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 .

— : o : — CBAET : METEOPOLITAN . — : o : — LADIES' BANQUET AND CONCERT OF THE CITY OF LONDON LODGE , No . 901 .

THE first Ladies' night of this popular Lodge took place on Monday , 20 th ult ., at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham Street , E . C . The Lodge was first regularly opened , the minutes duly confirmed , and other business disposed of .

The W . M . Bro . Joseph Hatton , who was accompanied by his wife , received the company , which included Bros . R . W . Dobin I . P . M ., W . H . Haylock S . W ., E . Beadle J . W ., H . Harbord P . M . Treas ., W . R . Haylock P . M . Sec , W . Reeve S . D ., W . Grant J . D ., T . Leete I . G ., Dr . J . Haskins P . P . G . Org . Essex and Hertfordshire Org ., G . A . Bolland , H . G . Hancock , F . Hall , W . Bridger , A . E . Britton , F . W . Salmon , H . E . W . Poole , G . Bailey , C . A . Riley , in all there being about 150 Brethren and visitors present , the majority of the Brethren being accompanied by their wife or lady friend .

After formal introduction the company retired to the banqueting room , where an excellent banquet was provided and appreciated by those who partook of it . After the repast the W . M . proposed the toast of the Queen , and referred in warm terms to her Majesty ' s wonderful career as wife , mother , ruler , and

pattern of the best traits in womanhood . Her Majesty had always taken the deepest interest in Freemasonry , and in all good works that concerned the welfare of her subjects , one of her latest kindly acts being the opening of a charitable institution at Bristol . The toast was most enthusiastically received , the Venetian Part Singers rendering " God Save the Queen " in excellent voice .

Bro . H . Harbord P . M . Treasurer of the Lodge in well deserved terms gave the toast of the Worshipful Master , saying that his ability as ruler of the Lodge was well known . Ho studied the welfare of the Lodge in every sense of the word ; but he studied the pleasure of the Brethren likewise , as he was the first ruler of the Lodge since its consecration in 1862 who had presided at such a charming assembly as that evening ' s .

The W . M . thanked Past Master Harbord for his very kind remarks , and the Brethren for receiving the toast in such a cordial manner , but he must remind them that the principal toast of the evening was that of the Ladies . He desired to impress on the Brethren how much they were indebted to the Ladies for the charms of life . As the mouthpiece of the Lodge he gave the

Ladies a most hearty welcome , and assured them that the best endeavours of the members of the Lodge had been made to afford the guests a pleasurable evening . He hoped a Ladies night would in future be an annual event in the Lodge , and concluded by calling on Bro . H . G . Hancock , the youngest of their members , to respond for the Ladies .

Bro . Hancock said he felt it an honour to be asked to reply for the Ladies , and sincerely thanked the Worshipful Master , and the members generally , for the enthusiastic manner in which they had honoured the toast , also for coupling his name as the youngest member of the City of London Lodge . He could but assure them , from the remarks which he had heard from several Ladies , that all had been highly delighted in being amongst them that evening , especially as the opportunity was not often offered them of being able to see how the Brethren enjoyed themselves on such occasions . The Ladies were very grateful to the Lodge for having provided such an excellent

entertainment . There was an enjoyable concert , and a full programme of music , under the direction of Bro . Dr . J . Haskins , who was supported by the Venetian Part Singers , Miss Clarabelle Hyde , Miss Tina Cullen , Miss Margaret Ruby , Bro . John Batchelor , Bro . T . Best Folkes , Messrs . Sidney Rawnsley , C . Magrath , Arthur Papworth , W . T . Knight , and others .

In our issue of the 18 th inst ., reporting the meeting of this Lodge , we spoke of the election and initiation of Mr . Cook Thomas Wright ; the name should have been Mr . Charles Alfred Riley , of the Harrow , 22 Whitefriars Street , E . C , who was then regularly initiated into the mysteries of the Craft .

WALTHAMSTOW LODGE , No . 2472 . f ~ riHE Worshipful Master Bro . Thomas William Stacey presided at an JL ordinary meeting of this Lodge held at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , E . C , on Saturday , when he was supported by Bros . William ShurmurP . G . S . B . Ehg . P . M . Treasurer , Wm . Gower P . M ., James Clark P . M ., A . J . Stacy I . P . M ., H . H . Finch S . W ., Samuel Hubert Secretary , Amos Oakden S . D ., Leo Taylor J . D ., S . Fortescue D . C ., Frank Budd I . G ., and a large number of other Brethren .

The following visitors also attended : Bros . Geo . It . Brown P . M . 2467 , W . M . Beck 2374 , W . H . Bathurst 1331 , Thomas How 2374 . The only work was the passing of Bro . James Tennant Stewart to the second degree , which was accomplished most satisfactorily by the W . M . and the Officers concerned . The Lodge was in a very generous mood , and firstly , upon the proposition

of Bro . William Shurmur , awarded the sum of thirty guineas to the fund being raised in aid of the widow and children of the late Bro . F . R . Peck Junior Warden of the Lodge . It must be recorded in connection with this vote that upon the last meeting of the Lodge the Brethren gave up their banquet in order that this sum should be devoted to the family of their deceased Brother , who was highly esteemed . Bro . Shurmur thanked the Lodge iu the name of Bro . Peck ' s family , for the very acceotable donation .

The W . M . then proposed that the sum of ten guineas should be voted for / he " . Daily Telegraph " Fund for the Widows and Orphans of tbe Soldiers serving in South Africa , which was also carried . This amount was subsequently increased by a shilling collection made at the dinner table . A letter of condolence and sympathy was ordered to be sent to the family of the late Bro . Wilgress Nathaniel Pipe , for whom the Brethren appeared in Masonic mourning . Two candidates were proposed for initiation at the next meeting , and this concluding the business the Lodge was closed .

Reports Of Meetings.

PROVINCIAL . — : o : — ASHBURY LODGE , No . 1459 .

THE annual installation took place on Thursday , 16 th ult ., at the Justice Birch Hotel , Hyde Road , Manchester , when a large - number of Brethren and Visitors attended to honour Brother H . E . Massie W . M .-elect . The Lodge was opened at an early hour by the W . M . Bro . A . E . Burgess .

The minutes of the last regular meeting having been read and confirmed the ballot was taken for Mr . Coomber , and declared unanimous in his favour . The W . M . then initiated Mr . Coomber into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry . The N . E . corner charge was delivered by Bro . 1 . Hurlow J . W . in finished style . The working tools were presented and explained in an impressive manner by the Senior Warden .

Bro . H . E . Massie S . W . W . M .-elect was then presented by Bro . G . W . Davies P . M . Prov . G . A . P . Installing Deacon to Bro . Wm . Bee P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C , to receive from his hands the benefits of installation . Bro . Bee first addressed tho Brethren , and then obligated the W . M .-elect . A large board of Installed Masters was formed , and Brother Massie was installed in tho chair of X . S . and proclaimed Worshipful Master oi the Ashbury Lodge for the ensuing twelve months , the ceremony being rendered by Bros . Bcr- and Davies in excellent , style .

The W . M . having invested his precedessor tho Board of Installed Masters was closed , and then the Officers for the year wore appointed , the investiture of the Wardens and Stewards being undertaken by Br <\ J . Townley Trotter P . M ., the Treasurer by Bro . Drabble P . M ., the Deacons by Bro . Burgess I . P . M ., the Inner Guard by Bro . John Jeo P . M ., the Director of Ceremonies and his Assistant by Bro . S . Richardson P . M ., the Organist and Tyler by Bro . W . Bee P . M .

The working tools we'e presented to the W . M . in each degree by Bro . W . Drabble P . M ., and the customary addresses delivered by Past Masters S . John Geo and S . Richardson . After correspondence had been read by the acting Secretary from Brethren expressing regret for non-attendance , and the names of three gentlemen hud been submitted for initiation , the Lodge was closed .

The Brethren adjourned while the room was prepared for the banquet , which was provided and well served under the personal superintendence of Brother Edward Pitt . At the close of the repast the W . M . proposed tho toast of tbe Queen , which was heartily responded to , as was that of H . R . H . the Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family .

In giving the M . W . G . M . the Prince of Wales , the W . M . said his Royal Highness had always taken a deep personal interest in the Craft , and had been most happy in his selection of Officers . The latest instance of tact displayed was the appointment of tho Right Hon . Lord Stanley , M . P . as Prov . G . M . for East Lancashire . All who attended at the Free Trade Hall on the 3 rd November agreed that the Brethren of East Lancashire had got a splendid Prov . Grand Master in Lord Stanley , and he hoped the Brethren would give him the same loyal support which they had done to the late Provincial Master Brother Starkie .

Bro . W . Bee now proposed the toast of the W . M . Bro . H . E . Massie , explaining that a little over four years ago he attended his initiation in the Lodge of Integrity , No . 163 , and in due time his raising . Shortly after it was intimated to him that Bro . H . E . Massie was desirous of becoming a joining member of the Ashbury Lodge , which he did in due time . Very soon after this event they were in want of a working Brother , and they thought they saw in Bro . Massie the right man to act as Secretary , which

important position Bro . Massie occupied for two years , discharging the duties in a very satisfactory manner . Higher positions awaited him in the J . W . and S . W . chairs , and the work done in those positions was of a very high order , and had given the utmost satisfaction to the Brethren - . Now he had the pleasure of submitting the toast of Bro . Massie as the Worshipful Master , feeling sure he would be an ornament to the Lodge , and an excellent ruler . The toast was warmly responded to .

The W . M . Bri - > . Massie , on rising to respond , received quite an ovation . He sincerely thanked those present for the kind manner in which they had received the toast , and Bro . Bee for the flattering remarks respecting himself . He assured the Brethren that aDy little work he had done had been a labour of love . During his year of office he would do his very best to worthily maintain the dignity and importance of the chair of K . S ., and when he left

it , twelve months hence , he hoped to carry with him the good will and fraternal regard of every member of the Lodge , just as he hoped he possessed it that day . Although feeling equal to any of the ceremonies , he proposed to share the work amongst the Past Masters and Officers , and he was sure , with such an able body of supporters they would have a successful year . He again begged to thank the Brethren for placing him in the proud position of Worshipful Master .

In proposing the toast of tho I . P . M . and Past Masters , the W . M . said that night the toast referred more particularly to the outgoing W . M . Bro . A . E . Burgess , who they all agreed had been an excellent Master , and had performed all the work he had undertaken in a most creditable manner . It was now his pleasing duty to place upon Bro . Burgess ' s breast a Past Master ' s jewel , presented from the Brethren of the Lodge with feelings of love and appreciation for good services well rendered , and he trusted he would wear the jewel in good health for many years to come .

Bro . A . E . Burgess I . P . M . thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their kindness . He had had a most delightful year of office . He had been supported by two of the best Wardens in the whole Province , and a most capable staff of Officers and Past Masters , and in one sense was sorry to leave the chair , but he must make room for a successor . He felt sure the Lodge "was now in possession of a better Master than he had proved to be . What he had done for the Lodge he had done with pleasure , and for the best . He thanked them most heartily for the beautiful jewel , which he would ever wear with pride . The jewel was inscribed : —

Presented by the Brethren to Bro . P . M . A . E . BUKGF . SS , for services reudered as W . M . of the Ashbury Lodge , No . 1459 . —1898-99 . November 16 th , 1899 . - The proceedings were enlivened by songs given in first class style by Bro . Bentley , Bro . George Thompson , Ardwick , No . 2185 , Bro . C . H . Griffiths W . M . Faith , No . 581 , and Bro . W . A . Bacon W . M . Egerton , No . 1030 .

Besides a strong muster of the members of the Lodge , the following visitors were present : —Bros . Walter Newton P . P . S . G . D . Cheshire P . P . J . G . D . East Lancashire , Herring P . M . 1458 , Cotton W . M . 2464 , Wolfenden W . M . 210 , G . H . Walker W . M . 2185 , T . Smith W . M . 1774 , W . M . Wilton 1077 , R . A . Hepworth P . M . 163 , Ben Wilmot 163 , Councillor Phythian P . M . 2464 .