Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

CRAFT : METROPOLITAN .

CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . rriHE annual election meeting took place on Monday , at Anderton ' s Hotel , JL Fleet Street , when the Brethren assembled in strong force to attend to their Masonic duties , and probably with the pleasant intention of giving their unanimous vote to their popular friend and Brother J . W . Simeons who , as Senior Warden of the Lodge , came next in rotation for election as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year .

The Lodge was opened by Bro . George Spice W . M ., who had the assistance of Bros . E . Pennock I . P . M ., J . W . Simeons S . W ., Metcalf Baillie acting J . W ., E . J . Davey P . M . Sec ., Sidney Folk S . D ., W . Haughton acting J . D ., W . Hattersley acting I . G ., H . Lough Org . ; Past Masters W . A . Cubitt , Samuel Smithers , F . Haines ; aud Bros . E . T . Davey , G . Kimber , G . Baker , J . Davies , H . Jones , C . Cornish , W . Osborn , W . Carr , E . C . Tiffen , C . H . Brain , J . Sweeney , H . King , J . Biggs , F . Fells , J . Staal , A . Delmonti , E . Walesley , J . Done , J . Cutting , G . Barrett , M . Martin , M . Madders .

The Visitors included Bros . J . E . Culverhouse , Alex . Hampton , F . Simmonds , A . Arnott , J . Wynman , and others . The minutes having been confirmed , the Lodge was opened in the second degree , and Bros . Goodchild , Tiffen , and Sweeney were examined . Having answered the questions in a satisfactory manner they were entrusted and , the Lodge being advanced to the third degree , they were in due course raised as Master Masons .

The W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree , there being two Brethren on the Agenda for passing , viz . : Bros . Kimber and Osborn . Bro . Osborn being present answered the questions , and was regularly passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . Bro . Kimber was prevented being present at the appointed time , and will be passed at the next meeting .

The annual election now took place , and we were not at all surprised to hear the announcement from the Worshi pful Master that Bro . John White Simeons was unanimously elected Master for the coming year , the result of the ballot being most heartily received by the Brethren , on its announcement by Bro . Spice .

Bro . Simeons thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their unanimous vote appointing him ruler of the Confidence Lodge . As long as the Great Architect of the Universe gave him . health and strength he would endeavour to fulfill every duty that was expected of him . Bro . J . E . Fells P . M . was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Bernhardt Tyler , whilst Bros . Lough and Haughton were appointed Auditors .

Bro . Pennock I . P . M . proposed that the sum of ten guineas be voted from the Lodge to provide a Past Master ' s jewel , which the W . M . Bro . Spice so richly deserved . The ability he had shown during his year of office was something to be proud of . Bro . Cubitt P . M . had much pleasure In seconding this proposition to show the respect and high esteem they all had for the W . M . The vote was unanimously agreed to , and Bro . Spice acknowledged

the compliment in brief terms . The resignation of a Brother was accepted with regret . Bro . Pennock I . P . M . proposed that the sum of £ 5 5 s be sonfc to the Lord Mayor in aid of the Soldiers and Sailors Fund , which was agreed to , as was the suggestion of Bro . Davey Seen tary , who informed the W . M . that there was a Brother ( not a member of the Lodge ) in the ante-room who made an application for relief , and proposed a grant of one guinea on his behalf .

There being no further work the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren retired to partake of an excellent repast , after which the W . M . gave the loyal toasts , which were received with musical honours . Bro . Pennock I . P . M . had once more tho pleasure of proposing the health of the W . M . As he had predicted , Bro . Spice had more than answered expectations during the year he had been in the chair . His working and

his ruling would really serve as examples of what should be done for the management of a Lodge . The W . M . returned thanks . It was with a certain amount of regret he should leave tie chair as ruler of the Lodge , as he really had his heart and soul in it . But he had had bis turn , and was pleased to have given

satisfaction . He was glad to see his dear old friend Bro . Simeons elected to the chair , as he had had the pleasure of knowing him over thirty years . He was sure the members could not have done better than elect him as ruler of the Lodge ; he knew the work and his duties to perfection , and he called upon them to drink health and prosperity to him as Worshipful Master-elect .

Bro . Simeons , in reply , said , as he had already observed in Lodge , he was truly sincere in thanking them for the way they had elected him as Master , and now for the very hearty manner in which they had received his toast . He could only promise them that with the assistance of the present Master and the Officers , he would do everything in his power that the Lodge should lose 01 the

none prestige it had won in the past and , if possible , his year of office should eclipse what had gone before . Once again he desired to thank them , and expressed the hope that ho should be able to meet them with the same amount of enthusiasm on his retirement as was shown towards him that day on his election as Blaster . The Visitors' toast was next given and responded to .

The harmony of the evening was enchanced by some capital singing , by Bros . Barrett , Madders , and Simeons , whilst Bro . S . Smithers P . M . gave as a recitation the " Charge of the Light Brigade , " and Bro . H . Lough Organist of the Lodge exhibited his usual skill on the piano . During the evening £ 3 15 s was collected , to be added to the five guineas voted in the Lodge , for the sufferers by the war .

ST . MICHAEL LODGE , No . 211 . THE regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Albion , Aldersgate Street , E . C , on Tuesday , when a sum of 105 shillings was contributed to the " Daily Telegraph" War Fund for Widows and Orphans .

ROYAL COMMEMORATION LODGE , No . 1586 . Ladles' Night . A MEETING of this flourishing Lodge was held at the Holborn Restaurant , on Wednesday , 6 th inst ., when , in addition to Bro . A . E . W . MacCamley W . M ., a goodly array of Officers and Brethren attended to

Reports Of Meetings.

support the Master , and transact the duties of the Lodge . In view of what was before him , the W . M . wisely refrained from attempting to do too much , contenting himself in raising a Brother—the ceremony being gone through in a very creditable manner , alike satisfactory to the members and the many visitors present . A more than ordinarily large number of the Craft foregathered , this being the Annual Ladies' meeting , and a bright and pleasant scene was witnessed at the informal reception which preceded the banquet .

The Worshipful Master , who was accompanied by his wife , presided , and supporting him were the following Ladies and Brethren at the principal table : Bro . and Mrs . C . W . Cornish ( 1044 ) , Bro . C . J . Simmons-Jaques ( 1524 ) , Bro . and Mrs . T . J . Wood , Bro . W . R . Pease , Bro . J . A . Smith , Bro . D . W . B . and Mrs . Swain , Bro . F . and Mrs . Thomas and Mrs . Grace , Bro . S . O . Montagu-Austin ( I . P . M . 144 ) and Mrs . Montagu-Austin , Bro . and Mrs . Barrow . We regret we have no space to record the names of the many others present .

After grace , given by the Chairman , full justice was done to a recherche banquet , served in the style so well known to Masonic habitues at this popular meeting place of the Craft . With commendable punctuality the W . M . commenced the toast list and long programme of music , and in proposing the toast of the Queen made

passing allusion in very feeling terms to the national anxieties that were now pressing upon our revered Sovereign , and expressed the opinion that among her subjects there were none more devoted , more loyal , or more sympathetic than the members of the Craft . The national anthem was sung with enthusiasm by the artistes and company , Miss Bessie Spells singing the solo in splendid style .

In dealing with the toast of the Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal family , the Chairman referred in eloquent terms to the services the Prince rendered to the Craft , and to the many thoughtful aots generously performed by the Princess and other members of their family , which ensured a splendid reception for " God Bless the Prince of Wales " ( solo by Mr . G . A . . Knight ) . in kind and

In proposing the health of the W . M ., Bro . J . W . Robinson , a eloquent speech , spoke in terms of high commendation of the manner in which the Master had done his work within the Lodge , and the progress it had made under his guidance . The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm . In reply , the Chairman gave a brief retrospect of his Masonic work , and gratefully acknowledged his indebtedness to the Officers and Brethren who

had so cheerfully and efficiently supported him . Instead of being the most autocratic he , personally , felt the most dependent personage in the Lodgedependent upon the Brethren generally for their loyal support and goodwill , but above all upon his Officers , who- he trusted and felt assured would at all times be faithful to the call of duty , and help him to maintain the repute of the Royal Commemoration Lodge . He heartily thanked all present for the kind manner in which the toast of his health had been received .

The Chairman proposed the Army , Navy , and Reserve forces , in stirring style , after which Miss E . B . Robinson sang " The Absent-Minded Beggar , " the collection which followed resulting in £ 5 14 s being added to the " Daily Mail" war fund . Bro . G . A . Knight , a member of the reserved forces whose name had been coupled with the toast , suitably acknowledged the compliment . Bro . C . W . Cornish in a few well chosen sentences proposed the members of 1585 , to which Bro . Joseph Cox replied .

In a humorous manner the Chairman gave the toast of the Ladies and Visitors , to which Mr . S . C . Montagu-Austin replied . A bright entertainment of music , & c , was excellently given ; Mils Bessie Spells being in excellent voice , and rendering in musicianly style " The Moorish Maid " ( Parker ) , and this being encored she responded in an arch manner with "The Fan , " and later gave " There is a land" ( F . Alliston ) and " Killarney " ; Bro . S . O . Montagu-Austin sang " Thy sentinel am I , "

and " The Deathless Army , " very creditably ; Bro . Harry Clements in truly comic fashion sung " Oh her face , " and " Up from Cheadle" ; Bro . C . Arthur gave variety to the harmony by a comique entertainment entitled : " Chapeaugraphy" or twenty faces under one hat ; Miss Northcroft sang " Under the red flag , " and " Love ' s old sweet song " ; Bro . F . Thomas played Saraste ' s violin solo " Izigeuneriveisun , " and H . Burn was down to sing " How shall I woo her , " and Pinsuti's " The last watch . " Miss Adams and Bro . C . Winterton ably accompanied .

The Lodge has evidently command of good musical talent , and a delightfully enjoyable evening was brought to a conclusion all too soon . Whilst the banquet was being partaken of a flash light photograph was taken by Messrs . Fradelle and Young , of Regent Street , W .

GALLERY LODGE , No . 1928 . THIS Lodge , which enjoys the distinction of being the only exclusively Press Lodge known in Freemasonry , may be said to possess a record in another direction also , it seldom happening that one of its meetings is held without the presence of some Brother or Brethren of special distinction in

the Masonic or outside world among the visitor . * , and it is surprising to note in this connection how the leading men in almost every sphere of life have a kindly word to say for the Press , and how many of them acknowledge thoir indebtedness to the men who have had to report their speeches , or prepare them for immediate publication in the newspaper press of the day .

The installation meeting , held on Saturday , at Anderton s Hotel , Fleet Street , was no exception to the rule we have referred to , the principal guests of the evening including Mr . Justice Bucknill Past Grand Warden of England , and the Ven . Archdeacon of London Bro . W . M . Sinclair Past Grand Chaplain , whose remarks , in responding to the toast of the Grand Officers , were particularly interesting .

The meeting was presided over by Bro . E . A . Poachey W . M ., who installed Bro . F . W . Brodie as his successor in the chair , and was afterwards presented with a Past Master ' s jewel , in recognition of his most successful year of office as ruler of the Lodge . Bro . H . L . Bell was the recipient of a special jewel awarded by the Lodge for his services successively as Assistant aud Acting Secretary for two years .

At the conclusion of the Lodge business the annual banquet took place , when the customary toasts were honoured . Sir T . Townsend Bucknill , replying in a happy speech to the toast of the Grand Officers , mentioned that just as he entered the Temple to struggle up the ladder of a barrister ' s life he became a Mason , and he had now been a

Mason for over thirty years . He was quite satisfied that he would not have been anywhere near what he wa 3 now if he had not been a Mason , and but for the kindness he had received from Masons . It was a delight to bo among those in the Craft . Another delight which he experienced that evening was that he had never been amongst so many of those of whom he had been so