Provincial Lodges.

The P . G . M . said that the Reports from the Lodges in the Province were of a gratifying nature , and showed them to be in a high state of prosperity . During the last year there had been , in the Alfred City Lodge , 12 passings , 13 raisings , and 16 initiations , making a total of 41 ceremonies . The funds of the Lodge were in a most satisfactory state , and , under the rule of the late W . M . and the present W . M ., the Lodge continued to prosper . In the Apollo Lodge , which was peculiarly constituted , there had been a much larger number of ceremonies , namely , 55 passings , 42 raisings ,

and 54 initiations , making a total of 151 ceremonies . The Lodge was well conducted , and its funds were in a very prosperous condition . The Churchill Lodge , a very useful and skilfully worked Lodge , had prospered under its able officers , and had gained 10 additional members , while its funds were in a very satisfactory state . The Cherwell Lodge , the youngest in the Province , was rising rapidly ; its initiations in the last year amounted to 6 , and the state of its funds was most satisfactory , for it had a good balance , notwithstanding that it had had to incur heavy expenses for

furniture , jewels , & c , necessary on the formation of a Lodge . It was now in such a position that it was enabled to do its part towards the maintenance of the masonic charities . On the motion of Br . Beach , P . M ., of the Apollo Lodge , seconded by the P . G . M ., Br . T . Randall was uuanimously elected P . G . Treasurer . The P . G-M . then invested the following brethren with their insignia of office , and spoke of each in complimentary terms , which were much applauded : —Prov . Senior

Gr . Warden , Br . James Wyatt ; Junior AA arden , Br . Malcolm , Christ Church ; Chaplains , the Rev . J . Sedgwick , of Magdalen College , and Rev . J . S . Sidebotham , of New College ; Registrar , Br . AV . Martin Atkins , Farleycastle ; Secretary , Br . the Earl of Lincoln ; Senior Deacon , Br . J . T . Hester ; Junior ditto , Br . W . J . Birch ; , of Pudlicote House ; Superintendent of AVorks , Br . Looker , of Banbury ; Directors of Ceremonies , Br . Hon . W . J . Vernon , of Christ Church , and Br . T . Houghton ; Sword Bearer , Br . Joseph Plowman j Organist , Br . Dr . S . Elvey ; Pursuivant , Br . J . Bossom ; Stewards , Brs . the Hon . G . Dillon , the Hon . W . H . North , C , C . Donner ,

Rev . T . Russell , Rainsford , E . G . Bruton . The following subscriptions were voted to the under-mentioned charities : —Masonic Boys' School , 2 guineas ; Masonic Girls' School , 2 guineas ; Annuity Fund , 21 . ; AVidows' Fund , 21 . ; Masonic Asylum , 11 . ' , Oxford Baths and Washhouses , 2 guineas ; Radcliffe Infirmary , 3 guineas ; Medical Dispensary , 2 guineas ; Blue Coat School , 1 guinea ; Anti-Mendicity . Society , 1 guinea . The P . G . M . then handed , to Br . Barter the Charity Jewel , voted by the Grand

Lodge to that Brother , for having acted as Steward to the Boys' and Girls' Festivals . The P . G . M . said he eould not look on the many distinguished Masons around him , many of whom had come from a long distance to pay honour to him and to the office which he held , without feeling truly grateful to them for their kindness and assistance . He thanked especially the P . G . M . of Cambridgeshire , who had done him the honour to conduct the installation , and in so masterly a manner , and begged to move that the names of the visiting P . G . Officers present be entered on the records of the Lodge , by

¦ way of acknowledgment . The D . P . G . M . seconded the motion , which was carried unanimously . The Lodge was then closed , after which the brethren separated . In the evening the Installation Festival took place at the Town Hall , which was decorated in exceedingly good taste with Masonic banners and devices . Elegant vases and other ornaments , filled up with choice flowers , were interspersed on the tables , and a nosegay was placed in every plate . The arrangements were under the superintendence of Br . W . Thompson and twelve stewards . The presence of a large number

of ladies at the end of the hall imparted additional brilliancy to the scene . The P . G . M ., attended by his distinguished visitors and his grand officers , entered the hall in procession about six o'clock , Grimmetf s band playing the well-known air , " The Roast Beef of Old England . " The P . G . M . presided , and amongst those present were the D . P . G . M . ( Br . R . J . Spiers ); Br . Sadler , P . S . G . W ., Mayor of Oxford ; the P . G . M . of Cambridgeshire ; the P . G . M . of South Australia ; P . P . G . M . of Bengal ; P . G . M . of Essex ; P . G . M . of Staffordshire ; P . G . M . of Worcestershire ; D . P . G . Masters of Wiltshire , Kent ,