Metropolitan.

S . W . ; J . Trickett , C . K , J . W . ; R . Gurney , Treas . ; R . W . Little , P . M ., Sec . ; W . Dodd , S . D . ; C . Higg ins , J . D . ; Lancaster , Smale , Steel , Allmau , & c . Visitors : Bros . J . Mann , W . M . 186 , ancl J . Faithful , P .. M . 916 . After the confirmation of the minutes and other preliminaries , Bro . Little , P . M ., took the chair , ancl raised Bro . Steel to the third degree , giving the traditional history so often and so improperly omitted from the ceremony . On the lodge being resumed to the first degree , the

W . M . initiated Messrs . William Harvey , John Jones , and Thos . Pulteney Lcckie into the mysteries of the Craft . Bro . Allman was appointed I . G . The brethren signed their balloting papers in favour of Mr » . Green , a candidate for the Annuity , and handed them over to Bro . Little , who has undertaken to support the case at the forthcoming election on the 15 th inst . A banquet followed , the brethren being called from labour to refreshment , and after a very pleasant evening spent at the festive board ,

the lodge was closed , and the brethren retired to their respective habitations . A lodge of emergency will be held ou Saturday , the 3 uth inst ., for the purpose of passing Bro . Leckie , who is going abroad at an earl y date .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DEVONSHIRE . TOTXES . —Pleiades Lodge ( No . 710 ) . —The monthly meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the 30 th ult . Tho lodge was opened at half-past six o'clock hy Bro . J . Heath , AV . M ., assisted by Bros . Marks , P . M ., as S . W . ; Niner , as J . W . ; Dr . Hopkins , as I . P . M . ; Watson , P . M . and See . ; ancl Pridham , as ; I . G . The minutes of the previous meeting were read

and confirmed . There was a candidate named on the circular for each of the three degrees , neither of whom was present . The one for initiation had been proposed at seven days' notice , with respect to whom a discussion took place at some length , which terminated satisfactorily . This gentleman was re-proposed in open lodge by the acting I . G ., and seconded by the W . M . As there was no further business to be transacted , the WM . requested Bro . Dr . Hopkins to give a lecture on the third degree , which he did , afterwards receiving tbe thanks of the brethren , through the W . M . The lodge was closed at halfpast nine o ' clock .

DURHAM . SOUTH SHIELDS . — St . Hilda ' s Lodge ( No . 240 ) . — The brethren of this lodge held an emergency meeting in their hall , on the evening of tlie Sth nil ., for the purpose of passing ancl raising several eligible brethren ; Bro . Robertson , W . M ., presiding , supported by his Wardens and tbe other officers . After the ceremony and other business had been concluded , the W . M ,,

in the name of the members of the lodge , presented to Bro . J . P . Simpson , P . M . ancl P . Prov . J . G . D " . of Northumberland , with an elegantly-written and fraternal address on his leaving this country for Port Natal , South Africa . Iu appropriate terms the W . M . spoke of the character aud bearing of the worthy brother as a good citizen . The address wished him every prosperity in the land of his adoption , accompanied with health and happiness . Other brethren added their mescl of

praise ; several iu the lodge being visibly affected . The W . M . ancl Wardens having signed their names , the address was presented in due form . Bro . Simpson , who was much moved , returned his grateful acknowledgements for the unexpected proof of their kindness for his future welfare , and trusted he would ever prove himself worth y of their regard . The lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and a happy hour was spent in " love ancl harmony . "

ESSEX . COLCHESTER . — United Lodge ( N o . 697 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held at the George Hotel , on Wednesday , tbe 29 th ult . Bro . J . Newman , W . M ., occupied the chair of K . S ., supported by Bros . Sutherland , P . M ., S . W . ; C . Carnegie , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works , Essex , J . W . ; G . H . Ray , S . D . ; CaltborpeJ . D . ; EustaceI . G .- Witten

, , , , Tyler , & c . The lodge was opened' in due form in tlie first degree , ancl the summons convening tbe . meeting was read . Letters were read from Bro . Mann , Prov . G . Sec , requesting tlie lodge to forward the annual return for the Provincial Grand Lodge ; and from Bro . Barrow , S 2 ndReg ., requesting the lodge

to accept his resignation , as he had left the station , which ' was acceded to . The W . M . was requested to fill up the voting papers for the Eoyal Benevolent Institution for aged Freemasons and their widows , which he did in favour of Bro . Clarke and Mrs . Mott . A summons to attend the Grand Lodge , and the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge was reacl . The lodge was then opened in the F . C . degree , and

Bro . Tarleton , Lieut , 16 th Reg ., a candidate for the sublime degree , was examined as to his proficiency , which , proving satisfactory , ho was entrusted , and retired . The lodgo was then opened in the M . M . degree , when Bro . Tarloton was re introduced ancl raised to the sublime degree by Bro . Sutherland , P . M ., in his usual impressive manner . The lodge was then resumed in the first degree , aud some other business having been transacted , it was closed in peace , harmony , and brotherly love .

KENT . D OVEK . — Corinthian Lodge ( No . 1 , 208 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held at the Royal Hotel , Clarenceplace , on the 2-Stli of April , at 6 . 30 p . m . There were present Bros . Adamsou , W . M . ; Fuhr , S . W ., in the absence of Bro . Thomson ; Laloresf , J . W . ; N " eall , S . D . ; Tyler , J . D . ; Prebble , I . G . ; Rose , Tyler . The minutes of the hist regular lodge were

reacl aud confirmed . The bietbren then proceeded to ballot for Bro . Nils Herman Corfitson , of Sincerity Lodge ( No . 174 ) , as a joining member , who was unanimously accepted . Bro . Nils Herman Corfitson having answered the usual questions satisfactorily , tho lodge was opened in the second degree , and the candidate duly passed to the degree of F . C . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refresment . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly given and responded

to , the brethren expressing their great sympathy for his Eoyal Hig hnesstheDukeof Edinburgh at the dastardly act of an assassin , wishing his Eoyal Highness a speedy ancl safe return to his native shore , under tlie guidance ofthe Great Architect of the Universe . Some excellent songs were sung by several brethren , twentyfour being present ; and the . bretliren departed at an early hour , expressing their joy with so happy a meeting and large attendance for a lodge of emergency .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . MANCHESTER . — Consecration ofthe Slrangeways Lodge ( No 1 , 212 ) . —This new lodge was consecrated at the Assizes Courts Hotel , Strangeways , on Tuesday , the 21 st alt . Tlie lodge having been opened in form by Bro . II . T . Baldwin , W . M . designate , the following Prov . G . officers entered : —Bros . Stephen Blair , R . W . Prov . G . M ; W . K . Callender , jun ., V . W . D . Prov .

G . M . ; J . L . Hine , Prov . S . G . W . ; J . M . Wike , Prov . J . G . W . ; Jos . Littler , Prov , G . Chap . ; it . M . D . Smith , Prov . G . Treas . ; G . Brett , Prov . G . Reg . ; John Turuah , Prov . G . Sc-c . ; John Chadwick , Prov . G . S . D . ; W . Birch , Prov . G . J . I ) . ; Austin Shellard , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; S . Titmas , Assist . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; H . Maiden , Prov . G . S . B .: T . C . Nichm ! .-., Prov . G . Purst . ; H . Holder , Prov . G . Standard Bearer ; W . Kvcler , Prov . ( i . Steward , and Jos . Hinkins , Prov . G . Steward . The Li . W . Prov .

G-. M . then consecrated the new lodge with the assistance of hi * Prov . G- officers . Bro . Baldwin having several times served the oflice of'W . M ., was then placed in the chair . Eight propositions for initiations and joining members having been made , the lodge was closed at 5 . 30 , and about thirty-seven brethren adjourned to n splendid banquet provided liy lire ltylc-y , the host . We are glad to say the first act of this new lodge was one of charity , by voting a subscription to that excellent

Masonic charitv the Systematic Benevolent Fund , wnicli has done such good service in East Lancashire . MAXCIIESIEK . —Shakespeare Lodge ( No . ] 009 ) . —On Thursday the 23 rd ult ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Bro . W . Rowniue Callender , jun ., th . e newly-installed V . W . D . Prov . G . M . East Lancashire , in his " usual able manner installed lini . Thomas Alderson W . M . for the ensuing twelve months .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . LANCASTER . —Rowley Lodge ( No . 1 , 051 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Monday evening , the -t : h inst ., at the Masonic rooms , Ather . anim . The chair of K . S . was occupied by Bro . Dr . Moore , W . M ., Prov . G . Std . Bearer fur West Lancashire ; there were also present-. —Bros . Ball , I . P . M . ; Hall , S . W . ; Baguall , W . M . 281 , as J . W . ; T . Mason , Sec . ; W . Barker , S . D ., Treas . ; Coupland , J . D .: Taylor , I . G . ; Fa Icy , Howitr , Rev . A . Wright , llussel , E . A . P . Visiting brethren , Bros . J .