Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

CASTLE LODGE , No . 1621 .

THE installation meeting was held on Friday , the 2 Sth October , afc the Crown Hotel , Bridgnorth , when there were present Broa . E . M . Southwell W . M ., Thomas Whitefoot jnn . S . W . W . M . elect , W . L . Southwell J . W ., Hubert Smith Treasurer , H . E . Eoberts Secretary , J . H . Cooksey S . D ., T . F . Nock J . D ., J . Sewell Organist , W . Westcott I . G ., George Westcott and Alf . Bethell Stewards , W . Simms I . P . M ., and P . M . ' s T . Pratt , H . B . Southwell and E . Jonea

Chittey ; also Bros . H . J . Skelding , J . W . Chadwick , Thos . Whitefoot , Ernest Cooper , T . M . Deighton , Rev . E . Lucas , A . S . Trevor , and H . Goodall Tyler . As visiting brethren there were Bros . A . Green 498 P . G . D . C . Worcestershire , Jas . Turner S . D . 254 , Jno . Bodenham 1896 P . P . G . S . W ., Jas . Smart 1896 P . P . G . O ., T . R . Jones P . M . 293 , Jno . Cresswell 377 , Charles Lewis 1896 , T . 0 . Bird 1896 , D . E .

Davies 357 , W . Barkley 280 P . P . G . S . W . Worcestershire , J . T . Meredith 1874 P . G . D . C . Worcestershire , G . W . Naylor 1874 P . P . G . O . Worcestershire , G . Holdsworth 377 , S . Boddington I . P . M . 1016 , E . M . Wakemau 262 P . P . S . W ., and James Cartwright Tyler 1896 . Lodge was opened and advanced , when the ' Worshipful Master elect , Bro . T . Whitefoot jnnior , was presented , and the brethren below fche

degree of Master having withdrawn , a Board of Installed Masters was opened by P . M . Chittey , who also conducted the ceremony , with great regularity and ability . The W . M . invested his Officers as follow : —W . L . Southwell S . W ., J . H . Cooksey J . W ., Rev . E . Lucas Chaplain , H . Smith Treasurer , H . E . Roberts Secretary , T . F . Nock S . D .. W . Westcott J . D ., J . Sewell Org ., G . Westcott I . G ., A . Bethell

and H . J . Skelding Stewards , and H . Goodall Tyler . Before closing the Lodge the W . M . presented Bro . E . M . Southwell with a P . M . ' s jewel , which had been voted him by the brethren , and in doing so complimented him upon the excellent manner in which he had presided over bis Lodge during the year . In returning thanks Bro . Southwell testified to the able manner in which he had been supported by every

officer in the Lodge , and thanked them for their unwearying zeal . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren retired to the banqueting , room where a magnificent spread awaited them . The brethren having duly refreshed themselves , did honour to the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts . The toast of the Provincial Officers was responded to by Bros . Bt lenham , Smart , and Jones , the former complimenting

the Castle Lodge very highly upon its working , whilst the latter , during an eloquent speech , said , " I shall not be improperly exposing secrets if I state that Bro . Sir Offley Wakeman D . P . G . M . told us , after his recent visit to the ' Castle , ' that it was the best worked Lodge in Shropshire . " The toast of fche Visitors was ably

acknowledged by Bro . Barkley , who expressed the pleasure he and the visiting brethren had felfc in being present to witness such excellent work . Some capitally rendered songs were interspersed with the toasts , and a most enjoyable evening was spent , probably the most brilliant since the foundation of the Lodge .

Prudent Brethren Lodge No. 145.

PRUDENT BRETHREN LODGE No . 145 .

THE first meeting since the vacation was held on the 23 rd ult ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-streefc , under the Presidency of the W . M . Bro . Kerrell , J . Read S . W ., Brock J . W . Bro . T . Bull ( Treasurer ) was unavoidably absent throngh indisposition . D . Haslett P . M . Secretary , G . Banks S . D ., Masters J . D ., Hampton as I . G ., Cox W . S ., Bernhardt Tyler ; C . A . Woods I . P . M . ; P . M . ' s J . H .

Leggott , Lister , Pnrkess , G . S . States P . G . S ., E . H . Thiellay P . P . G . P . Middlesex , & c . Visitors—H . M . Appleton S . W . 1381 , E . Swanborongh P . M . 1319 , Green P . M . 27 , W . Daniell W . M . 1107 , J . W . Hiscox I . P . M . 1512 , E . Lloyd 1141 , and H . M . Levy P . M . 188 . After the formal opening of Lodge , the minutes were read and confirmed . A ballot was taken for the admission of Mr . D . E . Davies ; and this

being unanimously m favour , thafc gentleman was duly initiated into tho Order . Bro . Capt W . F . P . Moore answered the nsnal questions , and was duly passed to the 2 nd degree . Both ceremonies being ably rendered by the W . M . A vote of condolence was proposed to the widow of the late Bro . Wa'ker . The W . M . and brethren all expressed regret at the enforced absence of the worthy Treasurer , Bro . T . Bull ;

all wished him a speedy recovery and it was agreed that a letter be sent to him from the Lodge to that effect . After Lodge was closed , the brethren sat down to a very excellent banqnefc and dessert , providcd by Messrs . Spiers and Pond ( Limited ) , and superintended by Brother Dawkins . The Worshipful Master in proposing fche loyal toasts remarked , he did not intend to give long speeches ,

In speaking to the toast of the Initiate , the W . M . said Bro . D . E . Davies had paid great attention to the ceremony , and doubtless would become a good Mason . Bro . Davies approprinte l y responded . Bro . C . A . Wood I . P . M . proposed the health of the WM ., and spoke of his popularity as a man and a Mason . The brethren had had an opportunitv of seeing Bro . Kerrell ' s working that even ' ms , which

was everything that conld be desired . In reply , the W . M . . aid he was gratefnl to know that dnrino ; his occupation of the chair he had given thpm satisfaction , it would be his continued aim to do this . In speaking of the Past Masters , the W . M . said the I . P . M . is one of the hardest working Masons in London . Whether in Craffc or Arch Masonry he is always at his post to do his duty ; a more genial fiiend could not be found . The other Past Masters had all donp

meritorious work i ' or the Lodge , and were ever ready to strive for its advancement . Bro . C . A . Wood I . P . M ., in a characteristic speech , responded j he thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks . Bro . Pnrkess followed ; although he had not been present for nearly three years , ho had been pleased to learn the Lodge was in a prosperous condition . For the Visitors , who were next complimented , Bros . E . Swanborough , H . M . Levy and others responded . All complimented the W . M ., and gave credit to the Officers for their excellent working

Prudent Brethren Lodge No. 145.

In proposing the toast of the Treasurer and Secretary , allusion waa again made by the W . M . to the enforced absence of Bro . Bull . Both he and the Secretary , Bro . Haslett , worked zealously to sustain fche prestige of the Lodge , and their efforts were highly appreciated by the members . Several other toasts were offered before the summons was given for the Tyler to close the meeting . The proceedings throughout were of a most harmonious character .

Selwyn Lodge, No. 1901.

SELWYN LODGE , No . 1901 .

THE regular meeting of this Lodge was held on Thursday , 18 th October , at the East Dnlwich Hotel . The W . M ., Bro . Bellis , advanced Bro . Dadd jun . to the sublime degree of M . M ., and passed Bro . Palmer . Mr . Joseph Henry Stevenson ( who had been previously ballotted for ) was duly initiated into fche mysteries of fche Craft .

The W . M . can be conscientiously congratulated on his very efficient staff of Officers ; visitors generally express themselves to the effect " that they have never seen the work done so well . " The M . C , Bro . P . M . Foye , looks well after the business connected with the Lodge . After the labours of the day , the brethren sat down to a very

excellent banquet , supplied by the worth host , Bro . Gurney . Among the visitors present were—Bros . Wallis P . M . of the City of London , Leonard W . M . Royal Hanover , Vail Excelsior , Hill Suburban , Forbes P . M . Sphinx , Meggey Hope of Charity , Penny Henry Muggeridge , Bridger Eoyal Jubilee , Anld Fitzroy . Amongst the members present

were Bros . Burnett S . W ., Anderson S . D ., Wimble J . D ., Powles J . W ., Hook P . M . Sec , Eagle Treas ., Foye P . M . ; also Bros . Wells , Dadd jun ., Eagle , Beck , Searley , Rowan , Gauntlet ., Bridgman , Davis ,

Lightfoot , Gurney sen ., Gurney jun ., Shaws , Phillips , Terry , Smeeting , Dean , Campbell , Bosher , Bullimore , and Constable . After having listened to some good speeches and capital songs , well accompanied , the brethren separated .

Polish National Chapter, No. 534.

POLISH NATIONAL CHAPTER , No . 534 .

THE firsfc meeting of the Companions of this Chapter for the present season was held at Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queenstreet , on Thursday , 25 th ult ., under fche presidency of Comp . W . PaasM . E . Z . ; Comps . Hyde Clarke P . Z . H ., J . F . Lowden J ., Dr . Jagielski S . N ., and Dr . Jackson P . S . The report of the Auditors was read and confirmed , and congratulations were given thafc the funds of

the Chapter were in such an improving condition . All other business being completed , the Convocation was closed in due form . Refreshments were partaken of j after the usual Loyal and Royal Arch toasts had been given , Comp . Paas , in a short bnt forcible speech , alluded with pleasure to the improving condition of the Chapter , especially

giving thanks to Comp . Nowakowski , who had supported the Chapter during its depression , with funds out of his own pocket . Also touching allusion was made to the fact of our worthy and

esteemed Bro . Sir Moses Montefiore thafc day entering on his 100 th year , and congratulations were tendered for his continuance in good health . Several of the Companions contributed to the harmony of the evening ; this was very pleasantly spent .

Who Is To Blame ?

WHO IS TO BLAME ?

WE were quite prepared for complaints against the Jurors' awards afc the now late Fisheries Exhibition . They always arise , and nofc angels from heaven could please inventors . Making allowance , thereforev for the difficulties that jurors have invariably to encounter , and fully discounting Brother John Banting Rogers' claim , we think he has just cause of complaint against those gentlemen who recently adjudicated upon Life Saving Appliances at Sea , shown afc

the Fisheries Exhibition . Capt . Prowse , E . N . ( Board of Trade ) , Admiral Robinson ( late of the National Life Boat Institution ) , Capt . Sargent , R . N . ( late of the Coastguard Service ) , and the Representative of the United States' Life Boat Saving Appliances , were fche jurors in question . Brother Rogers says , that the three firstnamed gentleman have seen his invention at work years

ago , and know that he has beaten the rocket apparatus of the country on several occasions . As far back as 1868 he won the prize offered to tho world by the Shipwrecked Mariners' and Fishermen ' s Royal Benevolent Society , "for the besfc means of communicating between ship and shore or vessels at sea . " Admiral Robinson , who witnessed the trials on thafc occasion , says Bro . Rogers ,

" expressed himself satisfied that I had achieved a success . " On several occasions the superiority of Bro . Rogers' inventions was prove ,, and notably afc Paris , in 1875 , when in a competition he beat a French system , and " Capt . Prowse with fourteen picked coastguardsmen , " while only nine landsmen worked his own apparatus , which they had never seen before . He took firsfc prize , the lowest

being awarded to Captain Prowse . Captain Sargent witnessed experiments nt Folkestone in 187 G , approved of what he saw , and told Bro . Rogers " that the apparatus appeared perfect in every respect . In addition to these triumphs , the Admiralty awarded Bro . Rogers £ 200 after severe official trials of hia apparatus at Sheerness . He also gained the only gold medal for Life Saving Appliances offered

at au exhibition held at the Royal Aquarium in 1878 . Add to all these recognitions of merit , testimonials signed by over 500 master mariners holding certificates as captains of the Mercantile Marine , 150 pilots of the Tyne , by 40 men of Cnll . rcoat < =-, and by over 3 , 000 British seamen who presented Bro . Rogers with an illuminated vellum at a public meeting where Mr . ( now ) Sir Thomas Brassey

presided . " It seems passing strange , after what we have recorded , that the jurors in question shonld have passed over Bro . Rogers inventions without even naming them . Wo have no reason to question their honour , and it would be rash on our part to challenge their judgment . What , then , is the explanation ? We confess we are puz . led .