Reports Of Meetings.

W . M . 1408 , James Jardine D . C . 266 , Frank W . Mee S . D . 163 , Jos . Gregory P . M . 999 , Thos . Perrin P . M . 461 . The ceremony of installation was performed by the retiring Master , who duly inducted Bro . H . J . Owen S . W . The festival of St . John was afterwards held in the same room , and was a great success . o o o

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . THE regular meeting was held at the Palatine Hotel , Hunt ' s Bank , Manchester , on Thursday , 11 th ult ., Bro . William T . Schofield P . M . 1219 P . P . J . G . D . W . M .

A ballot was taken for Bro . John Henry Maybury , Lodge 1219 , as joining member , and this was successful . The W . M . was congratulated upon his recovery from an illness which had caused his absence from Lodge on the last occasion of

its meeting , and Bro . Schofield acknowledged in graceful terms the kind communications which had reached him , sympathising , not only with himself , but with his wife , who had also been prostrated by sickness . Bro . Schofield concluded by presenting to each member an excellent portrait of himself .

At the festive board which followed , Bro . Rushton proposed , and Bro . Hall seconded , that the thanks of the brethren be tendered to Bros . Robinson W . M . and Whitwam , both of the Strangeways Lodge , No . 1219 , for the gift of a valuable set of books . Bro . Schofield W . M . also added his testimony to the value of the donation , and on behalf of the members of the Lodge , thanked the donors for their kindness .

Bro . Robinson , who was present , replied stating that ho was only too happy to have contributed in so small a degree to the pleasure and harmony of the Duke of York Lodge by presenting a few books of songs . o o o

COLNE LODGE , No . 2477 . THE third regular meeting of this newly formed Lodgo was held on the 9 th , at Wyvenhoo , when a large amount of Masonic business was transacted . Captain Naylor-Leyland M . P . for Colchester , who is one of the founders of the Lodge , was present .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

— rt CONSTITUTIONAL CHAPTER , No . 294 . AT the meeting at the Masonic Hall , Beverley , on the 25 th ult ., the following were installed : —Comps . Harry Adams P . Z . Z ., R . Dobson H ., T . Foley J ., J . R . Lane Treas ., Tom Turner P . Z . Scribe E ., David Morley Scribe N . o o o

ADAIR CHAPTER , No . 1750 . ON the 24 th ult . the annual convocation was held at the Public Hall , Clevedon , when Comp . W . Long was installed Z ., J . Jupp H ., A . B . Wickenden J . The annual banquet was subsequently held at Comp . Wickcnden ' s Restaurant , Regent House , Glevedon . o o o

MILITARY JUBILEE CHAPTER , No . 2195 . THE annual installation took place on the 21 st ult ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Dover , when Major-General Cuming was installed as First Principal for the second time . Major-General Cuming holds the unique position of being First Principal to three Royal Arch Chapters , namely the Chapters in connection with

Lodges 199 and 2195 Dover , and Lodge 1789 ( Ubique ) , London . After the business the annual banquet was held in the banquetting hall . The installation ceremony was impressively performed by Past Principal J . D . Torson .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

— : o : — YORK LODGE ( T . I . ) . BROTHER Joseph Todd P . M . P . G . S . O . W . M . was re-installed for the coming year , at the Masonic Hull , Duncombe Street , York , on the 16 th ult . Bro . Whytehead P . M . P . G . M . O . was tho installing Master . Subsequently supper was partaken of at the Queen Hotel . o o o

METHAM LODGE , No . 96 . INSTITUTED at the Huyshe Temple , Home Park , Stoke , over a quarter of a century since , this Lodge has not prospered of late , says the " Western Morning News , " and on the 23 rd it was formally removed to the Working Men ' s Hall , Plymton , a large number of brethren assembling to receive the warrant . Among the brethren present was Bro . Capt . G . S . Strode Lowe D . Prov . G . M .

Bros . J . C . Revell , W . T . Luke , E . Hendy , J . Pearse ( of Plympton ) were advanced . Bro . W . J . Stanbury P . P . G . S . B . was elected W . M ., S . Panter Treas . and James Gidley Tyler . Five more Plympton candidates were announced for the next meeting . In the evening the brethren dined together at the Plymouth Inn . Congratulations

Mark Masonry.

were exchanged at the very promising prospect of the Lodge in its new home . Captain Strode Lowe said he would do his best in aid of the Metham Mark Lodge , as he had the fullest belief in its success at Plyinpton .

North London Masonic Ball.

NORTH LONDON MASONIC BALL .

THE ninth annual North London Masonic Benevolent Ball took place at the Ereemasons' Tavern , Great Queen Street , on Thursday , 25 th ult ., and passed off most successfully . There were about three hundred ladies and gentlemen present . At the supper , which was served soon after midnight , the chair was occupied by Bro . Herbert Spake ( president ) , faced by Captain Lurcott in the vice-chair . A short toast list was gone through .

The Chairman , in proposing the Masonic Charities , stated that the proceeds of the ball would , as in past years , be given to the Institutions which had been established by Freemasons . He was delighted to see such a splendid gathering , as the result would greatly benefit the Institutions supported by the Craft . With the

toast , he had pleasure in coupling the name of the Hon . Massey-Mainwaring , who , in responding , said he was often asked what was the use of Freemasonry . He dared say that somo of them had been asked the question when they had arrived home rather late . He always answered in this way—Come with me a little way out of

London and see our Masonic Institutions ; come and see our Boys School and our Girls School , and our Asylum for aged Masons . These establishments would speak much more eloquently than he

could as to the use of Masonry . All present would have the satisfaction of knowing that while thoy were enjoying themselves on that happy occasion , they were at the same time assisting those noble oharities whose interests every Mason had at heart .

It is usually the custom among the fraternity of Masons to attend a public place of worship clothed in the badges of their order on St . John the Evangelist ' s day . Eor some twenty-five years , however , this practice

had ceased in Madras , and the Eev . H . C . Maiden , who is a Past Master and Grand Chaplain of the District Grand Lodge of Madras , has now revived this custom In years gone by , when all the Lodges were held in the

Masonic Temple at Vepery , the Masons of Madras used to turn out in great force and , headed by a band with banners flying , march in procession wearing their regalia to St . Matthias' Church , Vepery , where a crowded

congregation attended to witness the sight and hear a Masonic sermon . Owing to the absence from Madras of several of the brethren , says the " Times of India , " there was but a poor attendance at the service held on Tuesday , 26 th Dec , at St . Mary ' s Church , Eort . The

lessons were read by Bro . the Kev . J . T . Lawrence D . G . C . and were both appropriate and bore reference to Masonic teaching . The sermon was preached by Bro . the Eev . C . H . Maiden P . D . G . C . who took for his text I . St . John , 1 , vii . At the close of the service a collection was made , the offertories being devoted to the Madras Masonic Institute .

Testimonial To Sir John Monckton.

TESTIMONIAL TO SIR JOHN MONCKTON .

THE numerous friends of Sir John Monckton will , we are sure , be gratified to learn that the movement started in the City for recognising in some permanent way the services rendered by him as Town Clerk during the past twenty years has been received in all quarters with the utmost favour . It is suggested to offer to the

Corporation a marble bust of Sir John for exhibition at Guildhall , and to present some agreeable souvenir to Lady Monckton . The commission for the bust has been given to Mr . J . A . Raemakers . Those who have already either sent or promised donations include

the Lord Mayor and all the members of the Court of Aldermen , and upwards of one hundred Masonic , civic , and private friends . With the Lord Mayor ' s permission , Mr . W . J . Soulsby is acting as hon . secretary of the presentation fund . —City Press .

Covent Garden Opera House . —The first of tho series of Carnival Balls , organised by Sir Augustus Harris , took place on Wednesday , and was an overwhelming success . The genial manager , whose absence through illness was greatly regretted , had certainly done everything for the comfort ana enjoyment of his visitors , and

thoughtful praise was given by the dancers for the splendid polished parqueterie floor which has replaced the old fashioned canvas covered boards . The scene about midnight , when most of the guests had arrived , was charming in the extreme , and as the dancers whirled round the ball room in kaleidoscopic confusion the electric

light was blazed upon them and enhanced the brilliant colouring . The stage proper was got up to represent the glories of Old Vauxhall Gardens on a guta night , and the idea was both appropriate and happy . Underneath the orchestra , where Mr . J . M . Glovers' fine band discoursed the latest dance music , cosy corners in imitation of

bowers and alcoves were arranged , in which fair maidens and gorgeously apparelled youths flirted and refreshed themselves . The costumes were hardly up to the mark as regards originality , but they were varied and pretty enough in all conscience to rr erit the handsome prizes it is usual to bestow on these occasions . The next ball will take place on the 14 th inst ., Saint Valentine ' s day .