Provincial Notes.

PROVINCIAL NOTES .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire anel the Isle of Wight was held at the Guililhall . Andover , on the Uith inst .. R . W . Bro . W . AV . B . Beach , Prov . G M ., presiding . There was a numerous attendance of biethren . who subsequently elineel together at the Foresters' Hall .

Lord Skelmersdale , the eldest son of the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Lathom , was married at Britford Church , near Salisbury , on the 15 th inst .. to Lady Wilma Pleydell Bouverie , daughter of Lord and Lady Radnor . Among the bridal presents were handsome gifts from the M . W . Grand Master , the Princess of Wales , the Duchess of Fife , and the Princesses Victoria and Maud of Wales .

The Western Mercury ably reviews the " Masonic Poem" of A . D . 1390 , which under the title of " TheHalliwell MS . " we noticed in our impression of the Sth inst ., and concludes its criticism thus : — "We use only measured language when we say , that this volume should be in the library of every Freemason who has any desire for culture . It is handsome , it is curious , it is valuable—to our mind one of the most valuable m on graphs ever issued on Freemasonry . "

As a memorial of the late Canon Portal , Past Granel Chaplain , Craft , Past Grand Master of the Mark Master Masons of England anel the Colonies and the Dependencies of the British Crown , and for many years rector of Burghclere , the M . W . Pro-Grand Master the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , himself a Past Granel Master in the Mark Degree , has presented a site for the erection of a reading and coffee room at Burghclere , near Newbury , towards the construction of which liberal subscriptions have already been made .

Bro . R . F . Tomlin , a candidate for appointment as medical officer to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , is a West of England man , hailing from Devonport , where his family have been for many years well-known . He was an articled pupil of Mr . Joseph May . a celebrated practitioner in that town , whose testimonial in his behalf heads a very creditable list of similar recommendations .

The Western Mercury remarks that amongst the qualifications Bro . Tomlin puts forth is one that should not be overlooked— " that he resides close to the institution , " whilst as regards testimonials those he submits speak highly of his ability as a surgeon and general practitioner . . . . His friends in the West will be glael to hear of his being successful in his application .

Colonial Items.

COLONIAL ITEMS .

From Brisbane we learn that Lord Carrington was installed for the second time as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales , at Sydney on the 21 th June last . Upwards of 300 Freemasons were present . Bro . C . F . Stokes was installed Deputy Grand Master .

At Bathurst , ^ ew South Wales , Lord Carrington . on the 9 th July , laid a memorial stone , from the celebrated Cow Flat , amidst general rejoicing , anel with full Masonic ceremony , of a new Masonic Hall in Keppell Street , one of the main thoroughfares of that city . The building is estimated to cost at least . C 1000 . and when finished will be seconel to none in the colony . In celebration of the event a public holiday was proclaimed and general festivities added greatly to the importance of the occasion .

From Chicago , under date of 30 th July , we learn that an action has been commenced in the District court at Marion that will startle Masonic circles more than anything else perhaps of late years . Judge Preston , of the Eighteenth Judicial district , on the petition of C . E Barnes , of Burlington , J . C . Graves anel Henry Bennet , plaintiffs , and granel officers of the Iowa consistory of that

branch of Scottish Rite Masonry commonly known as the Cerneau , ordered a temporary injunction against the Grand Lodge of Iowa Ancient Free and Accepted Masons , restraining them from putting into effect the legislation of the last session of the granel lodge , referring to the Cerneau boelies . and which commanded Master Masons to leave the consistory of Iowa of that rite , under

punishment of expulsion . The petition states that as the body represented by the plaintiffs does not confer the blue lodge degrees and the Grand lodge or itsisubordinate lodges do not confer the twenty-nine higher degrees , the Grand lodge has no jurisdiction whatever , and its action is illegal , arbitrary , oppressive , prescriptive of theii

individual consciences and Masonic relations and hurtful to their standing as gooel anel reputable citizens . This is the first time a masonic body has appealed to the State courts and the action of the Supreme court to which it will finally go will be a precedent for other States . The time for hearing the argument for a perpetual injunction will be in the October term of Court at Marion .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

From an article in School for this month on Reform of the Masonic Boys' School , we extract the following : — " That the work of reform will not be accomplished until , the governing body is constituted on a more satisfactory basis is proved by the following facts : —The whole body of subscribers to the charity is convened once quarterly as the ( leneral Court . We need hardly say that very few subscribers would be likely to appear except such as had ' an

axe to grind in the matter , either from good or from dubious motives . The ( leneral , Court elects the ( leneral Committee , which meets monthly , and appoints the medical officer , the House Comm IN ee and the Finance Com in ill IT . It also elects the boys on the foundation . The House Committee meets at the School once a month ; it elects the head-master , the steward , and the matron , and has the management of the School . The Finance Committee meets quarterl y , and we will speak of its work hereafter , A table

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

will best illustrate the hierarchical order of this extraorelinary system : — GUN-KRAI , COI'llT . I General Committee . I I - I I J House Finance Medical Boys . Committee . Committee Ollicor . i

Head-master . Steward . . Matron . " Now could anything be more absurd than this . ' It will be observed that while the medical officer is elected by the General Committee , the highest body actually concerned in the

management of the School , the head-master , who is by far the most important of all the officials , is , like the upper servants ( steward and matron ) , appointed by a sub-committee , the only other important function of which would appear to be that of dining monthly at the cost of the institution

" Of the Finance Commi / fie it woi-ilel be gross flattery to say that it does nothing . It does much more than that . It tolerates the absence of cash books and of details of payments into the bank ; when it sjiends CI - ! . "> on refreshments , it allows this expenditure to

be thrown m with some small items , and recoreled as " Visit ot stewards , distribution of prizes , . CI 78 " ; and finally it spends on each boy two-thirds as much again as the Board of the Commercial Travellers' Schools , and twice as much as that of the Yorkshire Societv ' s School .

" It is well that the matron anel steward , who were appointed under a misunderstanding that oug'ht not to have been allowed to exist , who assume independence of the head-master , anel who absent themselves at their discretion , should go . It is a matter for more satisfaction that the secretary , who has so long lain heavy as a nightmare on the School , should e ; o . It is even still more pleasant

to learn that the distinguished head master anel his able staff are not only retained , as common justice required , but will be placed in a clear and fitting position . But before the School can be worked properly it is absolutely necessary to get rid of the cumbrous and complicated system which has allowcel so much evil to grow up , anel to appoint a single indivisible governing body of moderate size , which shall really work and be really responsible . "

Press Exchanges And Books Received.

Press Exchanges and Books Received .

Canadian Craftsman for August ; Sydney Freemasons' Chronich for July : Latomia ; South , African Freemason ; Society .

As we go to press we learn that contradiction is given to our notification on page 3 , in reference to the laying of the Foundation Stone of St . John ' s Church at Barmouth , in so far as relates to Masonic Ceremonial . —lid . M . S .

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FREEMASONRY . To MEMBERS of the various LODGES in the SOUTH EASTERN DISTRICT . A MEETING of the Members of tlrj Craft will he held at the New Cross Hall , on Friday , the (! th day of September next , at S o ' clock in the evening , to consider the advisability of forming a Masonic Company for the purpose of erecting a Hall upon a site which has been purchased situate on Deptford Bridge , adjoining Holland k Co . ' s Distillery . All members of the Order are cordially invited to attend . Communications on the subject kindly solicited by N . BROKENSHTHE . S ( i , Lewisham High Road , I lew Cross .

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Recommended to the Subscribers to the " Masonic Star . " HOTELS STAR AND GARTER HOTEL , KEW BRIDGE , Bro . Joux UIULTJ , Proprietor . Seven Lodges and Chapters held in the Hotel , which possesses Special Facilities for Concerts , Kvenlng Parties and liaii (| iicts . Scale of Charges on Application . ^^

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_ MAYO'S CASTLE HOTEL , EAST MOLESEY , Hampton Court Station ( adjoining the llallwav and facing the River j unil Palace ) . Bro . Joux MAYO has ample accommodation in the new wing for [ Banquets for any number up to 100 . Spacious lauding to River . Specimens of | Menus , with prices , sent on application . Three Lodges meet at the Castle Hotel , and reference may he made to the respective Masters as to the catering , & c .

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B RIDGE HOUSE HOTEL , LONDON BRIDGE , S . E ., PKAHCU & Sox , Proprietors . Dinners , Wedding Breakfasts , Balls , Soirees , Concerts , Masonic , Public , or Private Meetings , & c . The Suite of Rooms for Balls and Concerts includes the Ball Room , Aiite-Koom , Refreshment and Supper Rooms ami Ladles' Retiring Rooms . The Masonic Temple will seat 40 . Terms on Application .

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E > OURNEMOUTH . Board and Residence , south ' aspect , close to the Sea , Pleasure Gardens ; centre of Town ; Home comforts . Terms , 30 ' -. Apply M . A . Hood , Caversham , Poole Hill .

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"rpi-IE BEDFORD" FAMILY AND COMMERCIAL JL HOTEL , PORTSMOUTH . Proprietor , It . P . BlttANT . OEA HOUSE HOTEL , MIDDLE ST ., BRIGHTON . k 3 — Tno . \ r . ' . s Gums ( late Snpt . Brighton Police Fire Brigade ) . Choicest Wines and Spirits , Fine Foreign Cigars . Billiards , Private Apartments .

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PARSON'S HOTEL , RIO DE JANEIRO , BRAZIL . V ^ English home comforts , and all information about Brazil , will be found in this Hotel . W . M . I ) . CARSON . Proprietor .

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TDAMSGATE . WESTBOURNE HOUSE BOARDJLl ) IN (} KSTABLISHMENT . Smoking and Drawing Rooms ; facing sea late dinner ; Tonus jnuilerate . Mrs , DL'K . v West Cliff .