y illness , occupied the vice-chair . Grace was said by the Prov . G . Chap ., and after dinner by

the Row Wm . Langley Pope , D . D ., Chap , of the Dartmouth Lodge . After dinner , the Prov . G . M . proposed "The health of the Queen , " ivhich was drank with due Masonic loyalty . Bro . Wmdcatt presided at the piano , and Bro . Knowsley ably led the singing , taking several solos . In the cour-e of tho evening , Bro . James Rowe , a veteran Mason of more than seventy summers , sang- with remarkable

vigour and ability , the fine old national song , "Hail to theo , England , " and the beautiful ballad . " Come , welcome once more . Bro . Tnomas and Bro . Clase . also sang other songs with marked ability . In proposing the next [ toast , "The E . W . Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Past Grand Master of England , " the Prov . G . Master remarked that the toast ivas premature . It was intended to ive His Royal Highness the honour of Past rankbut he

g , hail not got it yet . Every one of them would regard with pleasure the day when they could hail him as their brother , and ho was sure that he would be well pleased to be called by that name—our Royal brother the Prince of Wales . Air— "God bless the Prince of Wales , " In proposing "The M . W . the G . M . of England , Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , K . T ., " the Prov . G . M . spoke in terms of tho hihest eulogy . The Earl of Zetland had been

g their Grand Master for twenty-five years . It was true that their brethren in Ireland had in his Grace the Duke of Leinster a Grand Master who had most ably presided over them for fifty years . But the Earl of Zetland came next in length of services , and he did not say one word exceeding the praise he deserved , when he said that he had never seen a Grand Master who came

up to him . Bro . Metliam , D . Prov . G . M ., proposed as tlio next toast , "Tho R . W . tho Provincial Grand Master of Devon , Bro . the Rev . John Huyshe , M . A ., P . G . Chap , of England . " The toast was received with an outburst of enthusiasm . Everything , Bro . Metham remarked , that the Prov . G . M . had said of the Earl of Zetland might be applied to himself . He trusted that he might be longspared to preside over them , and that during their lives there

might be no occasion for any one to succeed him . Of his many good qualities he would not say a word , for they all knew them as well as he did . —Air , " Anld king syne . " The Prov . G . Master , in acknowledging the compliment which had been so warmly accorded to him , expressed the gratification he felt at the song * which had followed it ; and in reference to tho sentiment of that song remarked that fifty years had now nearlpassed since he first put on the Masonic apron . It was

y a long time to look back , and he could not but feel that that very beautiful song touched a warm responsive chord in his heart . No doubt "auld acquaintance" should not be forget . He applied this sentiment to his desire not to forget his obligations to his brethren , and what was due to each and all of them ; which he always endeavoured , as much as possible , to remember . He