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 send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings .

CRAFT : PROVINCIAL . — : o : — ROLL CALL LODGE , No . 2523 . THE fourth installation meeting was held at the Oddfellows' Hall , Hounslow , on Wednesday , 7 th ult ., when Bro . C . Robinson W . M ., presided over a large and representative assemblage of the Craft .

After the usual preliminaries , Bro . H . T . Cooper was installed W . M . for the ensuing year with full ceremonial—the function being discharged with marked ability by the presiding W . M . The other Officers were then appointed .

Subsequently the Brethren and their visitors , to the number of about fifty , sat down to a sumptuous banquet , which was served in first-class style by BroJ W . H . Duffy , whose arrangements and provision gave the greatest satisfaction to all present . The newly-appointed W . M . presided with his accustomed geniality , and under his direction a most convivial and successful evening was spent .

FAIRFIELD LODGE , No . 2290 . ON Monday , 19 th ult ., under the most favourable auspices , the members held their second annual pic-nic at Llangollen . Starting by special saloon train from Stanley Station , the party , on arriving at their destination , sailed up the canal , and visited the Horse-shoe Falls , and on returning partook of an excellent luncheon , provided by Mr . Shaw , of the Royal Hotel ,

after which a carriage drive was taken to Glyndyfrdwy . A most satisfactory day's outing was concluded with a substantial tea at the same hotel , during which Bro . R . G . Bradley P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C . proposed the health of the W . M . Bro . W . R . Parkinson , the response to which eminently showed in what affectionate regard he is held by the Brethren of the Lodge .

Bro . T . Vernon P . M . P . P . G . D . C . proposed the health of the ladies , which was responded to by Bro . R . Brown . After Bro . C . H . Barker S . W . had proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . J . H . Dovener , to whose untiring efforts the success of the pic-nic was due , the party returned home , after a most happy and enjoyable day's outing .

ARLECDON LODGE , No . 1660 . AT the ordinary monthly meeting held on Wednesday , 4 th inst ., the members presented to Bro . G . Dalrymple P . M . Prov . G . Sec , a Grand Lodge Collar , in consideration of his having recently had conferred upon him the high honour and office of Grand Standard Bearer of England . The presentation was made by Bro . Henry Hartley P . M . P . Prov . G . St . Br .

MOUNT EDGCUMBE LODGE , No . 1544 . THE annual picnic was held at Polurrian House , Mullion , on Thursday , 22 nd ult ., the W . M . Bro . T . Bennallack being accompanied by a large number of the members . After dinner they were photographed by Mr Burrow , and the party scattered , some to go to Mullion Cove , others to the

rocks at Polurrian . The cast wind had brought up some 40 or 50 vessels in front of Polurrian House , so the natural attractions of Polurrian were enhanced by the shipping . The catering of Mr . J . Thomas was everything that could be desired , and after an enjoyable day the party arrived home at 11 o ' clock .

LEBANON LODGE , No . 1326 . ON . Saturday , 17 th ult ., the installation meeting was held at the Railway Hotel , Feltham , Bro . David Moss W . M . presiding . There was a large attendance of members and visitors . After Mr . A . B . Bailey had been initiated by Past Master J . Lawrence , Bro . Ross installed Bro . G . J . Bailey ( Ship and Turtle ) as Master of the Lodge for the next twelve months .

Bro . Moss was invested as Immediate Past Master , and his great serviceB to the Lodge for the past year were recognised by the presentation to him of a valuable Past Master's jewel , together with a collar and jewel . Following the choice banquet which was served , came some charming

music , says the " City Press , " under the direction of Mr . T . F . Noakes , by Miss Ada Hunt Smith , Miss Miriam Becket , Mr . Louis Breeze , Mr . Fred W . Stephens and Mr . G . Melita . The hall and tables were beautifully lighted electrically by Messrs . E . H . Gudgeon and Co ., of Finsbury Pavement and Mborfields .

MERIDIAN LODGE , No . 893 . THE annual installation meeting was held at Millbrook , on Monday 12 th ult ., when Bro . Rev . H . W . Millett P . P . G . C . Cornwall succeeded to the chair , the ceremony of installation being performed by Bro . Pearn P . P . G . S . of W ., assisted by a strong board of installed Masters . The annual banquet followed , about forty Brethren participating .

EVERTON LODGE , No . 823 . rriHE annual installation of this old and popular Lodge took place on JL Wednesday , 21 st ult ., at the headquarters in Hope-street , Liverpool , where there was an attendance of about 150 members and visitors , the latter

comprising several representatives of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire . The post of honour was held b y Bro . T . C . Millington W . M ., who most efficiently closed his year ' s labours by installing Bro . Joseph Bennett as the Worshipful Master for 1897-98 .

In the course of the proceedings Bro . Millington was the recipient of a Past Master's jewel , the gift of the Lodge ; and he was also presented with a valuable black marble clock and bronzes for Mrs . Millington .

Reports Of Meetings.

After the banquet , supplied by Bro . J . Casey , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , and a capital programme of music was given by Bros . Greene , Burt , Collins , Hudson , Smith , Batty , and Gow .

ELLESMERE LODGE , No . 758 . THE installation was celebrated at the Masons' Hall , Runcorn , on the 15 th ult ., when the Lodge was opened in due and solemn form by Bro . A . Salkeld W . M ., and Bro . R . R . Clark S . W . was installed in accordance with ancient custom by Bro . T . H . Annett P . M . P . P . G . Treas . At the conculsion of the work the Brethren sat down to dinner and the usual toasts were honoured .

An interesting feature of the proceedings was the presentation to" Bro . A . Salkeld of a very pretty jubilee jewel . At the installation last year Brother Salkeld was the recipient of a Past Master ' s jewel and a life governorship of the Cheshire Educational Institution .

METROPOLITAN

DRURY LANE LODGE , No . 2127 . THE members of this Lodge had a delightful river trip on Saturday , 17 th ult . The party boarded the steam launch " Emperor , " at TaploW , and proceeded to Marlow , where in the garden attached to the Compleat Angler tea was served . Later in the day the company dined at the Ray Mead Hotel , Boulter's Lock . Bro . Henry Neville Worshipful Master of the Lodge presided , and amongst those present were Bros . James Fernandez ,

Lionel Brough , Henry Dundas , Harry Nicholls , Walter Everard , Nye Chart , W . Slaughter , F . Walford , J . D . Beveridge , Geoffrey Thorn , and W . Lestbcq . After dinner Bro . Henry Neville proposed the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts . Bro . Geoffrey Thorn ably responded for the visitors and ladies . Bro . Harry Nicholls humorously acknowledged the toast of the Secretary of the

Lodge , recalling the time he went to the Olympic to see the famous Bob Brierley . In after years it came about that he played Melter Moss to Bro . Neville's Brierley , at the Crystal Palace . The toast of the Worshipful Master was proposed in eloquent terms by Bro . Fernandez , and responded to in an excellent speech by Bro . Henry Neville .

P 1 MLICO LODGE , No . 1772 . THE members had an extremely pleasant up-river outing on Sunday , 18 th ult . Taking train from Waterloo at 8 * 4 : 0 , the party reached Reacting before 10 * 0 , and embarked on board an electric launch , which carried them as far as Windsor . Altogether a very jolly day was spent , the creature comforts and cold collation being supplied by Bro . Watt .

KENNINGTON LODGE , No . 1381 . TUESDAY , 13 th ult ., was the day selected for the ladies summer outing in connection with this Lodge , of which Bro . Barry is the Worshipful Master . Special arrangements had been made with the proprietors of the Belle steamers , with the result that cabins were set apart , on deck and below , for the use of the members of the Lodge and visitors , who , to the number of three score , journey down to Clacton in delightful weather .

The arrangements for the day had been made by such capable stewards as Bros . Barry W . M ., Hearn P . M . Sec , Chisholm S . W ., and Davies J . W ., with the result that a hitch occurred nowhere during the proceedings . Starting at 9 * 30 from London Bridge , the boat neared Southend at 12 * 30 , at which hour dinner was taken . Messrs . Elliott , the caterers for five of the Belle Steamer fleet , had taken every care that this function should be a complete success , a member of the firm being present to superintend the arrangements . Their efforts gave satisfaction to everyone .

At the conclusion of the dinner the W . M . proposed the loyal toast , and asked the company to honour the Queen with more than the usual enthusiasm with which she is received amongst Masons in this , the Diamond Jubilee year of her reign . His request was cordially responded to . The W . M . then briefly proposed the visitors , whom he was pleased to see in such numbers amongst them . He trusted that they would have such a happy time that in another year they would be ready and glad to come again . He coupled with the toast the name of Mr . Chisholm .

The toast having been enthusiastically received , Mr . Chisholm , in responding , said if the treatment he had received that day was a specimen of the hospitality extended by Kennington Masons , he should be glad to increase his acquaintance with them . The company then adjourned to the deck , and arrived at Clacton at 2 * 45 . An hour and a quarter was pleasantly passed inspecting the town , and at 4 p . m . the homeward journey was commenced .

After tea Miss Parsons presided at the piano in the saloon specially reserved for the Lodge , and some capital songs by that lady , and by Mrs . Barry , Bro . Davies , Bro . Sharpington , and others , whiled the time away very pleasantly . Altogether , the day was a delightful one , says the "South London Chronicle . "

Messrs . Elhott of Islington and the Law Courts , the caterers for the day , are year by year increasing the number of boats they supply , and a walk round the vessel under the guidance of a niomber of the firm was sufficient to show one that they have made such admirable arrangements that they are always in a position to meet any demand likely to be made on them .

FINSBURY PARK LODGE , No . 1288 . ri ^ HE annual excursion of this popular North London Lodge took place to _ L Belvoir Castle , Leicestershire , the residence of the Duke of Rutland . The party consisted of about fifty ladies , forty-five Brethren , and friends , who assembled at Finsbury Park , where the 10-15 a . m . Manchester express from King ' s Cross was specially stopped to pick them up in four saloons .

On arrival at Grantham brakes and waggonettes wore in attendance , and at once conveyed the party to the George Hotel , where an excellent luncheon was provided by Bro . and Mrs . Fillingham . Justice having been done to the good things , the company again entered the brakes , and were driven to Belvoir Castle , a distance of eight miles , amid glorious sunshine and refreshing breezes . Special permission having been obtained , the partyentered the Duke ' s private gardens , and enjoyed a plentiful supply of strawberries and cream , the former supplied by the Worshi pful Master , and the