Reports Of Meetings.

may long be spared and may continue to be crowned with health , happiness , and prosperity . Dated , at Beaminster , this 12 th day of January , A . L . 5 , 897 . The Beaminster Manor Lodge , No . 1367 , Beaminster ; St . Blary's Lodge , No . 707 , Bridport ; St . Mary ' s Royal Arch Chapter , No . 707 , Beaminster ; St . Blary ' s Mark Lodge , No . 121 , Bridport ; Weymouth Chapter Rose Croix , No . 4 . Here follow the names of fifty Brethren .

Bro . Baskett , in an excellent and very humorous speech , reviewed briefly the wishes of the Lodge and the work Bro . Webb had done for Masonry . Bro . J . Andrews , one of the oldest Masons in the Province , testified to the interest Dr . Webb had always taken in the branches of Blasonic work . Bro . S . Whetham , on bohalf of tho Bridport Lodge , also expressed the high regard in whioh he was held by the Brethren of that Lodge .

Bro . Webb , who was much touched at this mark of esteem by his Brother Masons , was taken quite by surprise , aud thanked all for what he said was an undeserved kindness . What he had done he did for love of the work , and he heartily wished happiness and prosperity to all . He observed that he and Mrs . Webb would value these presents to the last days of their lives as amongst their most valued possessions . Mrs . Webb also spoke her thanks for the beautiful present .

W . M . Bro . Pile set going the musical part of the programme , and all ¦ went happily till about 10 . 30 , when the party broke up , and thus closed a very happy and sociable evening .

URMSTON LODGE , No . 1730 . THE annual meeting and festival of St . John in connection with this Lodge took place at the Victoria Hotel , Urmston , on Blonday , 11 th inst ., when Bro . Walter Bowers W . M . opened the proceedings shortly after 4 p . m . The first business was the confirmation of minutes , this being followed by the Auditors' report , and the passing of the Treasurer ' s accounts . Bro . Councillor John Slyman , J . P ., P . M . P . Prov . S . G . D . was re-elected Charity Representative .

An Installed Board was then formed , consisting of the following Officers : —Bros . John Walton junr . as W . M ., Edward L . Littler P . P . G . P . Treas . as S . W ., John Bowers P . P . G . Org . as J . W ., and R . Swindells as I . G . Bro . George Griffith Mends S . W . was duly placed in the principal chair . Bro . Swindells delivered the address to the new W . M ., Bro . George R . Lloyd P . P . G . Treas . Sec . addressed the Wardens , and Bro . Slyman addressed the Officers and Brethren . The Working Tools of the first degree were presented

and explained by Bro . John Bowers , those of the second degree by Bro . George A . Myers P . P . G . D . C . D . C , and those of the third degree by Bro . Littler . The investiture of Officers ¦ was undertaken by Bros . Slyman and Lloyd , those so invested being : Bros . J . Ormrod S . W ., J . S . Whitley J . W ., E . L . Littler P . BI . P . Pr . G . P . Treasurer , G . R . Lloyd P . Pr . G . T . Secretary , Hedley H . Jones S . D ., A . Hawkins J . D ., John Bovvers P . M . P . G . P . Organist , G . A . Blyers P . Pr . G . D . C D . C ., W . H . Ashworth I . G ., E . W . Barratt , J . F . Mends , and J . Smith Stewards .

Before the Lodge was closed Bro . Blends , on behalf of the Lodge , presented a collar and Past Master ' s jewel to his predecessor , the jewel bearing this inscription : —

Presented by the Brethren to W . BBO . WALTEB Bo WEBS P . BI ., as a mark of their esteem . 11 th January 1897 . At the festival of St . John , which followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , these being relieved by songs , recitations , & c , contributed by Bro . John Bowers , who sang tho National Anthem ; Bro . Edward Roberts

P . M . 1459 , who sang " God bless the Prince of Wales , " and also gave a sketch from his entertainment , " Grins and Wrinkles " ; Bro . Heury Nail P . M . 1375 and 2363 , who sang " Mandoline " ; Bro . Edward L . Littler P . BI . & c , who sang " Here's to his health " ; Bro . J . S . Whitley , who gave a very excellent nigger song ; Bro . Peter Heaton P . BI . P . P . G . S ., who sang , by special request , his inimitable " Courtin' neet " ; Bro . Walter Bovvers I . P . BI ., who was equally at home in his Lancashire sketch , " Josiah and Keziah " ; Bro . Hedley H . Jones S . D ., and others .

The health of the W . M . was proposed by Bro . Walter Bowers I . P . BI ., the former , in responding , saying he felt proud at finding himself in the chair of K . S . Little did he think seven years ago , when occupying a subordinate position , that he would aspire so high as the principal chair . The fact of his having been so exalted would make a lasting impression upon him . He had Freemasonry thoroughly at heart , and at their next meeting hoped to be able to show them what he could do . In conclusion , he thanked them heartily for placing him in the position .

The toast of the Installing and Immediate and Past Blasters was proposed by Bro . Myers , who , in speaking of Bro . John Walton jun ., said the Brethren must all feel grateful to him for coming forward at a moment ' s notice , and performing the ceremony of installation . It had been a masterly performance , for which he deserved the highest possible credit . Of Bro . Bowers I . P . M . he spoke in the highest terms , saying that during the whole year of his Blastership he had done his work in a manner which had been satisfactory to the Brethren of the Lodge .

Bro . Walton , who had to leave hurriedly to catch a train , responded in very brief terms , saying that if the Brethren were satisfied with his efforts he could not help but be personally pleased . Certainly he had done his best to attain that end .

Bro . Bowers I . P . M ., in responding , thanked all the Past Blasters and Brethren who had assisted him during his year in the chair , promising at the same time to render to his successor what possible help he could . Bro . Littler proposed the health of the Visitors . He apologised for being called upon so unexpectedly , and also regretted that several had retired , which otherwise prevented him from saying a few words to them . The Urmston Lodge was a hospitable one , and always entertained its visitors right loyally .

Bro . Nail , in responding , thanked the Brethren for the way in which they received and entertained their guests . They knew when comkig to this Lodge that they would get a true Blasonic greeting , and that evening their expectations had been fully realised . Their new W . B 1 . was highly honoured in occu _ " ring the chair during what had been termed by the Grand Blaster tho Prince " of Wales , Her Blajesty ' s " Diamond Jubilee . " For years the Lodge

Reports Of Meetings.

had been represented by Masters who had been a credit to Masonry , and he was sure that Bro . Blends would add something to its character and good name . The health of the Past Masters of and in the Urmston Lodge was proposed by the W . M ., and very appropriately responded to by Past Masters Peter Heaton , J . H . Marsh , and John Walton senior .

In addition to those mentioned above the following were present at the Lodge and St . John ' s festival : —Bros . W . Bowdon 1814 P . P . G . R ., Fred Batty P . M . 2231 P . G . S . B ., W . Lowsby W . B 1 . 2231 , J . Mawby S . W . 992 Wm . Cole 1588 P . G . Org ., J . Grime 163 , J . C M . Vaughan 120 , W ~ . H . Houlds ' worth 638 , J . M . Grierson 1055 , G . G . R . Mends 1730 , and others .

Bro . Blends , whose installation we have just recorded , has been connected with Freemasonry for a period of eight years . He is the son of Lieut . Col . J . D . Mends , 2 nd West India Regiment , and at the present moment enjoys the unique position of possessing two sons who are members of the Craft , one of them , as will be seen from our report , having accepted the office of Steward in the Lodge , which is the first step towards the high and exalted position his sire has just attained .

COLERIDGE LODGE , No . 1750 . THE installation of the Rev . A . R . Cartwright as Worshipful Blaster took place in the Lodge Room , at the Public Hall , Clevedon , on Thursday , 14 th inst ., the ceremony being performed by Bro . Col . Long P . M . P . P . G . J . W . The Brethren afterwards adjourned to a banquet at Regent House .

CITADEL LODGE , No . 1897 . THIS very popular Lodge held its regular meeting on Saturday , 16 th inst ., at the Railway Hotel , Harrow Station ( Proprietor Bro . Weight ) , when Bro . William J . Ball W . M . occupied the chair , assisted by the following Officers and Brethren : H . Banks I . P . M ., H . Gaskin P . M . P . A . G . D . C . Middx . as S . W ., J . J . Wrathall J . W ; , J . Osborn P . M . Secretary P . G . Std . Br . Middx ., Kessler S . D ., Wright I . G ., O . J . Von Holtorp P . M . P . G . D . C . Middx . D . C .

Willie Wright Organist P . G . O . Middx ., 0 . J . Davidson P . M . Prov . G . S . Deacon , Young P . BI ., Bird P . M ., & c , Lewis , Gower , Eayres , Gumming , Robinson , A . E . Horstead , Worster , J . Smallbones , Keenley , Young , Robertson , Lavington , Phillips , Davison , Browne , Dunbar , Pilon , Knowles , T . C Edmonds P . M . Tyler , and the following Visitors : —Bros . T . Matthews 15 S 5 , A . Wyatt 1567 15 S 5 , F . R . Smallbones 1839 , F . J . Rawle Organist , Richard Evans 1623 , Harry Willsmer 1567 .

The Lodge was duly opened and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . Worster , Young , Knowles , and Lewis were raised to the degree of Master Mason ; Bros . Brown , Robertson , and Eayres passed to the degree of Fellow Craft ; the ballot having proved , unanimous in their favour the following gentlemen were initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Order , in a very impressive manner : —Messrs . Charles Cottrell , Arthur Goody , and Frederick Parker .

It was unanimously decided that a Ladies' night in connection with the Lodge be held in London , during the month of February . It was also resolved that the sum of £ 5 5 s should be sent to the late Tyler of the Lodge Bro .. Very , who , we regret to learn , is suffering from a very severe and painful affliction which has necessitated his giving up all Masonic and other engagements . His case is being brought to the notice of the Board of Benevolence by this and other Lodges with which he has for very many years been identified .

The work throughout of the W . M . was carried on in a very commendable and praiseworthy manner , and the spirit of emulation was a marked feature with the Officers in tho performance of their respective duties . After hearty good wishes from the Visitors the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren adjourned to the banquet room . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts received due recognition by the Worshipful Master .

Bros . Bird , Von Holtorp , Osborn , Davison and Gaskin Past Blasters responded for the Provincial Grand Officers and Past Masters . Bros . Cottrell and Parker for the Initiates . Bros . Willsmer , Rawle and Matthews for the Visitors . During the evening an excellent musical programme was provided by ,

and under the able direction of the esteemed Organist of the Lodge Brother Willie Wright P . M . P . G . Organist Middx ., assisted by Bro . Richard Evans 1623 , Young , Dunbar ( members of the Lodge ) , and Miss Lynn , who evoked much hearty applause by the admirable rendering of her songs , as did also Brother Evans , particularly for his " Good company . " The Tyler ' s toast brought an enjoyable evening to a close .

LONGSIGHT LODGE , No . 2464 . THE regular meeting was held at the Club House , Birch Lane , Longsight , on Wednesday , 6 th inst . The principal business of the evening waa the raising of Bro . George William Andrew to the sublime degree of M . M ., the ceremony being performed by Bro . Alderman Lloyd Higginbottom W . M ., assisted by Bro . W . H . Wilson J . W ., who presented and explained the working tools of the degree to the candidate .

After Lodge business there was an- adjournment , and a pleasant evening was spent , many of the Brethren being placed under contribution for songs , recitations , & c The principal visitors were Bros . Clement Wallworth P . M . 1459 , W . Higginbottom 44 , and Chas . W . Dove 2185 .

BBO . Emta Holmes has received the following gratifying letter from the Lord Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney , in response to a copy of his poem on the death of the late Archbishop of Canterbury , which recently appeared in our columns .

DEAE BIB . HOLMES— Thank you much for your " In Blemoriam . " I like it greatly . It is all good , but the last two verses have a ring about them which can hardly fail to kindle the souls of all true English Churchmen . Since Laud he was " England ' s greatest son . "

With many thanks , Ever yours , ( Signed ) A . G . ABEBDON ET OECADEN , Bishop ' s Court , Aberdeen , 14 th January 1897 .