Reports Of Meetings.

In proceeding with the toast of the Grand Officers , the W . M . said they had one present that night in the person of Bro . Gould , whose merits were well known to them all , and with whom he had himself been acquainted for a period of over thirty-eight years . Bro . Gould , in the course of his reply , said it gave him much pleasure to be present at the Bisley Lodge that evening . He had seen five Masters

placed in its chair , and while he could not quite say fchat he had witnessed every ceremony which had been performed in the Lodge since his first visit to it in 1892 , he had nevertheless enjoyed the good fortune of being present at most of their meetings , and there was not a single member with whom ho was not personally acquainted . The working had always been excellent , and he felt sure that in that respect , as well as in the reputation fche Lodge had justly acquired for hospitality , it would go on and prosper in the future ,

under the genial sway of the Master-elect Bro . Askham , as it had done in the pasfc under the retiring W . M . and the worthy Brethren who had preceded him in thafc chair . The Past Masters of No . 2317 had all done good suit and service in the Craft , and were very highly esteemed , but he thought that when towards the close of the year Bro . Hoey passed into their ranks it might be said without any fear of contradiction that the Bisley Lodge would possess one of the finest galleries of " Old Masters , " not only in Surrey , but in all England .

LOXFIELD LODGE , No . 2450 . THB annual meeting was held on Wednesday , Sth inst ., at the Maiden ' s Head Hotel , Uckfield , when Bro . H . M . Langdale J . W . was ably installed in the chair by the out-going W . M . Bro . W . Flint . The I . P . M . was presented with a Past Master ' s jewel as a mark of esteem ,

and in recognition of the able manner in which he had carried out his duties as W . M . during his year of office . All business being ended , the Brethren adjourned , and partook of an excellent banquet , provided by Bro . Beaty , in his usual admirable style , after which the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were given .

Bro . J . M . McLeod ably responded for the Grand Officers , and gave an account of the excellent state of efficiency the Boys School was in . He mentioned the large proportion of successful candidates who passed at the recent examinations , viz ., eighty per cent , of those who entered , and they were about one-third of the whole School .

ASCOT LODGE , No . 2460 . THE installation meeting was held at the Royal Ascot Hotel , Ascot , on the 1 st inst ., when there was a good attendance of members and visitors . After a most successful year of office , Bro . C . O . Burgess P . P . S . G . D . Surrey installed Bro . H . Luff , an energetic member of the Lodge , as the W . M . for the ensuing year .

Later on the W . M . presented a Past Master's jewel to Bro . Burgess , as a small token of esteem and regard , and said it would be impossible to repay the I . P . M . for the splendid work he had done in the Lodge , and for Masonry generally . Bro ' . Burgess briefly returned thanks . The Deputy Prov . G . M . was unfortunately compelled to leave before the usual toast list was proceeded with , and the Worshipful Master , in the name of the Brethren , thanked him for his kindness in attending .

Bro . J . T . Morland Deputy Provincial Grand Master thanked them for the compliment paid him . It had given him great pleasure to visit them , having taken part in the consecration , and witness the admirable manner in which the I . P . M . performed the installation ceremony . He wished the W . M . a year of prosperity .

IXION LODGE , No . 2501 . THE annual installation festival took place on the 13 fch inst ., at the Roebuck Hotel , Buckhurst Hill , with more than usual success , which was no doubt owing to the popularity of the W . M .-elect Brother William Gower , who is so well and favourably known to the Brethren of the Province of Essex .

A goodly number of Brethren , including several Grand and Provincial Grand Officers , were present , and the ceremony was very ably rendered by Bro . H . E . Herman . The new Master invested the following Officers to assist him during the year .- —Bros . W . J . Barnes S . W ., T . H . Lloyd J . W ., the Ven . Archdeacon

Dunbar , D . D ., Chaplain , R . Sandell Treasurer , George T . Peall P . M . Sec , John R . Carter S . D ., Leo Taylor J . D ., H . Miller I . G ., B . G . Jones D . C , F . X . Zimmerli A . D . C , G . E . Gratton Organist , B . Dietrich , M . Mitchell , V . Taylor , E . Willmott , H . 0 . Hudson , and 0 . H . Wilson Stewards , and David Legg P . M . Tyler .

A handsome Past Master ' s collar and jewel was presented to Brother Herman , and Bro . Gower having received the congratulations of the Brethren , the Lodge was closed , and the company adjourned to a recherche repast provided by Bro . A . 0 . Smith . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly submitted and accepted , Bro . C . J . R . Tijou P . G . P . responding for the Grand Officers . Bro . 0 . J .

Smith W . M . of the Earl of Warwick Lodge responded for the Provincial Grand Master , and Bro . Wm . Shurmur P . P . G . T . acknowledged the compliment paid to thc Provincial Officers , he taking occasion to bear testimony to the vast amount of work performed by Bro . Judge F . A . Philbrick , on behalf of Freemasonry . His convincing eloquence , judicial acumen and sound judgment had gained the appreciation of Brethren in all parts of the world

. As Deputy Grand Master of the Province of Essex he had secured their esteem and regard , and he hoped the Great Architect would spare him for many years to come . The rest of the Provincial Grand Officers were true and trusty Masons , who had well deserved the honours conferred upon them , Having spoken for the Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers he desired to say a few words with reference to the future Officers . An understanding existed in of the Grand

Essex allowing Treasurership to alternate between the urban and rural divisions of the Province . Last year the nomination rested with the rural Brethren , and their nominee was elected to the Office . This year it was to be hoped that Bro . William Gower their Worshipful Master would obtain the suffrages of the Brethren , and be elected to the post , for which position he was so well qualified . The announcement was received with loud applause .

Bro . R . Stebbings W . M . of the St . Osyth ' s Priory Lodge , Bro . Davidson Kemp W . M . of Empire Lodge , and Bro . George Adams P . M . responded for the Visitors ; aud the Officers having replied to the compliment paid to them , the Tyler made his appearance , and wishing God speed to ail poor and distressed Masons , brought the interesting proceedings to a close .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

WHITTINGTON CHAPTER , No . 862 . A- CONVOCATION was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , on the 10 th inst ., when there were present G . Gregory Z ., H . Brocklehurst H ., Arthur J . Cove J ., J . E . Weaver P . Z . S . E ., W . S . Wright S . N ., James Irvine P . Z . Treasurer , 0 . V . A . Pauncefort P . Soj ., H . Kemp 1 st Assist . Soj ., T . H . T . Jarvis 2 nd Assist . Soj ., J . 0 . Tilt I . P . Z ., G . Thompson , R . Larchin , H . Dehane P . P . G . P . Essex , H . Higgins P . Z . 1381 1483 , P . Day , W . Tyler , E . Croft Wise , F . Guanzeroli , W . A . Weeks , F . W . Quandt , J . Coote , J . Gilbert Janitor .

Visitors : —W . Secret 1394 , E . Chane 170 , A . Collins 1423 , and J . W . Crosbie 53 Canada . The Chapter was opened and the minutes of the last Convocation read and confirmed . Comp . Brocklehurst was installed by the M . E . Z . as 2 nd Principal , and the following Brethren were exalted : —0 . R . Alexander 170 and 2396 , W . A . Grayson 862 , and L . H . Lemon 2396 .

The Principals and Officers for the ensuing year were elected : —Comp . Brocklehurst M . E . Z ., and each of the present Officers in rotation . The Chapter was closed and the Companions adjourned to tho banquet , after which the usual Loyal and Grand Officers' toasts were honoured . Comp . Tilt , proposing the M . E . Z ., said it was a most pleasing duty , and

congratulated him and the Chapter on the fact that he had the opportunity of showing he was most capable of doing all the work pertaining to the position of M . E . Z . What he had gone through that evening was to the satisfaction of all . He had been a long time amongst them , and had the good-will and friendship of all .

The M . E . Z ., in responding , said that would be the last time he would preside at their banquet . . He thanked them for their sympathy and friendly co-operation during his year of office , and in vacating the 1 st Principal ' s chair he should hand to his successor the office as happy and comfortable as he had received it , and trusted he would have as prosperous a year .

The M . E . Z . proposed the Exaltees , and in doing so told them he anticipated they would prove three worthy Companions of the Chapter . As they came to know its members more intimately they would be pleased they had come amongst them , as such a fraternal feeling existed . They would be heartily welcome amongst them .

Comp . Alexander said he had been blindfolded on two occasions , and was impressed the first time , but much more so on the second . He would use his best endeavours fco understand as time went on that which he had witnessed and taken part in during the evening . Comp . Grayson was never more impressed in his life , and trusted he would become a worthy Companion and useful to his fellow men .

Comp . Lemon said during his Masonic career he had always gone before Comp . Alexander , but now he came after , and trusted he would be always a good Companion . The M . E . Z . said the Companions would welcome the Visitors with enthusiasm . When one visited a Chapter he always learnt something ; there

existed a slight variation or diversity in the London and country Chapters , but it was but trifling in its nature . That night the Visitors had gained the friendship of the whole ' of the Companions , and that never differed either in London , country or colonial Chapters . He coupled with the toast Comp . Crosbie , from Canada , and Comp . Chane .

Comp . Crosbie , in reply , said he had spent a most pleasant evening . It was his first visit in England , but he had visited in Calcutta . He expressed his pleasure at the way the work had been done , was thankful he came , and would carry back to the Companions in Canada a report of the heartiness of his welcome .

Comp . Chane said it was only through an accident , going away from London , that he had not been exalted in the Wbittington Chapter instead of his parent one , and remarked on the difference of working at Weymouth , Dorset , and Poole ; but one thing they never differed in—the welcome of visitors .

The M . E . Z . gave the Past Zs ., to whioh Comp . Weaver replying said next year would be the 25 th anniversary of the Chapter , and he would assist the M . E . Z . in making it a memorable one in conjunction with the Companions . It was always a pleasure to him , as one of the founders and S . E ., to do all he could for the welfare of the Chapter .

Comp . Thompson also briefly replied , and in concluding said if they went along as they had been lately doing there would he many shining stars to look forward to . The Officers of the Chapter was responded to by Comp . Brocklehurst M . E . Z .-elect , and Comp . Wright P . S . The Janitor ' s toast concluded the evening . The musical arrangements were carried out by Comp . Pauncefort at the piano , Day , Banjoe , Wright-Collins , and Thompson .

ESSEX CHAPTER , No . 276 . A CONVOCATION was held at the White Hart Hotel , Chelmsford , on the 17 th inst ., when there were present Comp . H . Dehane P . P . G . P . S . Essex M . E . Z ., T . J . D . Cramphorn H ., G . W . Pascall J ., J . P . Sewin P . Z . P . P . G . S . N . S . E ., A . C Durrant P . P . G . H . S . N ., A . Durrant Prov . G . T . Treas ., J . P . Green P . S ., R . Cook 1 st Assist . Soj ., Braithwait , T . J . Railing P . G . S . B . Prov . G . S . E ., Suthery P . P . G . S ., T . W . Hair , T . S . Saul Janitor , and others .

The Chapter was opened in ancient form , and the Companions admitted . The minutes of the last Convocation were read and confirmed . Communications were read from Comp . Letchworth S . E ., Comp . Saul , and Bro . Dr . Mugford , who was successfully balloted for , regretting his inability to be present owing to illness . The satisfactory report of the Auditors was read and adopted .

Other Chapter routine business being completed a conclave of Installed Principals was formed and Comp . Dehane installed Comp . Cramphorn M . E . Z ., G . W . Pascall H ., and J . P . Green J ., and tbe other Officers were invested in rotation . A P-Z . jewel was unanimously voted to Comp . Dehane , in recognition of his services since he had belonged to the Chapter . A like honour has only been conferred on two or three occasions for the last forty years or more .

The Chapter was closed and adjonrned until November . A banquet followed , at which the customary toasts were honoured and a pleasant evening enjoyed .

BLAG DON CHAPTER , No . 659 . r'JHHE annual convocation was held in the Mechanics' Hall , Blyth , under I the presidency of Comp . William Robson Z . P . G . A . D . C . There was a