Reports Of Meetings.

EEPOETS OF MEETINGS .

CRAFT : PROVINCIAL . LODGE OF FRIENDSHIP , No . 44 . THIS ancient Lodge , which commenced the 141 st year of its existence on tho 18 th of June last , has elected Brother tho Rev . William Wilkinson , of Leeds , for its next Master . The W . M .-elect ( who was initiated in the Lodge ) has since its previous meeting been inducted to the Rectory of St . Thomas's Church , Leeds .

The coming W . M . is the W . M of a Lodgo ( located at Leeds ) until December next , and on that account a dispensation will be required before he can be installed to the chair of 44 , according to ancient custom . The election was unanimous with the exception of two votes in favour of

the highly worthy and respected Bro . Matthew Naylor a Past Senior Warden of the Lodge , which had previously been arranged so that there would be a second string to tbe bow in case ( from any unforeseen cause ) the dispansation should be refused . We wish every success to the new Master .

A short history of this Lodge appeared in our issue of the 25 th August 1894 , from the pen of Bro . Nathan Heywood the present I . P . M . The retiring W . M . Bro . Robert Thomson has had a very prosperous and harmonious year of office , and tho Lodge ( which has contributed liberally to all the Masonic Charities in the past ) is in a sound financial condition .

ST . JOHN'S LODGE , No . 80 . A REGULAR meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Park Terrace , Sunderland , on the 10 th inst ., the Worshipful Master Bro . John E . W . Walker being in the chair . There was a full assembly of Officers and members , it being one of the largest gatherings of Freemasons ever held in Sunderland . Special invitations had been sent to the Masonic Brethren of the Channel Squadron , who attended in very large numbers , over forty-one Lodges from nearly all quarters of tho globe being represented . The Brethren were afterwards entertained to dinner by the members of the Lodge , when the usual toasts wero proposed and responded to .

NORTHERN COUNTIES LODGE , No . 406 . MEMBERS and friends to the number of seventy-two had their annual pic-nic this year to Penrith , on Thursdav , 29 th ult . Arriving at the George Hotel , they were driven to Pooley in five conveyances , and then sailed up the lake to Patterdale and back . In the evening they sat down to a

substantial dinner , provided by Mr . and Mrs . F . Armstrong , in the George Assembly Room , and expressed themselves so well satisfied with the day's outing that they intend to repeat the visit . The party was accompanied by the Master of the Lodge Bro . W . H . Nixon , and the senior Past Master Bro . John Page .

LODGE OF SYMPATHY , No . 483 . AT the meeting of this Lodge , held at the Royal Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , on the 11 th inst , the W . M . Bro . Thomas H . Lygo presided , and was supported by his Officers , Bros . Henry Forss S . W ., W . Hawker J . W ., i b

Artnur itonalcison -Mj . A .. secretary , ny . watts ana ingman Deacons , T . W . Galler I . G .. J . C . Aylen Organist , and A . J . Walklin Steward . The Visiting Brethren included J . P . Whito P . M . St . Paul ' s , Cyprus , W . Duneclift P . M . Himalayan Brotherhood , Simla , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , J . A . Whitfield W . M . 77 , E . B . Wilkes , F . Quicke ; and there was also a good muster of the Lodge members .

Mr . Augustus Edward Lockhart , having been balloted for and approved , was formally admitted as a member of the Craft . Bro . A . F . Denton , after proving his proficiency , was passed to the second degree . These ceremonies were very ably worked by Bro . Lygo , who then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . H . Forss , who opened the Lodge in tho third degree , and subsequently

raised Bros . W . H . Upton , Allen Luckhurst , and Thomas Smith as Master Masons ! The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and the Brethren proceeded to elect a W . M . ior the ensuing year . The majority of the votes fell to Bro . Hy . 'Forss S . W ., and he was therefore declared elected , but it was only after much persuasion that he was induced to accept the office .

Bro . T . T . Hogg P . M . was unanimously re-elected Treasurer of the Lodge , and Bro . George Martin was re-appointed Tyler . Bros . Walklin , Watts , and Ingman were elected for the Audit Committee . The Lod ge jewel and a Past Master ' s collar were voted to Bro . Lygo for his services during his year of office . Another candidate and three joining members were proposed , and the W . M . having received the hearty good wishes of the Brethren , the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren adjourned to supper .

ST . THOMAS LODGE , No . 992 . ON Wednesday , 4 th inst ., the first meeting of this Lodge after the vacation was held at the Griffin Hotel , Lower Broughton , there being a fair attendar-ee of Brethren . Bro . T . M . Johnson W . M . presided , and Was supported by Bros . T . W . McGill I . P . M ., J . W . Martin S . W ., W . H . Southern P . M . Acting J . W ., J . Mumby S . D ., J . J . Millsom J . D ., J . 0 . Poyser Acting I . G ., H . Mason Acting Organist , W . Oilier P . M . P . G . A . P ., Thos . Southern P . M . P . P . G . D . C , J . W . Millward P . M . P . G . S . of W . Sec , H . Fisher P . M ., H Rutter P . M ., H . Osborne P . M ., and J . Johnson P . M . Tyler .

Visitors : Bros . C . Turner P . M . P . P . A . D . C . 1011 and 2156 , Robert Dottie P . M . 1161 , and S . Gaskill S . W . 163 . The ceremony for the evening was the initiation of Mr . John J . Widdop by tbe W . M ., who also presented the working tools , tho charge being ably given by the S . W . The Lodge was then raised , for the purpose of giving the traditional history by Bro . T . W . McGill I . P . M .

At the social board , after the Loyal toasts had been duly honoured , the health of the now Brother was proposed by Bro . McGill , Bro . Widdop replying in a few well chosen words . Musical selections were given by Bros . Turner , H . Mason , and J . J . Widdop . Bro . R . Dottie also contributed in his inimitable style some charming recitations . Altogether the evening was one of the most enjoyable ever spent in the Lodge .

It is intended to hold a Masonic Musical service in St . Clement ' s Church , Lower Broughton , on Sunday , 6 th October , wheu it is hoped a good number of Brethren will assist . The collections will be devoted to Masonic Charities and tho poor of the parish .

Reports Of Meetings.

ALNWICK LODGE , No . 1167 . ON Wednesday of last week a partv of over thirty members of this Lodge held their annual picnic to Bamburgh , being driven to that very attractive seaside resort in breaks . On the route , Beadnell and North Sunderland were visited , and when

the party reached Bamburgh they repaired to the Crewe Arms , where an excellent . luncheon awaited them . After luncheon the fine old church was inspected , also Grace Darling ' s monument ( which has fallen into a very ruinous state ) , and several other interesting features around the church .

The Castle was next visited , the party being permitted access to the interior , and to view the interesting curios and historical remains of a past generation . On leaving Bamburgh , the party had tea at Belford , at the Blue Bell Inn , and reached Alnwick at a timely hour , having spent an enjoyable and instructive day .

ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 . AFTER an adjournment of two months , the members of this Lodge met at the Masonic Hall , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , on Friday of last week , the following being present : —Bros . Alfred Pickford W . M ., Chas . Rawle S . W ., T . A . Holland J . W ., W . D . Fryer P . M . Treasurer , Henry Nail P . M . Secretary , J .

Coupland S . D ., A . Redfearn J . D , Arthur A . Moss P . M . D . C , J . R . E Birkett I . G ., Wm . Rushton Org ., John M . Crone Std ., C . H . Beever P . M ., J G . Bromley P . M ., W . Lea , W . Moult , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , and Wm C . Flint .

The minutes having been read and confirmed , Brother Cyril H . Beever P . M . contributed a very interesting paper , suggested by the custom of placing coins , Ac , in the foundation stones of public edifices . The Secretary was instructed to convey letters of condolence to Brothers Bloomer , Southam , and Luckman , who had each suffered a bereavement since the last meeting of the Lodge .

At the festive board , the usual toasts were given , the same being relieved by songs , & c , rendered by Bros . Holland , Nail , Beever , Rushton , Fryer and Crone .

JORDAN LODGE , No . - 1402 . THE annual meeting was held at Torquay , on Tuesday , 10 th inst ., when Brother George West S . W . was installed W . M . for the ensuing twelve months , the ceremony being ably performed by Bro . Samuel Wills , who was assisted by a strong Board of Installed Masters . A beautiful P . M . ' s jewel was presented to the I . P . M . Bro . McKellar by

Bro . Dodge in a graceful speech . A handsome copy of his new edition of " Masonic Records , 1717-1894 , " was presented to the Lodge by Bro . Jno . Lane , who said it was the first copy he had received from the press . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Bro . Lane . The annual banquet followed .

SACKVILLE LODGE , No . 1619 . THE annual installation meeting was held at the Crown Hotel , 3 ast Grinstead , on the 3 rd inst . The choice of the Brethren for Worshipful Master for the ensuing year had fallen on Brother C . M . Wilson , and he was duly installed in the office by the outgoing Worshipful Master Bro . D . Wood assisted by the Chaplain Canon Cooper .

A Past Master's jewel was presented to Bro . Wood in recognition of his able conduct in the chair during the past twelve months . At the conclusion of the business a company of about thirty sat down ,

under Bro . Wilson ' s presidency , to an elegant banquet , which did infinite credit to tho catering capacities of Brother Underwood ' s establishment . The customary Masonic toasts were honoured and a musical programme , rendered by the Lyric Vocal Quartette from London , was much enjoyed .

URMSTON LODGE , No . 1730 . A REGULAR meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Urmston , on Monday , Bro . John Walton jun . W . M . There were also present : —Bros . Walter Bowers S . W ., G . G . Mends J . W ., Ed . L . Littler P . M . Treas . P . P . G . P ., J . Ormrod S . D ., W . Hallard J . D ., Geo . A . Myers P . M . D . C . Prov . G . D . C , J . Bowers P . M . Org ., R . Swindells P . M ., J . H . Marsh P . M ., Thos . Wm . Bone P . M ., John Walton P . M ., Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , J . F . Mends , John Clare , E . VV . Barratt , J . S . Whitley , Arthur Hawkins , Richard Appledore , A . Chevalier . Visitors : —Bros . George Sam . Smith P . M . 2359 Prov . G . Org ., Wm . Mosley W . M . 1773 , Thos . T . Sefton I . P . M . 1773 , W . Craig Royle P . M . 1170 , F . Ridsdale Bowley P . M . 2216 .

The minutes of the last regular meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Richard Appledore , who had expressed a desire to make further progress into antient Freemasonry , was passed by the W . M ., the Working Tools being presented and explained by Bro . Walter Bowers S . W . Before the regular proceedings of Lodge were over , Bro . Ed . L . Littler rose to perform , as he expressed it , a very painful duty . During the two

months' recess in connection with the Lodge one of their prominent members , for whom every one present had the highest regard , had suffered a very heavy bereavement ; Bro . Geo . R . Lloyd P . M . Secretary P . P . G . Tr . had lost his wife by death , and he ( Bro . Littler ) proposed that Brother Swindells P . M . Acting Secretary be instructed to forward a letter of condolence to Bro . Lloyd , conveying the regret nf the Brethren that he should have been so heavily

afflicted . He took upon himself this duty for two reasons , firstly that he had been the means of introducing him into their midst , and secondly because the deceased lady was his cousin . An additional claim which he might advance was in the fact that he himself had passed through a similar trial , and he could heartily sympathise with Brother Lloyd in the great loss which he had sustained .

We may supplement the remarks of Bro . Littler by saying that we had been acquainted with the late Mrs . Lloyd for over a quarter of a century , and can add to the deep regret which he expressed our own personal sorrow at her demise . The decea-ed lady was one of those to whom Nature had been prodigal , having dowered her with that choicest of gifts , a genial temper , and she will necessarily be mourned by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances .

At the festive board which followed , the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were interspersed by songs and sketches rendered by Bros . Bowley , Smith , Whitley , and Roberts , a very pleasant evening being spent . Bro . John Bowers P . M . presided at the piano .