Reports Of Meetings.

Middx . P . M . S . W ., H . J . Cousens P . M . J . W ., Arthur Williams P . M . Preceptor , F . Craggs P . M . Treasurer , R . Josey P . M . Sec , J . Blank P . M . S . D ., R . Reid P . M . J . D ., W . Hide P . M . I . G . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Eyles taking the candidate's place . The second section of the lecture was worked by the Brethren , under the able direction of Bro . Preceptor .

It was unanimously agreed that a letter of condolence be sent to the widow of the late Bro . Henry Bone , of the Star Lodge , who was recently killed by being thrown out of his gig . Bro . Josey was elected to occupy the chair of W . M . at the next meeting .

ON Saturday , 14 th inst .. the meeting was well attended . The chair was occupied by Bro . R . Josey Secretary , supported by Bros . H . J . Cousens P . M . S . W ., W . Hide P . M . J . W ., A . Williams P . M . Preceptor , F . Craggs P . M . Treas ., J . H . Gumming P . M . acting Sec , R . Reid P . M . S . D ., T . Harrington P . M . J . D ., F . Evans , W . Hillier P . M ., R . N . Larter P . M . and W . Eyles .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , the candidate being Bro . Eyles . Bro . Larter offered as a candidate for raising and was examined and entrusted . The second ceremony was gone through . Bro . Craggs asked the Brethren to support the candidate put forward by the West London Masonic Election Association at the forthcoming election of the R . M . I . G .

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Josey , for the excellent manner in which he had rendered the ritual for the first time in this Lodge of Instruction .

— : o : — Royal Union Lodge , No . 382 . THE regular meeting was held at the Town Hall , Uxbridge , on Monday , 16 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . J . T . Anderson W . M-., who was supported by Bros . A . Nevvman S . W ., R . Thonger

********** PROVINCIAL .

J . W ., W . H . Nicholson P . M . P . D . P . G . D . C Sec , J . H . Bragg I . P . M ., W . H . Reed P . M ., W . Hardy S . D ., G . Birch J . D ., Whittaker I . G ., Howard Org ., Jas . Taplin D . C , Edward Reid , W . Blackweir , Charpentier , Waddington , Geo . Smith , T . Twamley , Brownscombe , E . Dagnall , Alex . Mossman , F . B . Hanson , Heaton , A . H . Tyler , and others .

The Lodge was opened in regular form at 4 . 30 p . m . and the minutes were read and confirmed . Bros . F . W . Seville and A . H . Murray were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason , the work being carried out by the AV . M . in really excellent manner . Bros . G . N . Pratt and Reuben Smith were next passed to the second degree .

The contents of the Benevolent Box amounted to 16 s Sd . Fifteen votes of the Lodge were handed to Bro . Taplin Charity Representative of the Lodge , on the proposition of Bro . Bragg , seconded by Bro . W . PL Reed . The case it is intended to support is that of Arthur Kenneth Austin , which is most deserving , and on behalf of which he will be pleased to receive votes .

Lodge of Merit , No , 466 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . J . W . COULSON . THK installation festival in connection with this Lodge took place on Monday , 16 th inst ., at the George Hotel , Stamford , when

Bro . J . w . Coulson S . W . was installed Worshipful Master , the ceremony being performed by Bro . Lieutenant-Colonel H . H . Costobadie I . P . M . Bro . Coulson afterwards invested his Officers . The annual banquet was subsequently partaken of , the W . M . presided , and the company included visiting Brethren , from Oakham , Uppingham , Peterborough , and Bourne .

********** Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . J . GLANFIELD

THE annual festival took place on Monday , 9 th inst ., at the Masonic Temple , Torquay . The W . M .-elect Bro . J . Glanfield was ably installed by the retiring W . M . Bro . R . D . Scholes , in the presence of a large number of Installed Masters . In recognition of the Masonic zeal displayed during his year of Office , Bro . Scholes was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel .

The Brethren subsequently attended the annual banquet , at which the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were observed .

********** Eldon Lodge , No . 1755 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . C . J . TONKIN , THE Brethren were favoured with fine weather for the annual festival of this Lodge , held at the Masonic Rooms of the Royal Hotel , Portishead , on Saturday afternoon . There was a large

attendance or members and visitors , among whom were a good number of Provincial Grand Officers and Brethren from neighbouring Provinces . The Officers present were Bros . J . H . Stafford W . M ., J . Turner I . P . M ., C . J . Tonkin S . W ., Thomas Cox J . W ., A . J . Tonkin P .. M . P . P . G . Steward Treasurer , E . Davey P . M . Org ., H . W . Call S . D ., A . R . Knee as J . D ., F . G . Moore P . M . D . C , J . W . Roberts I . G ., and Frank Simpkins Tyler .

After some of the preliminary business had been disposed of , Bro . ~ \ V . Rice was unanimously re-elected to represent and serve the Lodge on the Provincial Charity Organisation Committee . Then followed the chief item for ' which the Brethren had assembled , namely , the installation of Bro . Charles Joseph Tonkin who was regularly installed into the chair by the Prov , Grand Secretary

Reports Of Meetings.

of Somerset Bro . E . Fry-Wade , who ably performed the ceremony in the unavoidable absence through indisposition of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . R . C . Else . Bro . C . J . Tonkin at once proceeded to appoint and invest his Officers , as follow : Bro . J . H . Stafford I . P . M ., T . Cox S . W ., H .

W . Call J . W ., Rev . A . W . M . Weatherley P . M . Chaplain , A . J . Tonkin P . M . Treasurer , E . Davcy P . M . Secretary , A . R . Knee S . D ., J . W . Roberts J . D ., F . G . Moore P . M . D . C , C . W . Noble Organist , A . H . Wiles I . G ., A . H . Meek and G . Bowen P . M . 1060 Stewards , and F . Simpkins Tyler .

The W . M . presented , on behalf of . the Lodge , a handsome Past Master's jewel , suitably engraved , to Bro . Stafford , for his efficient services during the past year . A telegram of hearty good wishes was sent from the Lodge to Bro . E . Tedder P . M ., who was prevented from being present by illness .

After Lodge was closed the customary banquet was held , over which the newly installed W . M . presided . The W . M . had first fhe honour to submit the King and the Craft , a toast which he said they had hardly had time to become acquainted with in that particular form of words . Loyalty to the sovereign of the country was the duty of every Englishman , and it

was a duty that was cheerfully discharged by every member of the Masonic Order . In consequence of His Majesty ' s long connection with the Craft as Grand Master they had especial cause- to honour his name , and to wish him a long and prosperous reign . The toast was splendidly received , and was followed by " God save the King . " The W . M . next proposed the Most Worshipful Grand Master

H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and the Officers of Grand Lodge present and past . He considered the Masonic Order was most fortunate when , on the retirement of their former Grand Master , it had such a distinguished and able Mason as the Duke of Connaught readv and willing to occupy the position of Grand Master . The- Duke had ruled for man } ' years over the important Province

of bussex to the satisfaction of everyone . The Freemasons of England might rest content and assured that he would faithfully discharge the duties of Grand Master . The Pro Grand Master was a very zealous and hard working Mason , and the Officers and Past Officers of Grand Lodge were noted for their splendid work in the Craft . This toast was likewise heartily honoured .

The W . M . next claimed attention whilst he gave in a very hearty manner the Prov . Grand Master the Rt . Hon . Viscount Dungarvan , the Deputy G . M . Bro . R . C . Else , and the Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge present and past . He reminded the Brethren of the . splendid work of the Provincial Grand Master in Freemasonry ,

and trusted that he would return from his gallant service in South Africa safe and sound . He sincerely regretted that the esteemed Deputy Prov . G . M . was not in more robust health , and in conclusion paid a tribute of praise to the Officers and past Officers of the Province .

Bro . E . Davey -returned his most sincere thanks on behalf of Provincial Grand Lodge . As for himself , his service to the Craft had been a love-labour . As a result , the Provincial collar followed , and he should always value the distinction . He would leave it to the Brothers who . had to follow him to deal more particularly with the duties of the Provincial Grand Lodge Officers .

Bro . C . P . Billing Prov . J . G . W ., in replying , complimented the W . M . on the skilful way in which the toast had been proposed . No point had been overlooked . The W . M . had turned a thought to the Prov . G . M . at the front fighting for his country . He had thought of the Prov . G . L . Officers , among whom was their esteemed Deputy —whom they all cherished . Further kind expression had been made of those holding Office at the present time . Looking around

among the Brethren he saw many who had been decorated with the purple , but promotions in Freemasonry were different to those in cvery-day life . Their Brother the late President of the United States was lying dead because of envy , hatred , and malice . Now Freemasons did not envy a Brother promoted to Office or position . He was sure their hearts went out in sympathy in the present sad circumstance to their American Brothers , and to the American nation .

Bro . F . G . Dimerv P . P . G . Purs . Somerset regarded it an honour to respond . The Provincial Grand Lodge of Somerset was looked upon with much esteem in other Provinces , and was noted for its work on behalf of the charities . They , in West Yorkshire , considered that the premier Province , but the Province of Somerset stood very high indeed .

The W . M . drew the attention of the Brethren to the toast of the Installing Master . Personally he thanked the Prov . Grand Secretary for consentine to take part in the ceremony . The Installing Master had made the work in the Lodge a complete success . He had given a . perfect specimen of working in Craft Masonry . The goodness and kindness of the Prov . Grand Secretary was well known in Somerset , where he was held in high esteem , and the toast was commended to the Brethren with all enthusiasm .

On rasing to reply , Bro . Fry-Wade Prov . GrandSec was very heartily received . He candidly confessed that he would -rather be performing the ceremony of Installation than making an afterdinner speech . He though after-dinner speaking should be done by deputy , and that some one should do the work for him ! The Installing Master was a necessity at their festivals . If there were no

Installing Master there would be no Master in the chair , which would be a fact to be deplored by all the Brethren . It was a satisfaction that so worthy a Brother had been installed that day . They knew how difficult it was for anyone to take the place- of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Somerset as Installing Master , as all

knew-how well Bro . Else performed the ceremony with which he had been so constantly familiar for very many years . Bro . Wade only hoped that upon that occasion he had filled a gap , and that another year the W . M .-elect would be installed by their Deputy ; but they must not forget that their Deputy was not getting younger . He would have preferred to have seen the work done that day by the