Instruction.

were present : Bros . Edgley P . M . W . M ., A . Jones S . W ., A . Darch P . M . Prec ,. W . J . Newstead Sec , T . F . Strutt W . M . 2664 and 1679 S . D ., Holmes-J . D ., " C . Andrews I . G ., J . Lane P . M ., Dr . F . Allen , W . Alabaster , W . King , E . Symons , B . Cohen , W . J . Perrin , 'J . ' Wynman . '

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . King candidate . The Lodge was advanced to the second degree , and after the usual preliminaries the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . B . Cohen acting as candidate . ' The Auditor ' s report was read , whereupon Bro . Cohen proposed that it be confirmed , and entered on the minutes .

The yearly election of Officers was next proceeded with . Bro . A . Darch proposed that Bro . B . Cohen be elected Preceptor for the ensuing year . Bro . Cohen politely refused , hut he had very much pleasure in proposing Bro . A . Darch , who , he was sure , would , be unanimously elected , as it would be very difficult to find a better

Preceptor than Bro . Darch : After an unanimous vote Bro ; Darch thanked the Brethren for having re-elected him Preceptor of the Lodge . He would be pleased to devote all his energy for the welfare of the Brethren who came to obtain the Masonic knowledge they required .

" Bro . Strutt in an eloquent speech proposed that Bro . W . J . Newstead be re-elected Secretary of the Lodge . He had acted as such for the past twelve months , and had worked very hard for the members during that time . His efforts had resulted alike creditable to himself and beneficial to the Lodge ; . his books had been kept in admirable style . The W . M . brought the proposition forward , and iVwas agreed to unanimousl y , the Master in a few well chosen' words

conveying ' the information to the Secretary , who , in reply , said " he was delighted to hear the very kind remarks' that had been uttered . He ; promised to do everything in his power for the happiness and prosperity of the members and the Lodge . He was only a . young Mason himself , therefore should like occasionally to work the ritual . He . again thanked the Brethren for their confidence and unanimous vote . Bro . Holdon ( in his absence ) was re-elected Treasurer of the Lodge .

- A hearty vote of thanks was-recorded on the minutes for the very able manner in which the W . M . had wprked the first and second ¦ decrees for the first time in the Lodge . Bro . Edgley returned thanks . Bro . J . Lane , who was in kakhi uniform , having recently returned from active service in South Africa , was elected a member , and in acknowledging the compliment said he would do his duty to the Lodge , as well as he had done his duty on ' the battlefield . Bro . Jones was elected W . M . for next meeting ; ' " ' * * *

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

Fidelity Lodge , No . 445 . INSTALLATION OF BROTHER G . H . DUNKLEY . THE annual installation festival was held on Friday , 5 th inst ., in the Lodge Room at the Pomfret Hotel , Towcester . There was a large attendance of Lod ge members and others from the sister Lodges in the district , nearly fifty in all .

The routine business of the Lodge having been transacted , Bro . G . H . Dunkley was installed in the chair , the ceremony and ritual being impressively performed by Bro . T . Mattinson , assisted by Bro . H . T . Bradley . The new W . M . then appointed and invested those of his Officers present for the year , as follow : —Bros . J . H . Nickson

S . W ., W . K . Higham J . W ., S . Jacob Chap ., Rev . E . K . Jones Assist . Chap ., J . C . Jones . Treasurer ,. W . E . Mawle Secretary , W . T . Knight Dir . of Cers ., F . Baker Org ., W . A . Pratt S . D ., S . C . Simmonds J . D ., W . E . Wren I . G ., C . W . Cole S . S ., G . Farey J . S ., E . Snedker Tyler . ' y Lodge was then closed in due form .

Subsequently the Brethren sat down to a banquet , which was served in the large room of the hotel in a very creditable style by Host O . J . and Mrs . Browning , and the catering gave satisfaction . At the conclusion of the banquet the W . M . gave the usual toasts .

Bro . J . Haviland P . G . D . Dep . Prov . G . M . Norths , and Hunts , responded to the toast of that Prov . Grand Lodge , and congratulated the W . M . on his being installed , and the Lodge on the way the work was done . It was a great pleasure to him to attend . „ , ^ fter the Secretary ' s toast , Bro . Dr . Knight proposed the Worshipful Master of the Lodp-e . nf Firlflitv ™ rl = ™ i-o ~ f + \ , a

excellent way m which Bro Dunkley had carried out his duties , and how pleased he was that , in spite of great difficulties , he had done his utmost to carry them out as they should be carried out in every Office he had filled until he had that day obtained the proud position of W . M . In electing him . to the chair they had done him great honour , and eaual honour tr > the T . nnW nf Firioiitu ., * + 1 ...

looking forward to a most prosperous year . Bro . Dunkley , in reply , said he was proud to see such a distinguished company of Masons to give him a send-off , and his only regret was that he did not join the Lodge earlier than he did . However , he had done his best , and to the best of his ability . Other toasts followed , songs being rendered at intervals .

* * » Lodge of Sympathy , No . 483 . INSTALLATION OF BROTHER WILLIAM SPENCER BOWEN . THE fifty-eighth anniversary of this successful Lodge , which now numbers some one hundred and thirty members , was held on Wednesday , at the Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , when as usual a large company assembled to take part in the interesting proceedings . 6 Bro . J . N . Willis W . M . ( Mayor of Gravesend ) presided , and

Provincial.

opened the Lodge with praiseworthy punctuality . He was supported by his Officers , and a goodly num . Der . of visitors , it being the good old custom to invite the Masters of all the Lodges in the Province . Among those present were Bros . George Naylor P . P . G . D . C ., Arthur Ronaldson P . P . A . G . S ., . Henry Doughty P . P . G . Std . Br ., Charles Cobham . f . P . G . S .- of W . Durham , R . J . Beamish P . P . G . D . C , T . H . Lygo Prov . G . D . C , Henry Forss P . M ., William Hawker P . M .,

Charles Matthews P . M ., A . J . Waiklin I . P . M ., William Gunn P . M . 77 , : S . R . Macartney P . M . 1464 , George Fishenden P . M . 70 b , W . Payne W . M . of the Lodge- of Antiquity , No . 20 , the oldest Lodge in the Province , C . F ' . Bow I . P . M . 503 , W . H . Hedger , P . M . 77 , Frederick Mitchell P . M . 14643 Dr . James Tees W . M . 700 , H . E . Pearce W . M . 290 , R . Vivyan 2128 , A . Williamson 592 , . T . Dutton 554 , Geo . R . Ceiley 1464 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , & c , & c .

After the minutes , of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , the Treasurer ' s report was presented , but discussion thereon was postponed . ¦ ¦ . ' The preliminary business , having been disposed of , the W . M . resigned the Chair to Bro . A . J . Waiklin I . P . M ., who had kindly consented to perform the installation ceremony . Having declared all Offices vacant , Bro . Waiklin appointed Bros . George Naylor S . W ., R . J . Beamish J . W ., T . H . Lygo D . C , and W . Hawker I . G .

Bro . William Spencer Bowen W . M .-elect was presented , and , formally signified his assent to the ancient charges and regulations . A Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Bowen was regularly installed as Master of the Lodge . An interesting innovation was introduced by Bro . Bpweri when investing his predecessor as I . P . M ., by giving the explanation of the Past Master ' s

jewel , ' which is but too seldom , heard now-a-days . Also in the investiture of his Officers , Bro . Bowen gave the old charges , which were refreshing to listen to . These facts prove that the new Master is not only competent to maintain his position , but evidently intends to discharge his duties in a proper spirit . Upon the re-admission ' of the ^ Brethren Bro . Bowen was duly proclaimed and saluted .

The following are the Officers lor the year : Ernest Ingman S . W ., J . A . Gillett J . W ., Thos . T . Hogg Treasurer , A . E . Lockhart Secretary , J . A . Axcell S . D ., C P . Bowen J . D ., T . A . Mummery I . G ., R . Matthews Organist , J . Hewison D . C , G . A . Grant A . D . C , Dr . H . L . Thurnell Steward , H . -Minton , T . H . Raine , and E . Pettingale Assistant Stewards , and George Martin ( for the fiftyfirst year ) Tyler . , ¦ . '

The Addresses were then delivered by Bro . Waiklin . Bro . Arthur Ronaldson was elected Charity Representative of the Lodge , and returned thanks for the appointment . Five candidates were proposed for acceptance at the' next riieeting , so that in all . probability the strength of the Lodge will be further increased . This concluding the business of the evening the W . M . received the congratulations of those . present , and the Lodge was closed .

The customary banquet followed , after which the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted from the Chair . Bro . George Naylor responded for the Provincial Grand Officers , all of whom , he . said , were animated by a desire to do their < duty to the best of their ability and promote the tenets of Freemasonry in the Province of Kent .

In highly complimentary terms Bro . Willis proposed the health of the Master , who , on rising to reply , met with a cordial reception . Bro . Bowen in response expressed his pride and pleasure at being installed as . their Chief , though , he had accepted the position with a considerable amount of diffidence . However , he knew that he would receive the active help of the Past Masters , and the loyal

assistance of the Brethren , which would make his task easy . As Freemasons he considered they were building a Temple more grand than that . of King Solomon , . and as the Brethren had elected him as the Master Workman he would endeavour to cement the . work : with the good will and respect of all in the Lodge , so that when he handed over the tools to his successor they would say he had fulfilled his duties in a proper manner .

Bro . Doughty proposed the Installing Master who , he said , had conducted the ceremony and delivered the Addresses in an admirable manner . . He had always attended the Lodge when he was its W . M ., in spite of the long journey he had to take to reach Gravesend , while he was an ardent supporter of , and an active worker in the Lodge of Instruction . '

Bro . Waiklin replied that it was a great pleasure for him to perform the ceremonies ; and so long as he had health and strength his services were always at the-disposal of the Brethren . In submitting the toast of the I . P . M ., Bro . Bowen presented to Bro . Willis the very handsome Lodge jewel , and the collar that had ' been voted by the Brethren , for which the late Master expressed his thanks .

Bros . Major Newman , W . Payne , and Dr . Tees responded for the Visitors , and the Officers having been congratulated , the Tyler's toast brought the pleasant proceedings to a close .

. * * , * Shurmur Lodge , No . 2374 . INSTALLATION OF BROTHER PERCY TRICKETT .

A REPRESENTATION of "Hamlet" without the character of the Prince of Denmark would hardly be more strange than was the meeting of this Lodge , held on Thursday , at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , without the genial Brother who was its principal Founder , and whose , name it bears . It has been a matter

of extreme regret to a large number of Brethren that for some ' months past our Brother William Shurmur Past- Grand Standard Bearer of England has been too ill to take the active interest he so long displaved in the work of Freemasonry , but it is probable ; his absence has never'been more keenly felt , or made mpre manifest , than was the case on Thursday , when he was not able to perfprm . his accustomed task of installing , the Master of his pet Lodge—the'