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Metropolitan.
DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE , No . 1524 . Installation of Bro . James Bedford . THIS Lodge has always been deservedly well known among Metropolitan Brethren , not alone for the example set by the Past Masters , Officers , and other members in the excellent rendering of the ritual , but for the hearty
manner in which the Brethren are welcomed . Therefore it was with no surprise that we found a large number of members and visitors on the occasion of the annual meeting , held at Anderton ' s Hotel , on Thursday , the 25 th ult .
We may here say that under Bro . Edmund Frisby , the retiring Master , a most successful year has been brought to a termination , and if one may form an opinion from the manner in which the new Master commenced his duties , the year under his regime gives every promise of adding to the prestige of this well known and popular Lodge . The agenda showed there was plenty of business to be transacted , and to deal with it the proceedings were commenced at three o'clock by Bro . E . Frisby W . M ., who was supported during the meeting by the following Officers
and Brethren : A . M . Archer I . P . M ., H . B . Burgess S . W ., J . Bedford J . W . W . M .-elect , 0 . Lorkin P . M . Secretary , F . Henderson J . D ., W . D . H . Willis I . G ., H . G . C . Hollinghurst Steward , H . Pearse P . M ., W . T . Oakley P . M ., E . J . Turnbull P . M ., F . W . Rogers P . M ., A . R . Olley P . M ., A . Ferrar P . M ., C . Elledga , W . E . Collis , R . A . Hendrick , W . R . Francis , T . James , W . R . Hutton , S . A . East , C . E . Thompson , A . Wilson , W . J . Eadia , 0 . B . Since , W . Saunders , F . Kotch , Prof . Scriven , J . Watts , 0 . J . S . Jaques , L . A . Y . Sohotel , G . T . Dobson , & c .
Among the visitors we had the pleasure of seeing may be mentioned Bros . P . Case I . G . 2722 , E . G . Chapman J . D . 27 , F . M . Case Steward 1828 , E . E . Emmanusl W . M . 860 , W . A . Abel W . M . 1901 . Howard E . Mullins S . D . 211 , G . H . W . Grace P . M . D . C . 73 , G . Cumbe W . M . 1375 , W . B . Hartnell W . M . 753 , Wm . 0 . Elsdon J . D . 25 , J . L . Silver 1668 , J . Gouldon S . W . 2262 P . P . G . D . O . Surrey , & c , & c .
After the minutes of the last regular Lodge meeting , Emergency meeting , and Audit had been read and confirmed , the W . M . declared all Offices vacant , and appointed Brethren to assist him during the ceremony of installation , for which Bro . James Bedford was presented as W . M .-elect . Bro . Frisby addressed the incoming Master on the duties of the high office to which he had been unanimously elected , and Bro . Bedford signified hia assent to the ancient charges , and took the customary obligation .
A Board of Installed Masters was declared , and Bro . Bedford was conducted to the chair in accordance with ancient custom . The Brethren were re-admitted , and the new Master proclaimed and saluted , the entire ceremony being impressively rendered . The new Worshipful Master proceeded to appoint his Officers , as follow Bros . H . B . Burgas * S . W ., A . Smith J . W ., W . H . Brand P . M . Treasurer ( who was absent , though illness , Bro . Holdgate P . M . being invested pro . tern . ) , C .
Lorkin P . M . Secretary , F . Henderson S . D ., W . H . D . Willis J . D ., H . G . C . Hollinghurst I . G ., J . B . Welch D . C , H . R . Harding and L . G . Hammond Stewards . W . W . Robinson Organist , and E . Williams Tyler . The Lodge Auditors' report was received and adopted , from whioh we notice that not only are the funds of the Lodge in a highly satisfactory state , but that the various Masonic and some other charities have been supported , and the Benevolent Fund increased during the year .
The W . M . then proceeded to initiate approved candidates , those on the agenda being Messrs . R . T . Chapman , H . 0 . Knight , Richard Bushell , Charles Cross , and Alfred J . Levy , three of whom , Messrs . Bushell , Knight and Levy , wore present and were regularly admitted by the new ruler . That the Lodge was more than justified at the choice they had made of Bro . Bedford ai the W . M . for the year was evidenced from the extremely fine and eloquent manner in which lie delivered the obligation and charge . The impressive and solemn proceedings assuredly never received a finer or more eloquent interpretation than they did at the hands of the new Master .
The W . M . in a few well chosen sentences presented , on bahnlf of the Lodge , Bro . Edmund Frisby I . P . M . with a Past Master ' s jewel , whioh he said had been well earned , and Bro . Frisby acknowledged the gilt in suitable terms . The Installation Banquet was held immediately after the Lodge was closed .
With commendable promptitude Bro . Bedford sounded the gavel , and on his initiative the health of the Queen , and prosperity to the Craft , was heartily drunk , the National Anthem being sung , the solo by Madame Alice Lovenez . The next toast , also proposed from the chair , was the M . W . the G . M . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and this was admirably submitted , and enthusiastically honoured , the solo " God bless the Prince of Wales " being sung by Bro . A . E . Webb .
The next toast the W . M . had the honour to propose was that of the ProG . M . and the Grand Officers present and past , which also was heartily drank .
Bro . Frisby I . P . M . now assumed the gavel , and in a moat excellent speech proposed the health of the Worshipful Master . Of Bro . Bedford , he said , they had all cherished high hopes for his year of office , and he was convinced that all who were present in the Lodge , and had listened to the opening ceremonies of his career , were more than satisfied . For his part , he had never heard a finer rendering of their ritual , and , so far from him being
—as he was supposed to be—the tutor of Bro . Bedford , he thought rather that it was Bro . Bedford who should have been the tutor to him . He was convinced that Bro . Bedford had before him , as the W . M . of their Lodge , a prosperous and successful year of Office ; he sincerely congratulated the Brethren on the choice they had made , and wished Bro . Bedford every prosperity during his term of Mastership . The toast was received in an enthusiastic manner , the "fire" being particularly hearty .
Bro . Bedford , on rising to respond was greeted with enthusiastic cheers , and in the course of his reply said he felt very deeply the honour and dignity conferred upon him by being installed Master of the Duke of Connaught Lodge . He would do everything in his power to further its interests . He thanked Bro . Frisby for the exceedingly kind manner in which he had proposed the toast , nud the Brethren for the way in which they had received it . He would try and deserve the good opinion he was fortunate to find they had formed of him . To him it was a matter of no small satisfaction
to find that many friends of his , members of the Craft , had come—some of them from long distances—to take part in the gathering of that evening . He was especially proud at having present so large a representation of the Craft from his native parish of Bethnal Green ; among them Bro . T . W . Francis , the late Chairman of the Bethnal Green Board of Guardians ; Bro . S . East , of the Bethnal Green Philanthropic Society ; Bro . F . Case , late of the Excelsior Baths ; Bro . Cumber , late master of the Well Street workhouse ; Bro . Emmanuel , the present master of the Well Street workhouse ; Bro . Bushell , the master of the Bethnal Green workhouse—whom he had had the
Metropolitan.
honour of initiating that evening—and Bro . J . L . Silver . But he was prouder still of the fact that he had as a visitor that evening Past Master Beasley , who had initiated him ten years ago . He promised them that he would do all in his power to make his year of office a successful and a memorable one . Tha next toast was that of the Initiates , to which thay respectively responded . Bro . R . Bushell , the master of the Bethnal Green workhouse , said he was extremely impressed with the magnificent ceremony of that evening , and promised that nothing would be wanting on his part to make him worthy of the Craft to which he now belonged .
The remaining toasts were the Immediate Past and Installing Master , the Visitors , the Treasurer and Secretary , the Past Masters , the Masonic Charities , the Officers , and the Tyler ' s toast . One of the best musical programmes for several years past , arranged by Bro . Leslie Williams , materially contributed to the enjoyment of tho Brethren . In addition to the two solos already named the company enjoyed a p » rt song , " The Minstrel Boy , " by Miss Kelleway , Madam Alice
Lovenez , Bros . Webb and Williams , which was capitally rendered . Madam Alice Lovnnez sang " At my window" and " Poor Wandering One , " Miss Theresa Kelleway ( Meilallist Guildhall School of Music ) " Kathleen Mavourneen " and the " Gleaner ' s Slumber Song , " Bro . McCall Chambers ( humorous ) " Everybody wondered how he knew " and " The Bassoon , " Bro . A . E . Webb " The Sailor ' s Grave " and " Oh like a Queen , " and Bro . Leslie Williams " The Diver . " Where all the artistes acquitted themselves so well it would not be fair to particularise .
One of the brightest and best Festivals held by the Duke of Connaught Lodge was brought to a happy termination , and Bro . Bedford is to be heartily congratulated on the splendid inauguration of his year of office .
There have been fewer hard working or more esteemed members of the Duke of Connaught Lodge than its present W . M . Bro . James Bedford—so well known in Bethnal Green as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Guardians , and one of its most popular public men . From the time of his initiation into the Craft , some ten years ago , Bro . Bedford sot himself steadily to work in Masonry , as in public life , to get to the top of the tree . We wish him every success in his high Masonic position , as ruler of one of the largest and most popular Lodges of the metropolis .
SKELMERSDALE LODGE , No . 1658 . THE annual Ladies' banquet and ball of this very prosperous Lodge took place on Thursday , 25 th ult ., at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell . The unbounded hospitality of the Worshipful Master Bro . William Croxson is widely known , and there was an exceptional and magnificent gathering of Brethren , with their Ladies and friends , on the occasion , which
proved one of the most charming and pleasant gatherings we have had the pleasure of participating in . Bro . Croxson , as the ruler of the Lodge , the Past Masters and Brethren , all seemed to have but one aim in view—to devote their whole attention to the numerous guests who assembled to participate in the enjoyment and pleasure of the Lodge entertainment , and they fully succeeded in their endeavours .
The Lodge was formally opened , to receive a few propositions , and then closed , whereupon the W . M ., with his charming wife , received the company in the Masonic Temple , and after a social and pleasant chat , the W . M . with Mrs . Croxson led the way to the large Hall , where the company , numbering 220 , sat down to the dinner . The tables were most beautifully decorated with flowers , ornaments and choice button holes for the gentlemen . The dinner was all that could be desired , and reflected great credit on the caterer Mrs . Venables .
After ample justice had been done to the excellent repast , the W . M . in an eloquent speech gave the toast of the Queen and the Royal family , with the Craft . The Queen was the great patroness of the Order , and they trusted God mig ht bless her for many years to coma . The toast was received with musical honours , in which the company most heartily joined . The next toast the W . M . had very much pleasure in bringing forward as the toast of the evening . It was that of the Ladies . In submitting this he
felt rather shy , yet he was delighted to see so many ladies present . It was one of the chief ambitions of the Masters of that Lodge to have an annual gathering like the present , and he was pleased to think that this year ' s was one of the most successful of all tho Ladies' nights they had ever had . That was the last time he would have the pleasure of proposing a toast as the Worshipful Master of the Skelmersdale Lodge , because he had to hand over the reins to his successor , Bro . R . Cabell Worshipful Master-elect . He was
proud of the progress of the Lodge , which was now one of the biggest in South London ; if they continued to be as prosperous as at present no Hall in Camberwell could hold them , especially on their Ladies' nights . He and the Brethren of the Lodge gave the Ladies a most hearty welcome . He would not make long speeches , as after the banquet the company were to retire to attend a concert whioh would be held in the Pillar Hall , while in the meantime the banqueting room would be transformed into a ball room . He concluded by wishing the Ladies a most enjoyable evening .
By desire of the W . M . Bro . Buckridge P . M . responded on behalf of the Ladies . He said he felt it a pleasure to do so . Some time ago a bird had whispered to him that the Ladies were looking forward to the annual treat , and he felt they were enjoying themselves as much as they anticipated doing . Still , they hoped to do so even more in the ball room . The Ladies had told him to compliment the Worshipful Master on the very excellent arrangements he had made for their entertainment . Their only regret was that they could not be further initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . He again thanked the W . M . for his very kind recaption .
Rro . Earle Douglas Side I . P . M . now sounded the gavel , and gave the toast of the Host the Worshipful Master . The Lodge was proud of him , and what was more they had reason to be . That was the most successful meeting the Lodge had ever had ; and the W . M . had had the most splendid year of Office in its history . He had initiated twice as many candidates as any other
Master of the Lodge , in fact the Lodge had been so prosperous during hia year of office that they have bsen building a new Bank next door . He might tell the Ladies that the W . M . was a good dancer , therefore he advised the Ladies to hand their programmes up to the chair . With the toast he had the pleasure to couple the name of his dear wife Mrs . Croxson , and all the little
Croxsons . The Worshipful Master on rising received quite an ovation , and it was some moments before Bro . Croxson had the opportunity of responding . He thanked Bro . Side for the flattering terms in which he had given the toast , and on behalf of his wife and for himself thanked the Brethren and the Ladies
and gentlemen for having received it in such a truly cordial manner . No doubt the Ladies wished to proceed to the ball room , but he could not let the opportunity pass without thanking the Stewards and Bro . Frank Lloyd for their excellent assistance . He also cordially thanked Mrs . Venables fox putting the large Hall at his disposal .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Metropolitan.
DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE , No . 1524 . Installation of Bro . James Bedford . THIS Lodge has always been deservedly well known among Metropolitan Brethren , not alone for the example set by the Past Masters , Officers , and other members in the excellent rendering of the ritual , but for the hearty
manner in which the Brethren are welcomed . Therefore it was with no surprise that we found a large number of members and visitors on the occasion of the annual meeting , held at Anderton ' s Hotel , on Thursday , the 25 th ult .
We may here say that under Bro . Edmund Frisby , the retiring Master , a most successful year has been brought to a termination , and if one may form an opinion from the manner in which the new Master commenced his duties , the year under his regime gives every promise of adding to the prestige of this well known and popular Lodge . The agenda showed there was plenty of business to be transacted , and to deal with it the proceedings were commenced at three o'clock by Bro . E . Frisby W . M ., who was supported during the meeting by the following Officers
and Brethren : A . M . Archer I . P . M ., H . B . Burgess S . W ., J . Bedford J . W . W . M .-elect , 0 . Lorkin P . M . Secretary , F . Henderson J . D ., W . D . H . Willis I . G ., H . G . C . Hollinghurst Steward , H . Pearse P . M ., W . T . Oakley P . M ., E . J . Turnbull P . M ., F . W . Rogers P . M ., A . R . Olley P . M ., A . Ferrar P . M ., C . Elledga , W . E . Collis , R . A . Hendrick , W . R . Francis , T . James , W . R . Hutton , S . A . East , C . E . Thompson , A . Wilson , W . J . Eadia , 0 . B . Since , W . Saunders , F . Kotch , Prof . Scriven , J . Watts , 0 . J . S . Jaques , L . A . Y . Sohotel , G . T . Dobson , & c .
Among the visitors we had the pleasure of seeing may be mentioned Bros . P . Case I . G . 2722 , E . G . Chapman J . D . 27 , F . M . Case Steward 1828 , E . E . Emmanusl W . M . 860 , W . A . Abel W . M . 1901 . Howard E . Mullins S . D . 211 , G . H . W . Grace P . M . D . C . 73 , G . Cumbe W . M . 1375 , W . B . Hartnell W . M . 753 , Wm . 0 . Elsdon J . D . 25 , J . L . Silver 1668 , J . Gouldon S . W . 2262 P . P . G . D . O . Surrey , & c , & c .
After the minutes of the last regular Lodge meeting , Emergency meeting , and Audit had been read and confirmed , the W . M . declared all Offices vacant , and appointed Brethren to assist him during the ceremony of installation , for which Bro . James Bedford was presented as W . M .-elect . Bro . Frisby addressed the incoming Master on the duties of the high office to which he had been unanimously elected , and Bro . Bedford signified hia assent to the ancient charges , and took the customary obligation .
A Board of Installed Masters was declared , and Bro . Bedford was conducted to the chair in accordance with ancient custom . The Brethren were re-admitted , and the new Master proclaimed and saluted , the entire ceremony being impressively rendered . The new Worshipful Master proceeded to appoint his Officers , as follow Bros . H . B . Burgas * S . W ., A . Smith J . W ., W . H . Brand P . M . Treasurer ( who was absent , though illness , Bro . Holdgate P . M . being invested pro . tern . ) , C .
Lorkin P . M . Secretary , F . Henderson S . D ., W . H . D . Willis J . D ., H . G . C . Hollinghurst I . G ., J . B . Welch D . C , H . R . Harding and L . G . Hammond Stewards . W . W . Robinson Organist , and E . Williams Tyler . The Lodge Auditors' report was received and adopted , from whioh we notice that not only are the funds of the Lodge in a highly satisfactory state , but that the various Masonic and some other charities have been supported , and the Benevolent Fund increased during the year .
The W . M . then proceeded to initiate approved candidates , those on the agenda being Messrs . R . T . Chapman , H . 0 . Knight , Richard Bushell , Charles Cross , and Alfred J . Levy , three of whom , Messrs . Bushell , Knight and Levy , wore present and were regularly admitted by the new ruler . That the Lodge was more than justified at the choice they had made of Bro . Bedford ai the W . M . for the year was evidenced from the extremely fine and eloquent manner in which lie delivered the obligation and charge . The impressive and solemn proceedings assuredly never received a finer or more eloquent interpretation than they did at the hands of the new Master .
The W . M . in a few well chosen sentences presented , on bahnlf of the Lodge , Bro . Edmund Frisby I . P . M . with a Past Master ' s jewel , whioh he said had been well earned , and Bro . Frisby acknowledged the gilt in suitable terms . The Installation Banquet was held immediately after the Lodge was closed .
With commendable promptitude Bro . Bedford sounded the gavel , and on his initiative the health of the Queen , and prosperity to the Craft , was heartily drunk , the National Anthem being sung , the solo by Madame Alice Lovenez . The next toast , also proposed from the chair , was the M . W . the G . M . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and this was admirably submitted , and enthusiastically honoured , the solo " God bless the Prince of Wales " being sung by Bro . A . E . Webb .
The next toast the W . M . had the honour to propose was that of the ProG . M . and the Grand Officers present and past , which also was heartily drank .
Bro . Frisby I . P . M . now assumed the gavel , and in a moat excellent speech proposed the health of the Worshipful Master . Of Bro . Bedford , he said , they had all cherished high hopes for his year of office , and he was convinced that all who were present in the Lodge , and had listened to the opening ceremonies of his career , were more than satisfied . For his part , he had never heard a finer rendering of their ritual , and , so far from him being
—as he was supposed to be—the tutor of Bro . Bedford , he thought rather that it was Bro . Bedford who should have been the tutor to him . He was convinced that Bro . Bedford had before him , as the W . M . of their Lodge , a prosperous and successful year of Office ; he sincerely congratulated the Brethren on the choice they had made , and wished Bro . Bedford every prosperity during his term of Mastership . The toast was received in an enthusiastic manner , the "fire" being particularly hearty .
Bro . Bedford , on rising to respond was greeted with enthusiastic cheers , and in the course of his reply said he felt very deeply the honour and dignity conferred upon him by being installed Master of the Duke of Connaught Lodge . He would do everything in his power to further its interests . He thanked Bro . Frisby for the exceedingly kind manner in which he had proposed the toast , nud the Brethren for the way in which they had received it . He would try and deserve the good opinion he was fortunate to find they had formed of him . To him it was a matter of no small satisfaction
to find that many friends of his , members of the Craft , had come—some of them from long distances—to take part in the gathering of that evening . He was especially proud at having present so large a representation of the Craft from his native parish of Bethnal Green ; among them Bro . T . W . Francis , the late Chairman of the Bethnal Green Board of Guardians ; Bro . S . East , of the Bethnal Green Philanthropic Society ; Bro . F . Case , late of the Excelsior Baths ; Bro . Cumber , late master of the Well Street workhouse ; Bro . Emmanuel , the present master of the Well Street workhouse ; Bro . Bushell , the master of the Bethnal Green workhouse—whom he had had the
Metropolitan.
honour of initiating that evening—and Bro . J . L . Silver . But he was prouder still of the fact that he had as a visitor that evening Past Master Beasley , who had initiated him ten years ago . He promised them that he would do all in his power to make his year of office a successful and a memorable one . Tha next toast was that of the Initiates , to which thay respectively responded . Bro . R . Bushell , the master of the Bethnal Green workhouse , said he was extremely impressed with the magnificent ceremony of that evening , and promised that nothing would be wanting on his part to make him worthy of the Craft to which he now belonged .
The remaining toasts were the Immediate Past and Installing Master , the Visitors , the Treasurer and Secretary , the Past Masters , the Masonic Charities , the Officers , and the Tyler ' s toast . One of the best musical programmes for several years past , arranged by Bro . Leslie Williams , materially contributed to the enjoyment of tho Brethren . In addition to the two solos already named the company enjoyed a p » rt song , " The Minstrel Boy , " by Miss Kelleway , Madam Alice
Lovenez , Bros . Webb and Williams , which was capitally rendered . Madam Alice Lovnnez sang " At my window" and " Poor Wandering One , " Miss Theresa Kelleway ( Meilallist Guildhall School of Music ) " Kathleen Mavourneen " and the " Gleaner ' s Slumber Song , " Bro . McCall Chambers ( humorous ) " Everybody wondered how he knew " and " The Bassoon , " Bro . A . E . Webb " The Sailor ' s Grave " and " Oh like a Queen , " and Bro . Leslie Williams " The Diver . " Where all the artistes acquitted themselves so well it would not be fair to particularise .
One of the brightest and best Festivals held by the Duke of Connaught Lodge was brought to a happy termination , and Bro . Bedford is to be heartily congratulated on the splendid inauguration of his year of office .
There have been fewer hard working or more esteemed members of the Duke of Connaught Lodge than its present W . M . Bro . James Bedford—so well known in Bethnal Green as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Guardians , and one of its most popular public men . From the time of his initiation into the Craft , some ten years ago , Bro . Bedford sot himself steadily to work in Masonry , as in public life , to get to the top of the tree . We wish him every success in his high Masonic position , as ruler of one of the largest and most popular Lodges of the metropolis .
SKELMERSDALE LODGE , No . 1658 . THE annual Ladies' banquet and ball of this very prosperous Lodge took place on Thursday , 25 th ult ., at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell . The unbounded hospitality of the Worshipful Master Bro . William Croxson is widely known , and there was an exceptional and magnificent gathering of Brethren , with their Ladies and friends , on the occasion , which
proved one of the most charming and pleasant gatherings we have had the pleasure of participating in . Bro . Croxson , as the ruler of the Lodge , the Past Masters and Brethren , all seemed to have but one aim in view—to devote their whole attention to the numerous guests who assembled to participate in the enjoyment and pleasure of the Lodge entertainment , and they fully succeeded in their endeavours .
The Lodge was formally opened , to receive a few propositions , and then closed , whereupon the W . M ., with his charming wife , received the company in the Masonic Temple , and after a social and pleasant chat , the W . M . with Mrs . Croxson led the way to the large Hall , where the company , numbering 220 , sat down to the dinner . The tables were most beautifully decorated with flowers , ornaments and choice button holes for the gentlemen . The dinner was all that could be desired , and reflected great credit on the caterer Mrs . Venables .
After ample justice had been done to the excellent repast , the W . M . in an eloquent speech gave the toast of the Queen and the Royal family , with the Craft . The Queen was the great patroness of the Order , and they trusted God mig ht bless her for many years to coma . The toast was received with musical honours , in which the company most heartily joined . The next toast the W . M . had very much pleasure in bringing forward as the toast of the evening . It was that of the Ladies . In submitting this he
felt rather shy , yet he was delighted to see so many ladies present . It was one of the chief ambitions of the Masters of that Lodge to have an annual gathering like the present , and he was pleased to think that this year ' s was one of the most successful of all tho Ladies' nights they had ever had . That was the last time he would have the pleasure of proposing a toast as the Worshipful Master of the Skelmersdale Lodge , because he had to hand over the reins to his successor , Bro . R . Cabell Worshipful Master-elect . He was
proud of the progress of the Lodge , which was now one of the biggest in South London ; if they continued to be as prosperous as at present no Hall in Camberwell could hold them , especially on their Ladies' nights . He and the Brethren of the Lodge gave the Ladies a most hearty welcome . He would not make long speeches , as after the banquet the company were to retire to attend a concert whioh would be held in the Pillar Hall , while in the meantime the banqueting room would be transformed into a ball room . He concluded by wishing the Ladies a most enjoyable evening .
By desire of the W . M . Bro . Buckridge P . M . responded on behalf of the Ladies . He said he felt it a pleasure to do so . Some time ago a bird had whispered to him that the Ladies were looking forward to the annual treat , and he felt they were enjoying themselves as much as they anticipated doing . Still , they hoped to do so even more in the ball room . The Ladies had told him to compliment the Worshipful Master on the very excellent arrangements he had made for their entertainment . Their only regret was that they could not be further initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . He again thanked the W . M . for his very kind recaption .
Rro . Earle Douglas Side I . P . M . now sounded the gavel , and gave the toast of the Host the Worshipful Master . The Lodge was proud of him , and what was more they had reason to be . That was the most successful meeting the Lodge had ever had ; and the W . M . had had the most splendid year of Office in its history . He had initiated twice as many candidates as any other
Master of the Lodge , in fact the Lodge had been so prosperous during hia year of office that they have bsen building a new Bank next door . He might tell the Ladies that the W . M . was a good dancer , therefore he advised the Ladies to hand their programmes up to the chair . With the toast he had the pleasure to couple the name of his dear wife Mrs . Croxson , and all the little
Croxsons . The Worshipful Master on rising received quite an ovation , and it was some moments before Bro . Croxson had the opportunity of responding . He thanked Bro . Side for the flattering terms in which he had given the toast , and on behalf of his wife and for himself thanked the Brethren and the Ladies
and gentlemen for having received it in such a truly cordial manner . No doubt the Ladies wished to proceed to the ball room , but he could not let the opportunity pass without thanking the Stewards and Bro . Frank Lloyd for their excellent assistance . He also cordially thanked Mrs . Venables fox putting the large Hall at his disposal .