Reports Of Meetings.

proved unanimous , in favour of Messrs . Frederick Herbert Toplis , Herbert C . Houghton , Thomas Saunders , and James Avery , as candidates for Freemasonry . Bros . Arthur Ekins , Thos . D . Carter , Charles J . Gilmer , and Morris C . Cole answered the usual questions

and when the Lodge was opened in the second degree , were passed as Fellow Craftsmen . Bros . William . Farrier and Samuel C . Farrow proved their proficiency in the second degree , were subsequentlyraised to the rank of Master Mason , were invested and took their seats in the Lodge .

The Lodge was then " called off " for a short interval , and upon the re-assembly of the Brethren , Messrs . Toplis , Houghton , Saunders , and Avery were introduced and were regularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Order . The whole of the ceremonies . were undertaken by Bro . Carroll , who proved his fitness for the exalted position he occupies , by the very admirable manner in which he rendered the ritual . It is

somewhat a severe task to perform the whole three ceremonies in one evening , and in view of the many well qualified Past Masters of the Upton Lodge , we rather question the wisdom of the Master thus overtaxing himself ; but it must be acknowledged that Bro . Carroll showed no signs of fatigue , and the whole work was impressively and perfectly gone through . The various Officers also performed their duties most satisfactorily , proving thereby the excellent teaching of the Upton Lodge of Instruction .

Bro . Free stated that since the last meeting the Lodge had sustained a loss by the death of Bro . James Isaacs , and that in the name of the Brethren a wreath had been sent on the occasion of his funeral on i ith November . The Lodge was then closed , and the members adjourned to the Dining Hall , where supper was served . A pleasant evening followed , and the Brethren separated at a late hour .

Hyde Park Lodge , No . 1425 . THE regular meeting was held on Thursday , 6 th inst ., at the Frascati , Oxford Street , under the presidency of Bro . Alfred Collman W . M ., who was supported by the I . P . M ., Officers , and several other members and visitors .

The ballot was taken for three candidates for initiation : Mr . William James Reith , Mr . John Lewis Hazard , and Mr . John William Tipper . The result was favourable and the three gentlemen were admitted to a participation in the benefits of the Craft . Other work was disposed of and dinner afterwards enjoyed . The toast of the initiates was made a special feature of during the social board , and they duly acknowledged the kindness of their reception .

Hygroia Lodge , No . 2 6 64 . THE annual election meeting took place on Saturday , at the Holborn Restaurant , when Lodge was opened by Bro . T . F .

Strutt W . M ., who had the assistance of Bros . W . H . Watson I . P . M . and Treasurer , J . A . Jones S . W ., W . E . Groom J . W ., E . Tidman Sec , J . Young S . D ., J . W . Medcalf J . D ., A . Taylor I . G ., W . G . Lacy Org ., T . G . Dee and W . H . Grigg Stewards , T . Williams Tyler ; Bros . T- W . Whipp , F . Aris , S . Grave , G . D . Lill , C . Brady , L . G . Wearing , E . Ward , E . Robinson , R . J . Rutland , W . West , A . McNair , J . West , T- J . Roberts , H . Marrable , J . P . Folland , J . W . Kirk , F . A . Barth , F . Anthony , A . J . Bobbin , R .

H . Ellis , W . Gathercole , Dr . F . A . Allen , S . Schultess Yonng , E . Bobbitt , Charles Phillips , T . W . Calverley , S . Fairchild , G . W . Branson , and others . The visitors included Bros . C . Gurton P . M . 192 26 S 6 , W . H . Atkinson 1987 , P . Page J . D . 1679 , Geo . Blake S _ picer P . M . 18 91 , W . R . Palmer P . P . G . R . Middlesex , G . Herridge A . D . C . 1922 , F . A . Nash J . W . 1768 , W . J . Alabaster Steward 134 S 2743 , E . S . Wood 12 S 7 , J . B . Gridley 156 3 . J . Wynman , and others .

The minutes having been confirmed the Lodge was opened in the second degree and Bros . L . G . Wearing and C . E . Brady were examined . Having answered the questions they were entrusted , the Lodge was advanced to the third degree , and they were in due course raised as Master Masons .

The W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree , when two Brethren who were on the Agenda for raising , viz . : Bros . Henry Schultes Schultess Young and J . J . Roberts ( better known amongst the profession as Karl Kaps ) answered the questions , and in due course were passed to the degree of Fellow Craft .

The Lodge was again resumed to the first degree , and the ballot was taken for Messrs . S . E . Bobbitt , Charles Phillips , and T . Winter Calverley . It proved unanimous in their favour , and in clue course those gentlemen had the privilege of being initiated into the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry .

We heartily congratulate the Worshipful Master on his performances ; the working was faultlessl y and impressively rendered . The annual elections now took place . Bro . T- A . Jones was unanimously elected W . M . for the coming year , the result of the ballot being most heartily received by the Brethren .

Bro . Jones , in a few well chosen words thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their unanimous vote appointing him ruler of the Hygeia Lodge ; as long as he had health and strength he would endeavour to fulfil every duty that was expected of him r , B £° jy ; - HiI L Watson I-P-M . was re-elected Treasurer , and ^ , - 7 T - Williams Tyler , whilst Bros . G . D . Lill , Chas . Phillips and 1 . W . Calverley were appointed the Auditors .

The W . M . informed the Brethren that he would represent the Hygeia Lodge as a Steward at the Anniversary Festival on behalf of the Old People , and hoped to receive the support of the members . Bro . W . Hill Watson said that as their new Treasurer he had had a good look into the financial condition of the Lodge , and he

Reports Of Meetings.

was pleased to say that the Lodge could well afford to place ten guineas on the list of the W . M . The money could not be spent for a better purpose , and the Lodge could not have a better representative . The suggestion was seconded and carried unanimously .

The W . M . thanked the Brethren . He also took the opportunity of thanking Bro . Lacy for his kindness in officiating as Organist ; his music added greatly to the charm of the different ceremonies . Bro . Lacy had put himself to great inconvenience in order to attend , and he proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded him , and duly placed on the minutes .

This was agreed to , upon which Bro . Lacy thanked the W . M . and Brethren ; he highly appreciated the compliment . Bro . Jones W . M .-elect proposed that the Lodge should provide a Past Master's jewel and collar for Bro . Strutt their Worshipful Master . He

richly deserved it . The ability he had shown during his year of Office was something to be proud of . Bro . Watson I . P . M . had much pleasure in seconding the proposal to show the respect and high esteem they all had for the W . M . The vote was unanimously agreed to , and Bro . Strutt acknowledged the compliment .

The Secretary informed the Brethren that the VV . M . had presented the Lodge with a handsome album , and proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded him for it , which was done . The W . M . returned thanks , and said he hoped the Brethren would now send their photo—with smiling countenance .

Three gentlemen were proposed as candidates for initiation , and after some important discussions the Lodge was closed with solemn prayer , and . the Brethren retired to partake of an excellent repast , which was as usual well served at this well known establishment .

After dinner the W . M . presented the toast of the Queen . They trusted she might be spared for many years to coiu ^ ne her beneficent reign . The I . P . M . said he had to give a toast which doubtless would be received with approval . It was the health of the W . M . That was probably his last toast , and he was sure the members were

sorry to lose such an excellent worker . But it was useless to say more ; he had patted the W . M . so much that—pointing to his bald head—he did not know what would be the result if he kept on at it ; but his working was something to be proud of , and his ruling would really serve as an example of what should be done for the management of a Lodge . The toast was well received , as was the W . M . on rising to respond . < .

The W . M . thanked the I . P . M . for his very generous remarks , and the Brethren for receiving the toast in such a cordial manner . In face of their magnificent reception what could he say ? He had nearly fulfilled his year of Office , and had received such kindness as any Worshipful Master might be proud of . He was pleased to have given satisfaction .

The W . M ., in presenting the toast of the Initiates , said they had added three worthy gentlemen to the Order that evening . Bro . Phillips he had had the pleasure of knowing for over fifteen years ; Bro . Calverley he had also known for several years ; and

Bro . Bobbitt brought excellent recommendation . He was pleased to think , from the great attention they had paid to the ceremony , that in due time they would rise to occupy the honourable position he occupied at present . On behalf of the members he gave them a most hearty welcome .

Bro . Bobbitt thanked the W . M . and Brethren for the hearty manner in which he was received in the Lodge . He should never forget his obligation . Bro . Phillips said it was a little out of his usual way to respond to the toast . He had been trying to become -a Freemason for the

last eight years ; he had found it the greatest trouble to get introduced . He did not now how to act until Bro . Folland kindly proposed him for that Lodge , for which he was most thankful , because he was proud to be now a member of the Hygeia Lodge . He thanked them all for having accepted him as a Brother amongst them .

Bro . Calverley said he had been very much impressed with the ceremony , he had been longing to be introduced to the Ancient Order to which he had been admitted that evening , and he also had to thank Bro . Folland for having introduced him . He assured them that he and his Brother Initiates would do everything in their power for the welfare of Freemasonry , and for their Lodge in particular .

The W . M . now submitted the toast of the W . M .-elect , which he said was the toast of the evening . They all knew Bro . Jones as a good worker , and were pleased he received the unanimous vote of the Lodge . He was sure the members could not have done better than elect him as their ruler . Bro . Jones attended the same Lodges of Instruction as he did , and could work all the ceremonies to perfection . They would find he knew his duties and would act as W . M . to the credit of himself and the Lodge also .

Bro . Jones , in reply , said he had already observed in the Lodge that he was truly sincere in thanking the Brethren for the way in which they had elected him as Master . Now he did the same for the very hearty manner in which they had received the toast . He hoped he should receive the same support from the Past Masters and Officers as the Worshipful Master had received during his year of Office , and with good health hoped to carry out all the duties which were expected of him to their entire satisfaction . ¦

The visitors toast was next given from the chair . The W . M . said . they were always delighted to see visitors . A Lodge would be an isolated body without guests . In the name of the Hygeia Lodge he extended to them a most hearty welcome , ; and hoped they had enjoyed themselves .

Bro . Palmer P . P . G . R . said it was with pleasure as a Past Provincial Officer that he had the advantage of responding to the eloquent speech of the W . M . He thanked them most cordially fur