Provincial.

because wo induce mistaken notions to arise , in consequence of their necessarily strict exclusion of them from our rites and ceremonies , though , as it appears to me , wo might , by more open conduct , obtain their assistance and co-operation in works of love and charity , and also iu the decoration of our lodges . The present case being an exception to the general rule , we are bound to honour it , and to express our grateful acknowledgment of so useful a presenta duty which 1 doubt not you will

com-, mission the Secretary to perform . I have also to announce that our excellent Chaplain , tho Rev . F . de la Mare , has kindly presented to the lodge a paraffine lamp , and Bro . de la Taste a moderator lamp . Bro . Mannan gives you a substantial box , in which the jewels and valuable property of the lodge maybe locked up . I have to request your acceptance of three lamps , a moderator , a paraffine , and a common oil lamp , ancl also of an

inkstand for the Secretary ' s table , rrom myself . I farther offer you portraits of the M . W . the Earl of Zetland , Grand Master , and of Lord Dalhousie , Past Deputy Grand Master , and a complete set of eight drawings of the St . Heller Masonic Temple , executed by myself , all which I have had neatly framed anil glazed , to place on your walls . Moreover , I have to present a volumewhich I have had suitably bound for the

purposecon-, , taining my published reports of the laying of the first stone of the Temple , and of the consecration of St . Aubin ' s Lodge , the history of its origin , extracted from your minute book , my lectures on Freemasonry , and my biography of the late Bro . Asplet . This , then , will be the commencement of your library , which I shall bo glad to see extended , either by the contributions of the brethrenor by the purchase of works on the Craft

, , or on general subjects of science and literature , so sooii as our funds will admit of such an expenditure . I have also drawn up and mounted several tabular lodge records , which I thought would be useful in an accessible form on our walls . It was proposed by the S . W . . seconded by the S . D ., and passed

unanimously , that the report be received , and , with the address entered on the minutes ; also that the acts of the committee be approved and confirmed , and that the summons of the W . M . to meet in the Masonic Rooms on this and future occasions be sancaioned . On the proposition of the W . M ., seconded by the Dir . of Cers ., it was resolved that the offer of three of the brethren to lend £ 5 each to the lodge , to meet the necessary expenditure in furnishingbe thankfully accepted . The S . W . proposedand

, , the J . W . seconded , a vote of thanks to Miss Hammond , daughter of the R . W . Prov . G . M ., for her kind present of a c-ashiov . anu marker to the lodge . On the proposition of the S . W ., seconded by Bro . Captain Smith , a similar vote was passed to Bros , the Chap ., the I . G ., and the W . M ., for their handsome presents , and the Secretary was directed to communicate them in writing to the donors . The letter of the Prov . G . M . which accompanied

the cushion was ordered to bo entered on the minutes . A communication was read from the Rev . G . Le Maistre , acknowledging the receipt of £ 'd 10 s . to the National Schools of St . Aubin . A proposition was made by the W . M . to change the day of holding the lodge , to be consideied at the next meeting . Bro . Philip Le Gallais was proposed as a joining member on tho nomination of the W . M ., seconded by the S . W . Several accounts

were presented and ordered to be paid . No other business being brought forward , the lodge was closed in perfect harmony ancl with solemn prayer , at half-past nine . The brethren then adjourned to the refreshment room , and spent an hour in social intercourse , several visitors being present , one of whom , Bro . Salt , expressed bis satisfaction at the manner in which the proceedings had been conductedfully carrying out the hopes he

, liad entertained in witnessing the consecration ceremony , several copies of the account of which ho had transmitted to his Masonic friends in Australia , whom he expected shortly to rejoin , when he would be able personally to ratify and confirm the published records of the Lodge of St . Aubin .

SOUTH W ALES ( EASTERN DIVISION ) . CABDIFI ?—CONSECRATION OV THE BUTE LODGE , No . " 1202 . According to the intimation previously given in our columns , Tuesday , the 30 th ult ., was the day appointed for the constitution and consecration of the above lodge . For the information of those of our readers who are unacquainted with the locality , we may promise that the Bute Docks , or , as we would rather say , Bute Town , is situated at the distance of nearly two miles

from tbe centre of the town of Cardiff , in which the present Freemasons' Hall is built . The inconvenience of this distance has long been felt by many of the members of that ancient , flourishing , and well-conducted lodge , the Glamorgan ( No . 43 ) , as

well as a large majority of the brethren residing in that district , who , in a great measure , owing to the circumstance alluded to , were not subscribing members to any lodge . In the month of ? March in the present year a petition was drawn up , under the auspices of Bro . J . C . Thorp , No . 43 , P . M . 435 , P . Prov . S . G . D ., Oxon , and signed by eighteen Master Masons , praying Grand Lodge for a warrant to hold a lodge at the Consulate Chambers , formerly the Taff Railway Officesand now designated the

, Masonic Hall , Bute Town . In compliance with this petition , recommended by the Glamorgan Lodge ( No . 43 ) , and the Silurian Lodge , ( No . " 693 ) , the requisite warrant was almost immediately received , and shortly afterwards a dispensation enabling the W . M . designate to initiate twelve candidates upon the day of consecration . In the mean time , the magnificent room known as the Board

Eooni , in the suite of offices referred to , was fitted up in an elaborate , but at the same time strictly Masonic manner . Indeed , the internal arrangements of the lodge were the theme of admiration with the numerous distinguished visitors who attended the proceedings now about to be described . The flooring of the lodge consists of a Brussels carpet , of the best quality , specially manufactured and most accurately representing the " chequered

pavement , " together with the true " tesselated border . " In the middle of this border is a handsome five pointed star of the same material , immediately over which hangs a truly artistic chandelier with a beautifully arranged" G" in the centre . The column of the W . M . and Wardens are of a chaste description , the lessor lights being illuminated with gas . Two splendid pillarswhich should adorn the entrance to the templewere

, , placed ( we trust temporarily ) upon either corner of the dais . Altogether , we must congratulate our brethren of the Bute Lodge upon tho possession of one of the most elegant , as well as one of the most convenient lodge rooms , in which it has been our lot to assemble . All necessary arrangements having been made , Tuesday , 30 th ult ., was fixed upon as the day for consecration , and the

R . W . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Colonel Tynte , of course , applied to for his valuable services , which , however , to the regret of the brethren , absence from home prevented his affording . The important duties of his office were , therefore , delegated to the

venerable , and much esteemed D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Dr . Bird , by whom they would no doubt have been most satisfactorily performed ; but , unfortunately , a few hours before the appointed time of meeting , a telegram was received announcing the fact that he would be unable to attend , ancl the brethren of the new lodge would have been in somewhat of a "fix" had they not taken the precaution to procure , in caso of accident , the services of a highly efficient and respected officer

, whose Masonic fame is more than local . Dr . Bird liaving deputed the W . M . designate to be thus provided , a telegram was despatched at an unreasonably late hour to Bro . Dr . Brvant , P . M . 120 , P . Prov . G . S . W ., Bristol , Prov . G . Com . K . T ., Gloucester and Bristol , etc ., who , in that noble and truly Masonic spirit for which he is eminently characterised , unhesitatingly promised compliance with the request of a lodge , every member of which

was a personal stranger to him . Anil now to the proceedings of the day . At 10-30 a . m ., the brethren began to gather , and before II o'clock nearly one hundred visiting brethren were assembled in the new lodge room . The Silurian Lodgo ( No . 093 ) , attended as a lodge , as did , also , tho Glamorgan Lodge ( No . 43 ) , which we were glad to see represented by a very large number of the officers

ancl brethren , indeed , by a judicious arrangement of the Director of Ceremonies , every chair of the lodge , prior to the appointment of the new officers , was filled by a Past Master of the parent lodge . With that punctuality which marked all the proceedings of the day , precisely at the last mentioned hour a procession entered in the following order : —Dir . of Cers . ( for the day )

, Tyler , with drawn Sword , members of the new lodge , two ancl two , Inner Guard , Dir . of Cers ., Secretary and Treasurer , Junior Warden , Senior Warden with Jun ' or Deacon on right , Past Master , W . M . designate with Senior Deacon on right , acting Prov . G . J . W . with ewer of oil , acting Prov . G . S . W . with ewer of wine , acting D . Prov . G . M . with cornucopia , acting Prov . G . M . with Steward on either side .

The procession was received with due honours , and having proceeded three times round the lodge to solemn music , the presiding officer took his seat and the Dir . of Cers . conducted to their respective chairs the following officers , pro . tern ., Bros . R . J . Langley , D . Prov . G . M ., P . M . 43 , P . G . S . W ., S . W . ; T . J .