Reports Of Meetings.

and himself , and hoped , now he had vacated the chair , that it would continue . He would always be jealous of the privileges which the position of Past Master carried with it , and endeavour to render what support he could to his successor . The jewel was inscribed as follows : —

Presented to BEO . W . 0 . ROWLANDS hy the Manchester Dramatic Lodge , No . 2387 , in recognition of his services as Worshipful Master . April 26 th , 1900 .

Bro . Councillor Fred . Brocklehurst proposed the toast of the Past Masters , and Bro . J . M . Simpson P . M . introduced that of the visitors , many of the latter responding . During the evening letters of apology for non-attendance

were received from Bros . Clement R . N . Beswicke-Royds Dep . Prov . Grand Master , T . H . Birch Chairman of the Manchester Theatre Royal Co ., and others . The following telegrams addressed to the W . M . were also read : —

" Hearty congratulations , good wishes . Regret business prevents attendance .- -Johnson , Savage South Africa . " " Fraternal greetings and congratulations . Hearty wishes for successful year's Mastership . Love to all Brethren of my beloved Mother Lodge . — Corry . "

Brother Johnson , who is at present in Sheffield with the Savage South Africa exhibition , is manager of the Earl ' s Court Exhibition , London . Brother Corry is the well-known former manager of the Patent Theatre , Manchester .

Among the numerous visitors were Bros . J . M . Moss P . M . 1161 P . P . G . S . B ., J . H . Greenwood P . M . 993 Prov . Gr . Org ., M . H . Wells W . M . 2144 P . P . G . S ., Dr . E . Evanson Jones W . M . 581 , C . H . Arnold W . M . 1633 , George Hargreaves I . P . M . 1993 , & c .

Craft : Metropolitan

CRAFT : METROPOLITAN

HYGEIA LODGE , No . 2664 . UPON receiving an invitation to attend this Lodge we congratulated ourselves on the prospect of a brilliant opportunity of spending a pleasant and happy evening , for nowhere do we receive a more hearty reception than from the Worshipful Master , Officers , Past Masters and Brethren of the Hygeia Lodge , the regular meeting of which was held on Saturday , at the Holborn Restaurant .

Bro . Thomas Frederick Strutt W . M . was in his position as head of the Lodge , and was most ably supported by Bros . W . Hill Watson I . P . M ., J . M . Jones S . W ., W . L . Groom J . W ., C . W . Raymond P . M . Treas ., B . Tidman Sec , I . Young S . D ., J . W . Metcalfe J . D ., A . Taylor I . G ., W . Boyce P . M . D . C ., W . G . Lacy Org ., T . G . Dee and W . H . Grigg Stewards , T . Williams Tyler ; P . Aris , W . West , E . Ward , R . T . Butland , R . Ellis , A . Body , A . J . Bobbitt , W . Branson , T . W . Whipp , H . Marrable , A . McNair , G . Lill , J . C . Webb , J . Crane , A . Field , H . Herriott , F . J . Anthony , J . Folland , H . Alexander , W . H . J . Gathercole , J . W . Ki-k , and others .

The Visitors included Bros . L . Cooper P . P . G . S . W . Buckingham , B . Wilford P . P . G . O ., W . J . H . Dixon 27 , A . Taylor W . M . 2501 , H . Cornfield I . P . M . 1922 , Edw . J . S . Ware W . M . 1922 , James Young Secretary 1805 , A . Bird P . M . 1805 , Sidney Roberts Org . 1670 , J . Wynman , & c . The Worshipful Master Bro . T . F . Strutt soon testified to the Brethren

that their choice of a ruler for the year had been a wise one . This was the first meeting since the installation of our worthy Brother , which took place in March , and he lost no time in opening his Lodge and having the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . The Lodje was next opened in the second degree , and Bro . B . P . Ward , having proved himself proficient as a Fellow Craft , was entrusted and retired .

The Lodge was opened in the third degree , and Bro . Ward was very impressively raised as a Master Mason . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Messrs . Henry Schultis Scbultess Young , Lewis George Wearing , and Charles Edward Brady were duly initiated into the' mysteries of the Craft , the charge being delivered with great care and precision . A gentleman , Mr . Karl Kaps , was proposed for initiation at the next meeting . The musical portions of the ceremonies were entered into with zest by all the members present .

Masonic business being ended the Brethren enjoyed a capital Banquet , under the presidency of the W . M ., who afterwards honoured the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts .

In proposing the Queen , the W . M . said it needed no words to submit the toast , which was always adopted in every assembly of English Freemasons . Whether we regarded Her Majesty as head of our constitutional system , or as a generous supporter of our Masonic Institutions , it was our duty to express our gratitude to the sovereign of our vast empire in the toast of Queen and

Craft . As a Queen she had lived for her people , and as a woman she was more than beloved by her loyal and devoted subjects . Seeing her the other day driving through the streets of her capital , without escort , was an object lesson to our continental neighbours . Might the Great Architect of the Universe long spare Her Majesty to reign over us .

The W . M . next proceeded to give the toast of the M . W . G . M . the Prince of Wales , which was also received with enthusiasm . Bro . W . H . Watson I . P . M . proposed the toast of the Worshipful Master . It was the first night that the W . M . had presided as ruler of the Lodge since his installation . The work the W . M . had done that evening spoke well for him and the Lodge ; it was an excellent performance to do the ceremony of raising , and afterwar'ds to initiate three gentlemen ; and to include the ancient charge was no small matter . The work had been done exceptionally well

, and he could promise himself an easy year of Office as I . P . M ., a prediction which is likely to be fulfilled . It had been suggested to do something exceptional that evening . The W . M . had proposed that the Lodge preserve the portrait of each member in an album . He would suggest they be cabinet size , as they wanted to get as much of each member * as possible , and bo headed by the Founders of the Lodge . But he felt he was going away from the most particular point , which was to give them the toast of the Worshipful Muster , and to ask them to honour it with an exceptionall y bright Masonic lire , which was heartily responded to by the Brethren ,

Craft : Metropolitan

The W . M . received further proof of his popularity in the Lodge on rising to respond . He sincerely thanked Bro . Watson and the Brethren for having received the toast in so cordial a manner . He was proud to be the Master of the Hygeia Lodge , and promised that during his year of office he would endeavour to work in the interests of its members . It was a pleasure to preside over so united a Lodge . At this point the W . M . said he had the honour to inform the Brethren that Brother Lord Roberts bad captured Kroonstad , which announcement was received with cheers , the Brethren all joining in singing " Rule Britannia . "

The W . M . next proposed the toast of the evening : the Initiates . He could not but congratulate their new Brethren upon being introduced into Freemasonry , and trusted that the career entered upon might result in not only producing good and excellent members of the Fraternity , but also that they might become honoured and distinguished ornaments to the Craft . Bro . H . S . Schultess Young , in response , said : Worshipful Master , Officers and Brethren , it had been suggested by his Brother Initiates that as

he was called on first he should speak for them . That he most repectfully declined to do . He had always understood that there were two principle things a man must always face for himself ; those were death and , perhaps , marriage . To those he added , to speak for himself , as his Brothers were well able to do . But if he could—like most or all of them—make a witty , or a pretty , or a decent after dinner speech , that would neither be the time nor place to attempt it . His mind was only fixed on the thanks he owed them

for the honour of admission to the Lodge , and the manner in which they had received bim . First of all he must thank his old friend and Brother Robinson for his kindness in introducing him . They were old friends , had walked hospital , and worked side by side together . They had had their day of depression ; yea , and their hour of elevation , usually followed by a headache the next morning ; but that he could emphatically declare was before he

was a Mason ; since he had been a Mason he had never known him guilty of a mean or dishonourable action . It was to them all , his Brethren , his thanks were chiefly due , and from the bottom of his heart he thon exprosse I them . Hitherto the practice of the laws of his country had been dear to him—and sometimes not inexpensive to other people , but from that moment his chief desire would be to loyally obey the laws , and faithfully promote the principle of their great Brotherhood .

Bro . L . G . Wearing thanked the W . M . for having initiated him in such an impressive manner , and the Brethren for having accepted him as a Brother amongst them . In time to come he hoped to give them proof that their confidence was not misplaced . Bro . 0 . E . Brady said that after such elegant speakers he did not know what to say , but he had been very impressed with the ceremony , and should never forget his obligation . He thanked Bro . Lill , and their worthy Secretary Bro . Tidman , for having introduced him into Freemasonry .

The W . M . next , in eloquent terms , proposed the toast of the Visitors , avid accorded them a most hearty welcome . Bro . Cooper thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their very kind reception . He had received a real Masonic treat , the working he had witnessed being perfectly and most impressively rendered . He sp : > ke as a Freemason of experience , having been a member of the Craft for about twenty-eight years , and he felt sure that the Lodge would become one of the most prosperous in the metropolis .

Bro . Ware thanked the W . M . for having coupled his name with the toast of the Visitors , and complimented the W . M . on his working . The candidates , he was sure , would always remember the impressive manner they had been initiated there that evening . The Worshipful Master had surpassed any working he had witnessed , and he thanked all for their kind reception .

Bro . Young Secretary 1805 thanked the W . M . for his kindly welcome and quoted : Happy we ' ve been a' thegither , Happy we ' ve been yin an' a ' , Happier yet we'll be thegither , Before we rise to gang awa . '

The W . M . next presented the toast of the Past Masters , whom he described as the mainstay of the Lodge . He hoped to receive support from them should that be required . Bro . Boyce said he highly appreciated the remarks of the W . M ., who had ably fulfilled the duties of the chair . His working was all that could be desired . He had had the pleasure of introducing the W . M . into Freemasonry , and at the time of his proposition he was sure he bad introduced a good man . He was amply repaid in seeing his old friend in the chair of K . S .

Bro . Raymond , who followed , responded more as Treasurer than as a Past Master . He promised that as long as he held the office of Treasurer he would jealously protect the financial interests of the Lodge . Bro . Watson P . M . in humorous terms protested against Bro . Boyce claiming to be the senior Past Master . That distinction belonged rather to himself , he being the I . P . M . He also objected to Bro . Raymond claiming

to be the old fossil , as that privilege also belonged to himself . He hoped he would live long enough to see every seat at the cross table occupied by Past Masters of the Lodge , to obtain whom there would be no difficulty , whilst the Lodge was supported by such excellent Officers as were at present supporting the W . M . As in the Hygeia Lodge music was preferred to long speeches he concluded by thanking the Brethren for their kiud reception of the toast of the Past Masters .

The toasts of the Secretary and Officers of the Lodge were duly honoured and responded to , the proceedings concluding at a late hour with the Tyler's toast . During the evening several Brethren contributed song and recitation . Bro , Sidney Roberts played an excellent selection , with his usual ability . Bro . Ellis , Whipp , Kirk , and Young assisted with song . Bro . West gave the Initiate ' s song in good style , and Bros . W . Herriott and H . S . S . Young gave some excellent recitations .

Isle Of Man.

ISLE OF MAN .

IT is understood that Lord Henniker Provincial Grand Master-designate and Bro . F . C . Poulter Provincial Grand Secretary , are arranging for an early meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge , for the purpose of installing the new

Master , and appointing a fresh set of Officers . It is locally considered certainly time something was being done , for the impression was getting current that the whole thing was likely to fall through . In fact , there was some doubt as to whether there was any Provincial authority on the Island .