Provincial.

Ancient Union Lodge ( No . 205 ) . —This excellent lodge was opened on Thursday , Sept . 15 th , at tbe Masonic Temple , by tbe W . M ., Bro . Frissb , assisted by the officers of the lodge . Sir . William Evans was initiated into the mysteries of the Order by Bro . Eowson , P . M ., Bro . Coleborn explaining the working tools and the J . W . delivering the charge to the candidate . Five brethren were raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by Bro . Coleborn , P . M ., who also delivered the charge and explained the

tracing board ami working tools . More than a dozen visitors were present , amongst whom were Bro . C . J . Banister , P . M ., Prov . G . S . B . of England ; Bros . Shepherd , P . M . ; Moreton , Win-Stanley , & . c . Tlie business of the lodge over , it was closed in solemn form . An hour was spent moat profitably after refreshment by those gentlemen who remained , anil separated at ten o'clock , happy to meet again . ORMSKIRK . —Lodof Harmony ( No . 5 S 0 ) . —The monthl

ge y meeting of this lodge was held at their rooms , Wheatsheaf Hotel , on Wednesday , Sept . 14 th , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . John Baxendale , supported by his officers . Bro . Bluwdell \\" , \ s liaised to tlia third degree , by Bvo . Jaiass Hamer , P . M ., Prov . G . T ., who also gave the lecture on the tracing board . Business over , the lodge was closed . At refreshment the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were done justice to . Bro . C . J . Banister , Prov . G . S . B . of tho Grand Lodge of England , returned

thanks for the M . W . G . M ., the Earl of Zetland , his deputy , and the Grand Officers ; Bro . James Hamer , P . M ., for the Prov . G . M . and Oflicers ; and Bro . Ashmore for the visitors , in a spirited speech . The W . M . 's health was proposed by Bro . C . J . Banister , P . M ., who responded in excellent style , and giving the brethren Some wholesome advice ; Bros . Jackson and Bromley for the P . M . 's of the lodge , and Bro . Thomas , S . W ., for tho officers of the lodge ; and the brethren separated , having spent a very happy evening . A good amount was subscribed to tho West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution by the members of this lodge .

STAFFORDSHIRE . INSTALLATION OE THE NEW PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER . On Thursday sc ' imigbt tbe annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of this province was held at the Shire Hall , Stafford . There was a very large attendance , vnmsual interest being attached to the proceedings in consequence of the appointment of Bro . William Kemvright Harvey ( of

Longton ) by the M . W . G . M ., the Earl of Zetland , to the office of Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire , vice Bro , Lieut .-Colonel Vernon resigned . Tbe brethren assembled in lodge , in tbe Grand Jury Boom , at one o ' clock , which , having been opened in due form , the minutes of tbe preceding lodge were read and confirmed . Bro . W . K . Harvey was then duly proclaimed tho new Provincial Grand Master , and installed with the usual formalities . The following appointments were afterwards made by the R , W . Prov . G . M .:

—„ Dr . Burton D . Prov . G . M . „ G . Baker Prov . S . G . W . „ Capt . Segrave „ J . G . W . „ Eev . H . Day G . Chap . „ G . Howells „ G . Treas . „ Frank James „ G . Sec . Amongst those present wo observed tbe R . W . P . Prov . G . M ., Lieut .-Colonel Vernon ; Bro . Dr . BurtonR . W . D . Prov . G . M . ;

, Bros . Frank James , Prov . G . Sec . ; A . H . Bass , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; Geo . Baker , Prov . S . G . W . ; C . Newiiham , Prov . J . G . W . ; Rev . I-I . Day , Prov . G . Chaji . ; Rev . J . Doivnes , P . Prov . G . Chap . ; Geo . Spilsbury , P . Prov . S . D . ; John Hallam , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; P . A . Edwards , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; S . Hill , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; T . James , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; F . Gough , P . I ' rov . S . G . W . ; Chas . Yarwood , P . Prov . G . Sec . ; L . F . Day , Prov . G . Org . ; George Whitehead , Prov . G . Purst . ; J . Drake , P . Prov . S . G . D . ; E . L .

Bullock , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; W . Button , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; W . H . Folker , P . Prov . G . Reg . ; G . T . Camicll , P . Prov . S . G . D . ; E . Shavgool , P . Prov . G . Org . ; John Bloor , P . Prov . G . Purst . ; W . Webherley , P . Prov . J . G . D . ; Large , P . Prov . S . G . D . ; W . Dibb , P . Prov . G . Sword Bearer ; C . H . King , P . Prov . J . G . D . ; John Butterivortb , P . Prov . G . D . ; S . P . Goddard , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; John Ford , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; J . J . Cannell , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; W . Hopkins , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; George Sergeant , Kitson , Paddicombe , F . Dukes , H . C . Vernon , Prov . G . M . Worcestershire ; Eev . T . Welsh , Prov . G . Chap . Derbyshire ; J . Cooper , Liverpool ; J . C . Fourdrinier , Canada ; F . Welch , P .

Prov . G . Chap . Derbyshire ; Charles J . Vyne , P . Prov . S . G . W . Somerset ; W . Maseiield , P . Prov . G . W . Worcestershire ; W . Wheivell , Stattcr , Apollo Lodge , Oxford ; Robert ? , Rochdale , & c . At half-past two o ' clock the brethren formed in procession , and walked to St . Mary ' s Church , where the Prov . G . Chap ., Bro . IT . Day , of Burton , preached an eloquent and practical sermon

. On the return of the brethren to tho lodge room tho following sums were voted : — £ 3 3 s . for tiie Longtou Dispensary , £ 5 5 s . for the Walsall Cottage Hospital , and £ 2 2 s . to the Rector of St . Mary ' s Church for the funds of the schools . An excellent banquet was served in the Shire Hal ! by Bro . SenioT , of tbe Vine Hotel , -when abuut 140 sat down . The R . W . Prov . G . J . I ., Bro . W . IC . Harvey , presided , aud was supported by

Bros . Burton , Lieut .-Col . Vernon , Rev . II . Day , Rev . . 1 . Downes , Arthur Bass , H . C . Vernon , and nearly the whole of tho brethren who had assisted at the ceremony . The galleries were occupied by a largo number of ladies , and their presence added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening . In giving the toast of "The prince and Princess of Wales , " the PHOT . G . MASTER alluded , amidst applause , to the probability of His Royal Highness becoming a Mason , and in toasting the

M . W . G . M . the Earl of Zetland , ho expressed ' a hope Mat the noble lord would hold that distinguished office until he should feel it his duty to give way to a Prince of tbe blood Royal . The P . Prov . G . M . having acknowledged the toast of the Grand Master of England , proposed by Bro . IT . Day , Prov . G . Chap ., Bro . Burton , D . Prov . G . M ., acknowledged that of tbe Grand Masters of Scotland and Ireland , tbe absence from illness of Bro . Col . Hogg , P . Prov . S . G . W ., who has usually acknowledged the

toast on behalf of Ireland , being feelingly regretted by the Prov . G . M . and the company . The toast of tlie evening , " Tbe Health of the Right AVorshipful Provincial Grand Master , W . K . Harvey , " was proposed by the R . W . P . Prov . G . M . Col . VERNON , his predecessor , who , amidst the most hearty applause , eulogised tbe Prov . G . M . as a Mason and a man . He congratulated the province that the Most Worshiful Grand Master had seen fit to appoint to the head of

p the province one who bad won tbe esteem and the love of all who knew him . They might be proud to have such a man at their head , and he might be proud to be placed over such a body of Masons . The new Grand Master would , he had no doubt , discharge the duties of the office not only to tbe satisfaction of the province , but , what was more , to the satisfaction of his own

conscience . The toast was drunk , upstanding , with great enthusiasm . The R . W . PROV . G . MASTER , in acknowledging the toast , said he felt proud to be elevated to such a position—to stand at the bead of Freemasonry in Staffordshire . He felt deeply the responsibility of the office , but he looked confidently to all to support him . If spared to live for three months longer he should have been a mem her of the Order for a quarter of a centuryanil

, it was his pride and delight to be one of such a fraternity . He must trust to the brethren for indulgence for all his shortcomings , but he had great confidence in the counsel and assistance of the Deput } - Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Grand Treasurer and Secretary , whose past experience would prove of such value to him in undertaking the duties of the office , and to secure which he had felt it desirable not to start with an entire

new ministry . The Pnov . G . MASTER then gave , amidst the most enthusiastic applause , "The Health of tho Right Worshipful Past Provincial Grand Master , Colonel Vernon , " expressing the great regret which he , in common with tho whole province , felt when they found that their last Provincial Grand Master was compelled to resign his office , which they had hoped he would have filled for many many years to come . He concluded by

addressing Col . Vernon , and wishing him , with the deepest sincerity and from the bottom of bis heart , good health , long life , and much happiness . The toast was received with tumultuous applause again and again renewed , and which seemed as if it would never eome to an end ; and when in a lull , the object of it rose to respond , it burst forth afresh wi th renewed vigour , and was again protracted for some time .

The R . W . P . PBOT . G . MASTER ( Col . Vernon ) , in acknowledging the kind reception awarded to his name , said be could not forget the many occasions on which they had received him with love and kind fratermil feeling , which on the present occasion had been carried even further than ever . He acknowledged most earnestly the support he had ahvays received during