Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings .

— . w . CEAFT : METKOPOLITAN . — : o : — WHITTINGTON LODGE , No . 862 . A MEETING was held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , W . C , on Monday , 20 th ult ., when Bro . H . Kemp W . M . presided , and was assisted by the following Officers and Brethren : Bros . Walter Tyler S . W ., A . Clarkson J . W-, T . H . T . Jarvis I . P . M ., James Weaver P . BI . Secretary , Sampson Godden P . M . Treasurer , A . V . H . Pauncefort P . M . Organist , Percy

Day acting S . D ., Prank Heywood J . D ., James Southgate I . G ., J . Gilbert Tyler . G . H . Havell P . M ., Jabez Williams , T . C . Bond , A . Harden , P . Greenwood Hartley , R . Spencer , A . T . Chamberlain , W . Reynolds , W . G . West , A . J . Taylor , H . McClelland , J . E . Dee , S . H . Bradford , R . W . C . Palmer .

Visitors : Bros . Jas . H . Greenwood 1423 , Arthur H . Seal 2032 , Henry T . Kobelt 23 S 3 and 2593 . The Lodge , which is both ancient and prosperous , was opened in due constitutional form with solemn prayer , and the minutes of the last meeting were confirmed . The W . M ., after examining Bro . J . E . Dee , and satisfying the Brethren that he was a suitable member for passing , for which he was a candidate

duly proceeded with the ceremony , which was conducted in a most impressive manner . After satisfactorily disposing of other business the Lodge was closed in due form , and adjourned , when the Brethren proceeded to a Christmas Feast , as the menu informed those who partook of it , that it was " After ye mannere and ancient custom of ye countrie " whioh was wanting in no single item to add to its enjoyment , and voted by all to be thoroughly unique .

The toast of the Queen and the Craft was received with Loyal and patriotic fervour , as also was that of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales Grand Master . In proposing the health of the W . M ., the I . P . M . spoke of him in high terms . It gave him , without a taint of flattery , the very greatest pleasure to propose the toast , for he felt certain it would be received with acclaim , and more , because he felt confident that the comfort of the members and prosperity of the Lodge was in thoroughly good hands .

The W . M ., in a few concise remarks , thanked the Brethren for the very kindly manner in which they had received the toast , and trusted that whilst he occupied the position he did that night the same harmonious feeling would rulo . their meetings ; and when he handed over his duties to his successor the same unanimity would exist . The other toasts of the evening were heartily honoured .

The pleasures were enhanced by the vocal efforts of Bros . McClelland , Chamberlain , Bond , Kobelt , Bradford , and Hartley , whilst a well delivered recitation was given by Bro . Heywood .

HUGH OWEN LODGE , No . 2593 . THE regular meeting of this Poor Law-Service Lodge was held at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxford Street , on Friday , 10 th ult ., when the W . M . Bro . H . G . Holland P . M . 2054 2353 presided , and was supported by the following Officers and Brethren : —J . H . Rutherglen I . P . M ., R . H . Nicholls S . W ., J . W . Hunt J . W ., Rev . F . J . Greenwood , M . A ., Chaplain , P . G . Soper Assistant Secretary , H . Ramsbottom S . D ., C . J . Ridgway J . D ., J . B . Schrader Organist , E . A . Frith I . G ., H . Tull Steward , J . Willis Assistant Steward , E .

Brown P . M ., W . B . Neville P . M ., W . C . Eussell , James Barnett , T . Badcock , O . W . Eoberts , M . D ., E . Burgess , T . W . Norman , 0 . E . Clarke , F . W . Willmott , G . W . E . Hope , A . Burden , T . P . Warwick , J . C . Glover , H . T . Kobelt , Robert Brown , A . H . Hope , Charles Spencer , J . Lamb , T . Aplin Marsh , H . C . Williams , J . G . Swinton , J . A . Battersby , J . Merchant , John C . Morgan . Visitors : —Bros . J . Roberts J . W . 1604 , R . B . Hannah 1624 .

The Lodge was opened and the minutes of 'the previous meeting confirmed . The W . M . then , in a very impressive manner , raised Bros . Robt . Brown and H . C . Williams , and also passed Bro . F . W . Willmott . Mr . Walter Mills Ball , having been unanimously accepted as a candidate , the W . M . was pleased to vacate the chair in favour of the I . P . M .

Bro . J . H . Rutherglen , who was desirous of initiating this candidate into the Order , and duly carried out the ceremony with great satisfaction . After disposing of other business the Lodge was closed with" perfect harmony , and adjourned , tfhen the Brethren proceeded to a banquet , which was admirably served and thoroughly enjoyed .

After the Loyal toasts , the I . P . M ., in proposing the health of the W . M ., eulogised both his working and management of the Lodge , and was pleased to see the progress that had been made , as well as the comfort and harmony that existed . He thanked the W . M . for so kindly giving him the opportunity of initiating the candidate that evening , which , to his mind , demonstrated the generous nature which pervaded his disposition .

In replying , the W . M . stated that though he was very proud of being a P . M . of two Provincial Lodges , he must admit that the longer he occupied the position of being their W . M . the honour conferred upon him of being installed in a London Lodge seemed to grow in magnitude , and it was his constant endeavour to further the advancement of it . He had initiated the scheme for a Ball to be held at the King ' s Hall , Holborn Restaurant , on the 18 th January , and trusted the Brethren would do all they possibly could to

make it a success . He was forced to admit he vvas anxious about it , as he never went in for failures , but it was needlesss to say that the anxiety was not from personal feelings , but on account of its being the ^ first Ball of the Hugh Owen . The Brethren did not need reminding that all the schemes that had been started since the consecration of the Lodge had been successful

and this one must not be a failure . He thanked the I . P . M . for his generous remarks and kindly feelings towards himself ; it helped him to stand at the helm and steer with precision , and he hoped that his boys would not only be Freemasons—and good ones—but follow in the path cut out for them by Bro . Rutherglen the I . P . M . After thanking the different Officers for their able and valuable assistance , and their constancy in the different offices he

Reports Of Meetings.

hoped that both as Poor Law Officers and Freemasons thoy would remember the Benevolent Fund of the Poor Law Officers Association , for which ho proposed a collection , which realised £ 3 . The Wardens and Chaplain replied to the toast of the Officers . Several glees were sung by the W . M ., Chaplain , Bros . Glover and Barnett . Songs were also sung by Bros . Barnett , Glover , Spencer , Willis , Willmott , and Soper Secretary . With the Tyler ' s toast a very satisfactory and enjoyable meeting was brought to a close .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

WHITTINGTON LODGE , No . 862 . AT the Eed Lion , Poppin ' sCourt , Fleet Street , on Wednesday , 22 nd ult ., Bro . W . Annis W . M ., W . H . Latham S . W ., A . Clarkson J . W ., A . V . H . Pauncefort P . M . Treasurer and Preceptor , H . T . Kobelt acting Secretary , E . Brown S . D ., Percy Day J . D ., T . H . Pate I . G . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Eobert Brown acting as candidate .

On Wednesday , 29 th ult ., Bro . F . Hewson W . M ., W . H . Latham S . W ., J . Scarlett J . W ., A . V . H . Pauncefort P . M . Preceptor and Treasurer , Henry T . Kobelt acting Secretary , Alfred Collins J . D ., T . H . Pate I . G ., and Percy Day . The ceremony of Initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Day acting as candidate . Bro . Kobelt , with the assistance of the Brethren , worked the first two sections of the lecture .

WOODROW LODGE , No . 1708 . ON Monday , 20 th ult ., at Bro . Eudderforth ' s ( Stone ' s ) , Panton Street , Haymarket , Bro . J . Klempner W . M ., H . Wood S . W ., A . Butcher J . W ., C . Woodrow Prec , I . W . Simeons Sec , G . Spice S . D ., W . West J . D ., A . W . Musk I . G ., J . Morris , J . E . Culverhouse P . M ., E . Wavell , Eudderforth P . M ., J . Wynman , Edmonds P . M .

The Lodge being duly formed the minutes were read and confirmed-The W . M . opened the Lodge to the third degree , and resumed to the second , when he announced his intention of rehearsing the ceremony of raising , for which Bro . Morris offered himself as candidate .

After the usual formalities the ceremony was gone through . The W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree , and intimated his intention of rehearsing the second ceremony , for which Bro . E . Wavell P . M . Chiswick Lodge offered himself as candidate . He was entrusted , and the ceremony rehearsed , this , as well as the former ceremony , being delivered in a faultless

manner . Bro . E . Wavell P . M . and Secretary 2012 was proposed and unanimously elected as a member , which compliment he duly acknowledged . Bro . H . Wood was elected W . M . for Monday , 3 rd January . The Brethren expressed their hearty good wishes to the W . M ., to Bro . Woodrow Preceptor , and to Bro . Simeons Sec , tendering them the Compliments of the Season .

Peovincial.

PEOVINCIAL .

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 70 . THE annual meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on Monday , 27 th ult ., Bro . George Leach presiding . Bro . W . H . Treasure S . W ., who was last month unanimously elected Master for 1898 , was regularly installed and then appointed his Officers . The annual banquet takes place at the Club , Princess Square , Plymouth , on Tuesday , when Bro . Treasure will preside .

Before the Brethren dispersed they offered the newly-installed Master hearty congratulations .

ST . MARTIN LODGE , No . 98 . THE Brethren assembled on Thursday , 16 th ult ., at Burslem , to celebrate the festival of St . John and the installation of Bro . John E . Eoden as W . M . for the ensuing year . The Lodge was opened in the Council Chamber , Town Hall , when the ceremony of installation was ably performed by Bro . Eobert Owen W . M .

After the investiture of Officers , efficiently performed by Bro . Pearson , the Brethren adjourned to the Court-room to a banquet , when the usual toasts were honoured .

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 104 . ON Monday , 13 th ult ., this ancient Lodge held the annual festival of St . John in their new abode at the Mechanics' Institution , Stockport . For the past twelve years the Lodge has been held at the White Lion Hotel , having been compelled to remove from private rooms at Ashton House , Greek Street . It is the desire of the rulers of the Craft that Lodges should be held

as far as possible in Masonic rooms , and although frequent efforts have been made in Stockport to attain this end , they havo for various reasons failed . The Brethren of St . John Lodge , however , determined to achieve for themselves what could not be obtained by the combined four Lodges in the town , and their removal to the Mechanics' Institution has been a great

success . The ceremony of installing the new Worshipful Master Bro . Frederick P Lees was very effectively rendered by the outgoing Master Bro . P . D . Hayes

The banquet was admirably served by Bro . H . Grimshaw , and gavo general satisfaction , and after a most enjoyable evening , spent in songs and the usual Masonic toasts , the Brethren separated , well satisfied that the removal to their new abode was very successful .

o o o LODGE OF LIGHTS , No . 148 . THE installation of Bro . W . Pierpoint as W . M . took place on Monday , 20 th ult ., at the Lion Hotel , Warrington . There was a good attendance , and after the business proceedings a banquet was hold , at which the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured . Mrs . Gilbert gave the utmost satisfaction with her catering for the guests .