Provincial.

Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; Hancock , P . M ., Prov . G . Reg . ; Gilbard , P . M . ; Lieut . Scott , JR . XT . ; Heath , P . M . 280 ; Ellis , Chapman , E . Arnold , Honey , & c . The Rev . J . E . Risk said grace , and on the removal of the cloth , the W . M . proposed " The Queen , ancl H . R . H . Albert Edward , Prince of Wales . " The AV . M . again rose , ancl proposed " The Grand Master of England , the Earl of Zetland , " whose name and character were too well known to require any eulogistic remarks . Bro . J . J . CLASE , P . M ., P . Prov . G .

Dir . of Cers ., proposed the toast of "The R . W . the D . Prov . G . M . of Devon , Bro . J . Huyshe , M . A . " ( Applause . ) That gentleman he said was always present when his presence was required , no matter what difficulties might have been thrown in his way ; and it did not require any flattering remarks from him in proposing his health , as his upright ancl honourable conduct , ancl his love of Masonry , endeared him to all who belonged to the Order . It was a great compliment to Lodge Fidelity that he

should have honoured them with his presence that evening . He always condescended to enquire into all matters that were brought under his notice , ancl gave an impartial judgment . He was esteemed by every one who had the pleasure of his acquaintance , ancl without offering further remarks , he begged to propose that reverend gentleman ' s good health . Bro . HuYSHE , on rising to respond , was received with loud and long continued applause . He thanked them for the very

handsome manner in which they had received the toasts , and said he scarcely knew how to make a suitable reply , He had the distinguished honour to be present at a meting in London about a fortnight since , ancl on that occasion he sat on the left hand side of the chairman . The meeting to which he referred , was in behalf of that noblo institution for the relief of decayed and aged masons , and widows of masons who were compelled to ask for relief . The chairman on that occasion made the most eloquent and impressive address he ever remembered to have heard , and the brother whom he l-fifoi-ved to was John Havers . He wished

they heard his eloquence in speaking of that noble institution , and that he could reply with greater feeling to the toast which they had so cordially drunk that night . He was most happy to bring before them a subject which was dear to every Freemason , and although he could not speak so eloquently as their worthy brother did in London , he trusted that they would not allow charity to be injured thereby . By the kindness of the AV . M . he was permitted to propose the toast of " Success to the

Fortescne Annuity Fund , " which had been promoted to perpetuate the memory of that estimable ancl loved nobleman , the late Prov . G . M . of Devon , Lord Fortescue . ( Loud applause . ) He was proud to find that the lodges in these towns had so nobly responded to the whishes of the committee , that was formed at Exeter about IS months ago ; ancl he could not but help saying that the success of the project was mainly clue to the energy

ancl liberality of several members , who attended on the present occasion . He tendered his heartfelt and sincere thanks to those brethren present , who had assisted so benevolently the general committee . They had received £ 800 already as donations , the annual subscriptions £ 110 , and in addition to this £ 30 was promised from the Grand Lodge . Some doubt had been expressed that the annual subscription might gradually diminish , but he might say for himself thaa he had no faith iu it at all . ( Hear ,

hear , and applause . ) He did not think for a moment that the proverbial benevolence of the order would ever diminish , or that one Mason would ever be so ungrateful as not to assist a brother in distress . By the great endeavours that had been made in this neighbourhood , they would be enabled to grant themselves two annuities on . the Sth of April next ( hear , hear , anel applause ) , and he hoped at no , distant period they would be in a position to grant a third . After adverting to two or three other topics

in connection with subject , the distinguished brother sat clown amid great applause . —Bro . the Rev . J . C . CATIWITHEN remarked that he had received a letter from the Dowager Countess of Fortescue , stating that she had great pleasure in becoming a life governor of the Institution , and also au annual subscriber . Bro . HEATH , P . M . of Lodge 280 , then proposed , in an appropriate manner , "The Health of the W . M ., Bro . T . Johns , " which was

suitably acknowledged . —This toast was followed by " The V . W . Provincial Senior Grand Warden , Bro . Denis Moore , " most ably given by Bro . R . Rodda , Prov . G . S . —Bro . DENIS MOORE most eloquently responded , and observed that he had been acquainted with this province about thirty-four years , and it was with very great pleasure that he had witnessed the success which had arisen in the county since that period . Only one lodge had been extinguished during his connection with them , ancl that was at Dartmouth , and this lodge had been since revived . He

was always ready to give them counsel ancl advice , so far as his ability admitted , and he trusted that the different lodges in the Three Towns would still progress in prosperity . — "The Worshipful the Mayor of Plymouth , the Master of Charity , " was nexf given , and his AVorship , who made a most happy speech , announced his intention of giving £ 10 to the " Fortescue Annuity Fund . " Other toast followed , and a most pleasant evening was spent .

DURHAM . SOUTH SHIELDS . —St . Hilda ' s Lodge ( No . 292 ) . —On Monday

evening , the 9 th mst ., the brethren of this prosperous lodge held their usual monthly meeting , in the new Freemasons Hall , Youle-street , for the first time , the AV . M ., Bro . Henry Hedley , presiding , supported by Bros . P . M . ' s Rodclam , Prov . G . Purst . ; Feshach , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; Ridley , P . Prov . J . G . AV . ; Barker , P . Prov . G . Reg . ; Hewison , Foster , Hinile , Oliver , and Twi / . ell , P . Prov . J . G . W . Northumberland ; H . C . Hansen , AV . M . St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 624 ) , North Shields ; AV . AVright ,

S . AV . ; Buchanan , J . AV ., and the full complement of officers , together with a number of visiting brethren . After a ballot had been taken for seven gentlemen for initiation ancl two joining ; the AV . M . initiated five gentlemen into the mysteries of Freemasonry . On the conclusion of the ceremony Bro . Ridley , P . M ., congratulated the AA . M . ancl brethren ou their possessing so suitable a building for the purposes of Masonry ; and expressed a hope that prosperity and harmony might attend

their efforts in disseminating the principles of Masonry . The style of the building is Italian . The lower story is of polished freestone rusticated , ancl consists of two commodious shops , already let for business purposes . The upper story is of red brick and stone dressings round the windows , ancl finished with a bold stone cornice , surmounted by a balustrade , with pedestals ancl centre panels , the pedestals are enriched with the emblems of the Craft , and the panel bears the words " Freemasons Hall , "

and is appropriated as a lodge room , forty feet in length , twentyfeet wide , and seventeen feet in height , ancl is brilliantly lighted by two sun lights of twenty-seven burners each ; an ante-room adjoins , with other conveniences . The entrance to the hall is laid with mosaic pavement , and when the building is decorated and completed it will be one of the most elegant Masonic halls in the north of England . The structure reflects great credit on the buildersMessrs . Scott ancl Sudclardof

, , South Shields , the gas fittings , & e ., were executed by Bro . T . Build , the whole being under the personal superintendence of Bro . Forster , P . M ., who furnished the designs . Arrangements are being made to celebrate the opening by- a grand ball . Several propositions having been received , the lodge was closed in due form .

SURREY . CROYDON . —Fast Surrey Lodge of Concord ( No . 680 ) , Instruction . —The annual banquet of the above lodge of instruction was held on Friday , the 13 th inst ., at Bro . Clemishaw ' s , Railway Hotel , Addiscombe Road , Croydon ; when the following brethren were present : —Bros . C . H . Woodward , Locock Webb , AV . S . Masterman , J . R . A \ arren , John Harris , E . H . Frances , Matthew CookeC . J . SmithHammondGoodwinStrongancl some 14

, , , , , or 15 others whose names we could not learn . The lodge was opened by Bro . AVoodivard , as AV . M ., pro forma , for the purpose of reading the minutes , & c , ancl after being closed , the assembled brethren adjourned to a capital banquet , well served by Bro . Clemishaw . Supper concluded , the W . M ., gave the routine loyal ancl Masonic tests , ancl then , as he said , came nearer home by proposing " The Health of the Prov . G . M .,

Bro . Dobie . " Bro . J . R . Warren next followed with that of Dr . Harcourt , D . Prov . G . M . Surrey , and the rest of the Prov . G . Officers . —Bro . MASTERMJ-N , in his reply , said it was a source of great pleasure to him to hear their D . Prov . G . M . so highly spoken of . The Prov . G . Officers were very happy in the county ; they all endeavoured to attend to their duties and look after the prosperity of the province ; he was sure they were all

thankful for the compliment , ancl hoped as long as they lived it would be deserved . The AV . M ., in a very happy vein , punning on the names of the brethren , gave ' ' The Health of the P . M . 's of No . 680 , the mother lodge . " One of them , Bro . Goodwin , had done the work of the lodge for two years , and such services demanded an acknowledgement which he , the W . M ., was but too happy to offer in coupling Bro . Goodwin ' s name with the