Reports Of Meetings.

large party , that would probably attend—and neither of them convenient for the Lodge—it was decided to hold the installation banquet after the next regular / meeting in March . The Lodge was then closed and the Brethren separated . Since this report was written official intimation has been made of a change we regarded as imperative in view of recent events . The much respected Brother who for upwards of

twentyfive years has been at the head of English Freemasonry finds himself , in his altered position , unable to continue in Office as our Grand Master ; and much as all must regret his retirement from the rulership , there can be very few , who really studv the point , but will recognise that such a course was imperative ; indeed , we cannot understand who has inspired the paragraphs which have appeared in the outside press , holding out the hope that the King would continue in Office as Grand Master of English

Freemasonry . The step which next concerns us is the selection of a successor in the Grand Mastership , and although it is perhaps unwise to hazard even a guess as to who will be the new ruler , there is one name—and that , too , intimately associated with this Lodgewhich would be universally supported ; and we think we may

safely say that if H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught gives sanction for his nomination , his election will be as unanimous and hearty as was that of his brother in 1874 . Should such a nomination and , election be carried through this Duke of Connaught Lodge will have additional reason to be proud of its high position , and a fresh incentive to aim at even greater'' things in the future .

Although we may all owe allegiance to a Grand Master , there are comparatively few who can claim greater kinship by reason of having long been members of a Lodge under his sway which also enjoys the distinction of bearing his name . May the members show by their future acts how much they appreciate that honour , if it falls to their lot .

• • • INSTRUCTION . — : o : — Ranelagh Lodge , No . 834 . IN the usual way we expect to find a large gathering of Brethren at this old established Lodge of Instruction which holds its meetings at Bro . H . Massey's , the Six Bells Hotel , Hammersmith , on Friday evenings , at 8 , but on the ist inst . very few put in an appearance

possibly as it was the night previous to the burial of Her late Majesty , and business premises were not closed early . However , quality mademp for quantity . The W . M . Bro . H . J . Cousens P . M . appointed Bros . J . H . Gumming P . M . S . W ., W . Atkinson J . W ., Arthur Williams P . M . Prec , F . Craggs P . M . Sec , W . Hinds P . M . Treas ., W . Hide P . M . S . D ., R . Reid P . M . J . D ., T . L . Hellyar I . G ., M . F . Wilkins Steward .

The initiation ceremony was rehearsed , the candidate's place being filled by Bro . Hide . Lodge having been called off and on Bro . A . Williams gave the ancient charge , which drew forth the Brethren ' s approbation . Bro . Gumming was elected W . M . for the next meeting , and Bro . Reid reported that Bro . Bone forwarded by him many thanks for the letter sent by the Secretary to Bro . Bone , expressingsympathy and wishes for his restoration to health .

* * » New Cross Lodge , No . 1559 . ON Tuesday , 28 th ult , at Bro . Lewis Lake's , the Kemble ' s Head , Long Acre , W . C , Bros . T . Woods W . M ., L . Lake S . W ., H . Foster J . W ., J . D . Graham P . M . Prec , G . Faaz Sec , F . H . Middleton S . D ., W . Knill J . D ., A . Calot I . G ., S . E . Fkminger W . M .-elcct 1559 , A . J . Swash P . M ., J . Sutcliffe , E . Hancock , H . Walden , W . Tipton , Withing P . M ., J . Wynman .

The Lodge being formed the minutes of the 15 th ult . were read and confirmed . Bro . Faaz Secretary said although there were a great number of Brethren present on the last meeting night it was unanimously decided that in consequence of the death of their beloved Queen no meeting should be held .

The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Hancock acting as candidate . This was followed by the second degree , with Bro . Walden as candidate , and he first answering the questions and being entrusted . Both the ceremonies were perfectly rendered . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and the Bve-Laws were read and confirmed . Bros . A . J . Swash P . M ., L . Lake , and J . Sutcliffe

were elected Auditors . Bro . W . A . Bowman , of the Hampden Lodge , No . 2427 was elected a member . Bro . Lake was elected W . M ., but on Bro . Graham informing the Brethren that the ceremony of installation and investiture of Officers would be rehearsed at the following meeting by Bro . Busby W . M . of the Mother Lodge , Bro . Lake said he would willingly give way for that Brother .

* * * Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 1658 . WE paid a visit to this Instruction Lodge on Thursday of last week , and found one of the best adapted and comfortably furnished Masonic rooms we have had the pleasure of seeing in South London , at the house of Bro . J . Shaw , the Duke of Clarence , Vauxhall Street Lambeth

, S . E . The majority of the Brethren present were members of the Mother Lodge , and on this occasion Bro . J . C . Davies officiated as W . M ., receiving the able assistance of Bros . T . Shaw as S . W ., W . J . H . Faull J . W ., C . Plant P . M . Free , B . Cohen Sec , J . R . Papworth S . D ., A . W . Coombe J . D ., F . G . Hardy IG F . O . Bridge , S . May , J . Wynman , and others . " ' The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Bridge acting as candidate , By desire of the W . H . Brother B . Cohen , in his

Reports Of Meetings.

usual perfect manner , gave the ancient charge . Brother Hardy answered the questions leading to the second degree . Bro . Plant P . M . Preceptor , with the assistance of the Brethren , worked the first and second sections . The Lodge was opened in the second degree and Bro . S . May answered the questions leading to the

third . This being the first time we have had the pleasure of witnessing the working of Bro . J . C . Davies we cannot let the opportunity pass without complimenting him on his working , which was all that could be desired . The Lodge may well be proud of having such an excellent Preceptor as Bro . C . Plant P . M ., with Bro . B . Cohen as their Secretary .

The Lodge being -resumed to the first degree Bro . Cohen proposed that a hearty vote of thanks and gratitude be recorded on the minutes , for all the kindness Bro . Shaw , the host , had shown to the Lodge . Bro . Plant had very much pleasure in seconding this . He felt Bro . Shaw had done wonders for the

Lodge of Instruction ; he had provided everything that was possible to be thought of . There were a great number of Freemasons in the neighbourhood , who no doubt were anxious to improve themselves . He hoped they would join the Lodge , and concluded by wishing Bro . Shaw and the Skelmersdale Lodge of Instruction great successes in the future .

Bro . Davies W . M . had very much pleasure in supjaorting the proposition , and hoped the Instruction Lodge would become one of the most prosperous in South London . He was pleased to see some of the younger members of the Mother Lodge present ; it was a great credit to them , and showed they intended to work up to the honourable position of ruler of the Lodge . He was sure a better Preceptor than Bro . Plant was difficult to find .

Bro . Shaw , in acknowledging the compliments , said it -was true he had been put to a great deal of expense in furnishing the Lodge , but what he hiad done was purely for love of Masonry , and he was pleased to hear that the Masonic Room was furnished to

the satisfaction of the Brethren . He also thanked Bro . Plant for his kindness in accepting the position of Preceptor of the Lodge , and was sure that under his able guidance the Brethren would make striking progress . He also thanked Bro . Cohen for taking the position of Secretary .

Business being ended , prosperity to the Skelmersdale Lodge of Instruction , and health and prosperity to Bro . J . Shaw was drank in a Loving Cup .

Woodrow Lodge , No . 1708 . THERE was a good attendance on Monday of last week , at 3 o'clock , at Bro . Rudderforth's ( Stone ' s ) Restaurant , Panton Street , Haymarket , those present including Bros . C . Woodrow P . M . Prec . W . M ., G . W . Lacy S . W ., T . Burgess J . W ., J . W . Simeons I . P . M . 193 Sec , A . Elliott J . D ., Lobb I . G ., W . West 172 ,

Rudderforth P . M ., J . W . Olhngton , F . Detrez , G . Spice P . M . and Prec . 193 , A . Grille , J . Wynman , J . E . Culverhouse , O . Fenerstein 766 . Before the Lodge was opened Bro . Woodrow Preceptor proposed that a vote of sympathy be passed , and recorded on the minutes , expressive of the very great loss the Craft and the country had sustained by the death of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , and this was agreed to .

The Lodge was then opened and the minutes being confirmed the W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . W . West . The ceremony of initiation was gone through , with Bro . Detrez as the candidate . Bro . O . Fenerstein 766 was elected a member , which compliment was acknowledged . Two five guinea ballots were taken in connection with the Charity Association and resulted in favour of Bros . J . E . Culverhouse and J . W . Ollington .

' ON Monday , Bros . G . W . Lacy W . M ., T . Burgess S . W ., S . Firminger J . W ., C . Woodrow P . M . Prec , W . H . Rudderforth P . M . Treas ., J . W . Simeons I . P . M . 193 Sec , A . Elliott S . D ., J . E . Lobb J . D ., G . Coop I . G ., J . E . Culverhouse , J . A . Grille , A . Menn , 22 . J . Mills , J . Hollingworth , G . Yeowell , J . Detrez , P . Gayer , J . Wynman , A . Higgins , G . Genet , Hammond .

The ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . E . J . Mills candidate . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and the ceremony of initiation was proceeded with , Bro . P . Gayer candidate . Both ceremonies wer > e perfectly Tendered . Brother Culverhouse , by especial desire of the W . M ., gave the ancient charge in grand style . Bro . T . Burgess was elected W . M . for Monday next .

Kensington Lodge , No . 176 7 . ON Tuesday , 29 th ult ., the weekly meeting was held at the Town Hall Tavern , High Street , Kensington . Those present were Bros . R . N . Larter P . M . W . M ., T . W . Blott P . M . S . W ., H . J .

Cousens P . M . J . W ., W . Hillier P . M . Preceptor , F . Craggs P . M : Sec , J . H . Gumming P . M . S . D ., Arthur Williams P . M . J . D ., J . H . Neville P . M . I . G ., W . H . Dresden P . M ., E . H . Tompsett W . M . of the Sir Francis Burdett Lodge , No . 1503 , Joseph May , and others .

Lodge being duly opened and the minutes confirmed , the W . M . intimated his intention of rehearsing the ceremony of initiation , which was accordingly gone through , Bro . Dresden acting as candidate . Lodge was opened in the second and third degrees , and the first section of the third lecture was worked by the Brethren , assisted by Bro . Preceptor .

Bro . Blott was unanimously elected to act as W . M . at the next meeting . * » Duke of Cornwall Lodge , No . 1839 . AT the Manchester Hotel , Aldersgate Street , E . G ., on Monday ,