Provincial.

continue to be well supported , the Educational Institution being now thoroughly established and fully appreciated , whilst the Masonic Relief Committee entirely answers the objects for which it was founded . " During the year eighteen dispensations have been granted , viz ., eight for holding banquets at places distant from the lodge roomsfour for initiating more than the regulated number of

, candidates on the same evening , one for initiating a candidate a few months under the age of twenty-one years , he being the son of a deceased Mason , and about at once to proceed on foreign service , and desirous of taking an English certificate Avith him , three for holding Masonic balls , & c , in aid of the Charities , and two for making serving brothers .

"In conclusion , I would most earnestly direct the attention of those brethren who may hereafter be installed into the chair , to the extreme care which ought necessarily to be exercised in the selection of their officers , as on that depends in a great measure the 2 ) rosperity of a lodge , and would impress upon the brethren generally that the welfare and harmony of the Order depend much more upon the respectability than the number of candidates initiated , and the cheerful compliance of the minority

with the resolutions passed by the majority of the members . " After the conclusion of the reading of the preceding report , the R . W . D . Prov . G . M . announced the following appointments , and having requested the brethren to be conducted to the dais , invested them with the collars and jewels of their respective ' offices , & c .: — Bro . E . Townley Parker Prov . S . G . W . Birchall J . G . W .

„ „ „ Younghusband „ G . S . B . „ T . M . SJmttleworth „ Steward . The R . W . D . Prov . G . M . then directed Bro . Wylie , P . Prov . G . Sec . to bo conducted in front of the chair , and , addressing him , paid him a high compliment for the admirable manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office for a period of tea years , suvd the satisfaction which his efforts had invariably

elicited , and proceeded to say that , although he had for a long period steadfastly refused to receive any testimonial , yet the Provincial Grand Lodge felt it absolutely necessary to mark their appreciation of his services by some substantial acknowledgment , and had consequently determined to present him with a service of plate , which pleasing duty now devolved upon ¦ him ; and he accompanied the presentation with a hope that Bro . Wylie might long live to enjoy the gratifying reflection that

• in resigning his office he carried with him the good wishes of his colleagues and the brethren generally . The plate consisted of an elegantly chased silver tea and coffee service , each ¦ piece bearing the following inscription : — " Presented by the ¦ Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire to Brother Thomas Wylie as an acknowledgment of his valuable services Provincial Grand Secretary for a period of ten years . Liverpool , 4 th October , 1 SG-1 . "

Bro . Wylie , in accepting the gift , felt that the approbation of his colleagues was a sufficient reward for the services he had performed , but he thanked the R . W . D . Provincial Grand Master and the other officers of Grand Lodge for such a v . ery handsome testimonial of their esteem , and said it had ever been , and ever would be , his desire to promote the success of that ancient order with which he was proud to be associated . He then spoke of the advantages of Freemasonry when strictl

y carried out , and of the concord and harmony produced thereby . He felt assured his family would appreciate the gift , and would Avith pride point out to their descendants the acknowledgment of their ancestor's services . The R . W . D . Prov . G . M . then announced that the next annual meeting of Grand Lodge would he held at Preston , and as the centenary of the Lodge of Lihts ( No . 14 S ) Warrington

g , , would occur next year lie should hold a special Provincial Grand Lodge there in honour of the event . The voting papers of the Prov . G . M . for the Boys' and Girls' Schools , London , having been entrusted to Bro . Banister , P . G . S . B ., the R . W . D . Prov . G . M . then resolved the meeting into a court of Governors of the West Lancashire Educational Institution .

Bro . Younghusband read the minutes of the proceedings of the past year , from which it appeared that thirty children of deceased and distressed brethren were receiving the benefits of a liberal education under the foundation . The sums necessary for the cost of education for the ensuing year having been voted , and the officers of the institution reelected , viz ., Bro . Mawdesley , Treasurer ; Younghusband , Secretary ; Brabner , Solicitor ; Fenton , Medical Adviser ; and

the usual committees appointed , the Provincial Grand Lodge was then resumed , and after the transaction of some routine business was closed in form and Avith solemn prayer by the R . W . D . Prov . G . Master . The Provincial Grand Officers then retired in processional order to appropriate music on the organ , the brethren paying the accustomed honours . The Craft Lod having been closed downthe brethren

ge , adjourned to a banquet provided for them at the Adelphi Hotel , the chair being occupied by Sir Thomas Hesketh , R . W . D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . R . Townley , Parker , V . W . Prov . S . G . W . presiding in the west . After the cloth was drawn , the customary loyal and Masonic toasts were given and ably responded to , and the brethren separated at an early hour .

SUFFOLK . Ipswicn . —Lodge St . Luke ( No . 225 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Coach and Horses Hotel , Ipswich , on Wednesday evening , the 12 th instant . The W . M ., Bro . Richmond , presided , supported by Bros . Turner , I . P . M . ; Davy , S . W . ; AVestgate , J . W . ; Brinkly , Barber , Snell , Whitehead , Clarke , aud E . Cade , P . M . ' s ; Taylor , Godball , Peck ,

Robertson , Eltroop , P . M . 185 , and Bradden , No . 292 . The lodge having been opened iu ancient form , Mr . Phillip Whitehead , a Lewis , the son of Bro . Whitehead , P . M . 225 , and Mr . John Talbot , jun ., were initiated into the mysteries of the Order . Bro . S . B . King , P . M . 376 , was unanimously elected a member of this lodge . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned from labour to refreshment .

WESTMORELAND . KENDAL . — Union Lodge ( No . 129 ) . —This lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . Johnson , assisted by his Wardens and a full attendance of members , at the Town Hall , at 4 . 30 , on Friday , the 14 th inst . The lodge was opened to the third degree , and Bros . Whitwell ( Mayor of Kendall ) , Medcalf , Gawith , and Redheadwere examined as to their proficiencywhich was most

, , satisfactory to all present , received a test of merit , and retired , and were each severally presented , and raised to the sublime degree of Master Masons—Bro . Whitwell by the D . Prov . G . M ,, Bro . Dr . Greaves , of Penrith , Bros . Medcalf and Gawith by Bro . Home , P . M ., Prov . J . G . W ., and Bro . Redhead by the W . M . ; Bro . C . J . Banister , P . M ., P . G . Sword Bearer of England , delivered the lecture on ' the tracing board . The lodge being

lowered to the first degree , Messrs . Rev . Henry Lamb , Thomas Lamb , J . Wilson , together with Capt . C . W . Braithwaite , of Haversham , " who had been prevented from coming up for several months , " were initiated by the D . Prov . G . M . of the province , Bro . C . X . Banister acting as Deacon . Several gentlemen were proposed for initiation . This lodge is progressing most favourablindeed likelto be one of the best in the

proy , y vince . The brethren were called from labour to refreshment for half an hour , and on returning to' the lodge , the W . M ., in suitable terms , presented a P . M . ' s jewel to Bro . Home , which had been unanimously voted to him hy the lodge , as a sincere mark of affection and esteem which the brethren entertain towards him for his untiring zeal and attention to the interest of the lodge , and instruction of its officers . Bro .

Horne , in most feeling terms , expressed his thanks to all , stating that to other kind brethren they were equally indebted . He gave the brethren some excellent advice , Avhich was listened to with great attention , and will be acted upon . The W . M . proposed and Bro . Busher , J . W ., seconded a vote of thanks to be recorded on the minutes to the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Greaves , and Bro . C . J . Banister , P . G . S . B ., for their kind and valuable assistance , which , in spite of remonstrance from both , was carried by acclamation , and the lodge was closed in solemn form at ten o'clock .

YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . PBOATNCIAL GEAND LODGE . The autumn meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was holden in the Music Hall , Leeds / on Wednesday , the 5 th October , under the presidency of the R . W . Prov . G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , D . G . M ., supported by the E . W . D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Bentley Shaw , and a large number of Provincial and Past Provincial Grand Officers , W . Masters , Past Masters , Wardens , and brethren from the various lodges in the province , amongst whom we noticed Bro . W . Rothwell Prov .,