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 •end a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings . CEAET : PEOVINCIAL .

LODGE OF INTEGRITY , No . 163 . THE regular meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 28 th ult ., Bro . Herbert A . Owles W . M . The principal business of the evening was that of raising Bro . T . B . Jackson to the sublime degree of M . M ., the ceremony being undertaken by Bro . B . Alf . Bepworth P . M ., assisted by the W . M ., who presented and explained the working tools to the candidate .

At the festive board which followed , songs were given by Bros . Owles W . M ., Ben Williams P . M ., B . W . Nuttall , J . H . Kirkland 344 , and others .

STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT LODGE , No . 726 . THE installation of Bro . the . Bev . S . Wickham Jones , M . A ., P . P . G . Chaplain took place in the Oddfellows' Hall , Stafford , on Wednesday , 21 st ult . There was a large gathering of Brethren , and the only matter for regret was that neither the Earl of Dartmouth Provincial Grand Master , nor Lient-Ool . Bindley his Deputy , was able to be present . The installation ceremony was impressively performed by Bro . James T . Marson the retiring W . BI ., assisted by Bro . J . E . Evans I . P . M .

The Earl of Dartmouth wrote that he was unable to be present , owing to the pressure of other duties upon his return home after an absence abroad of six weeks . Lieut-Col . Bindley wrote that nothing but ill-health kept him away . He mentioned with satisfaction that the money for the cot in the Wolverhampton Orphanage had been subscribed without hurting the Provincial Grand Lodge funds .

In the course of the proceedings in Lodge Bro . J . E . Evans was presented with a Past Master ' s jewel , on behalf of the Lodge , as a token of the appreciation in which his services were held during the period of his Mastership . The presentation was made by Bro J . T . Marson . Bro . Harston presented the Lodge with a silver print photograph of Lord Dartmouth , wearing his Masonic insignia . The portrait is handsomely framed in oak , is an admirable likeness , and a fine specimen of modern photography .

The Worshipful Master signalised his entrance upon office by presenting the Lodge with a charity offertory box of carved oak . in the form of a pedestal with broken column . The donors were cordially thanked for their generosity . The collection for the charities amounted to . 821 7 s 6 d . In the evening the installation banquet was held at the Swan Hotel .

The Worshipful Master presided , and after an excellent and well-served dinner , provided by Miss Perks , the manageress of the hotel , the timehonoured toast of the Queen and the Craft was given from the chair , the W . M . referring in happy terms to the Queen ' s thoughtful care for the sick and the suffering in this wonderful year of her Diamond Jubilee . The toast was drunk with musical honours .

The Bev . O . M . Holden was called upon to respond for the Provincial Officers , and was able to speak in some sense as a veteran , having known considerably over thirty years of Masonic life at Oxford , in Jersey , and in Staffordshire . He paid a cordial tribute to Lord Dartmouth ' s services to

Masonry in the Province , and his remark that his lordship possessed the distinguishing trait of his family—an earnest desire to do his duty in all the relations of life—was greeted with warm approval . Dr . Willmore also responded , and spoke with great satisfaction of the high position which is now occupied by Staffordshire in Freemasonry .

Bro . Marson proposed the Worshipful Master , of whom he said , that he had been a zealous student of the Masonic ritual and traditions , and a most generous supporter of the Charities , and they felt sure that he would be a most excellent Master of the Lodge . Thoy wished him a happy and successful term of office in that great year of the Diamond Jubilee .

The Worshipful Master , in responding , acknowledged the kindness and courtesy which he had met with during the six years that he had been connected with Masonry , and referred with pride to the fact that , though a young Mason , he had on several occasions been called upon to undertake important duties as Provincial Chaplain . He mentioned that some

consideration had been given as to whether the Staffordshire Knot Lodge should do anything to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee , and it bad been thought that the best thing they could do would be to help the Staffordshire General Infirmary , in the reconstruction of which £ 17 , 000 had been spent . He should be glad , ho added , to receive contributions from any of the brethren towards that object .

The Masonic Charities was proposed by Bro . Nevitt , and responded to by Bro . Wormal , the Charity Steward . The Bev . Dr . Gorden gave the Installing Master , and Bro . Marson , in replying , referred to the interesting fact that this was the 60 th anniversary of the installation of his father , who is , no doubt , the oldest Past Master in Staffordshire . He was , he added , the third James Marson who had occupied the chair in that Lodge , which was a personal recollection of which he was very proud .

Several other toasts were honoured . During the evening songs were given by Bro . Sidney Dean , and dramatic recitals and humorous songs by Mr . Fra . nkNorthall . b

PELHAM LODGE , No . 1303 . THE annual installation took place at the Freemasons' Hall , Lewes , on Friday , 30 th ult ., when Bro . F . R . Bruce , of Uckfield , was installed as W . M . for the year . The installing Officer was Bro . W . Wright P . P . J . G . W ., and the outgoing Master Bro . J . C . Berry was awarded the customary jewel .

In the evening the brethren dined together at the White Hart Hotel , to the number of nearly thirty . A pleasing programme of music was given by Miss Bruce ( daughter of the W . M . ) , who has a charming soprano voice , Miss Blanche Day , Mr . W . N . Barnard , and Master F . T . Langridge . Mr . Horace Jackson was at the piano . o o o WOLSELEY LODGE , No . 1993 . THE annual meeting and Festival of St . John the Evangelist ( for which a special dispensation had been granted by the Provincial Grand Master )

Reports Of Meetings.

took place at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester , on Saturday , the 1 st inst ., Bro . Walter Taylor W . M . There was a capital attendance . Lodge having been duly opened and advanced , Bro . William Harris P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C . assumed the principal chair as Installing Master , he being supported by Past Masters L . J . Griffiths as S . W ., John Hatton as J . W ., and Charles Crowther as I G . Bro . Walter Taylor W . M . as Deacon introduced Bro . William Sharp S . W . Worshipful Master-elect to receive the

benefits of installation . The ancient Constitutional questions were read to Bro . Sharp , which he duly answered , and the ceremony proceeded . The working tools of the third , second , and first degrees were presented and explained by Past Masters W . W . Siddell , Griffiths , and Taylor respectively , whilst the principal addresses were iri the capable hands of Past Masters Crowther , N . T . Holyoak , and Griffiths , the final one to the Brethren generally being excellently rendered by Bro . Harris .

The newly-installed Master invested his Officers , who were addressed by Bro . Siddell P . M . These were as follow ;—Bros . George Hargreavea S . W ., T . C . Newey J . W ., Wm . Harris P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C . Treas ., John Hatton P . M . Sec , L . J . Griffiths P . M . D . C ., Wm . MeGaffin S . D ., Alfred Ogden JD ., Henry Holt I . G ., J . G . Pittam Org . and S . Std ., G . H . Consterdine , Samuel Dearden and Henry Beattie Stewards , W . W . Siddell P . M . Charity Bepresentative .

Bro Harris having announced the completion of the ceremony of installation , Bro . Sharp W . M . took command of the Lodge , and the usual business was proceeded with . It was very gratifying for us to hear that the Lodge is likely to increase in numbers , the names of two intending candidates having been read to the meeting , and these gentlemen will probably be initiated at the next regular assembly .

Bro . Siddell announced that at the last board meeting of the Bast Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent institution he had been successful in obtaining a substantial grant for a little girl 7 years of age , in whom the members were interested , the same to be extended on her behalf until she attains the age of 14 years .

Hearty good wishes having been expressed by visitors , the Lodge was closed in peace and harmony , at an early hour , a reception of ladies and Brethren being afterwards held in the Lodge Boom by the W . M . All then adjourned to the banquetting room , where a substantial repast had been provided , after which various Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .

The Worshipful Master , in introducing the name of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , spoke of her record reign , adding that her exemplary conduct had endeared her to the hearts of her subjects . The toast of the Provincial Officers was responded to by Bro . J . W . Millward P . M . 992 P . P . G . Supt . of Works . Bro . Taylor I . P . M . proposed the health of the W . M ., in a very neat and effective speech , wishing him a successful and prosperous year of office .

Bro . Sharp W . M ., in responding , said he felt proud that the Brethren had elected him to such an exalted position as that of Worshipful Master of the Wolseloy Lodge , for he felt , as it was natural to do under such circumstances , that he must have gained the respect of its members . This he would endeavour to maintain by performing the duties imposed upon him to the best of his ability .

Bro . Sharp then proposed the health of Bro . Taylor I . P . M . He said the duties of the latter had expired , and his work was done , but still he would never be forgotten . His sincere hope was that they might ever be as amicably disposed towards each other as had previously been the case . In marking his valuable services to the Lodge , its members had been unanimous , and

wished to do it substantially , and on their behalf he had very great pleasure in presenting to him a Past Master ' s jewel , of elegant design , hoping at the same time that he would be spared for many years to appear among them and wear it . The jewel , which bore in the centre the crest of the Lodge , in gold and enamel , contained the following legend : —

Presented to BRO . WALTER TAYLOR P . M ., by the Brethren of the Wolseley Lodge , No . 1993 , for- past services . 1 st May 1897 . Bro . Taylor responded , saying it gave him very great pleasure to have received from his Brethren such a handsome indication of their appreciation of services rendered by him . He felt that his efforts had been made with but one end in view—and he hoped he had been successful—that of trying to do his work to the satisfaction of the members of the Lodge .

During the evening it was annouueed that Bro . George Hargreaves S . W . had a few words to say , and he accordingly addressed the assembled company as follows : — " Worshipful Master , Brethren , ladies and gentlemen , —I have the distinguished honour this evening of being elected to perform a very pleasing duty , namely , to make a presentation on behalf of the Wolseley Practice Lodge and Past Masters to our Worshipful Preceptor Bro . Past Master Holyoak , as a slight recognition of the valuable services he has

rendered to this Lodge during the past two years . Many times , to my personal knowledge , has he come down at great inconvenience to give U 3 the benefit of his Masonic knowledge and experience for the credit of his Mother Lodge , and I think many of you will agree with me when I say that through his endeavours we have a rank aad file that will bear comparison with any in the Province . Brethren , it is such unselfish actions as these that we delight to honour . Brother Past Master Holyoak , allow me , on behalf of the

Past Masters and Brethren of the Wolseley Practice Lodge , to present you with this small jewel . The intrinsic value is not great , but it carries with it to our minds something more valuable than gold or precious stones , that is an expression of the love and esteem of your Brethren , and I sincerely hope that you will live long to wear it as an honour to yourself and a credit to the Wolseley Practice Lodge . " The jewel ( a Past Master ' s ) was inscribed with these words u—

Presented to BRO . N . T . HOLYOAK P . M . PRECEPTOR , by the Brethren of the Wolseley Instruction Lodge , No . 1993 . 1 st May 1897 . Bro . Holyoak briefly replied , saying he had no idea that anything like this was about to take place . He , however , thanked them most heartily for the gift , which he would honour as long as he lived .

Bro . Harris introduced the toast of the visitors , saying he hoped they , as well as their lady friends , had enjoyed themselves . The warmest feelings of their hearts went out to the visitors , and on behalf of the Officers and members of the Wolseley Lodge , he proposed their healths , which was drunk in a most enthusiastic manner .

Bro . John W . Thompson P . M . 1534 P . P . G . St . Br . responded , speaking very highly of the work of the Installing Master . The musical programme , which was under the direction of Bro . J . Gibson Pittam Organist , was made up of the following items , viz .: —Songs