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 .

CEAPT : METROPOLITAN

UPTON LODGE , No . 1327 . THB midsummer meeting of this Lodge was held at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , E . G ., on Thursday , when , in spite of the glorious sunshine outside , a large muster of the members assembled to take part in tha proceedings . The W . M . Bro . Henry Hyde presided , and was supported by Bros . G . A . Peters I . P . M ., E . M . Jeffery P . M ., C . Gieseke P . M . Treasurer ,

Charles 3 . Free P . M . Secretary , Charles Schmidt P . M ., Samuel Toye P . M ., John Stroud P . M ., W . A . Bray S . W ., H . J . Rowberry J . D ., Walter J . Carroll I . G ., Robert F . Thomson A . D . C , Ernest C . Holmes Organist , A . 3 . Burridge , J . Angles , O . Greenland , W . T . Hustwayte , F . W . Ward , Frank Martin , J . W . Flatman , F . Weigand , J . Baker , A . Noble , W . E . Greenhouse , & o .

Tbe Visitors were Bros . S . W . Vale W . M . 861 , C . Scales P . M . 1567 , J . Walrond Orchard 1289 , R . Wright 861 , S . Buqanna 1602 , Alfred Cook J . D . 1445 , and Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 . The Lodge was duly opened , and the minutes of the last regular meeting

were confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Mr . William Hartwell , as a candidate for Freemasonry , whioh proved unanimous , and Mr . Hartwell being in attendance he was admitted and received into the mysteries and privileges of the Craft . The ceremony was beautifully rendered by the Worshipful Master .

Bros . Joseph Cooper and W . J . Lionel Jones being candidates for the second degree went through the usual examinations and were subsequently passed to the rank of Craftsmen . This ceremony was also excellently performed by Bro . Hyde . The Bye-laws were read out by the Secretary , after which , in accordance ¦ with Rule 3 , the Brethren proceeded to the election of a Master and Treasurer for the ensuing year . The names of those qualified for election having been

¦ stated , the choice of the Lodge fell upon Bro . William Athol Bray S . W . as Master , while Brother Charles Gieseke P . M . was re-elected Treasurer for the fifteenth year . Both of these Officers returned thanks for their appointment . Upon a show of hands Bro . Thos . Bowler was re-appointed Tyler for the eighteenth year , he having orginally joined the Lodge at the Spotted Dog , at Upton . Bros . Holmes and Martin were chosen as Auditor * , and instructed to prepare the accounts of the Lodge previous to the next meeting .

The resolutions passed at the last Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , with reference to the Grand Lodge of Peru , as forwarded by the Grand Secretary , were read and ordered to be entered on the minutes . A warning from Grand Lodge respecting a certain person was also read . A candidate was proposed for initition at the next meeting , and the resignation of three members was received with regret .

The Past Master ' s jewel of the Lodge was voted by unanimous desire of the Brethren to Bro . Hyde , for the able manner in which he had conducted the duties of the chair during his year of office . A vote of sympathy was passed to Brother Butcher , who had met with an accident—in which we respectfully join . This terminated the business before the Lodge , which was thereupon closed , and tbe Brethren adjourned to supper .

LONDON SCHOOL BOARD LODGE , No . 2611 . rrTHE installation meeting took place at fche Hotel Cecil , on Monday , lltb JL inst ., when Bro . W . H . Kidson , M . L . S . B ., was installed as W . M ., and appointed his Officers . Among those present were Bros . Hy . Lynn P . M . 217 W . M ., Rev . A . Oxford I . P . M ., Wm . Hy . Kidson S . W . Master-Elect , 3 . R . Diggle J . W ., W . Boston Bourke J . D ., Edmund Barnes P . M . Sec , W . H . Key I . G ., P . White Org ., and others members . Bro . Kid was raised , and Bro . Mayhew passed .

A strong Board of Installed Masters was formed , including Bro . Archdeacon Sinclair P . G . C , Rev . J . S . Brownrigg P . G . C , Percival Nairne P . G . D ., J . G . Albert , Wm . Haydon , L . C . C ., Dutton , C . Woods , W . W . Lee , Lucas , Blvin , H . Seymour Foster , M . P ., and many others , in the presence of whom Bro . Lynn installed Bro . W . H . Kidson into the chair of K . S . All Masonic business being ended , the W . M . presided in his able genial manner over the festive board .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

RANELAGH LODGE , No . 834 . AT Hammersmith , on Friday , 8 th inst ., Bros . P . Cronin W . M . 1572 W . M ., W . W . Willinms P . M . 834 S . W ., W . J . Coplestone P . M . 834 J . W ., A . Williams P . M . 834 Preceptor , W . Hinds P . M . 185 Treasurer , F . Craggs P . M . 834 Secretary , R . H . Williams P . M . P . P . G . J . D . Middx . S . D ., Charles Barker P . M . 834 J . D ., Joseph Cox P . P . S . Middx . P . M . I . G ., W . T . Ridway Steward ,

James Banks W . M . 834 , Past Masters M . Speigel , W . Hide , T . W . Biggs , J . H . Gumming , J . Neilson , E . Fox ; Bros . Robert Reid W . M .-elect 1275 , K . M . Ross , E . Salt , J . J . Lewen , H . J . Cousens , H . Bone , M . F . Wilkins , T . E . P . Bell , G . Aggett , A . W . Pettit , W . P . Williams , J . Worth , W . G . Palmer , and others .

The Lodge was opened in due form and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Cronin vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Banks W . M . of tbe Mother Lodge , and when Bro . Ross had answered the questions leading to the second degree he opened the Lodge up and rehearsed tbe ceremony of raising , Bro . Ross being the candidate . Lodge was resumed to the first degree and called off and on . The W . M . then alluded to the presents they were about to offer their beloved and esteemed Bro . Craggs Secretary , and asked Bro . Arthur Williams

Instruction.

their Preceptor to make fche presentation , which consisted of an oaken case containing one dozen handsome plated and ivory handled fish knives and forks ; a magnificent cruet stand and bottles , with a pair of solid silver serviette rings , beautifully engraved with monograms . The box bore the following inscription :

Presented to BBO . F . CRAGGS , by members of the Ranelagh Lodge , and of fche Ranelagh , Chiswick , and Dalhousie Lodges of Instruction , on his marriage . May 1898 .

Bro . Arthur Williams , in a speech which thoroughly rivefcted fche attention of those present , alluded in most eulogistic terms to the great esteem in which Bro . Craggs was held by the Brethren with whom he came in contact in the western district of the Metropolis and elsewhere , not only for his amiable qualities and charitable disposition , bub also for the immense amount of time

and energy he devoted to the interest of Freemasonry . Bro . Williami alluded in a most flattering manner to fche great successes that had been aohieved by the West London Masonic Election Association , mainly by the energy and able guidance of Bro . Craggs , and wound up by wishing him long life to use the useful household articles they were asking him to accept that evening .

Bro . Craggs replied in a few well chosen sentences , assuring the Brethren that what he had done for the Craft he considered he was in duty bound to do , to redeem fche promises he had entered into ; and in thanking the Brethren for their kind presents he said he should always be pleased fco do all he could to assist the Lodges and Lodges of Instruction with which he was connected .

Bro . M . Speigel , representing several Lodges , Bro . T . W . Biggs the Star Lodge , and Bro . Jos . Cox the Dalhousie Lodge , all made extremely neat speeches , in which fchey wished Bro . Craggs every success . Bro . Banks was elected W . M . for the next meeting , and Bros . Bell and Pettit were elected members . Bro . Hide P . M . of the Star Lodge , No . 1275 , presented his framed portrait to the Lodge of Instruction and ifc was at once hung in fche portrait gallery , which contains representations of many Past Masters residing in the West of London .

Hearty good wishes having been given and received the Lodge was closed in ancient form , and the Brethren one and all expressed an opinion that a mosfc pleasant and enjoyable evening had been spent .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

ALBERT VICTOR LODGE , No . 1773 . Picnic through Mid-Cheshire . THE annual picnic took place on Saturday , 2 nd inst ., fche arrangements made for the occasion including a circular drive through mid-Cheshire . Members and friends , numbering nearly sixty , met at the London Road Station , Manchester , at 1-80 p . m ., and were conveyed by train to Macclesfield , where carriages awaited them .

Thence they were driven along the Chester Road , through Broken Cross , and on fco Henbury and Birfcles , the latter place containing the pleasant residence of J . B . Close Brooks , Esq . Then OQ to Monks Heath and Capesthorne Hall , the latter being the seat of W . Bromley Davenport , Esq ., M . P . Although the Hall could not be seen as we drove onwards , yet we were not far from the residence of Lord Stanley . It seems that the

connection of the name Stanley of Alderley extends back to about the yeat A . D . 1420 , when the estate was inherited through marriage . Subsequently it was forfeited to the Crown , and after experiencing several changes of ownership , was re-acquired by purchase on the part of the first baronet , whose creation took place in 1660 . From the latter ifc was lineally descended to Sir John Stanley , who , in 1839 , was raised to the peerage under the title of Baron Stanley of Alderley .

Capesthorne lies between Henbury and Chelford . Redesmere , in the Capesthorne Park , contains a floating island in the centre , one or two acres in extent , and covered wifch trees and brushwood , the island being sometimes moved by strong currents of wind . There is a legend to account for this floating island : a dashing knighfc and a love-sick Lady Isabel , fche latter having been wronged out of her possessions by a certain Sir Hugh de Moreton . At last she resumed her rights , bufc the knighfc becoming jealous of certain rivals , vowed that

Until the island moved along The bosom of fche mere , He would not look upon the face Of Isabel De Vere . But a friendly and opportune hurricane interposed , and with the usual poetical justice , all was made right , the lovers being ultimately united and

rendered happy . Capesthorne Hall is described as being of red brick , with stone dressings , and surrounded by pinnacles and turrets—style partly Elizabethan and partly after the age of Louis Quinze . Besides the rabbit warren and a splendid avenue of trees , there is to be seen a noble terrace , and a conservatory 150 feet long , designed by the late Sir Joseph Paxton .

Proceeding onward we passed Siddington , and arrived at Marton for an inspection of its church and great oak tree , if time had allowed . In lieu of this , however , the major portion of fche company partook of a friendly glass at the Davenport Arms , and the journey was renewed , terminating at Congleton after a drive of fifteen miles . Tea had been provided at the Lion and Swan Hotela quaint and

, interesting hostlery , the numerous articles of old oak furniture raising many an envious sigh from the visitors . The proprietor , Massie Harper , must be congratulated upon the excellent accommodation which a large and handsome dining room furnished for the party , fche meal being well and quickly served by over half-a-dozen young ladies , representing that class of female whom Milton calls " the neat-handed Phyllis . "

There was not much time for speeches , although one or two were indulged in . Bro . Samuel Statham P . M . P . P . G . Treas . having uttered grace , and added a few words wifch the quiet dignity which always distinguishes his efforts , Bro . Thomas Threlfall P . M , P . P . G . S . rose , and congratulated the Worshipful Master upon having been connected with so successful a picnic . It had , he was sure , occasioned him no little trouble and anxiety , but a pleasant outing had beon the result , and they must register another triumph in connection wifch fche Albert Victor Lodge .