Provincial.

as P . M ., appointed and invested , as his officers for the year , Bros . Thos . Nelson , S . A \ . ; Win . Nelson , J . AY . ; the Rev . Jas . Milner , Chaplain ; Wm . Graham , jun ., Treas . ; John G . Thompson , Sec . ; A . C . Knowles , S . D . ; Henry G . Faber , J . D . ; James P . Jewson , Organist ; Thos . H . Close , I . G . ; John Maddison and J . E . B . Hunton , Stewards , and AVebster Cuthbert , Tyler . The introduction of music during the ceremony rendered it doubly impressive , and Bro . Jewson deserves the warmest thanks of the Brethren for the skill aud ability displayed by him on this

and former similar occasions . At the conclusion of the ceremony a gentleman was proposed for initiation into the Craft . The Lodge was then closed in ancient form , and the Brethren adjourned to the Black Lion Hotel , for the purpose of celebrating the festival of St . John the Evangelist , when a very pleasant evening was spent . Amongst the visitors were Bro . Henry Thompson , P . M ., No . 876 , P . Prov . G . Supt . of AA orks , North York ; Bro . John Shields Peacock , AV . M ., No . 876 ; Bro . Preston , No . 1036 ; Bros . AVrightson , and Turner , No . 128 , & c , & e .

HARTLEPOOL . —St . Helen ' s Lodge ( No . 771 ) . —On Thursday last , the 20 th inst ., a regular Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , when a fair number of Brethren attended . Four visiting Brothers were admitted , but three others were refused admittance by Bros . Moore and Hammarbom , P . Ms . These three Brethren were all Scotch Masons , one of whom could only produce a private Lodge certificate , the other two had no certificate at all . One of these uncertificated Brethren had a great deal to say about the unmasonic conduct of Bro . Hammarbom in refusing to admit himand threatened to report the matter to head quarterswhich Bro .

, , Hammarbom requested him to be sure not to omit , as it would give him ( Bro . H . ) much satisfaction . The unsuccessful candidate , after having used some more impertinent expressions , then retired , grumbling . The other two Brethren took the matter in good part . The Lodge being opened , Bro . Moore , in the absence of the AV . M ., presiding , Bro . Hammarbom read in cxtenso the communication from the Board of General Purposes , after which he gave notice that at the next regular Lodge he would move a series of propositions favourable to the views of the Board .

Meanwhile the matter was referred to the Lodge committee , to be reported upon next Lodge night . Bro . Hammarbom then proposed that one copy of the Freemasons' Magazine and Mirror , which is now published with consent of the M . AV . G . M ., be subscribed for by the Lodge , for the use of the AV . M ., Officers and Brethren , at the same time recommending the Brethren to become individual subscribers also . This proposition being duly seconded , was carried unanimously . The Lodge was then opened to th 6 second degree , and Bro . E . AV . Neilson , master

mariner of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 971 , Liverpool , was passed to the degree of F . C . The Lodge being closed down to the first degree , the Brethren were called to refreshment , and on their return to labour , Bro . Hammarbom made a forcible appeal to them iu behalf of tho fund for Aged and Decayed Freemasons and their AVidows , offering to receive subscriptions , and transmit them to the Assistant Grand Secretary , for the purpose of receiving voting papers . Eight Brethren gave him their subscriptions of 5 s . each , there and then . Several promised to pay theirs in the course of a few days , and it was understood that the matter would be brought forward again next Lodge night . No further business being before the Lodge , it was closed in due form with solemn prayer .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . APPOINTMENTS . —Lodges . —Tuesday , February 1 st , Sherborne ( 1004 ) , George Hotel , Stroud , at 5 J ; Wednesday , 2 nd , Eoyal Union ( 307 ) , Freemasons' Hall , Cheltenham , at 6 . HAMPSHIRE . APPOINTMENTS . —ZoA / es . —Thursday , February 1 st , Panmurc ( 1025 ) , Eoyal Hotel , Aldershott , at 6 . Chapter . —Wednesday , 2 nd , Southampton ( 555 ) , Freemasons' Hall , Southampton , at 7 ; Thursday , 3 rd , Eoyal Gloucester ( 152 ) , ditto , at 7 .

ISLE OF AVIGHT . AtromiMENi .-ioffye .-. WedaeBchjy , February and , Yarborough ( 809 ) , High Street , Ventnor , fit 7 .