Provincial.

the Order , and to whom many of its younger members owe their present proficiency . The thanks of the lodge were awarded to Bro . Thomas G . Palmer for the highly satisfactory manner in which he had filled . the office of Prov . G . Treasurer , and his re-election to the same was unanimously approved . A vote of thanks was also given to Bro . W . S . Wallace , for his exertions in behalf of the Masonic dharities .

The general business of the province having been duly transacted , the Prov . G . M . nominated and invested the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : — Ero . Ridge Prov . S . G . W . „ Waite „ J . G . W . „ Hadow . _ G . Reg . ,, the . Rev . John Roberts „ G . Chap . Want

„ ., G . S . D . „ Browne „ G . J . D . „ Cowle __ G . Supt . of Works . „ Swinburne „ G . Dir . of Cers . „ Hawyard , G . Sword Bearer . „ Shirer „ G . Pursfc . ,, Woodward „ G . Org . ; : 5 " ::::::::: | - * - ^ -

The Prov . G . Master then congratulated the members of thc various lodges on their flourishing condition , expressed the great pleasure which he felt at meeting so strong a muster of the brethren , and hoped they would all be able to meet one another at the next annual meeting . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed , the brethren adjourned to a most sumptuous banquet , and the evening was spent in great harmony and brotherly love . Nearly fifty of the brethren attended the banquet .

WARWICKSHIRE . BIRMINGHAM MASONIC HALL AND CLUB COMPANY ( LIMITED ) . —A special general meeting of the shareholders of this important undertaking has been summoned by circular for the 2 nd proximo . A report from the directors relative to an extension of the quantity of land to be taken on lease from Earl Howe will be discussed , and other important matters transacted . We shall soon be in a position to state that all tlie necessary arrangements for the clearance of the site have been made with the present lessees and tenants .

YORKSHIRE ( NORTH AND EAST ) . HUSIBEE LODGE ( NO . 57 ) EXTENSION . The ceremony of laying tlie foundation stone of the extension of the Humber Lodge buildings took place on the 25 th instant . The weather , which was the most doubtful element in the calculation of probabilities , was favourable , and in all other respects the event jiassed off in the most satisfactory manner . Lord

Londesborougb , Prov . S . G . W ., arrived at the Music Hall , Jarratt-street , at a little after twelve o ' clock . For an hour previous a large concourse of spectators had been assembled to witness the procession . Of the grand honours with which his lordship was received within the hall it would be improper to say more than that they were rendered in all their fulness . The Masonic portions of the floral decorations at the HolTrinit

y y Church , on the occasion of the thanksgiving service , constituted part of tbe embellishment . The ceremony within consisted chiefly in the production by the W . M . ( Bro . C . S . Todd ) of the warrant of dispensation from the Grand Master ( the Earl of Zetland ) for laying the stone with full Masonic honours . This , followed by his lordship ' s approval , was briefly dispatched , and the brethren formed in the order of procession . A hearty cheer

from the crowd outside greeted the brethren as they emerged from the hall . The simple but expressive costume of the brethren , the distinctive badges of the various orders , the imposinginsignia of the Craft , formed an interesting and attractive spectacle . In the order of procession the juniors , two and two , took the precedence . The whole line extended from the hall to about the commencement of George-street . The consecrated vessels ,

belonging to the Grand Lodge of England , were sent under the care of the Grand Tyler of England ( Bro . Payne ) . The sword of state and standard of the Provincial Grand Lodge , the Tylers ¦ with their drawn swords leading and closing the procession , and not least the four operative masons , in their operative costume , bearing the foundation stone , wore all special features in the procession engaging the interest of the spectators . The

sides of the streets through which the procession passed were thronged , and every balcony and window overlooking them taken up by spectators . The dwellings of Masons along the route here and there were gaily distinguished by flags and banners in honour of the occasion . Tho band continued playing nearly the whole distance , and by their well rendered strains deserved the vote of thanks paid to them unanimously at the close of the proceedings . The music of the bells of Holy Trinity

was very agreeably added to cheer and honour the procession as it passed through the streets of the old town . While the brethren were thus welcomed by the way , a large assembly , especially of ladies , was awaiting their arrival at the lodge . Galleries had been erected for their sjieeial accommodation , and a sufficient enclosure for the procession , definite places being marked out for those who had to take an active part in the proceedings . At about half-past one , the procession reached the appointed site . Lord Londesborougb , with the W . M ., the Standard aud Sword Beavers , and those who bore the insignia of the Order and the consecrated vessels , formed a ground around the stone . Silence

having been obtained , His lordship , in a firm and deliberate tone , addressed the assembly present . He said : —Ladies and gentlemen , you may , perhaps , ask why we have jcome here to-day to lay this stone with so much ceremony . In answer to that question , I will say that we have done so as the oldest , largest , and widest spread brotherhood in the world —( hear , hear)—and in addition to this , because the Worshipful Master has sent with us the

jewels of the Grand Lodge of England , in order that we may lay this stone in a manner worthy of our Order , and also as a compliment to tbe town of Hull . ( Hear , hear ) . We have been in existence for some thousands of years , and during that time we have been continually increasing , but never have we increased so much as during the last few years . As a proof of this I may mention that within the last few years two new lod have been formed in the East Riding of Yorkshire .

ges ( Hear , hear . ) There is not indeed a country of the world iu which there is not a lodge of Freemasons , and there is not a city on the face ol" the globe in which the poorest brother of the Order present would not be able to find brethren anxious and willing to afford him advice , and assistance if he needed it . It

may be asked what benefit Freemasonry has done to the world ? In reply to this I will ask , Is it not a benefit to humanity , that in the hour of victory the soldier should feel himself compelled to spare the fallen foe , and that any person should be obliged to show hospitality and to render assistance to a man whom he is no relation to , whom he does not know , whom he never saw before and may never see again , and from whom he can expect no favour in returnsimply because he

, makes a few signs ? ( Loud applause . ) But if I am asked what benefit it does , in conclusion let me say if it is not an advantage in these utilitarian days , that men in every class shall bg compelled to come together and to appreciate each other ' s characters . I will not dwell on the charity of Freemasonry , because charity

is a characteristic feature of Englishmen ; but I wilt say this , that you will never see a Freemason begging his bread —( loud applause)—for , should he become poor and distressed , we assist him , as we are bound to do by the laws of our Order . ( Hear , hear . ) It will be said , what is the advantage of Freemasonry being a secret Order ? Our answer is , that it is impossible for us to exercise indiscriminate charity . With this exception , it is the most liberal Order in the world . ( Loud cheers . ) Ail

that is required of a member is that he should be a man of full age , and of good moral character . And of this I am sure , that if there are any here that have any feeling against Freemasonry , if they could but see what is done within our lodges , they would wish that all should become Freemasons as we are . ( Applause . ) After this address , the architect , Bro . B . G . Smith , advanced

with the plans of the building , which being formally approved , he gave orders for the stone to be raised . It may be observed that the stone was situated in the north-east corner of the site , a cardinal observance of Freemasonry too often neglected by the builders of the present age . Into the stone the treasurer deposited a bottle hermetically sealed , containing the coins of the realmand an appropriate inscription stating the circumstances

, under which the stone was laid , the names of the officers of the lodge , and also all its present members . The superintendent of the works came forward , and tho W . M . read the inscription upon the plate which was deposited over the month of the cavity . It ran as follows : — " This foundation stone of the Humber Lodge new buildings w :. s laid with Masonic honours , on Monday , October