Reports Of Meetings.

The proceedings were brought to a close by a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . Pitt for the excellent banquet , and the admirable mauner in which the whole arrangements had been carried out . Bro . Pitt , in reply , said he was pleased his efforts had met with success , and he could assure the Brethren that so long as he had anything to do with the establishment he would only be too pleased to do all he could for the Lodge . He begged to thank them for the vote .

ALBERT VICTOR LODGE , No . 1773 . THE annual meeting and Festival of St . John took place at the Town Hall , Pendleton , on Friday , 17 th ulfc ., Brother Wm . Thos . Blease W . M ., with a capital attendance of members and visitors . The principal Lodge business was that of installing Bro . Wm . Woodeson J . W . Worshipful Master-elect into the chair of K . S ., Bro . Blease the retiring Master performing the ceremony of installation , assisted by Past Masters Samuel Statham P . P . G . Tr ., Thomas Threlfall Prov . Gr . P ., Wm . Lambert , 'Ihos . T . Sefton , F . Townson , and Wm . Mosley .

We append a list of Officers for the ensuing financial year : Bros . W . Allen Smith S . W ., A . H . Sellers J . W ., Rev . Wm . G . Edwards-Rees , M . A ., Chaplain , F . Townson P . M . Treasurer , Wm . Mosley P . M . Secretary , T . T . Sefton P . M . D . C ., Gilbert L . Hardcastle S . D ., J . H . Burton J . D , Jas . Stewart I . G ., J . Horricks Org ., J . Hart Dep . Org ., W . Robinson , Fred Daniels , J . B . Kenyon , G . J . Blore Stewards .

Lodge business over , the Brethren adjourned to the large room of the Hall , which had been appropriately deoorated for the oocasion , and where a sumptuous banquet was served . The initial toasts were submitted by the Worshipful Master Bro Woodeson , Bro . James Newton P . G . S . B . Bng . Prov . G . Sec Bast Lancashire responding on behalf of the Grand Officers . In the course of his remarks be referred to the length of time he had known Brother Statham , and other

members of tbe Lodge—more years in fact than he would like to mention . He explained that he was present at the Consecration , and but for another important engagement would also have been present at the recent coming of age of the Lodge . It was rich in past Officers , whose work had been a credit to them , and whose beneficence had been worthily extended to the Masonic charities . Next year it was intended to honour the memory of their late and

revered Provincial Grand Master Col . Starkie , by purchasing a perpetual annuity . Further details of the scheme would shortly be forthcoming , and he knew that when tho Albert Victor Lodge was appealed to , substantial help would not be withheld . In closing his very interesting remarks , Bro . Newton heartily wished prosperity to the Worshipful Master , Officers and members of the Lodge .

The toast of the Provincial Officers was , by request of the W . M ., responded to by Bros . Saml . Statham , the doyen of the Lodge , Thos . Threlfall Prov . G . P ., and Edwd . Roberts Prov . G . Tlr . That of the Worshipful Master was entrusted to Bro . Blease I . P . M ., who paid the necessary tribute to his work as a member and Officer of the Lodge , and said he sincerely anticipated a good year under Bro . Woodeson ' s guidance .

Bro . Woodeson Worshipful Master responded , saying there was a peculiar difficulty in replying to the toast , from his new and strange position . New , because he had not hitherto occupied such a distinguished place , and strange because he had not yet become accustomed to the dignity of the chair . Had circumstances permitted , he should have preferred completing his Masonic training by occupying the Senior Warden ' s chair , but having been called thus early to his exalted position , he first thanked them for the toast , so ably

proposed by the I . P . M ., and so cordially and enthusiastically received by them all . After the very recent coming of age celebration , which some feared might somewhat overshadow the St . John ' s Festival , it was particularly gratifying to have so large a company that evening , which included such a good proportion of their own members , whose presence was specially inspiring , and , he trusted , a good omen for their future constant attendance and for the unfaltering progress of their cherished Lodge . Replying more particularly to

the toast—whilst appreciating the honour of his new position , he was profoundly sensible of the responsibility which rested upon the Master of so large and respected a Lodge as the Albert Victor , occupying as it did an important and influential position in the Province of East Lancashire . It appeared to him that the honour might be reserved for a later period of the Worshipful Master ' s year ( instead of at its opening ) , when he had had an opportunity of displaying his qualifications , winning his

spurs , and proving himself worthy of the great trust ; but as this was taken somewhat for granted , he could only assure the Brethren of his intention to maintain the efficiency of their working , and to preserve intact the integrity of their reputation . He was a strong believer in what was sometimes called the " Fourth Degree , " and considered the social part of their proceedings to be a very necessary element to the happiness and wellbeing of any Lodge ; but he trusted none of them would for one moment

forget that the chief aim of their existence was to proudly wear the truly Masonic ornaments , " Benevolence and Charity , " and use them as the foundation and glory of their honourable Fraternity . It was not hisintention to take up time , as they were no doubt as anxious as he was to hoar the musical Brethren , and as many of the visitors as time would permit . He would therefore conclude by saying it was a proud moment for him to be the Worshipful Master of the Lodge , the honour of which he should remember to the latest period of his existence .

Bro . Woodeson subsequently proposed the health of the Installing Master , saying it was his pleasing duty to submit for their acceptance the next toast , that of the ' Installing Master and I . P . M . of Albert Victor Lodge . Bro . Blease was not only the I . P . M ., but he had completed the 21 st and red letter year of the Lodge ' s history by putting the finishing touches to a period of unqualified success by installing his successor . He had not , before that day , attended an installation ceremony proper , but he ventured to assert that Bro .

Blease's performance that afternoon would secure him pre-eminent rank among those who had been able to undertake the important duty . He had been greatly impressed with its beautiful meaning , and by Bro . Blease ' s demonstration of it . The year just closed had seen several additions to their ranks , and those Brethren they hailed with every satisfaction . Most of the initiations , passings and raisings had been performed by Bro . Blease in away which left an example worthy of his successor ' s closest imitation , because of its efficient and admirable execution . His term of office had been marked

by great cordiality and high literary tone . The social board , the enjoyable family gathering in January , the successful summer picnic , the elaborate and eventful coming of age celebrations , all bore tbe impression of his methodical care and thoughtful arrangement . He felt sure that he was voicing the sentiment of every Brother when he offered Bro . Blease their united congratulations upon his past faithful record , and their best wishes for his future . In doing so , he had to ask Bro . Blease to accept their jewel , as an untarnished memorial and pledge of lasting regard and good fellowship ,

Reports Of Meetings.

He concluded by asking the Brethren to rise and drink heartily to the long life and happiness of the Worshipful Installing Master and I . P . M . Bro . Blease . The jewel contained the following inscription :

Presented to BRO . WM . THOS . BLEASE P . M ., by the Brethren of the Albert Victor Lodge , No . 1773 . 17 th November 1899 . Other toasts followed , notably those of the visiting Brethren , proposed by Bro . E . Winterbottom Prov . G . D . D . C . ; the Masonic Charities , proposed by Bro . J . Harrop P . P . G . D . ; and prosperity to the Salford Lodges , introduced by Bro . T . M . Brown .

During the evening a telegram was read from Bro . J . J . Lambert P . P . G . Reg . W . L . Past G . Deacon Eng ., as follows : " Absence unavoidable . Am very sorry . Hearty good wishes and congratulations . Fraternal regards to Brethren . "

The harmony was contributed by Bros . Fred Daniels , H . S . Daniels , Wild , and Hart , with a recital of Bro . Rudyard Kipling's poem by Bro . Samuel Gaskill 163 , which , upon a collection being made , was the means of realising a substantial sum in aid of the local fund for the relief of wives , widows , and children of our brave defenders in the Transvaal .

o o o METROPOLITAN : INSTRUCTION .

RANELAGH LODGE , No . 834 . ON Friday , 17 th ult ., at the Six Bells Hotel , Hammersmith , W ., Bros . K . M . Ross W . M ., R . H . Williams P . M . S . W ., H . J . Cousens J . W ., W . Hinds P . M . Treas ., F . Craggs P . M . Sec , Arthur Williams P . M . Prec , W . Atkinson S . D ., H . Inderwick J . D ., W . G . Palmer I . G ., Robert Reid P . M ., John Worth W . M . of the Mother Lodge , G . T . Meek , C . Woods , M . F . Wilkins , C . T . Hayward , W . F . Bennett , R . D . Simpson 1923 , and others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Wilkins candidate . Lodge was called off and on . The first section of the lecture was worked by Bro . Palmer , under the direction of Bro . Preceptor , and the second by Bro . W . Hide P . M ., under the same conditions . Bro . R . H . Williams P . M . P . P . G . J . D . Middx . and Preceptor of numerous Lodges of Instruction was elected to occupy the chair of W . M . at the next weekly meeting .

ON the 24 th ult ., Bros . R . H . Williams P . M . P . P . G . J . D . Middx . W . M ., H . J . Cousens W . M . 172 S . W ., W . Atkinson J . W ., W . Hinds P . M . Treas ., F . Craggs P . M . Sec , Lewis Bryett P . M . 834 P . P . G . S . W . Berks and Bucks acting Preceptor , R . Reid P . M . S . D ., J . Worth J . D ., K . M . Ross I . G ., J . H . Cumming P . M ., and others .

Lodge was advaneed to the third degree , when the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Worth taking the candidate's place . Bro . R . H . Williams gave the traditional history in a faultless manner , earning for himself the approbation of the Brethren . Lodge was resumed to the first degree ; the first section of the lecture was worked by the Brethren , and the questions in the third section were answered by Bro . W . Hinds P . M .

Bro . H . J . Cousens W . M . of the Old Concord Lodge was elected to the chair for the next meeting .

FINSBURY PARK LODGE , No . 1288 . THE special meeting to which we have recently referred , as arranged for Saturday last , at this L ) dge of Instruction , proved in every way a success . There was a largq assembly , excellent working , and—the chief item in the programme of the day—an impressive and interesting musical service , and we think all who ' were present will agree with us in wishing that similar good work may be repeated at many of the future meetings of the Lodge .

The gathering took place at the u-u . u quarters , the Old Cock Taveru , Highbury , and was presided over by the Preceptor of the Lodge Bro . H . Hill P . M ., who was supported by Bros . J . W . Huuo S . W ., J . A . Chalk J . W ., F . Linfoot W . M . No . 27 acting Preceptor , W . Syckelmoore P . M . Treas ., John Thorn acting Sec , W . H . Pocklington P . M . Musical Director , M . M . Taylor P . M . S . D ., Mouut Brown J . D ., T . Beau I . G ., A . A . Kelly Org . ; while amongst

the numerous Brethren we had the pleasure of seeing wero Bros . Thos , Humphreys P . M . Preceptor of the Perseverance Lodge , No . 1743 , A . J . Davis , T . E . Edmonds P . M ., W . W . Snelling P . M ., A . H . Lee P . P . S . G . D . Kent , F . Partington P . M ., W . J . Lewis , J . Hume , VV . Hudson , H . Ovens , A . Sargood , E . Edwards , G . Graham Foster , C . W . Fink , J . Hoffman , A . A . Ibbott , W . Newbold , W . Windsor , W . Hinton , A . E . Macey , E . Grant , W . Jarvis , E . Robinson , G . Shervington , G . E . Inch , J . Wynman , and several others .

The Lodge being duly formed was opened with musical accompaniment , when the minutes were read and confirmed . Tho Lodge was advanced to the second degree , when the W . M . announced that he intended to rehearse the ceremony of raising , for which Bro . Pope was accepted as the candidate . Having answered the regular questions he was entrusted , the Lodge was further advanced , and the ceremony was rehearsed , the whole of the ritual being given in extenso , including the traditional history .

The Lodge was resumed to the second and first degree , and the following Brethren were elected members , which compliment was acknowledged by each Brother separately : —A . H . Lee P . P . S . G . D . Kent , W . D . Ovens S . W . 1017 , C W . Fink 1 K 23 , Ch . Gregpry Smith 1580 , W . J . Richardson 1580 , G . E . Nich 2558 , G . Foster 2728 , G . Shervington 1623 .

It was proposed by Bro . Hill W . M ., that a hearty vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes for tho valuable services rendered by Bro . Pocklington , the Musical Director , and the Brethren belonging to tho choir ; and he also took the opportunity of thanking tho Officers for their able assistance . The vote was carried unanimously .

The W . M . in addressing Bro . Pocklington , thanked him for tbe excellent musical entertainment he had provided ; he and the Brethren were highly delighted . He also thanked the Brethren belonging to the choir for having contributed so greatly to a very pleasant evening . Bro . Pocklington , on behalf of the Brethren belonging to the choir and for himself , thanked the W . M . for his very kind remarks . Ho was pleased to hear their services had been appreciated . The labour of tho evening being ended the Lodge was closed in harmony and with solemn prayer .

We cannot let the opportunity pass without complimenting Bro . W . H . Pocklington P . M . the Musical Director for the high class music he provided , while the following professional Brethren : W . Syckeimoore P . M . Treasurer of the Lodge of Instruction , W . Wheeler , E . P . Bakor , E . Lo ' or , W . Windsor , all deserve praise for showing their talent on the occasion . Bro . A . A . Kelly , ia