Reports Of Meetings.

to his predecessor Bro . J . Scott Miller the Past Master ' s jewel of the Lodge , which'he said was given as a token of the esteem and regard of the members , and with the wish that the recipient might live long to wear it in the Lodge . Bro . Miller was really a jolly good fellow , and he had much pleasure in calling upon them to drink the toast in his honour , which was heartily done . Rising to respond , the Immediate Past Master was again enthusiastically received . He sincerely thanked the Lodge for the handsome present they

had made him , and expressed his gratitude to them , as well as his pride at the hearty sentiments uttered in his behalf . He had had a very pleasant year of office , during which thero was not a single misunderstanding , and he most sincerely thanked the members for their support . He was very proud of having been Master of the Old Boys Lodge , and felt under a debt of gratitude to the Officers , who had so loyally supported him in the work of his year .

The toasfc of the Visitors was next given from the chair , the guests of the evening being accorded a hearty welcome . The W . M . was pleased to know they had some twenty Visitors present , and hoped they had one and all enjoyed their visit . Bro . Hodge , responding , expressed his pleasure at being present , complimented the I . P . M . on the perfect way in which he had performed the work , and thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their hospitality .

Bros . Crawford , Brown , Beresford Ryley , and Gray also acknowledged the toast . Bro . Walter Martin here announced that Bro . Bamera was about to leave England , and felt the Brethren would like to join in wishing him { ' God speed , " and a safe return to the country when he desired it . Bro . Bamera thanked Bro . Martin and the Brethren for their kind expressions . He came over to England to pass an examination , and was very pleased to say he had succeeded . He fully appreciated the good wishes of the Brethren .

The Charity box was then handed round , and a substantial sum was realised , after which the W . M . proposed the toast of the Charities . As the fortune of war led to some being maimed , so in the battle of life some were unable to resist the fierce onrush of poverty ; and to assist those who were so overcome was the work of the Masonic Charities . He felt sure fche toast would be heartily received by the Brethren , coupled with the name of Bro . McLeod Secretary of the Boys School .

Bro . McLeod expressed his regret at arriving so late ; other Masonic business had detained him . He then spoke of the work being carried on by the three Charity Funds , which he was pleased to say were in a flourishing condition . The requirements of the Boys School had necessitated the purchase of new property ] and he hoped the Brethren would do their best in support of the Worshipful Master's Stewardship , to not only pay for this extension , bufc fco enable the good work of the Institution to be increased .

The Past Masters toast was rendered from the chair with very warm expressions of esteem and regard towards those who had ruled the Lodge in the past . Bro . Edwards P . M . said it was a great pleasure to him to see Bro . Almond W . M . of their Lodge , and he wished him a prosperous year of office . He had been particularly interested in the speech of Bro . McLeod , in regard to the Charities , and hoped the Brethren would support the Institutions to the best of their ability .

Bro . G . Scott Miller thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks , and Bro . Walter Martin for the hearty assistance he had rendered him during his year of office . Bro . Walter Martin also responded , thanking the Brethren for their reception , and hoping they would take to heart what Bro . McLeod had said concerning the Charities . This , coupled with the strong appeal of the Worshipful Mastor would , he hoped , enable the Lodge to send up a total of at least £ 200 for the Centenary celebration of the Boys School .

In submitting the toast of the Treasurer and Secretary the W . M . felt they were indeed fortunate in having two such worthy and experienced Masons to fill the offices as Past Masters Whitford , and Bro . W . S . Bunting . The Treasurer said he was pleased to hold the position he did in the Lodge . He complimented the Stewards on having fulfilled their duties that evening in so admirable a manner , was pleased to say the Lodge was on a firm footing , and announced that £ 2 10 s had been collected in the Charity box .

The Secretary said he was also very pleased to hold the office of Secretary , the duties of which he had fulfilled since the consecration of the Lodge . The W . M . next proposed the Officers of the Lodge , and in doing so said he felt he had the right sort of Brethren to support him in the management .

The Senior Warden said he was very proud of holding so hi gh a position in the Lodge , and would do everything in his power to give satisfaction . The Junior Warden said the Officers were proud to serve under such a Worshipful Master as theirs , and he trusted that at the end of his terra of office their ruler would be able to say that one and all had done their duty as noble soldiers in the good cause .

The Deacons also responded , and then came Bro . Saunion P . M . who was pleased to hold the office of Inner Guard in the Old Boys Lod ge . The Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings . An excellent programme of music was provided , and the pleasures of the evening were considerably enhanced by the talent exhibited by the

following artistes : —Mdlle Helene Michaelis ( who enlivened the company with some excellent songs , and was deservedly encored ) , Miss Gwynne Willson ( a charming violinist ; of twelve years of age , who gave a refined violin solo ) , Bros . J . 3 . Moore , F . Frampton , W . Ballard , and others . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Merton Clark Organist of the Lodge .

It is worthy of note that the list of the W . M ., as Steward for the Boys , was increased to £ 150 during the evening .

J V \* BARNET LODGE , No . 2509 . THIS young Lodge is making steady progress , and is extending its membership in a manner that must be eminently satisfactory to its Founders , the majority of its initiates being gentlemen of the locality in which its meetings are held , and not , as is very often the ease with suburban Lodges , gentlemen from far off districts , who are introduced as the result of business association , rather than personal friendship .

The March meeting was held afc the Assembl y Rooms , New Barnet , on Thursday , 10 th inst ., when Bro . John Falconer W . M . was called upon to perform the three ceremonies , and most efficiently did he carry out his task .

Reports Of Meetings.

The minutes having been confirmed , tho Lodge was advanced , and Bros . F . W . Harvey and Stephen Turnbull were raised to the degree of Master Mason . Bro . W . W . Gabell was passed , and Mr . William Henry Cross , having been unanimously accepted oa the ballot , was regularly initiated .

The Lodge was then closed and the Brethren sat down to supper , after which the usual toast list was gone through . Responding to the toast of his health , the W . M . said he could not believe he was deserving of all the good things that had been said about him . He considered it a great advantage to have such an Immediate

Past Master as Bro . Cranston to support the W . M ., and such united Brethren to support the Lodge . He had specially to thank his fellow members for the way in which they had responded to his appeal on behalf of the Centenary celebration of the Boys School , for which he had promised to act as Steward .

The next toast the W . M . regarded as the chief one of the eveningthe Initiate , Bro . Cross , who was personally known to most of the members of the Lodge , and favourably so . He had gone through the ceremony in such a way as to impress them with the feeling that he was fully alive to the responsibilities he was undertaking . The W . M . had been convinced that the Lodge was receiving a member who would become a credit to the Craffc in fche future . They looked to the Brethren coming on in the Lodge to not only uphold its reputation , but add to it . The toast was heartily received and duly acknowledged .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . ON the 10 th inst ., at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , Bro . Charles Coombs P . M . W . M ., F . W . Ridley S . W ., R . W . Robinson J . W ., F . J . Larkman Treas ., J . H . Gumming Sec , F . Craggs P . M . 834 , R . H . Williams P . M . Preceptor , C Humble S . D ., H . R . Worth J . D ., H . Johnson I . G ., W . Edwards 780 , E . H . Wilcox , D . Rawlings , J . Ashton , and others .

The Lodge was opened in the three Degrees , and then resumed fco the second , when the ceremony of Installation was rehearsed , Bro . P . M . Larkman kindly acting as W . M .-elect and Bro . R . H . Williams as Director of Ceremonies . Bro . Coombs acted as Installing Master , and gave the charges in a faultless manner .

The Lodge was now resumed to the first degree and the ceremony of Initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Wilcox candidate . The Brethren then worked the first section of the Lecture , under tne direction of the Preceptor . Bro . J . Dennis P . M . was elected to the chair for the next meeting , and a large assemblage of the Brethren was expected .

KENSINGTON LODGE , No . 1767 . ON the 1 st inst ., at the Town Hall Tavern , Kensington , Bro . Wm . Hillier P . M . Preceptor W . M ., J . Knight S . W ., M . Spiegel P . M . J . W ., W . B . Neville P . M . Treas ., F . Craggs P . M . Sec , C . G . Hatt P . M ., W . Hide P . M ., A . Williams P . M ., P . Cronin W . M . 1512 , R . H . Williams P . M . P . P . G . J . D .

Middx ., G . W . T . Kirkham W . M . 2309 S . D ., J . W . Facey J . D ., Maurice MOM I . G ., A . J . Taylor Steward , J . T . Davies , J . H . Catten , Robert Reid , W . R . Flack , H . Robinson , J . J . Gilbeart , J . W . Bradshaw , J . Schottb , Warren , Stone , E . J . Moss .

The Lodge was opened to the third degree , and resumed in the second , when the sections of the second lecture were worked by Bros . J . W . Facey , Robert Reid , J . Knight , M . Spiegel , and F . Craggs . The Lodge was resumed in the third degree , and the sections of that lecture were worked by Bros . P . Cronin , and A . Williams .

Votes of thanks were passed to the W . M ., the Senior and Junior Wardens , and the section workers . Bros . Bradshaw and E . J . Moss were elected members , and the Lodge was closed in peace and harmony .

o o o BROMLEY ST . LEONARD LODGE , No . 1805 . AT the Bow Bells , Bow Road , E ., on Wednesday , 16 th inst ., Bro . J . Butcher W . M ., H . Soar S . W ., J . Goulston J . W ., F . A . Slater S . D ., Munday J . D ., Durrell I . G ., F . Thornton Sec , J . De Casseres P . M . Preceptor , Flynn , See .

The Lodge was opened in the 1 st degree , and the W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of Initiation , Bro . Thornton acting as candidate . The Brethren assisted Bro . Goulston to work tbe 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd sections of the Lecture . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Butcher , it being the first time he had occupied the chair , for the able manner in which he had fulfilled the duties . Bro . Holmes was elected to the chair for Wednesday , 23 rd inst ., fco which date the Lodge was adjourned .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 , f ~|~ lHE annual meeting and Festival of St . John took place at the I Freemasons' Hall , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , on Friday , 4 th inst . There was an attendance of nearly fifty Brethren , the visitors representing every neighbouring Province .

The principal business was the installation of Bro . I . R . E . Birkett J . W . into the chair , this duly being undertaken by Bro . Alfred Pickford P . M ., in the absence of Bro . T . A . Holland W . M ., who is travelling abroad . Bro . Pickford was assisted by Past Masters of the Lodge , Bros . Councillor J . J . Lambert P . G . D . C , Henry Nail P . P . G . Reg , and Arthur A . Moss Prov . Gr . Deacon acting as Installing S . W ., J . W ., and I . G . respectively .

A splendid banquet had been provided in the dining room of the institution , the caterer being Bro . J . W . Wilcock , and after Lodge business the Brethren sat down to the same . A very pleasant evening followed , the various Loyal and Masonic toasts being interspersed with songs , & c , the principal con tributaries being Bro . Cyril H . Beever P . M . Sec , with the fairy bells ; Bro . Harrison Hill , of the Manchester concerts , who , amongst other items , sang one of his own songs "All who are proud of England ; " Bro . W , Rushton , Bro . W . Howard , and Bro . T . Shaw W . M . 1387 .