Reports Of Meetings.

Bro . P . M . Jeffery , the offer was accepted , and the thanks of the Lodge to the Brother entered on the minutes . A sum of five pounds from the Lodge Benevolent Fund was voted for the relief of a distressed Brother . Bro . Toye announced that Bro . Carroll and himself proposed to go up as

Stewards at the Centennial Festival of the Boys School , and at a future date he would ask the Lodge to vote a sum to head their list . A candidate was proposed for initiation at the next meeting , and the W . M . having received the ' congratulations of the visiting Brethren , the closing hymn was sung , and the Lodge was closed .

The Brethren subsequently dined together , and the evening was spent in harmony arid good fellowship .

BLOOMSBURY RIFLES LODGE , No . 2362 . ON Wednesday , at the Head Quarters of the Corps , Chenies Street , W . C , the members of this Lodge—which has won a wide reputation as one of -the best working Lodges of the metropolis—held their eighth annual installation meeting under the presidency of Bro . Thomas Mogford W . M ., who was supported by Bros . Qr .-Master-Sergt . J . L . Miller S . W . W . M .-elect , Sergt . G . W . Barter J . W ., Surg .-Lieut .-Col . H . R . Myers P . M . Treas ., Serg .

G . Jackson-Crow Sec , 0 . E . Gilbert S . D ., G . Chandler J . D ., Hospital-Sergt ; G . Groome I . G ., Sergt . A . Marshall D . C , Sergt . C . E . Cowtan Organist , Sergt . G . Stevenson Std ., C . W . Steel Assistant Steward , S . Ingram P . M . Tyler , Past Masters George Mogford I . P . M ., G . Grimes , H . Siliis , Capt . Claud Scott , W . Scurrah P . G . S . B ., W . O . Welsford , Bolt , Hale , and others , together with Bros . H . Fowler , 0 . W . Patten , W . J . Lewis , E . E . Milner , H . J , Hagon , H . Milner , F . V . Bradford , J . W . Harris , H . Cowtan , R . Lawrie , J . Balls , Major W . J . Hardcastle , J . Wills , J . Greenfield , H . Gray , and

several others . Visitors : "W . J . Mason Vice-President Board ol General Purposes , W . Lee P . M . 2381 , H . Dehane P . P . G . S . D . Essex , William Vincent G . Std . Br ., G . Knight P . M ., George Butcher 733 , B . J . Bogers P . M . 733 , 0 . Burridge 1326 , F . Phillips P . G . O ., W . Kingsholt 1681 , R . Douglas Smith P . M . 27 , T . King 215 , ' F ! J . Ashby 1918 J . M . Sillitoe 2353 , E . L . Berry G . Supt . of Works , T . Bolton I . P . M . 1687 , Fred Isaac I . G . 227 , Wynman , & c .

The Lodge was opened with solemn prayer and the minutes of the last regular meeting and a Lodge of Emergency were confirmed . The Grand Officers were saluted in Masonic form and duly tendered their acknowledgment . The W . M . advanced the Lodge to the second degree , and Bro . George Mogford I . P . M . presented Bro . John L . " Miller , as Worshipful Master-elect , to receive the benefits of installation . Bro . Miller was regularly obligated ,

and the W . M . advanced the Lodge to the third degree , after which a strong Board of Installed Masters was formed , and the ceremony of the year was gone through in regular order , the new Worshipful Master being subsequrr'ly saluted in the . three degrees by the Brethren , and afterwards makiag the following appointments to office for the ' year : Bro . Barter S . W ., Gilbert J . W ., Myers' P . M . Treas ., JacEfson-Crow Sec , Chandler S-D- > Marshall J . D ., Ste ' vensoh I . G ., G . E . Grimes P . M . D . C , C E . Cowtan Organist , Steel and Gcoome ' Stewards , Ingram P . M . Tyler .

" After the investiture of the' Officers the I . P . M . Bro . T . W . Mogford proceeded to complete the work of installation , delivering the different addresses in most excellent form , indeed , we do not remember having ever seen the work fetter performed than oh this occasion . "" The ballot was how brought into requisition , on behalf of Sergt . Gordon

Hargrave Bodley ajj * j Sergt . Louis Thorhas Healey , candidates for initiation and proving unanimous in their favour those gentlemen were regularly introduced' and admitted to a participation in the mysteries and privileges of the Craft , ' the W . M . thus early showing himself fully qualified for his office , by the ability with which he performed this first ceremony of the Craft .

The W . M . now proceeded to close his Lodge , hearty good wishes having previously been tendered by the Visitors ; and the company repaired to the rdess room , where a banquet was provided which reflected the greatest credit on Bro . Stickland , the caterer . At its conclusion the "W . M . proceeded to submit the usual Loyal toasts , which were enthusiastically received . In ' proposing the health of the Grand Officers present and past the W . M . referred to the presence that evening of several Grand Officers , and expressed

the indebtedness of the Lodge to them for their attendance . He did not know much about the duties of Grand Officer , but felt that Brethren who rose to that distinction must have worked very hard to obtain their preferment . He had attended meetings of Grand Lodge , and had witnessed the excellent abilities of Lord Amherst the-Deputy Grand-Master . He could not conclude the toast without a word of sympathy with the Pro Grand Master Lord Lathom , in his recent dreadfully sudden and appalling loss .

, Bro . Vincent Grand Standard Bearer regarded it as a privilege to be called upon to respond for the toast of the Grand Officers in the Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge . He was glad fche Brethren had not forgotten to refer to the great bereavement of the Pro Grand Master . Those who had met the late Countess knew what she must have been to the Earl , and could truly sympathise with his lordship in his loss . The Grand Officers deserved all the honour they got . It must be apparent to any Brother that someone had

to direct the work of the Order . The Consecrating Committees , & c , to which many of them gave great time and attention was a case in point . He had personally travelled over a considerable part of Great Britain , and was an Honorary Member of fifty-four Lodges—which distinction had not been obtained for nothing . He was particularly pleased to be present on that occasion , as he had attended the consecration of the Lodge . He had served twenty-five years in the Queen ' s Westminster Rifles , and as an old friend of the Worshipful Master was delighted to be present on this occasion .

Bro . Mogford I . P . M . again assumed the gavel , for the purpose of proposing the health of the Worshipful Master . The Brethren all knew him well , and must have noticed the excellent way in which he had that day invested his Officers and performed the ceremony of initiation . He was sure the Brethren had the right man in the chair to rule the Lodge for the next twelve months , and cordially wished the W . M . every prosperity .

Bro . Miller replied .- He thanked the Past Masters and Brethren for having elected him to the high office of Master , and promised to do everything in his power to give satisfaction . He could say much more , but time was . pressing , and he would conclude with his heartiest thanks to the Lodge for their kindnesses .

The toast of the Initiates was now given , the new members being accorded a hearty welcome . ; In reply , Bro . Bodley thanked the W . M . and Brethren for having elected him a member of the Lodge and for having admitted him as a member of the Order . He felt he should never forget the ceremony of that day . and in time to come should endeavour to prove to the Brethren that their kindness had not been wasted .

Reports Of Meetings.

Bro . Healey said he was not a good hand at making speeches , but ha most sincerely endorsed the words just uttered by Sergt . Bodley . The toast of the Past Masters was next given . From what the W . M . had seen it might truly be said they could not do without the Bast Masters , who wore not only workers and supporters of the Lodge , but thoroughly understood their duties . This was particularly the case with Bro . Thomas

Mogford Immediate Past Master , and he had very much pleasure m presenting that Brother with tho Past Master ' s jewel of the Lodge , for the able manner in which he had fulfilled tho duties of the chair during his year of office , and in doing so he could but express the general wish of the members—that Bro . Mogford might wear the jewel for many years , in tha enjoyment of the best of good health . The jewel bore the following inscription :

Presented to BBO . T . W . MOGPOBD , as a token of esteem for his most efficient services during his year of office

1897-8 . The I . P . M . replied , thanking the W . M . and Brethren for having presented him with such a handsome jewel . He had , he hoped , given the satisfaction required of a Worshipful Master , as he had done his very best to carry out the work of his office , and had endeavoured to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors . He specially thanked his Officers for the kind support they had given him during the year , and hoped they would accord the same assistance io the present Worshipful Master .

Bro . Capt . Claud Scott , founder and first W . M . of the Lodge , tendered his thanks for the toast of the Past Masters . He was very gratified that evening at seeing so many of his Masonic children—strong , hearty , and healthy—carrying out their duties in a manner any father would like his children to do . The Visitors were next toasted , and Bro . J . Mason responded , expressing the pleasure he felt in being present that evening . He was much beholden to his friend Bro . G . Mogford for inviting him that night , having previously been present at the installation of himself and his brother .

Bro . Dehane followed , and alluded to what the Worshipful Master had said—that he was too old to do the work ; such was certainly not the case . He was glad New Zealand had been mentioned , as there were several present who were connected with that far-off colony , while he had been initiated there a good many years ago . He urged the Brethren to attend

Lodges of Instruction , and perfect themselves in the ritual , so that should they in due course succeed to office they might perform their duties in a manner that would reflect credit upon themselves and add to fche reputation of their Lodge . Bro . Dehane concluded with a well deserved compliment to the Immediate Past Master , for the way in which he had performed the ceremony of installation .

Bro . Ashby 1918 ( New Zealand ) also thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their kind reception . He was initiated some twenty years back in New Zealand , and this was the first occasion on which he had attended an English Lodge . The next toast was that of the Treasurer and Secretary , to which Bro . Jackson-Crow responded in suitable terms .

The Tyler brought the proceedings to a conclusion in regular form . Bro . C E . Cowtan Org . was assisted in the musical arrangements by Miss Helen Saunders , A . R . A . M ., Miss Nancy Miller , Miss Emily Walter , Bro . F . Isaac , and Mr . W . E . Kieser , while Mr . H . Walter presided at the pianoforte .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 . ON Tuesday , at the Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , Harrow Road , Bro . C Halston W . M ., E . Thomas S . W ., G . Weaver J . W ., H . Dehane P . M . Preceptor , R . J . Rogers P . M . Treas ., G . Mogford P . M . Sec , J . Lily S . D ., W . Llewellyn J . D ., H . Bagnall I . G ., Thos . Mogford W . M . 2362 , J . Knight P . M ., Sweet P . M ., F . Beesley , Wynman , and others .

The Lodge was opened by the W . M ., and after the minutes were confirmed he vacated the chair in favour of Bro . C T . Brown W . M . 733 . who opened the Lodge in the second degree , when Bros . Knight , Halston , and Beesley were examined and entrusted . The Lodge was called off and on . Resuming the working the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bros . Sweet , Halston , and Beesley being the candidates . This and the former ceremony were rehearsed in a perfect manner .

Bro . Halston resumed his chair , when it was proposed by Bro . Dehane , and seconded by Bro . Rogers , that a vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes for the able manner in which tbe W . M . had opened and closed his Lodge , for the first time , which compliment was duly acknowledged . Bro . E . Thomas will preside on Tuesday next .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . ON the 6 th , at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , Bro . Fredk . Craggs P . M . 834 W . M ., C Humble S . W ., R . W . Robinson J . W . . F . J . Larkman Treas ., J . H . Cumming Sec , J . Dinnis P . M ., W- Langdon S . D ., Justin Allen J . D .. E . H . Wilcox I . G ., R . Goff Stewd ., J . Ashton , Zetland Lodge , No . 1071 ,

D . Eawlings , F . M . Bidley , J . Phillips , H . B . Worth . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Dinnis being candidate , Bro . Bawlings answered the questions leading to the second degree and that ceremony was rehearsed . The Treasurer , Secretary and Preceptor were unanimously re-elected . The Secretary read his annual report , which gave general satisfaction to the Brethren , as it showed how successful this Lodge of Instruction had been

since its resuscitation , by the strenuous extortions ot Bro . Larkman . Allusion was also made to the fact that the Lodge had considerably increased its funds through becoming a subscriber to the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . The ballot for a Life Subscribership to ono of the Masonic Charities was decided in favour of Bro . Ridley . Bro . Ashton was duly elected a member . o o o

RANELAGH LODGE , No . 834 . ON fche 7 fch insfc ., at the Six Bells Hotel , Queen Street , Hammersmith , Bro . W . J . Coplestone P . M . W . M ., W . Beattie P . M . S . W ., R . H . Williams P . M . J . W ., William Hinds W . M . 185 Treas ., F . Craggs P . M . Sec , A . Williams P . M . Preceptor , H . Scharien P . M ., Joseph Cox P . M ., H . Sellick S . D ., James Banks J . D ., W . J . Palmer I . G ., W . T . Ridgway Steward , A . Younsson , J . J . Lewen , J . Seeker , E . Salt , H . J . Cousens .