Reports Of Meetings.

Hilton S . D . P . P . G . D . C , Thos . Hamnett J . D ., Sam Luke I . G ., Seth Wrigley p M DC , Edwyn A . Smith Org ., Arthur J . Schofield , W . Thomas Watts , Harrv Bowes , F . Todd , F . V . Arden , A . J . Holt , W . F . Dearden , Thos . Black PM PPG . D . Visitors : —Bros . Jas . W . Abbott P . M . 1030 P . P . G . D . C , J . Bear ' dmore P . M . 852 , T . H . Black 1170 , J . H . Edwards 1773 , G . N . R . Owens 2295 , Geo . E . Black 2387 , Thos . Schofield P . M . P . P . G . D ., John Hinchcliffe JD ' 204 .

.. . . . ,..., „ The minutes of the previous meeting having been submitted and confirmed , and one of the Antient Constitutional Charges read ( according to custom in this Lodge ) , Mr . Samuel Lingard Watts , who had already been balloted for , was initiated by the W . M ., the Working Tools being presented

and explained by Bro . Harrop S . W . The Charge in this degree was given by Bro . Nail P . M . J . W . Following this was the raising to the sublime degree of M . M . of Bro . Harry Bowes , who had previously given exceptionally clever proofs of his proficiency in the former degrees . This ceremony was also undertaken by Bro . Beever W . M ., and performed by him in toto .

At the festive board , the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , that of the newly-initiated Brother being proposed by Bro . Todd , who spoke of the candidate in the highest terms . Bro . Watts said , in reply , the Brethren would not expect him to say very

much about the impressive ceremony through which he had passed , every feature of which was entirely new to him , for previous to his admission amongst them he had known nothing whatever of Masonry , and although he possessed many Masonic friends , yet they had never divulged anything to him . The beautiful principles enunciated that evening ho would try to live

up to . Bro . Sam Luke proposed the health of the newly-raised Brother , taking the opportunity of reverting to the admirable manner in whic * h the latter had acquitted himself while passing through the various degrees . Brother Luke further said that the Brethren would never regret having admitted Brother Bowes amongst them .

Bro . Bowes replied , saying that ho thanked them for having accepted the toast of his health so enthusiastically . He felt very proud of the honour they had conferred upon him by making him a member of the Minnehaha Lodge , which bore a good name in every quarter for its efforts in charity . Being of a curious nature he had often wondered what Masonic Lodges were held for . While passing through the various stages of admission into their midst ho had been enabled to form some idea , and sincerely hoped the good things promised and enjoined would bo fulfilled .

Bro . Beever W . M . proposed the health of the Visitors , some of whom occupied distinguished public positions . In Bro . ' , Schofield they bad a notable representative of literature ; Bros . Edwards and Hinchcliffe were well known in musical circles ; whilst Bro . Geo . E . Black represented the drama . Bro . Beever also said that when visitors attended their meetings the Officers tried to g ive them something to think about while in the Lodge , and something worth listening to at the social board . The visitors were always welcome , and on that occasion he tendered to them a very hearty greeting .

Bro . Beever subsequently proposed the health of Bro . Thomas , saying that he did so regretfully , for the subject of his remarks was compelled through failing health to leave this country for foreign climes . Before their next meeting Bro . Thomas would be thousands of miles away , but still he felt sure that he would carry with him a kindly remembrance of the Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge , for had it not been for his exertions the Lodge would never have been formed . On behalf of the Brethren he wished him a speedy return to his fireside .

Bro . Thomas , in reply , said he was both sorry and glad that the toast of his health had been introduced at so late an hour—sorry that the occasion had arisen , and glad because it left him so little time to respond . He hoped their kind wishes and fond expectations would be realised . He was a martyr to an insidious complaint , and it was by the strong recommendation of his medical adviser that he was about to take his departure for Australia , for a six months' holiday . He could assure them that amongst others his

keenest leave-takings would be from his family and this Lodge . He was proud of his connection with the latter , and would never forget it , hoping with the Brethren that his trip would do him all the good which was anticipated . Bro . Thomas mentioned incidentally that he had received a communication from Bro . Hitching , a member of the Lodge , who was travelling in foreign parts , and who excepted that day to reach the port of Barbadoes . Bro . Hitching wished to be kindly remembered to the whole of the Brethren .

During the evening Brother Beardmore , a Visitor , extended to Brother Thomas a warm invitation to visit his ( Bro . Beardmore's ) mother Lodge while in Australia ; this is the Cambrian , No . 656 , Sydney , N . S . W . Songs , recitations , & c . were rendered by Bros . G . E . Black , Beardmore , Schofield , Thomas , and Todd , a very pleasant evening being spent .

HEDWORTH LODGE , No . 2418 . ON Thursday , 31 st ult ., the annual meeting took place in the Masonic Hall , Ingham Street , South Shields , for the purpose of installing the W . M . for the ensuing year and tho appointment and investiture of Officers . Bro . C P . Bell W . M . presided , and there was a large attendance of members and Visiting Brethren .

Bro . Charles R . Toomer W . M .-elect was presented for installation by Bro . W . E . Moffett D . C , and tho ceremony was performed in an able and impressive manner . Subsequently the new W . M . appointed and invested his Officers for the ensuing year . The musical parts of the proceedings were admirably performed by the Freemasons' Choir , under the leadership of Bro . L . Winstone .

Afterwards Bro . Toomer , on behalf of the members of the Lodge , presented to Bro . Bell a handsome Past Master's jewel , in recognition of his past services . The annual Festival took place at the Royal Hotel . An excellent dinner was served by the manageress , Miss Hope . Bro . Toomer W . M . presided , and the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , the speeches being interspersed with glees and songs by the choir and other Brethren .

MARK MASONRY

PORCHESTER LODGE , No . 27 . THE election meeting was held on Thursday , 17 th ult ., at the Temperanco Hall , Newbury , under the presidency of Bro . F . J . Harrold . A ballot took place for the Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , with 'he result that the Senior Warden Bro . Astloy , Solicitor , of Hungerford . was unanimously eleoted .

Reports Of Meetings.

Brother Astley , in tendering his thanks , said l . e especially appreciated the honour from the fact that his late father was one of the founders of the Lodge . Brother Day was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , Bros . Stickland and Stradling Auditors , and Legg Tyler . Brother Past Master Charles E . Keyser , of Aldermaston Court , was unanimously elected a Joining Member . The Brethren afterwards dined togethor at the Queen's Hotel .

CORNUBIAN LODGE . No . 87

ON Tuesday , 22 nd ult ., Bro . Edward Boase was installed W . M . by the retiring W . M . Bro . W . Veal . There was a good attendance of members and Visitors . Tho banquet , served in the dining-hall by Bro . H . Champion , White Hart Hotel , gave great satisfaction .

FRIENDSHIP , UNANIMITY AND PHILANTHROPIC LODGE , No . 191 THE installation of Worshipful Master for tho ensuing year took place , at tho headquarters , tho Railway Hotel , Highbridge , on Monday , 21 st ult ., when Bro . T . H . Railton was installed as successor to Brother G . C . Strawbridge , of Taunton , the installation ceremony being performed by the P . G . M . Brother R . C . Else .

FLETCHER LODGE , No . 213 . ON Friday , 25 th ult ., tho Brethren assembled at the Freemasons' Hall , Whitehaven , in goodly numbers , to witnoss the installation of Brother George Starkey Prov . G . M . O . as W . M . The Lodgo was opened by Bro . Dr . J . F . Muir W . M ., when Bro . the Hon .

H . V . Duncombe P . G . S . D . of England was received and saluted as a Grand Officer . Bro . Duncombe having assumed the chair as Installing Master , Bro . Starkey was presented by Bro . Muir , when the installation ceremony was ably performed .

The year oommenced favourably , by having a very old Brother Mason proposed for advancement . The Brethren then adjourned to the Banqueting Room , where the usual Mark toasts were honoured , interspersed with

songs , Ac . Bro . Duncombe , in a few eloquent remarks , called the attention of the Brethren to the unique usefulness of tho Mark Masonic charities , in whioh he was ably supported by Bro . G . Dalrymple Prov . G . Treasurer .

WOULDHAVE LODGE , No . 362 . THE regular meeting was held in the Masonic Hall , South Shields , on Wednesday , 23 rd ult . Bro . R . B . Reed D . Prov . G . M . M . honoured the Lodge with an official

visit , being accompanied by several other Provincial Officers . The Lodge was opened by Bro . Moffet W . M . Bro . Jas . Sedcole S . W . was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year ; C F . Sutcliffe TreaB ., Jas . Page and Cousans Auditors and Thos . Potter Tyler .

PRESENTATION TO A CORNISH MASON

rpHERE was a large gathering of the children of the Masonic Brethren I of tho Three Towns at the Masonic Hall , Princess Square , Plymouth , on the 4 th inst ., when Bro . James Clift , of Lodges 699 , Chacewater and 70 , Plymouth , entertained nearly two hundred children—the majority of whom belonged to the choir of Mr . W . Willoughby , Mus . Bac , at his recent concert at the Guildhall in aid of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund . Mrs . and Miss Clift first held a reception , and the children were afterwards given a sumptuous tea .

An address was read by Master A . Goad , and Miss Louie Hilson presented Bro . J . Clift with a handsome double silver inkstand , resting on a Queen Anne tray . The address which accompanied the presentation ran as follows :

" We , the undersigned children of Mr . Willoughby's choir , beg you to accept this inkstand in recognition of your extreme kindness in entertaining us on two auspicious occasions . We sincerely trust that God will spare you for many years to come , and that you will arrive safely to the end of the long journey you are about to undertake , also that we may have the pleasure of meeting you in this grand Masonic Hall again . "

Bro . Clift replied in a most appropriate speech . Mr . J . Bickford gave two amusing ventriloquial and " Punch and Judy " entertainments , and Bro . Jacobs sang comic songs in his inimitable style . Other Brethren also obliged . Miss Collings and Master Popplestono also sang good songs . — "Western Mercury . "

Next Week.

NEXT WEEK .

Further particulars as to place of meeting of the undermentioned Lodges are given in the Freemasons' Calendar aud Pocket Book ( published by Grand Lodge , for the benefit of the Charity Fund ) .

Monday . 5 St . George Corner Stone , F . M . H . 29 St . Alban , Albion 58 Felicity , Ship and Turtle

59 Ruyal Naval , Freemasons-hall 90 St . John's , Albion 193 Confidence , Anderton's 957 Le gh , Freemasons-hall 1305 St . Alarylchoiie , Criterion

1571 Leopold , Bridge House Hotel 1 G 70 Adelphi , Freemasons-hall 1789 Ubique , Criterion 2012 Chiswick , Star & Garter , Kew 2094 Elthoruo and Middlesex , Cafe Royal

2394 Galen , Freemasons-hall 2454 Guildhall School of Music , Holborn Restaurant 2484 S . Middlesex Artillery , F . M . H . 37 Anchor and Hope , Bolton 40 Derwent , Hastings 68 Royal Clarence , Bristol

75 Love and Honour , Falmouth 88 Scientific , Cambridge 102 Unanimity , North Walsham 104 St . John , Stockport 105 Fortitude , Plymouth 106 Sun , Exmouth

133 Harmony , Faversham 151 Albany , Newport , 1 . of W . lay S ncerity , East Stonehouse 23 i Indefatigable , Swansea 240 bt . Hilda , S . Shields 26 J Salopian , Shrewsbury 270 Ro ^ al Lodge of Faith and

a rienasmp , . Berkeley 292 Sincerity , Livorpool 296 Royal Brunswick , Sheffield 297 Witham , Lincoln