Grand Master William Hickton, of Stockport, presided; and on the platform were the following gentlemen:-Rev. A. Read, Rev. J. Malcolmson, Hyde; J. R. Coulthard, Esq., Dr. Wood, and H. T. Darnton, Esq., Ashton; James Kirk, Esq., Stalybridge; Mr. W. Aitkin and Mr. Heap, Ashton; Mr. W. Berry, Gee Cross, Mr. Sykes, Mottram; Mr. Thomas Quillan, Stockport; Mr. Hobson and Mr. Nield, of Stalybridge. A choir of talented vocalists attended, and Mr. D. Oldham presided at the organ.-The Chairman opened the proceedings by observing that it gave him great pleasure in having the honour of presiding over that meeting, for the business of the evening com. prised two objects, which were identical with the great principles of Odd-fellowship. The first was to present a sum of money to the trustees of a charitable institution establishing in the neighbourhood for the relief and amelioration of the necessities of the working classes; the second object was one of conferring honour to whom honour was due—a worthy and deserving member of their society, who had not only, through a long series of years, taken a very active part in the affairs of the Hyde district, but rendered important service to the Order at large. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, came "The Clergy," to which the Rev. J. Malcolmson responded; and "The Independent Order of Odd-fellows; and may it increase in numbers and usefulness, and its influence be extended to the extremity of the earth."-Mr. W. Aitkin, in responding, said: He believed that those who entered the society, not only became better husbands and better fathers, but much better members of society generally. If that meeting had done no more good than present £50 to the trustees of the Ashton Infirmary, he thought it was sufficient to recommend the institution to the serious consideration of all who were not yet connected with it. The report of the increase of the Order during the past year would confirm all that had been said, and he fervently hoped that it would still go on prospering. The speaker resumed his seat amidst loud cheers. The next toast was "The Ashton-under-Lyne Infirmary, and may it have the fullest beneficial effects intended by its noble benefactor."-Mr. H. T. Darnton, after moving the above resolution, said: It was a pleasing duty of his to attend that meeting, with other gentlemen also connected with that beneficent institution, as he felt it a bounden duty to attend to do honour to a most honourable and praiseworthy gentleman. Receiving the £50 was a consideration secondary to the other business of the evening-to mark their estimation of one who really deserved all the honour that could possibly be conferred upon him. He had great pleasure indeed in thanking that society for the handsome manner in which they had come forward in aid of the bequest of the late Mr. Oldham; which he viewed as a generous act of philanthropy, and hoped that others would follow their noble example.-The Rev. A. Read, in an eloquent address, then presented Mr. Coulthard, Treasurer of the Infirmary Fund, with £50; on behalf of the members of the Independent Order of Odd-fellows of this district. The act of handing over the donation was welcomed with loud and continued cheers.-J. R. Coulthard, Esq., in accepting the donation, warmly thanked the contributors, and most heartily wished the Order to which they belonged, might still press onward, and be crowned with success.-Mr. Hope then came forward, and in appropriate terms presented to Mr. James Webb, from the members of the Hyde district of Odd-fellows, as a token of their estimation for the valuable services rendered to the district for a long series of years, a gold lever watch, with guard and other appendages, value £26, bearing the following inscription:-"Presented to Prov. C.S. James Webb, by the members of the Hyde district, in acknowledgment of his having faithfully and zealously served the district and Order during a period of 24 years. Feb. 28th, 1860."Mr. Webb, in acknowledging the tribute, said: He was not aware he had done

anything but his duty. It was 25 years since he joined the society, during which time he had always been in office, and was so still. It gave him very great pleasure in having not only clergymen, but other influential gentlemen on the platform of their meeting. With respect to the Oldham Bequest Fund, he really thought it a treasure which ought to receive that aid that it richly deserved-an energetic effort from all to carry the same into effect; and, after describing the various duties that fell to his lot in getting up a procession and special sermon for the aid of the Bequest Fund, which was kindly preached by Mr. Read, feelingly thanked the members for the valuable present with which they had honoured him that night; and assured them that it would be treasured in deep veneration by him during his life, and handed down to his family untarnished.-Rev. A. Read said: He considered it an honour to have the opportunity of taking part in the proceedings presided over by the Grand Master of a body of men like the Odd-fellows. The rev. gentleman, after complimenting Mr. Webb for the praiseworthy energy by which he had so honourably distinguished himself in fulfilling his miscellaneous duties, concluded by passing a warm eulogy upon the officers and body of Odd-fellows; believing that, so long as they had such clear-headed men at the head of such societies, there was no fear of England falling from her greatness. Three times three were then heartily given to the Trustees of the Bequest Fund.-"The Grand Master and Board of Directors; and may their deliberations be alike distinguished for their magnanimity and impartiality; "The past and present officers of the District ;" and a cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman, brought the interesting proceedings to a close.

IPSWICH.-ORWELL LODGE.-We have been favoured with a copy of the Sixteenth Annual Report of this excellent Lodge, which consists of 343 members; of whom 129 are under 30, and 127 under 40 years of age. The Auditors, in addressing the officers and brethren, said:-"Having closed the sixteenth year of our existence as a Friendly Society, we congratulate you on the blessings of prosperity that has hitherto attended us. During the past year we have paid to our sick members the sum of £198 8s. ; yet, at the same time, we have the pleasure of informing you that a saving of £346 6s. 11d. has been made on the year, and added to the funds of the Society. Our Incidental Fund is also in a flourishing condition, showing a balance of £44 11s. 7d. being about £12 more than on the previous year. We cannot refrain from calling your attention to the Capital Account, which you will observe is no less a sum than £4088 12s. 84d. producing an Interest of about £170 per annum, which was, in the past year, within £28 8s. Od. of the whole sum paid for sick relief during the same period. To all who have shown a desire to discharge the duties of their respective offices with punctuality, the thanks of the Lodge are due, more especially to C. S. Jno. Crispin, for the clear and intelligible system pursued in keeping the books of the Lodge, and for the Annual Statement accompanying this Report, the statistics in which, we doubt not, will be perused with increasing interest. Our thanks are also due to the Trustees, Surgeon, and Treasurer, for their uniform attention. While we have thus to congratulate you on the past, we look forward to the future with increasing hope that we may all live to experience many more years of success."

MIDDLESBOROUGH-We received, on March 17, through the courtesy of P.D.G.M. Blakiston, a copy of the Middlesboro' Weekly News, of Dec. 10th, containing a long and highly interesting account of a Soirée to commemorate the entire freedom from debt of the Odd-fellows' Hall in that town. We re

gret that the newspaper did not reach us in time for the last No. or, at least, previous to a date when the greater portion of the type for the present No. was ready for the printing press; as it is, we can only spare room to say that the meeting was in every respect a success. The Mayor occupied the chair, and was supported by several Aldermen and gentlemen of influence in the district. During the evening, addresses were delivered by Messrs. Anderson, Blakiston, Thompson, Jordison, Charles Hardwick, and Washington Wilks. From the report, read by Mr. Forster, we learn that-"The want of a proper lodge room, free from the influence of a public house, having long being felt, at a meeting held in October, 1852, it was resolved to form a company for the purpose of building a public room, to consist of 1,200 shareholders of £1 each; a provisional committee was appointed, and circulars issued, offering the shares to Odd-fellows only; and as the shares had been fixed at a low amount in order to induce the members of the several lodges to unite, it was expected that the whole of the capital would be speedily subscribed by Odd-fellows; in this respect the result was not what had been expected. Strong doubts as to the propriety of the scheme being entertained by some, and others predicted its failure. It was then agreed that the unappropriated shares should be offered to the public, which were immediately taken up, and the remainder of the capital, with £1,000 raised by a mortgage. The building was then proceeded with and ultimately opened on Wednesday, 1854. The funds of the lodges rapidly accumulating, in a short time they were able to purchase the whole of the shares held by individual members, and also those held by individuals unconnected with the society, the latter having taken shares merely to help them forward. The lodges having lately been registered under the Friendly Societies' Act, many difficulties have arisen relative to their investments in the property, but the committee, sensible of the duty devolving upon them, are having the Deeds prepared in accordance with the above Act. As a finan cial investment for the surplus funds of the lodges, the promoters have the satisfaction of knowing that their original views have been fully borne out by the result; several societies in the town are now holding and have for a considerable time held their meetings in the building. The gross income and expenditure, from the time of its opening to 30th June last, being a period of five years, is, income £882 48. 44d.: expenditure, including interest on mortgage, £673 0s. 104d., leaving a balance in favour of the lodges of £209 3s. 6d. In conclusion, the committee congratulate themselves, and the members gener ally, in having been able to liquidate the debt upon the building in so short a period, and in having attained the proud position which they now occupy."

MIDDLESBOROUGH.-The Mayor AN ODD-FELLOW.-On Monday evening, March 5, W. Fallows, Esq., Mayor of Middlesborough, was initiated into the mysteries of Odd-fellowship, in the Joseph Warburton Lodge; on which occasion P.G. Forster acted as lecture master, Prov. G.M. Henderson as warden, and P. Prov. G.M. Anderson as conductor. After the ceremony was gone through, Mr. Anderson, in proposing the health of their new-made brother, observed, that so long as Odd-fellowship continued to be appreciated by such men as their worthy mayor, the Society had little to fear. He then presented brother Fallows, in the name of the Lodge, with a neatly-bound copy of the General Laws of the Order, and Bye-Laws of District Lodge, and Widows' and Orphans' Fund. The health of brother Fallows was received with great applause. In acknowledging the compliment, the Mayor made some very appropriate remarks, and urged upon members the propriety of insuring for annuities after a given period, and showed the benefits that would accrue by so doing.

NORTH LONDON District.--ANNIVERSARY OF SIR THOMAS DALLAS LODGE. On Monday, February 20th, the sixteenth anniversary took place of the Sir Thomas Dallas Lodge, held at Host Smith's, the Saddler's Arms, Swallow Street, Regent Street, when about 80 assembled. The chair was occupied by their much-esteemed Secretary, P.G. Kinghorn; the vice-chair being filled by P.G. Krok. In reply to the toast of the Sir Thomas Dallas Lodge, the Chairman said: Although they had been unfortunate in sick, having paid the large sum of £94 68., they had added £50 to their capital. Twenty members had joined during the year; 5 deaths had occurred; they had 7 widows on the fund; and their total capital was £800.

NOTTINGHAM.-LECTURE BY P.G.M. HARDWICK.-On Monday, Feb. 6, Mr. Hardwick delivered a lecture, at the Exchange Rooms, on the History and Objects of Friendly Societies. Mr. Hine, Surgeon to several Lodges, occupied the chair; and the large hall was filled by an audience consisting, for the greater part, of exactly the right class-namely, working men; admission being free. A number of the principal members of the Odd-fellows' Lodges in this locality were upon the platform, at the back of which was suspended a large diagram, explanatory of the service of local statistics. After detailing at considerable length the rise and progress of friendly societies, and showing under what circumstances a benefit society could be said to be financially safe and successful, Mr. Hardwick proceeded to urge the claim of these societies upon all classes, as a means of educating the bulk of the people into habits of thrift, prudence, and order; quoting statistics to show the stake which the working men of England had in the country: and asking whether the natural tendency of this was not to bind them alike to resist foreign invasion, or internal disorder. After expressing the hope that any vexation existing upon this subject between different classes might be done away, he concluded by saying: And let us never forget the honour due to the brave pioneers of this great movement, those who bravely pushed out their little bark of discovery on the wide ocean of the future, like Columbus in search of a new world. They had no compass and no chart, save their own indomitable determination to be free and self-dependent; and if, like Franklin and others in their voyage of discovery, some of them perished in the attempt, they were none the worse men for their misfortune: and we who follow have all the advantage of their failure. It is a mistake to judge the merits of a cause by the test of its success merely. Many a one has climbed to victory over the neck of a far better man. Those who filled the ditch at the Malakoff and the Redan, and made a bridge of their dead bodies, by which the rear-guard passed over, were not less brave, but deserved as much praise as did the elegant engineers who afterwards marched in with drums beating, and blew up the docks. Hearty votes of thanks to the lecturer and chairman terminated the evening's proceedings.

OLDHAM.-On Wednesday, Feb. 15, a grand soirée was held, in the Town Hall, for the benefit of the Widow and Orphan and Educational Funds. About 350 sat down to an excellent' repast, enlivened by music provided by Misses S. and E. Lawton, Mr. A. Cook, and Mr. Mellor, who very agreeably enlivened the proceedings during the evening by the singing of glees, duetts, and solos, much to their own credit, and the satisfaction of the company. Mr. R. Greaves presided at the pianoforte. Amongst the gentlemen present were the Mayor (A. Leach, Esq.), in the chair; J. M. Cobbett, Esq., one of the Members for the Borough; Mr. Alderman Boyd; Councillors Knott, Taylor, Schofield, Dransfield, Milnes, Jackson, and Harrop; P.G.M. Charles Hardwick, Esq., of Manchester; P.G.M. A. Hilton, D.P.G.M. Taylor, and S.

Patterson; Messrs. Schofield (Bradford), Leenan (Isle of Man), Woodcock (Glossop), Rev. J. Allen (Halifax), Glass (Burslem), Members of the Board of Directors; P.P.G.M. Swailes, and P.P.G.M. Bardsley; Messrs. Barlow, E. Rye, G. B. Neild, Slater, S. Mills, T. Lister, W. Ainsworth, G. Hamilton, &c. The Mayor opened the real business of the evening, by stating the object of the meeting; and after the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been disposed of, Mr. Slater proposed "The Independent Order of Odd-fellows, Manchester Unity," in a brief but telling speech. P.G.M. Hardwick responded in his usual happy manner, and expounded the principles and practice of friendly societies. Politically he believed that the Manchester Unity and other societies of this class, had operated most beneficially for the safety and security of the State; and he believed that, during the twenty or thirty years of their existence, they had done more to promote peace than the millions of pounds spent in fortifications and security against invasion. It was an old axiom, and a true one, that if they wanted to teach a man to command, they must teach him to obey; and he believed the converse was true also-if they wanted a man to obey, they must also teach him how to command. Among the great intelligent portion of the working men they had taught that principle. "The Health of the Members for the Borough" was proposed, and responded to by Mr. Cobbett, M.P. Mr. Councillor Schofield proposed "The Town and Trade of Oldham," and Mr. Knott responded. P.P.G.M. Swailes gave "The Grand Master and Board of Directors," to which Mr. Woodcock, of Glossop, responded; followed by the toasts, "The Officers of the Oldham District" (responded to by G.M. Hilton), "Prosperity to the Widow and Orphan Fund" (responded to by D.G.M. Taylor), "The Press," &c. Many of the gentlemen present handed in Subscriptions to the Widow and Orphan Fund; and after several other excellent speeches, the proceedings terminated.

POTTERY AND NEWCASTLE DISTRICT.-A very agreeable evening was spent on Monday, February 20, by the members of the Nelson Lodge, Goldenhill. Upwards of 60 sat down to an excellent supper provided by Mrs. Whiteley. Prov. D. G. M. John Johnson, Secretary of the Lodge, gave a very interesting account of the progress of the Lodge during the past 20 years, and said that, although they had reduced their contribution 4d. per month (which they were justified in doing, by having had a valuation made by Mr. Ratcliffe, C.S. of the Order), they had saved during the past year £50, and had now a fund of nearly £1200, with 95 members,-a very pleasant position for any Lodge to be placed in. The members separated highly delighted with the evening's entertainment.

RIPON.-PRESENTATION.-The members of the St. Wilfrid's Lodge, M.U., met at the Star Inn, Ripon, on Friday evening, December 30th, 1859, to present Messrs. Tutin and Son, surgeons, with a handsome Silver Inkstand, purchased by the voluntary subscriptions of the members, and bearing the following inscription :-" Presented to Messrs. S. and J. H. Tutin, Surgeons, for their valued services to the sick members of the St. Wilfrid's Lodge of Odd-fellows, M.U., during the past fifteen years. Ripon, December, 1859." P.G. Frederick Wood was voted to the chair, and G.M. John Scott to the vice. P.G. Robert Dudgeon, in a long and well expressed speech, stated the reason that had brought them together that evening, and passed many deserving eulogies on Messrs. Tutins' conduct to sick members, and then turning to those gentlemen, Mr. Dudgeon said, "May you be long spared to use this inkstand, and the day far distant when you will be taken from us; and when, in after days, you may take a glance at this testimonial, you may look upon it