Craft: Metropolitan.

CRAFT : METROPOLITAN .

— : o : — CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . THE regular meeting was held on Monday , Sth inst ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , under the presidency of Bro . Thomas Kington W . M ., who was supported during the evening by Bros . E . Pennock S . W ., G . Spice J . W ., W . D . Kershaw P . M . Treas ., E . J . Davey P . M . Sec , F . S . Plowright I . P . M ., Jas . Smith , Samuel Smither , W . Belchamber , John E . Fells ( Steward ) , G . P .

Nightingale , Joseph Hart and Francis Hames Past Masters ; I . W . Simeons S . D ., Walter Cutting J . D ., Sidney W . Fells I . G ., E . H . Lough Organist , Thomas Wiffen Assistant Steward , L . G . Bernhardt Tyler , several other members of the Lodge , and the following Visitors : Bros . James Morris 1624 , E . Stratford 179 , W . E . Kington 771 , and A . W . Smith S . W . 463 .

After the formal opening of the Lodge and the confirmation of the minutes , the Lodgo was advanced , and Bro . Baker was raised . The ballot was taken for a candidate for initiation , who was accepted , but not being present his initiation was postponed for a future meeting .

Bro . Joseph Hart P . M . was elected as a re-joining member , and a motion standing in the name of Bro . J . E . Fells P . M . was carried , to the effect that the sum of two guineas be awarded from the Benevolent Fund towards defraying the printing expenses of Bro . J . Smith ' s candidature for the R . M . Benevolent Institution .

Other business having been disposed of the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren adjourned to supper , following which the usual toast list was gone through , interspersed with some excellent songs , & c , the Organist of the Lodge Bro . Lough presiding at the piano , and doing much to add to the comfort and enjoyment of those present .

ASAPH LODGE , No . 1319 . THE installation meeting and banquet were numerously attended on Monday , lst inst ., says the " Stage . " Proceedings were opened in Freemasons' Hall at 1 . 30 p . m ., and a full muster of members and friends was in evidence . In consequence of the enforced absence of the W . M . Bro . Samuel Johnson , who is on tour with Sir Henry Irving ' s company , Bro . James Edward Hamilton acted as the Installing Master , and , with great earnestness and sincerity , installed Bro . William John Holloway .

The new Master invested as his Officers Bro . C . D . Powell J . W ., C , Wellard P . M . Treasurer , W . A . Tinney P . M . Secretary , C . E . Tinney P . M . Organist , Charles Frere S . D ., J . W . Matthews J . D ., Algernon Syms I . G ., Louis Honig Steward , and J . Gilbert Tyler . Bro . Luigi Labiache he appointed S . W ., Sam Johnson I . P . M ., Akerman May and Frank Wheeler Assist . Stewards , and W . Lestocq D . C ., being unfortunately absent , their investiture was postponed .

The balance sheet showed how admirably the business arrangements had been carried out , for a large balance was in favour of the Lodge , and its Benevolent Fund was also well to the good . After the business of the day had been transacted the Brethren

adjourned to the Freemasons' Tavern , where they sat down to a magnificent banquet , over which the new W . M . Bro . Holloway presided . The majority of the members of the Lodge being associated with the drama , and their attendance at the theatres at an early hour being necessary , the speeches were , as a consequence , short .

Bro . Cruikshanks P . M ., in giving the health of the W . M ., dwelt upon the good qualities of the new Master at some length . In answer , Bro . Holloway spoke of his Australian career . He was an Australian Mason , and his Brethren at the other side of the world at that moir-ent would , he felt sure , be drinking his health . He concluded a pleasant and forcible speech by quoting the lines set down in the toast list , " I count myself in nothing else so happy as in soul remembering my good friends . "

The W . M . then gave the toast of the Immediate Past Master . Unfortunately , he said , Bro . Sam Johnson was away with his chief , Sir Henry Irving , and could not be with them . But they could drink his health all the same . His work during the year had been good , and his genial and kindly nature had endeared him to all . He would also ask them to drink the health of the Installing Master , who had so admirably done his duties .

To this Bro . Hambleton , in response , said that he had received a letter from the W . M . Bro . Johnson , who wrote that he was with them all in spirit . The toast of the Visitors , proposed by the W . M ., was replied to by Bros . Bolton and Denby . Bros . Edward Swanborough and C . S . Jekyll responded to the toast of the Past Masters , and for that of the Charities Bro . McLeod answered with an eloquent appeal on behalf of the Institutions .

GALLERY LODGE , No . 1928 . THE members held their final meeting of the year at Anderton's Hotel , on Saturday evening , 6 th inst ., presided over by the Worshipful Master Bro . G . Tarran , when Bro . Samuel James was unanimousl y elected Master for the ensuing year . At the subsequent dinner an excellent musical entertainment was

provided by the Westminster Glee Singers Bros . George May , Charles Ackerman , Harper Kearton , and W . H . Brereton , Bro . Dalgety Henderson , and Bro . B . 0 . Hastwell . The Organist of the Lodge Bro . H . E . Peacock acted as accompanist . Bro . Charles Bertram also exhibited some of his clever card tricks .

BLOOMSBURY RIFLES LODGE , No . 2362 . BEING the night for the annual election of Worshipful Master , Treasurer and Tyler for the ensuing year , there was a large attendance on Wednesday , at the Head Quarters of the Corps , Chenies Street , W ., and a most enjoyable and successful meeting resulted . The Lodge was presided over by Bro . Thomas W . Mogford W . M ., with Bros . G . D . Mogford I . P . M J . L . Miller S . W ., G . W . Barter J . W ., Surgeon Lieutenant-Col . H . R '

Meyers P . M . Treas ., Sergeant Jackson Crow Sec , C . E . Gilbert S . D ., G Chandler J . D ., Sergeant G . Groome I . G ., C . E . Cowtan Org ., G . Stevenson and C . W . Steel Stewards , S . Ingram Tyler ; Captain Claud Scott PM Harry Siliis P . M ., G . E . Grimes P . M ., W . S . Hall , R . Laurie , W . J . Lewis ' E . E . Milner , C . W . Potter , H . Cowtan , H . Milner , C . M . Steel , C . w ' Patter , J . Greenfield , W . J . Lewis , F . Bradford , J . T . Ball , H . Fowler , H . j Hagon , H . Gray and others .

Visitors : Bros . G . Knight P . M . 1585 , George Weaver J . W . 733 H Bagnall I . G . 733 , J . Wynman , and several others . ' The Worshipful Master opened the Ledge punctually at the appointed

Craft: Metropolitan.

time , and the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed . Brothers H . Milner and H . J . Hagon , who were initiated at the previous meeting , attended to be passed to the second degree . They were examined and entrusted , and retired . The Lodge was opened in the second degree and those Brethren were passed as Fellow Crafts—the perfect working of the Worshipful Master being so well known reqv'res no further reference here .

The election row took place for Worshipful Master for tho ensuing year , and proved unanimous in favour of Brother J . L . Miller S . W ., which result was received with marked satisfaction . Brother Miller , in acknowledgment , thanked the Worshipful Master and Brethren for having elected him Master of the Lodge , and felt that with the able assistance of Brother Mogford W . M . and the Officers he would be ablo to do much to give satisfaction . The Treasurer and Tyler were re-elected .

B .-other H . R . Meyers P . M . Treasurer proposed that a Past Master ' s jewel should be provided for presentation to the present Worshipful Master on the completion of his term of office . Brother George Mogford I . P . M . proposed that the sum of five guineas bo handed to tho Head Quarters fund , which was seconded and agreed to . The report of the Auditors was received and adopted .

During the proceedings , Past Master Siliis informed the Worshipful Master and Brethren that there was a Brother below asking for assistance , which was liberally afforded . A few now members were proposed for next meeting , and after several communications had been read , and hearty good wishes tendered , the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren adjourned to the Mess Room , where an excellent repast was provided .

The cloth being removed the usual Loyal toasts were honoured , the W . M . especially alluding to the sympathy offered on all sides to Her Majesty the Queen in her late bereavement . The I . P . M ., in introducing the toast of the Worshipful Master , said that night was the last occasion on which he should have the pleasure of proposing the toast , at least in his present position as I . P . M . He was sure the Worshipful Master had given satisfaction . His working generally , and that evening in particular , was perfection .

The Worshipful Master was received with quite an ovation . He rose with a certain amount of regret , because he did so for the last time as their Worshipful Master . They had all been kind to him , and he thanked the Officers and each member for their hearty assistance during his year of office , particularly Bros . Meyers Treasurer and Jackson Crow Secretary .

The W . M . in eloquent terms proposed the health of tbe Past Masters , coupling with it the name of tho I . P . M . and Brother Captain Claud Scott Founder aad first Worshipful Master of the Lodge . He considered no Worshipful Master could have more excellent Past Masters than were to be found in the Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge .

The Immediate Past Master , in reply , said it was with much pleasure he acknowledged the toast . He was always willing to do anything to further the interests of the Lodge , and to assist in the working of the beautiful ritual . It was also pleasing to know that the Father of the Lodge Past Master Scott was to reply after him , and he hoped that he was satisfied with those he first introduced into Freemasonry . He thanked all the Brethren on behalf of the Past Masters and for himself , for the great and kind reception they always

received at their hands . They would ever strive to deserve its continuance . Bro . Capt . Scott said it was with the greatest of pleasure he rose to reply as first W . M . of the Lodge . The working he had seen that day was perfection . The Past Masters were happy to attend as often as possible . He sincerely thanked them for the cordial manner in which they received the toast .

Bro . Siliis P . M . also responded in suitable terms . The W . M . next had much pleasure in proposing the Visitors , among whom were Bro . G . Knight P . M ., Bro . G . Weaver , Bro . H . Bagnall , and Bro . Wynman . He had much pleasure in saying that Past Master G . Knight had joined their Corps , and if he made as excellent an Officer as he was a Past Master in the Craft he was sure they would become proud of him .

Bro . Knight , in reply , said he was pleased he had joined the Bloomsbury Rifles , because he saw many familiar faces there , Brethren he met in several Instruction Lodges , notably the Westbourne . Since he belonged to the Corps he was pleased to say he had made many friends , and he hoped to continue doing so in future . Bro . Weaver in his jolly manner next responded , thanking the W . M . for his kind reception .

Bro . Bagnall was also very pleased to have been invited by Bro . Miller the W . M .-elect . The working he had witnessed was a treat to every Brother . The next toast was the W . M .-elect who , in reply , said he was pleased they were satisfied with the working of the Officers . " He thanked them for electing him W . M ., and if he got the same kind support as his predecessors had done he felt sure they would be satisfied .

The W . M . then proposed the health of the Caterer of the Lodge Bro . Stickland , who had served them so well during the year , everything being most satisfactory . Bro . Stickland , in acknowledgment , was very pleased to hear the W . M . and Brethren were satisfied . He thanked them for the compliment they had paid him , and hoped he would continue to win approval , as it was a great Masonic pleasure to him . Other toasts followed , that by the Tyler bringing a most pleasant evening to a termination .

Several songs were given during the evening , by Bros . C . E . Cowtan , Knight , Harry Cowtan , George Blogford , and others , while the hearty accompaniment of a canary which happened to be in the room called for general comment .

ALLEYN LODGE , No . 2647 . A MEETING of the members was held at the Half Moon Hotel , Dulwich , . on Saturday , 30 th ult ., Bro . C . J . Axford P . P . G . D . C . Middlesex W . M . occupying the chair . The opening business being concluded , Bro . F . J . Ritson was passed to the second degree , and Bros . Mars , Harwood , and Austin raised to the third degree , the working being performed in an admirable manner by the Worshipful Master .

Bro . J . Longhurst Treasurer provided a pleasant surprise to the Brethren , by presenting to the Lodge a very handsome photographic album . A welldeserved vote of thanks , carried by acclamation , was accorded , to which Bro . Longhurst suitably replied . After the closing of the Lodge , the Brethren adjourned to a well-served supper , the W . M . presiding , and a very pleasant and successful evening was brought to a close .