Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

— . o . GEAET : PROVINCIAL . — : o : — FREEDOM LODGE , No . 77 .

Installation of Brother Joseph Davis . T HIS ancient Lodge , whose Warrant is dated A . L . 5751 , celebrated its 150 th birthday on Monday , at the Public Hall , Gravesend , where the Lodge is now located , and a large number of the members and Brethren from the various Lodges of the Province assembled to take part in the auspicious solemnity .

Bro . John Solomon W . M . Prov . G . Deacon presided , and was supported by Bros . William Russell P . A . G . D . C ., Col . A . Knight Prescott A . G : D . C , W . H . Hedger P . M ., Frederick Teece P . M ., Robert J . Beamish P . P . A . G . D . C , Frank Kitchens P . P . G . Reg ., Joseph Solomon Prov . G . D . C , George Rackstraw P . M ., T . H . Lygo Prov . A . G . D . C , Jas . Whitfield P . M ., R . C . Fowle P . M ., William

Gunn P . M .,. . George Masters I . P . M ., the Officers of the Lodge , and the following visitors : — -Bros . Rev . Lawrence Fry Prov . G . C , Wm . Davis P . P . G . S . of W . Hereford ( father of the W . M .-elect ) , W . Payne W . M . 20 , James S . Bills W . M . 158 , J . N . Willis W . M . 4 S 3 ( Mayor of Gravesend ) , W . G . A . Stephenson W . M . 1424 , J .

Weymouth P . M . 1343 , J . P . Harding P . M . 2168 , H . M . B . Arthur Past District Grand Warden Hong Kong , Henry Forss P . M . 917 , Major G . F . Newman W . M . 1464 , H . Lawrence W . M . 2499 , R . G . Shadbok 3 62 , E . Ingman 483 , George R . Ceiley 1464 , Henry E . Pearce W . M . 299 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , & c , & c .

The Lodge having been opened the minutes of the last meeting were confirmed , and the report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Bro . C . E . Hatten P . M . 1464 P . P . G . Deacon was accepted as a joining member . The ballot was taken for Messrs . Albert Edward Tong and Charles Thomas Gibbons , which proved unanimous , but their initiation was deferred until the next meeting .

The Lodge was then opened in the second degree , when the W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . William Russell , who had consented to perform the installation ceremony . Having declared all Offices vacant Bro . Russell appointed Bro . William Davis as S . W-, T . H . Lygo as J . W ., Joseph Solomon as D . C ., and R . J .

Beamish as I . G . Bro . Joseph Davis W . M .-elect was formally presented , and signified his assent to the ancient regulations . A Board of-Installed Masters was then constituted , when Bro . Davis was regularly installed as Master of the Lodge . The ceremony was admirably carried out by Bro . Russell , and nobody would have known that he had riseh . from a sick bed in order to instal his friend .

Having , invested his predecessor as I . P . M . Bro . Davis then appointed the following Officers for the year : —F . W . Martin S . W ., E . B . Wilks J . W ., Rev . C . S . Morell Chaplain , F . Kitchens Treasurer , J . P . White P . M . 2277 Secretary , Robert Matthews S . D ., J . G . Prevost J . D ., W . B . Sargeant I . G ., Joseph Solomon D . C ., H . E . Porter A . D . C ., E . J . Bennett Organist , J . A . Whitfield , D . J . Williams , and W . Thornton Stewards .

Considerable applause greeted the appearance of Bro . George Martin when he entered the Lodge to be invested for the fifty-fifth time as Tyler . Bro . Martin is undoubtedly the oldest Tyler in the kingdom , and the Lodge members are justly proud of him . Bro . George Masters was re-elected as Charity Representative of the Lodge .

A very handsome Past Masters jewel was presented to Bro . John Solomon by the W . M . who , in a few well chosen remarks , stated the pleasure he had in being the means of conveying this mark of recognition to his predecessor . Bro . Solomon returned thanks .

. A letter was received from the Secretary of the Masonic Boys School to the effect that the boy Shilliter , a nominee of the Lodge of Freedom , had proved himself so industrious that it was determined to retain him at the School for a further period . ' A vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . William Russell for his services as Installing Master , which he suitably acknowledged . The Lodge was then closed .

The banquet was served in the large Hall , which was prettily decorated with evergreens and flowers , and presented a cool and refreshing effect . The menu was a quaint reproduction of old English terms , selected by Bro . Davis , which caused a good topic for conversation . Bro . Watson ' s string band played during the dinner , and the meal itself gave general satisfaction .

At its termination the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted , and met with an enthusiastic reception by the company . Bro . Major G . F . Newman proposed the Officers of Grand Lodge , which was acknowledged by Col . Knight Prescott . The toast of the Earl Amherst was drank a second time , as Provincial Grand Master of Kent , and was duly honoured .

Bro . George Masters then gave the Provincial Grand Officers , which was responded to by Bros . Lawrence Fry and John Solomon as representing the present , and by Bros . Beamish and Kitchens as Past Officers of Kent .

In highly complimentary terms the W . M . proposed the Visitors , of whom he was pleased to see so many present . They were always welcome at the Lodge of Freedom , and he hoped they would all come again . He was especially proud to welcome his aged father , who had journeyed from Dorset in order to be present . All the Visitors replied with a few words , expressing their admiration of the work and thanks for the hospitality extended to them .

Bro . John Solomon , in proposing the Worshipful Master , commenced by wishing him a happy and successful year of Office \ Ie had watched the progress of Bro , Davis through the various

Reports Of Meetings.

Offices of the Lodge , and he could safely say he had given , satisfaction to everyone . He possessed a determined assurance to carry out the work as it should be done , and he had no doubt that he would maintain the ancient traditions of the Lodge .

Bro . Joseph Davis , who . ' was received with loud continued applause , acknowledged the compliment with becoming modesty , and whilst playfully protesting against the flattering remarks of his predecessor stated his intention to fulfil his duties to the best of his ability ; and hoped he would not be found wanting .

Bro . George Masters spoke for the Masonic Charities ; Pro . Beamish eulogised the work of the Installing Master , and the Officers of the Lodge having received suitable recognition , the ancient Tyler brought the proceedings to a happy termination . * * *

CHARLES DICKENS LODGE , Nov S 757 . Installation of Brother Alfred EorcT . THE first anniversary of this most excellent Lodge , which was consecrated last year by the Provincial Grand Master the Earl of Warwick , was celebrated last Saturday , at the ancient hostelry , the King ' s Head , at Chigwell , which is believed to be identical with the " Maypole " mentioned by the celebrated novelist in "Barnaby Rudge . "

Bro . J . T . Dormer W . M . opened the Lodge in the quaint old dining room of the establishment , which necessitated for the time being the appointment of two Inner Guards , in order to keep watch at the two doorways . He was ably supported by his Officers , and all the members of the Lodge were present , while the following visitors were able to take part in the interesting ceremony : Bros .

Albert Lucking P . G . P . Prov . G . D . C , James Terry P . G . Swd . Br ., J . H . Moggridge P . M . 1507 , W . Scott Miller W . M . 2717 , F . Cleak P . M . 1728 , H . Harper P . M . 1306 , W . J . J . Giller P . M . 1672 , John Sully W . M . 266 3 , C . D . Mears P . M . 299 , H . Mann P . M . 2467 , G . E . Gratton I . P . M . 26 75 , D . L . Gould I . P . M . 2005 , Peter Thompson 241 , W . H . Turner P . M . 2242 , W . T . Winsor P . M . 1950 , W-

T . Lowdell 26 50 , J . C . P . Higgs 1694 , James Dear 2005 ,. E . W . ' E . Blandford S . W . 2099 ,, W . Lambourn 1728 , Julius Paget 1623 ., Herbert Groven 2323 , C W . Allen 2005 ., H . J . Chatterton . 2749 , Sydney H . Moore 2005 , G . J . Tollett 1743 , J . H- Shipman 1365 , W . J . Russell 463 , John Reynolds 1076 , George Hall 1571 , W . C . Brownfield 957 , A . M . Scarff 1364 , Alfred Booth 73 , & c .

After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , Bro . R . H . Stevens ,, a candidate for the second degree , answered the usual questions and was passed as a Craftsman ., The Lodge was then " called off , " and re-assembled at four o ' clock for the principal ceremony . The W . M . requested Brother Albert Lucking to assist him as D .. C , and Bro . A . T . Dale as S . W . Bro . Alfred Ford W . M .-elect was . then presented , and having been

addressed by Bro . Dormer , signified his assent to the ancient charges and regulations , and took 'the customary obligation . A Board of Installed Masters was constituted , and Bro . Alfred Ford was installed in the . chair of the Lodge with the usual ceremony . Bro . Dormer must be congratulated upon the manner in which he performed the ritual , and likewise upon his excellent delivery of the addresses .

The ceremonies were fully choral , the music for whiph was arranged by Bro . Alfred Stribling P . M . 1347 , who presided at the harmonium . Uponthe return of the Brethren the new Master was declared and saluted in ancient form , and the Warrant of the Lodge entrusted to his keeping .

The following Officers for the year were then appointed : G . J . Vanderpump S . W , Arthur Ford J . W ., Arthur T . Dale Treasurer , J . R . Johnson P . P . S . G . D . Secretary , John H . Bridgeman S . D ., Percy G . Herbage J . D ., G . H . Clark I . G ., Maurice H . Clarke D . C , J . . Pakeman Organist , J . T . Dormer Assistant Organist . F . H . Lehm kuhl , W . Mathieson , S . T . Cooke , G . R . Blades , and C . Webster Stewards , and R . W . Goddard P . M . Tyler .

The Audit Committee presented their report , which was most satisfactory . Although but a year old the Lodge had a material ! balance in hand , and there were no liabilities . Considering the heavy expenses attending the founding and the consecration it must be acknowledged that the members have cause for rejoicing . But in addition they have given a substantial amount to- charity , viz ., ten

guineas to the Benevolent Institution , and ten guineas to the South African Relief Fund . A Lodge Benevolent Fund had also been started—but fortunately no claim had yet been made upon it—and it was proposed that in future five per cent of the gross receipts should be added to this Fund . It should be stated that the handsome furniture had been presented by the various Officers , and is insured for , £ 150 . The Report was , needless to say , carried unanimously .

Bro . A . T . Dale proposed , as a matter of form , that a Past Master's jewel be voted from the Funds of the Lodge to the first Master , in recognition of his services as W . M . This having' beett agreed to , Bro . Ford said that anticipating the acquiescence of the Brethren the jewel had been purchased ,, and in addition to the sum voted by the Lodge a further sum had been subscribed for the

purchase of a diamond ornament , which could be detached from the jewel and worn as a stud . He had great pleasure in making this presentation to Bro . Dormer , and he could assure him that he left the chair with > the respect and esteem of the entire Lodge . Bro . Dormer returned thanks , more especially for the personal part of the presentation . He had passed through a very pleasant and

peaceful year of Office , because he was assisted by every member of the Lodge , and they had all laboured together to ensure its prosperity . Three initiates and one joining member were proposed for acceptance at the next ^ meeting , several letters of regret were read from various Provincial and other Officers , and the Visitors having tendered their hearty congratulations the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren proceeded to celebrate the occasion in the usual manner .