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 : — CRAET : METROPOLITAN .

CHISWICK LODGE , No . 2012 . THE Ladies Banquet and Concert was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on Thursday , 22 nd ult . The geniality and kindness of the Worshipful Master Bro . D . D . Heath axe well known , and it is to his initiative that the Ladies Banquet , as well as the Summer River Trip are due . The Committee did all possible to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of their numerous guests , ninety of whom were present .

After ample justice had been done to an excellent banquet , the Worshipful Master gave the toast of the Queen , expressing his regret that the closing years of her reign should be saddened by the terrible war now raging in South Africa . The toast of the Prince of Wales Most Worshipful Grand Master was proposed and received with acclamation .

The toast of the evening , the health of the Ladies , was next humorously proposed by the W . M . who coupled with it the names of Bro . Clark P . M . and Bro . Steel P . M ., both of whom suitably replied . Bro . Wood' I . P . M . now gave the toast of the Worshipful Master , expressing the high esteem , in which he VJ & S held by the members of the Lodge , and wishing health and happiness to Mrs . and Miss Heath , both of whom were present .

The W . M .. who on rising was most heartily received , thanked the Brethren and their friends for their presence around him , and at the same time proposed the health of the Banquet Committee , who , together with their Hon . Sec . Bro . Blades J . D ., had worked so well towards the success of the entertainment .

After a short interval , during which the tables were cleared , the guests returned to the Banquet Hall , where an excellent concert was given under the direction of Bro . Lunnon Organist of the Lodge . The patty separated about 11 . 30 , having spent a most enjoyable evening , and it is to be hoped that the Ladies Banquet may now become , like the Summer River Trip , an annual fixture of the Lodge .

Amongst those present we had the pleasure of seeing Bro . D . D . Heath W . M ., Mrs . Heath , and dauehter , Bro . and Mrs . Hunt , Bro . and Mrs . Clark , Bro . and Mrs . Liddington . Bro . and Mrs . Steel , Bro . and Mrs . Fincham , Bro . and Mrs . Woods , Bro . and Mrs . Rhodes , Mr . and Mrs . Barnford , Bro . and

Mrs . White , Bro . and Mrs . Blaydes , Bro . and Mrs . Portch , Bro . and Mrs . Barrett , Bro . and Mrs . Roper , Bro . ' and Mrs . King , Bro . and Mrs . Teuten , Bro . and Mrs . Cursons , Bro . and Mrs . Press , Bro ., Mrs . and Miss Morris , Mr . and Mrs . Harris , Mr . Cardell , Bro . and- Mrs . Harrison , Bro . and Mrs Williams , Bro . and Mrs . Musk .

QUEEN'S WESTMINSTER LODGE , No . 2021 . THE regular meeting was held on the 20 th ult ., at the Holborn Restaurant , and there were present Bros . 0 . W . Evans W . M ., F . W . Kingdon P . M . acting S . W ., W . Vicars J . W ., 0 . Belleiby P . M . Treasurer , C . Kempton P . M . Sec , W . H . Maguire S . D ., J . W . Davy J . D ., Surrey P . M . D . C ., T . Juckes I . G .

Alfred Kenningham Org ., A . Tysal and C . Bauer Stewards , P . J . Canning P . M ., E . W . Jackson , Arthur Godfrey , J . Vale , I . T . Birks , L . Stanley , 0 . Dumenil , H . Johns , C . Underclown , H . Carter , Fred Lamacroft , James Creddle , S . Geering , Hugh Williams , F . W . Wilby , W . Tomes , & c . The minutes were read and confirmed .

The W . M . and a full representation of Brethren attended at Kensal Green to pay a mark of respectful and fraternal sympathy to their late highly esteemed Past Master Bro . R . J . Harnell , and the following resolution was passed with all solemnity and duly minuted : " This Lodge desires to record

the sorrow its members feel at the loss , by death , of Bro . R . J . Harnell P . M ., who from his initiation entered most fully into the spirit of Freemasonry , and each office he filled with conspicuous ability . His duties as W . M . and Installing Master were fulfilled in a most exemplary manner , and the Lodge could ill afford to lose so earnest and zealous a Brother . "

Thoreport of the Permanent Committee will alter the bye-laws , and the installation meeting will be held in November instead of December . Bro . J . Bailey was elected Tyler in place of Bro . Evenden , who has joined the great majority . Bro . William Albert Holdup , Christopher Lodge , No . 2309 , answered perfectly the questions leading to the second degree and was entrusted , and the Lodge being opened up he was passed as a Fellow Craft , the W . M . being in capital form .

A banquet was held at the close of the meeting . The usual toasts were honoured , and Bro . Holdup made a neat little speech in response to the toast of his health . He thanked the members for their kindness to him . A very enjoyable and fraternal reunion was indulged in , which was satisfactorily ended by the Tyler ' s toast .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

LODGE OF FAITH , No . 581 . THE second meeting during the Mastership of Bro . Dr . E . B . Jones was held at the Bradford Hotel , Manchester , on Wednesday , 21 st ult . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , a successful ballot was taken for Mr . John Warburton , Droyisden , who was initiated into the

mysteries and privileges of Ancient Freemasonry by the W . M ., assisted by Bro . M . Goth J . W . Bros . John Evans , George Mellor , and John T . Dobson were then passed to the degree of F . C ., the first by Bro . Barnes P . M ., and the two latter by Bro . Smith P . M ., assisted by Bro . Dr . Charles Carruthers S . D ., who presented and explained the working tools of the degree . At the festive board which followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts were interspersed with songs and recitations , contributed by Bros . C . H . Griffiths

Provincial.

I . P . M ., M . Goth J . W ., Geo . Ogden J . D ., T . R . Radcliffe P . M . Sec , Edward Roberts P . M ., & c , and others . In connection with this Lodge we may state that on Thursday evening , 15 th February , a Ladies' social and dance took place at the Ardwick Town Hall , Manchester , a goodly number of members and friends being present . The rooms wore splendidly decorated for the occasion , the catering was excellent , and a quadrille band discoursed sweet music , a delightful evening being the result .

Bro . Dr . Jones Worshipful Master thanked the company , both ladies and gentlemen , for their presence , and in alluding to the Officers said they had rendered him very great assistance , and had contributed in no small degree to the success of the meeting .

EGERTON LODGE , No . 1030 . THE regular meeting was held at the George Hotel , Heaton Norris , on the 19 th ult ., Bro . William A . Bacon W . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Brother Thomas Hanson Smith was passed to the degree of F . C . by the W . M . The Brethren ultimately adjourned to the festive board . Visitors present : Bros . Arthur C . K . Smith W . M . 2554 , R . J . Brew P . M . 2554 , R . R . Forshaw 1035 , and J . L . T . Eskrigge 1134 and 2688 .

ALBERT VICTOR LODGE , No . 1773 . THE regular meeting , held at the Pendleton Town Hall , on the 16 th ult ., was followed by a special musical programme , the more prominent item being the new Masonic Ode " In praise of the Divine . " Bros . C . T . Tallent-Bateman Organist 1375 , and Dr . Henry Watson 2156 , the respective author and composer , were present , and contributed greatly towards its successful rendition . The services of a competent choir had also been secured , consisting of Bros . Harry Daniels , Fred Daniels , Nelson Stokes , Hart , Brown , and Smith .

In responding to the toast of the visitors , proposed by Brother William Woodeson W . M ., Bro . Bateman said he was glad he had been the first called upon to reply , and this was perhaps in the true order of things ; his words , which constituted the Ode , having preceded the music of Bro . Dr . Watson , whom he characterised as a true genius . He explained the inception of the piece , and attributed it to an inspiration , engendered by what he had seen of the possibilities of Freemasonry .

Bro . Dr . Watson gave a short history of the musical portion of the Ode , stating that the work took three days to cumplete . When it WAS suggested to him the desirability of undertaking the task , he had done so believing that there was something good in the words . He had often wished to do a little for Freemasonry , but the opportunity had not been previously afforded him .

He and Bro . Bateman would be pleased at any time to give their services as they had done that evening . No claim would be made by them , for as the Brethren knew , it was intended to divide the proceeds of the sale of the work between the charity funds of the Architect and Arthur Sullivan Lodges , thus benefiting the West Lancashire and East Lancashire Provinces equally .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . IMMEDIATELY after the regular meeting of this Lodge , held on the 9 th ult ., Bro . A . C . K . Smith W . M . and wife held a reception of friends , consisting of Masons and Non-Masons . This was followed by a substantial supper , which was in turn succeeded by music and recitations , rendered by Bros . 0 . Wroe , W . Brocklehurst , Messrs . Harry Williams ( Minnehaha Minstrels ) and Tnoodore Lawson ( who played on a real Strad ) ; and the following ladies : J . Irs . Green , Miss Gledhill , and Miss Wilson .

Loyal and Masonic toasts were given , Bro . F . J . Burt S . D . distinguishing himself in a very admirable speech when called upon to propose the health of the ladies . This was responded to by Bro . C , Jordan Organist . The health of the W . M . was proposed by Bro . W . A . Boyer I . P . M . Pr . G . D . Reg ., and duly acknowledged by Bro . Smith , who reverted to the fact that since his occupancy of the principal chair it had been his pleasing duty to initiate several worthy gentlemen into the Craft . He enumerated them , and added that the members might feel justly proud of them .

Metropolitian: Instruction.

METROPOLITIAN : INSTRUCTION .

EGYPTIAN LODGE , No . 27 . KNOWING the high reputation of the Mother Lodge for excellent working , and hearing that the ritual was equally well rendered at the Instruction Lodge , we paid the latter a visit on Monday , at Bro . T . Collingwood's , the Clarence Hotel , 88 Aldersgate Street ( opposite Carthusian Street , E . G ., and close to the Railway Station ) , and were agreeably impressed with the comfortable accommodation and the excellent working we witnessed on that occasion .

The chair was occupied by Bro . Shirley Cropper as W . M ., with Bros . E . Burgess S . W ., D . Cropper J . W ., H . Hill P . M . Preceptor , R . Douglas Smith P . M . Treas . acting Secretary , T . Collingwood S . D ., G . Chapman J . D ., W . A . Haskins I . G ., D . Lorrimer , F . Linfoot W . M . of the Mother Lodge , J . Skellorn , G . Wilson , S . Simon , H . A . Woodington , and J . VVynman .

The usual formalities having been observed , the ceremony , of initiation was rehearsed , Bro Simon acting as candidate . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . F . Linfoot , who announced his intention of rehearsing the second degree , for which Bros . Collingwood and Woodington were accepted as candidates . Having answered the questions they were entrusted , the Lodge was opened in the second degree , and the ceremony of passing was gone through . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree .

Bro . S . Simon , of No . 27 , was elected a member . This being Officers ' night the W . M . for next Monday had been elected at the previous meeting . Brethren of the locality seeking Masonic knowledge can hardly do better than pay this Lodge a visit . Bro . H . Hill P . M . Preceptor of this and other Lodges will , we are convinced , do everything in his power to impart a knowledge of the ritual to any Brother who places himself under his tuition . The Lodge meets every Monday evening , at 7 o'clock . o o o CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . fT ^ HE weekly meeting was again well attended on Wednesday evening , JL notwithstanding the absence on other Masonic duties of several