Reports Of Meetings.

has been a popular Master . The installation ceremony was performed by Bro . Lidster . The Brethren afterwards dined at the Wear Valley Hotel .

OAKWOOD LODGE , No . 1126 . THE Lodge was held in the National Schools , Bomiley , on Saturday , 19 th ult ., Bro . John Brine W . M . presiding . Bro . Clough S . W . W . M .-elect wa * s introduced by Bro . John Mitchell

P . M . and the antient charges read by Bro . Woodall P . M . Soc . The W . M . then installed him into the Worshipful Master's chair in a very able and impressive manner .

The Brethren adjourned to the Eomiley Arms , where the banquet was held , and the usual Masonic toasts given . Bro . Leathley , on behalf of the Lodge , presented Bro . Brine I . P . M . with a Past Master ' s jewel .

EQUALITY LODGE , No . 1145 . THE installation of Bro . James Hoyle took place at Accrington , on the 10 th ult ., and was followed by a banquet at the Eed Lion Hotel . The Mayor Bro . Alderman Haywood P . M . of the Lodge , proposed tho toast of the Wardens and other Officers of 1145 . In doing so he made special

references to his former connections with the Lodge , and expressed a hope that , if possible , it would bo more harmonious in the coming year than it had ever been in the past . His Worship then gave a short address upon the true principles of

Freemasonry , and asserted that any man who followed the tenets laid down by the Order must become a better man and be a better citizen . True Masonry was next to religion , and he trusted that the grand principles which were taught within their Lodges would actuate them throughout their lives .

BEOTHEE E . C . L . CEAZE was installed W . M . of this Lodge at the Huyshe Masonic Hall , Home Park , Stoke , on the 16 th ult ., by the retiring W . M ., assisted by a strong Board of Installed Masters . Bro . Elliott was re-appointed Charity Steward , and the W . M . elected to the office of representative on the Committee of Petitions .

The annual banquet was fixed to take place on Wednesday , the 30 th ult ., at the Masonic Club .

DUNDAS LODGE , No . 1255 . AFTER the ordinary monthly meeting on the 21 st ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Plymouth , the W . M . and members sat down in the club to their half-yearly supper , and a capital spread they enjoyed . Bro . L . Wells S . W . proposed , in eulogistic terms , the health of the W . M .

Dr .. E . G . Dutfcon , who , he said , had carried out his duties with great ability and assiduity . He had proved a worthy and honourable Mason , both in and out of the Lodge , and his name would be handed down to posterity as one of a long list of Masons who had passed through tho chair . Bro . Dutton was honoured , respected , and revered not only by the Masons of the Three Towns , but by the citizens generally .

Bro . Dutton , in the course of a felicitous response , claimed that Lodge Dundas only initiated honest , legitimate , and worthy candidates for Masonry , and that in proportion to its numbers the Lodge subscribed as largely as other Lodges to the great Masonic Charities . In conclusion , he cordially thanked them for associating his wife and family with the toast .

THORNHILL LODGE , No . 1514 . AT the Masonio Hall , Lindley , on Thursday , 17 th ult ., Bro . William Riley was installed W . M ., the installing Master being Bro . J . H . Conacher I . P . M . There was a large attendance of Members and Visitors .

BERTIE LODGE , No . 1515 . THE annual festival took place on Thursday , 10 th ult ., in the Masonic Hall , Oxford , a large company being present to witness the installation of Bro . James Hastings , the ceremony being performed by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Viscount Valentia .

NOT only the members of the Lodge , but also Bro . John Walton sen . himself , the host of the Victoria Hotel , Urmston , may be heartily congratulated upon the success which attended the annual meeting and Festival of St . John which took place at the above house on Monday , the 14 th ult . The Masonic Room , although not filled to its utmost capacity , yet contained a very large number of members and visitors , some of the latter having travelled long distances to see Bro . John Walton jun . J . W . installed into the chair of K . S .

Amongst others there were present : Bros . W . H . Jolliffe W . M ., John Walton jun . J . W ., Ed . L . Littler P . M . P . P . G . P . Treas ., Geo . E . Lloyd P . Prov . G . Tr . Sec , Walter Bowers S . D ., Geo . G . Mends J . D ., Geo . A . Myers P . M . P . P . G . D . C . D . C ., J . Bowers P . M . Org ., J . Ormrod I . G ., J . H . Marsh I . P . M ., John Slyman P . M . P . P . S . G . D ., Peter Heaton P . M . P . P . G . S ., R . Swindells P . M ., John Walton sen . P . M ., James Plowman , E . W . Barratt , John Fowler , J . F . Mends , W . H . Ashworth , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459

( FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE ) , Thos . French . Visitors : Bros . H . G . Small P . M . 368 Prov . G . D . C . ( Ches . ] , W . Bowden P . M . 1814 P . P . G . S . B . ( W . L . ) , Jas . J . Lambert P . M . 1387 P . P . G . R . ( W . L . ) , J . W . Bent 2279 , J . E . Meanock I . P . M . 2279 , Thos . Threlfall P . M . 1773 , Henry Nail P . M . Sec . 1375 ; Worshipful Masters : John E . E . Jeffery 1140 , W . Pearson 1345 , Alfred Pickford 1375 , John Travers 1387 , Geo . A . Batley 1814 , John Knight 2216 , J . Eoberts 2231 ; H . J . McBurney 266 , James Clcgg 467 , John Farrow 467 .

URMSTON LODGE . No . 1730

ELMS LODGE , No . 1212 .

The Lodge was opened about 3 p . m ., and after the confirmation of minutes , and presentation of the Auditors' report and Treasurer's accounts , Bro . Slyman assumed the principal chair , being supported by Bros . Littler , Heaton , and Marsh as S . W ., J . W ., and I . G . respectively , the ceremony of installing Bro . John Walton jun . as Worshipful Master taking place without loss of time . In addition to the principal Officers mentioned , Bro . Slyman had the assistance of Post Masters Lloyd , Walton sen ., and J . Bowers , and the whole

Reports Of Meetings.

of the work was so satisfactorily performed as to receive the highest commendations at the festive board which followed . A most recherche banquet had been prepared in the large room adjoining the hotel , which was profusely decorated for the occasion , and to Mrs . Walton and her bevy of lady helpers must be accorded no small amount of praise for the warmth and comfort , and general feeling of satisfaction which prevailed .

The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , these being agreeably relieved by songs and recitations , which were rendered by Bros . Nail , Jolliffe , Marsh , Heaton , Walter Bowers , Plowman , and Eoberts . Bros . J . Bowers and Travers in turn officiated at the piano . One of the principal toasts of the evening was that of the Worshipful Master , proposed in appropriate terms by Bro . Jolliffe I . P . M ., to which Bro . John Walton jun . responded in a speech which was marked by excellent

good taste , and indicated that he was thoroughly alive to the many responsibilities which his new position entailed . In reverting to the work of those Masters who had proceeded him in the chair , he said it was with a great amount of pleasure and satisfaction , that he received the honour of following such distinguished Brethren . In his previous Offices he had endeavoured to do his duty , and hoped that as W . M . he should at all times be so actuated in his conduct , and successful in tne work which he might attempt , as to merit the universal approval of his Brethren .

Bro . Walton then proposed the health of the Installing Master , saying that he had had the pleasure that day of seeing the ceremony of Installation for tho first time , and although he might not be in a position to judge the work very critically , he could tell his auditors that he had been deeply impressed with what he had seen . It was really a very beautiful ceremony , and in his opinion had been most admirably performed bv Bro . Slyman .

Bro . Slyman responded , saying that he thoroughly appreciated the way in which tho toast ol his health had been proposed , and the hearty manner of its reception . If the ceremony which he had performed had not been a pleasure , as well as a duty , it would not have been undertaken by him .

Despite the fact that his throat had troubled him for the last forty-eight hours , he had persevered , and was glad to find that the Brethren were satisfied with his efforts . He spoke in feeling terms of the W . M ., who he said was very highly respected , and thoroughly deserved the distinction which had just been conferred upon him . '

The W . M . then proposed the health of Brother Jolliffe I . P . M . and commended him for the admirable manner in which he had performed the various ceremonies during his year of office . Bro . Walton said that nothing came wrong to him , and concluded by wishing him many happy returns of the day .

Bro . Jolliffe , in response , said that it would always be a pleasure for him to do what he could for the welfare of the Lodge . He thanked the Brethren for the hearty reception of the toast , and also the W . M . for kind remarks upon this , his birthday . Bro . Littler proposed the' health of the Visitors , in a speech which was brimful of humour , and when he drew attention to the strange combination of names he had formed from the list , the fact elicited roars of laughter . The Visitors responded .

Tne Officers for the forthcoming year are as follow : Bros . Walter Bowers S . W ., G . G . Mends J . W ., E . L . Littler P . M . P . P . G . P . Treasurer , G . R . Lloyd P . M . P . P . G . Treas . Secretary , 3 . Ormrod S . D ., W . Hallard J . D ., G . A . Myers P . M . P . P . G . D . C . D . C ., John Bowers P . M . Organist , J . Plowman I . G ., John Fowler seu ., Thomas French , Jas . Shaw Whitley , H . H . Jones , A . Hawkins , W . Kirk Stewards , J . Slyman P . M . P . P . S . G . D . Charity Eepresentative .

GRENVILLE LODGE , No . 1787 . ON Tuesday , 15 th ult ., the annual meeting was held in the Masonic Hall , Buckingham , and gathered additional attraction this year by the presence of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Bucks , the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , who performed the installation ceremony . A banquet afterwards took place at the White Hart Hotel , at which upwards of forty sat down . The chair was occupied by Bro . Rev . W . Miles Myres W . M .

ZION LODGE , No . 1798 . THE regular meeting was held at the Grand Hotel , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 9 th ult ., Bro . Walter Fowdon W . M . After the confirmation of minutes Bro . Myer Kersh , who had expressed a desire to make further progress into Freemasonry , was passed to the degree of F . C . by Bro . George Board P . M . P . P . G . J . D .

At the festive board which followed , the W . M . proposed the health of the newly-passed Brother , who made a suitable reply . Bro . Board proposed the health of the S . W ., to which Bro . Leon Levy responded , admonishing the various Officers to rally round and support the W . M . Bro . Levy also reverted to a lecture which Bro . A . de Botton P . M . contemplates delivering at an early date , and expressed a sincere hope that many visitors might be present to listen to it .

Bro . Geo . Rideal P . M ., in proposing the health of the J . W ., welcomed Bro . J . Gershon upon his recent return to tho Lodge after a protracted absence , and also congratulated him upon his accession to such an important office as that of J . W .

Bro . Gershon , in reply , thanked Bro . Rideal for the kind expressions of regard which were contained in his remarks , and promised that he would endeavour to devote the requisite time to the duties of the Lodge , so that he might be enabled to perform them with satisfaction to all concerned .

Bro . John Fisher I . P . M . incidentally mentioned that a present had been forwarded from Jamaica by Bro . Capt . Stone , for the benefit of the Lodge , which intimation was received with expressions of satisfaction by the Brethren . Bro . Fisher also alluded in the highest terms to the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , saying it often contained valuable articles and information which members of the Craft ought not to neglect perusing . As one who had

been a reader of the paper for a length of time , he strongly advised the Brethren to become subscribers to the publication . Our representative ( Bro . Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 ) replied on behalf of the CHRONICLE . He suitably acknowledged Bro . Fisher's words of appreciation , and pointed out instances where advantage had been derived through the medium of our columns .

EBRINGTON LODGE . No . 1847

THE annual banquet was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on Wednesday , 23 rd ult . The W . M ., Bro . J . Mitchell presided , and was supported by his Officers .