Reports Of Meetings.

KIRKDALE LODGE , No . 1756 . ON Thursday , 9 th inst ., the members and friends , to the number of about seventy , held their annual pic nic at the picturesque and historic town of Castleton , adjacent to the Peak in Derbyshire . The company was conveyed by rail in well-appointed saloon carriages , and after Hope was reached wagonettes were in waiting to drive the party to the . Nag ' s Head ,

where a sumptuous repast was served by the able hostess . The weather being delightfully fine , visits to the Peak caverns , and drives to the other many surrounding places of interest , were greatly enjoyed , the party subsequently arriving home loud in their praises of the day ' s outing , none the less for the courtesy and attention displayed by the respected W . M . Bro . C . F . Reid .

ALBERT VICTOR LODGE , No . 1773 . THIS year the members selected Southport for their annual pic-nic , which took place a fortnight ago , and from several observations made in our hearing , the choice of this place seemed to give universal satisfaction . The journey from Manchester did not occupy quite an hour , and the party , which left early in the day , had the greater portion of the morning at their disposal for participating in the usual sea-side enjoyments .

A very excellent dinner was provided at the Bolt Arms Hotel , after which the Brethren and lady friends were driven to the Botanical Gardens at Churchtown , where they spent the afternoon , returning to the Hotel in time for a good tea . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were afterwards submitted and heartily received , that of the Worshipful Master being proposed by Bro . W . Mosley I . P . M .

Bro . Jas . Clough W . M ., in responding , said that so far as he could judge the pic-nic of that day had been a success , and he thanked all who were present for the support accorded him . Bro . Harrop P . BI . then called upon Bro . W . Allen Smith to propose the toast of the ladies , which he did in a neat and effective manner . He said that the ladies were the last things created , and therefore the best , —they were in fact perfection , at the same time he advised the unmarried ones to look for a good Mason if they wanted a good husband .

The option had been given to the party of returning to Manchester either at an early or a late hour , and by the kindness of Bro . Winterbottom P . M . a saloon carriage was attached to each train .

ST . GEORGE LODGE , No . 1958 . THE installation of Bro . W . S . Dray took place at the Masonic Hall , Portsea , on Wednesday , 8 th inst ., the ceremony being conducted by the retiring W . M . Bro . W . L . Pine .

MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . THE second annual pic-nic of this Lodge took place on Monday , 29 th ult ., the locality selected being Bolton Abbey . A . committee responsible for its success consisted of Bros . Henry Nail P . BI . Prov . G . Treas . ( W . L . ) W . M ., Seth Wrigley P . BI . Prov . G . J . D . D . C , Fred Hilton P . BI . P . P . G . D . C . S . W .,

and Sam Luke J . D . Pic-nic Secretary , and under this able management the result proved worthy of all efforts made . The party , consisting of over sixty persons , of both sexes , met at Victoria Station , Manchester , from whence they proceeded by special train to Skipton , saloon carriages being reserved for them .

An early luncheon had been provided at the Devonshire Hotel by the proprietor , Bro . T . Carlisle , which was partaken of , after which the visitors were driven to the neighbourhood of Bolton Abbey , of which we have previously given a history , as also a description of the fertile Craven valley . Wo may be pardoned however if we mention incidentally that , in the 12 th century , William Fitz-Duncan laid waste this district with fire and sword , being subsequently established here by his uncle , David King of Scotland .

He was the last of his race , and his son , popularly known as the Boy of Egremond , mot with a melancholy death while attempting to jump " The Strid , " a very dangerons part of the river Wharfe , which latter runs through the valley . On this account , and by way of perpetuating the boy ' s memory , a Priory which had existed at Embsay was removed to Bolton , so that it might be as near as possible to the place where the fatality took place . Samuel Rogers , the poet , has thought this incident worthy of a theme , and the following lines , which describe the mother ' s grief , are selected from the

same : — " Say , what remains when Hope is fled ? " She answered , " Endless weeping I " For in the herdsman ' s eye she read Who in his shroud lay sleeping . At Embsay rung the matin bell ,

The stag was roused on Barden fell ; The mingled sounds were swelling , dying , And down the Wharfe a hern was flying ; When near the cabin in the wood , In tartan clad and forest green , With hound in leash and hawk in hood ,

The Boy of Egremond was seen . Blithe was his song , a song of yore ; But where the rock is rent in two And the river rushes through His voice is heard no more 1

Twas but a step 1 the gulf he passed ; But that step—it was his last 1 The hound hung back , and back he drew The Master and his merlin too . That narrow place of noise and strife Received their little all of life .

As several members of the Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge are actively connected with art , literature , or the drama , it may be interesting for them to know that the late Philip Gilbert Hainerton , the celebrated painter , author , and art critic , was born at Wigglesworth , a somewhat microscopic town situated in one of the most beautiful parts of Craven .

The visitors , in true pic-nic method , divided into groups , and wandered indiscriminately through the charming scenery where " Holy men in cowl and hood Once wandered up and down the wood , " which could not fail to be attractive to all present , nor indeed to any Englishman who cherishes a love for the picturesque , or who has not that irreclaimable dilectiou for thc continent which is just now fashionable . At

Reports Of Meetings.

last the Strid was reached , and the various separated parties coalesced , and became one , Bro . Geo . H . Ward taking a photograph of them as they sat disposed among the rocks . The day was fine , but occasional sailing masses of heavy piebald clouds overhead sometimes threatened the advent of rain whioh , happily , never fell although ample provision had been made for this contingency . The return journey to Skipton was made without having had to resort to that useful , but ugliest of all pie-nic auxiliaries , the umbrella .

A very substantial dinner awaited the company , to which they did ample justice , after which Bro . Nail W . M . introduced the various loyal toasts , which he enlivened in his own apt way . Bro . Fred Hilton in turn proposed the health of the Worshipful Blaster , which was well received . He spoke of Bro . Nail ' s popularity in the Craft , and added that he was largely responsible for the comfort and happiness which had been theirs that day . Bro . M . Thomas P . M . P . P . G . D . then sang " Here ' s to his health , " being accompanied on the pianoforte by Bro . W . H . Purdy .

Bro . Nail W . M ., in thanking them for their kind and enthusiastic acceptance of his name , said that if they were pleased with the day's enjoyment he also must feel flattered . Bro . Hilton had remarked that he ( Bro . Nail ) was responsible for their successful outing , but he must remind them that it was Bro . Luke , the Secretary of the pic-nic , to whom they must feel grateful .

Tne health of the Ladies was proposed by Bro . W . A . Brabner P . M ., and responded to by Bro . Cyril H . Beever P . M . In response to the toast of the Visitors , proposed by the W . M ., Bro . John Chadwick P . G . Swd . Br . Eng . said he was exceedingly pleased to be present in

such charming company , and he hoped that before long the liberty might be accorded to him of participating in similar pleasures connected with the Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge . He alluded to the ladies in very gallant terms , adding that if they were admitted more to their privileges , it would undoubtedly add pleasure to their proceedings .

The return journey was commenced about 8 p . m ., the party arriving in Manchester at an early hour . Besides those already mentioned we noticed Bros . Thos . Black P . M ., Jos . Hilton , Thos . Hamnett , S . H . Stubbs , S . L . Watts , W . T . Watts , Chas . Harrop , H . Bowes . Visitors : —Bros . John Blann Crone , and Wm . Rushton , both of the Architect Lodge , No . 1375 .

QUEEN VICTORIA LODGE , No . 2584 . THE first annual pic-nic took place on Wednesday , 8 th inst ., and was a glorious success , auguring well for the prosperity of the Lodge . The weather was all that could be desired . The Brethren and friends , numbering over 60 , left the Central Station , Blanchester , at 9-15 a . m . in a saloon train for Wrexham , where they were met by coaches , and then driven through the lovely Vale of Llangollen , a distance of about thirteen miles . After a most enjoyable drive all were able to do full justice to an excellent lunch ,

provided at the Royal Hotel , Llangollen . The majority of the party then walked to Plas Newdd , the famed abode of the " Ladies of Llangollen , " the remainder visiting some of the many other spots of interest in the neighbourhood . The return drive to Wrexham concluded about 6-30 p . m ., when dinner was served at the Wynnstay Arms , Wrexham . The usual Loyal toasts were proposed , and Miss Holland sang " God save the Queen , " and " God bless the Prince of Wales , " when it became necessary to start for the station , the toast list being concluded in the railway carriage .

Refreshments were provided in the train both on the outward and return journey by Bro . Councillor Samuel I . Mills , who by his generosity and " bonhomie" proved himself a " beau ideal" Worshipful Master . The party arrived in Manchester at 10-30 p . m ., having been in a whirl of enjoyment from the start .

DEPTFORD LODGES EXCURSION . A NUMBER of the members of the Justice , No . 147 and Royal Oak , No . 871 Lodges , and their friends , to the number of 160 , went on Thursday , 2 nd inst ., to Ramsgate and Margate by the Palace steamer Royal Sovereign ( commanded by Bro . Captain Fishenden ) . The dining and drawing room saloons were reserved , and the party dined on board . At Margate some went ashore for a couple of hours , but others went on to Ramsgate . After leaving

Margate high tea was served , and with dancing , & c , the time passed pleasantly until at 8-45 the party reached Greenwich after a most enjoyable day . Bro . Balsdon W . M . 147 presided at both dinner and tea , and he was also President of the organising committee , of which Bros . W . E . Dilley P . M . 147 , and J . J . Pakes P . BI . 871 were Secretaries , and Bros . G . G . Bax P . M . 871 and G . Tarns 147 Assistant Secretaries .

Credit is due to Bro . Hodge , chief steward of the Royal Sovereign , for the manner in which dinner and tea were served . Bro . Sturdee successfully photographed the party on deck after dinner .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

BOGUS LODGES

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CEBONICLE . DEAR SIB AND BBOTHEB , —As an old Mason I was not a little alarmed to learn of the existence of " Bogus Lodges , " and , coming as the information did , from a great Provincial luminary , I cannot doubt its truth ; moreover , he stated that the Candidate got everything BUT the Grand Lodge Certificate . A caution through your valuable medium I am sure will not only be highly appreciated , but be of great service to the young Blason , and likewise prove the necessity of unknown visiting Brethren producing their Certificates . Yours sincerely W . L .