Reports Of Meetings.

at 7 o'clock , there was a good attendance , amongst those present being Bros . G . Gibbons W . M ., F . G . Holdsworth S . W ., C . Frohlich W . M . 2264 J . W ., H . E . Frances P . M . acting Preceptor , W . Vincent Jull P . M . Treas ., H . C . Pink Sec , H . C . Holdup S . D ., E . F . Schrier J . D ., W . J . Sowden I . G ., W . Wright P . M ., John Almond P . M ., A . Haynes P . M ., H . F . Meadows P . M ., A . F . Jones , E . Styles , J . Wynman , W . Osborne , J . A . Smith , C . Skinner , H . Hinchcliffe , and others .

The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . A . F . Jones acting as the candidate . The Lodge was called off , and on resuming the W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . J . A . Smith S . W . of the Chough Lodge . Bro . A . Haynes P . M . was examined and entrusted , the Lodge was opened in the second degree , and the ceremony of passing was gone through , including the full explanation of the working tools . The Lodge was resumed

to the first degree and the W . M . again occupied the chair . Bro . 'W . Vincent Jull P . M ., dn well deserved complimentary terms , proposed that a hearty vote of congratulation be recorded on the minutes for the very able manner in which the W . M . had worked the ceremony of initiation for the first time , which was unanimously carried , and acknowledged in a few words . Bro . Holdsworth was elected W . M . for Tuesday next .

A letter was -read by the Secretary from Bro . Percy Grays P . M . Preceptor of the Lodge , tendering his resignation on account of business calls . Bro . W . Vincent Jull Treasurer said that when he proposed Bro . Grays as Preceptor , at the time of the death of their dear Brother Walter Martin , he was under the impression

it would be a standing appointment , but as Bro . Grays said in his letter that his business prevented him from attending , he proposed that the resignation should be accepted . It was a great disappointment , but he was sure there would be no difficulty in finding another Preceptor , who would render to the W . M . and Brethren all the services which might be required of him .

• * Hammersmith Lodge , No . 2090 . THIS well attended Lodge of Instruction met at Wycombe Hall , Broadway , Hammersmith , on Wednesday , 30 th ult ., and amongst those present were Bros . Alfred Morgan W . M ., F . Cave S . W .,

Herbert Woods J . W ., W . Hillier P . M . Preceptor , Harry Warren Treas ., Gale Sec , Chubb S . D ., Brown J . D ., Slack I . G ., Barnett Steward , W . B . Neville P . M ., Bartlett P . M ., Barton P . M ., J . H . Gumming P . M ., Lichenburg , Youngsen , Hallam , Bratt , W . H . Cave , Hunt , Holland , Bonnor , Battersby , Canning .

After the Lodge was opened in the usual manner Bro . Albert Hunt offered himself as a candidate , and the initiation ceremony was rehearsed , after which the Lodge was called off and on , and the second section of the first lecture was worked by the Brethren , under Bro . Hillier ' s direction .

Bro . F . Cave was bv unanimous vote selected W . M . for the ensuing weekly meeting , and the Lodge passed a vote of thanks , which is ordered to be recorded on the minutes , to Bro . Alfred Morgan , for the excellent manner in which he had carried out the duties of W . M . for the first time in any Lodge of Instruction .

* * * PROVINCIAL . — : o : — Lodge of Faith , No . 5 81 . THE regular meeting was held at the Bradford Hotel , Mill Street , Manchester , on Wednesday , 16 th ult ., Bro . Samuel Andrew Worshipful Master .

There was a good attendance of members , and the visitors were Bros . Capt . H . Hardy and Jos . J . Dean J . W ., both of the Truth Lodge , No . 145 8 . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , a successful ballot was taken for Mr . George Richard Drewcry , Decorator , Ashton Old Road , Openshaw , and he was initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry by the W . M .

The usual festive board followed , Loyal and other toasts being proposed and duly responded to . Bro . Dr . E . E . Jones I . P . M . introduced that of the W . M . in very flattering terms , saying that on the evening of Bro . Andrew's installation he ( the speaker ) had attributed to him certain qualifications , but on this occasion he wished to add another—that of conspicuous ability for the position which he had just assumed . Bro . Andrew W . M . replied .

* * * . Egerton Lodge , No . 1030 . THE regular meeting was held at the George Hotel , Heaton Norris , on Monday , 21 st ult ., Bro . Herbert R . Greaves W . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , a successful ballot was taken for Mr . Harry Tilsley , Professor of Music , Levenshulme , and that gentleman was afterwards initiated into

Freemasonry . Bros . C . D . Cheethiam Prov . G . S . W . Chairman , and Wm . H . Peak P . P . G . D . attended on behalf of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution , to explain the arrangements made for the forthcoming Festival , and also to advocate the claims of the Institution . The usual festive board followed .

Urmston Lodge , No . 1730 . INSTALLATION OF BROTHER ARTHUR HAWKINS . . THE annual meeting and Festival of St . John was held at the Victoria Hotel , Urmston , on Saturday , 19 th ult . In the absence of

Reports Of Meetings.

the W . M ., Lodge was opened at an early hour of the afternoon by Bro . J . SI Whitley P . M ., there being a good attendance of members and visitors . After the ordinary business had been transacted , Bro . John Slyman P . M . P . P . S . G . D . proceeded , to instal Bro . Arthur Hawkins

into the chair of K . S ., he being assisted bv Past Masters Geo . R . Lloyd P . P . G . Reg ., George A . Myers P . P . G . D . C , Ed . L . Littler P . P . G . P . ' , John Bowers P . P . G . P ., Hedley Herbert Jones , J . S . Whitley , and others . The S . W . and J . W . chairs were respectively occupied by Bros . W . H . Ashworth and J . F . Mends .

The Festival of St . John took place in a large room adjoining the hotel , and which is usually denominated "the cabin . " Here a splendid banquet had been provided , which again reflected the highest credit , upon the host ( Bro . John Walton sen . ) , his worthy

partner ( Mrs . Walton ) , and their numerous assistants . Loyal and Masonic toasts were pleasantly varied by songs , recitations , etc ., contributed by Bros . Jones , Littler , J . H . Marsh P . M . P . P . G . S . D . ' , Ed . Roberts P . M ., etc ., and others , Bro . R . H . H . Briggs officiating at the pianoforte .

Bro . Jones I . P . M . proposed the health of the Worshipful Master , who , in responding , said he could not adequately express his gratitude to the Brethren for placing him in the proud position of Master . He referred to his first introduction and entry into Freemasonry , and also made passing mention of the late Brother Peter Heaton , who had been the means of his coming among them . Bro .

Heaton being a man who had gained the respect of all the members , and whose friendship for himself was not paltry or assumed , but of a thoroughly genuine character . In concluding an admirable speech , he earnestly exhorted his hearers to aspire to the position which he occupied , giving at the same time the necessary attention to the ritual and its very many beauties .

Bro . Hawkins then proposed the health of the Installing Master , to which Bro . Slyman replied . Bro . G . G . Mends P . M . proposed the health of the I . P . M ., and before concluding his speech gave way to the W . M ., who presented to Bro . Jones a Past Master ' s collar and jewel , and for which the recipient expressed his thanks . The' jewel bore the following inscription : —

Presented by the Brethren to BRO . HEDLEY HERBERT J ONES P . M ., as a mark of their esteem . January 19 , 1901 . Bro . Julius Laurisch W . M . Doric Lodge , No . 2359 , in responding to the toast of the visitors , said he now visited them , not only in a private capacity , but also in the capacity of W . M . of his Lodge , for

the Doric- Lodge was in constant touch with the Urmston Lodge , and he sincerely hoped those relations would continue for ever . He reminded the Brethren that he had been present at the initiation of Bro . Hawkins , their W . M ., the ceremony being performed by Bro . Past Master Swindells . He wished every success to Bro . Hawkins in his high position , and hoped he would be -blessed with good health to enable him to maintain it .

Bro . Lloyd , in proposing the health of the newly-invested Officers , paid a high compliment to Bro . Littler , and mentioned the fact that the latter had been in Office for twenty-two years continuously , during sixteen of which he had acted as Treasurer . Other toasts followed . ' Among the visitors not previously mentioned were Bros . J . G . Floyd W . M . 15 88 , W . Lyon P . M . 16 33 , Arthur C . K , Smith I . P . M . 2554 , M . Agar S . W . 941 , H . J . Kilford Org . 1179 , and others .

My Valentine.

MY VALENTINE .

Were I the King , dear Mother , I'd command A thousand poets sing thy praise this day ; The farthest waters , the remotest land Should echo with the sweetness of each lay . Alas ! No Monarch ' s sceptre can I sway ,

And so , alone , almost unheard , I write , And wreathe for you my humble crown of bay , For you , my heart ' s best treasure and delight . Would that my gift were more . I fain would thrill

The very world by singing songs to thee , So e'en the gods might bid the winds be still Lest they might lose one note of harmony . Forgive the wish—I only wish ' twere mine , To breathe my love for you—My Valentine . " „ , CHAS . *" . FORSHAW LL . D . Bradford .

PHOTOGRAPHY has become so popular an art—and we may also say so popular an amusement—that information as to where to get practical lessons or hel p will be acceptable to many members of the Craft and their friends . The firm of Messrs . John Done and Co . —of which our worthy Bro . Done 193 is the principal—should be consulted in this direction . They have enjoyed a practical

experience of upwards of thirty years , and are able to execute orders for trade or amateur printing equal to any firm which lays itself open for such work . Bro . Done has just issued a new price list , a copy of which will be sent on application to the office at Lewisham Works , New Barnet , -and from it our photoeranhinc friends

will doubtless be able to gather much information on subjects which particularly interest them . The offer of the firm to give practical instruction in all branches of the art , at the works or by post , is a feature worthy of being remembered in view of possibly emergencies in the future .