Provincial.

LEICESTERSHIRE . APPOINTMENT . —Lodge . —AVednesday , June 1 st , St . John ' s ( 34 S ) , Boll Hotel , Leicester , at 7 . LEICESTER . —John of Gaunt Lodge ( No . 766 ) . — -The monthly meeting of this Lodge was held at the Three Crowns Hotel , on Thursday evening , the 19 th inst . Bro . Clephau , W . M ., presided , and amongst the brethren present were Baps . Kelly , D . Prov . Grand Master ; Willey , S . AV . ; Paul , J . W . ; Sheppard , Secretary ; Johnson ,

S . D . ; Brewin , J . D . ; Spencer , I . G . ; J . 0 . Pictou , Chaplain ; Cooke , No . 70 ; Nedham and Harris , No . 346 , & o ., & c . Lodge having been opened in ancient form , the AV . M . initiated two candidates , Mr . David Challis and Mr . Henry Staynes , both of Leicester . The charge was ably given by the Senior AA arden , and the tracing board was explained by Bro . Brewin , J . D . The brethren proceeded to the election of a AVorshipful Master for the ensuing year , and the unanimous choice of the Lodge fell upon Bro . AVilley , S . AV . The W . M ., congratulating the brethren upon having elected a Mason of such good promise as Bro . AVilley , hoped that the

Lodge would steadily increase under his rule . Bro . "Willey returned thanks for the honour conferred upon him—prized all the more since he would be the first Master to exercise his duties in the new Masonic Hall . A letter was read from the Secretary of the Leicester branch of the united order of Odd Fellows , stating that the annual congress of delegates of the order Would this year be held in Leicester , that the members would dine together at the Bell Hotel on the 14 th June , under the presidency of the Right Hon . Earl Howe or Lord Curzou ; that they should invite the members for the borough , and the members of the town council ; that they , therefore , respectfully invited the Master and brethren of the John of Gaunt Lodge to dine with them , adding that their objects as a brotherhood were the diffusion of peace and goodwill , and that the amount of good they effected by their

wide spread society is very considerable . A resolution was passed , thanking the Society for its kind invitation . The AA . M . signified to the brethren his intention of attending the dinner , and hoped that as many of the brethren as could make it convenient would accompany him . The Secretary read the reply that had been sent up to the Board of General Purposes , respecting the proposed alterations in the Grand Loclge Property , which was as follows : — " Leicester , 50 th March , 1859 . " DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The following are the answers of the John of Gaunt

Lodge , No . 766 , to the questions proposed by the Board of General Purposes relating to the Masonic property : —1 . This Lodge is of opinion that a Masonic library and reading room would be of great benefit to tbe Craft , and that the addition of a refreshment room , and if practicable of sleeping accommodation , ivould be of great benefit particularly to the country brethren . 2 . Yes . 3 . The Lodge does not feel competent to say to what extent the Craft are prepared to submit to a reduction of their income , but has little doubt tbat the Order will willingly submit to some diminution of their income for the purpose of keeping such property sacred to

Masonry . 4 . This Lodge has no doubt that many of its members would be inclined to assist the reading rooms , Sc , by a small annual subscription . 5 . As this Lodge has contributed largely amongst its members towards a Masonic Hall now in course of erection in Leicester , ivhich hall is entirely separate from any tavern , so it would view with regret any extension of the tavern system in connexion with either Grand Lodge or any Masonic body whatever . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours respectfully and fraternally—E . CLEPHAN , AV . M . No . 766 . " AVm . Gray Clarke , Esq ., Grand Secretary . " After the Lodge was closed , the brethren sat down to supper , and spent an agreeable evening .

NORTHUMBERLAND . APPOINTMENT . —Lodge . —Timrsiny , June 2 nd , Newcastle-on-Tyno ( 24 ) , Freemasons' Hall , Newcastle , at 7 . 3 s 2