Reports Of Meeting.

REPORTS OF MEETING .

CRAFT : PROVINCIAL .

PERSEVERANCE LODGE , No . 573 . THE annual festival was held on Tuesday , 14 th inst ., in the Masonic Hall , Hales-Owen , under the presidency of Bro . D . Bryce W . M . Bro . K . Underwood was installed into the chair by Bro . W . Waldron , and at the close of work a banquet took place , at which the usual Masonic toasts were given , interspersed with appropriate music .

A letter was received from Lieut .-Colonel Warner Otley D . P . G . M . Worcestershire regretting his inability to be present , owing to the serious illness of his wife , and it was decided to send a letter sympathising with him and the cause of his absence .

STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT LODGE , No . 726 . THE annual St . John ' s celebration , and installation of Brother James T . Marson as Worshipful Master , took place at Stafford , on Wednesday , 15 th inst . The Lodge met in the Odd Fellows' Hall . The presence of the Earl of Dartmouth Provincial Grand Master , Lieut .-Col . Bindley D . P . G . M . P . G . D . England , Bro . Bodenham Past Assist . G . D . C . England P . P . S . G . W ., and a number of P . G . Officers gave additional interest to the proceedings .

The installation ceremony was impressively performed by Brother J . E . Evans I . P . M ., and the W . M . appointed his Officers for the ensuing year . In the course of the proceedings Bro . Wooldridge P . M . proposed that a sum not exceeding five guineas be voted from the funds of the Lodge for the purpose of presenting a Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . G . Wormal . He bore testimony to the able manner in which Brother Wormal had combined the duties of W . M . with those of the chief magistrate of the borough of Stafford , and also to his services to the Lodge as Charity Steward for several years .

Bro . Nevitt seconded the proposition , and it was supported by Brother Bodenham and carried unanimously . It appeared that last year , with the exception of the Abbey Ledge , Burton , the subscriptions to the Charities from this Lodge had been the largest of any in the Province . Bro . Wormal warmly acknowledged the compliment .

It was announced that in connection with the Masonic Festival at Trentham , the Worshipful Master would act as Steward , and Stewards would also be appointed to represent the Lodge , the Lodge of Instruction , and the Boyal Chartley Chapter of Fortitude . Later it was announced that Brother Henry Thorn had generously promised a subscription of five guineas as a Steward . A collection on behalf of the Charities was made in the room , and realized £ 3 5 s .

Following the proceedings in Lodge , a banquet was held at the Swan Hotel , and was attended by about seventy Brethren , over whom the Worshipful Master presided . The usual Masonic toasts were honoured , the health of Lord Dartmouth being drunk with the greatest cordiality . His lordship , in reply , acknowledged the kindness and courtesy with which he had been received throughout the Province by the Brotherhood . Speaking of the charitable side of Masonry , he remarked that many a widow .

many an orphan , and numerous distressed families had reason to be grateful to Freemasonry . He acknowledged the generous subscriptions given by the Staffordshire Knot Lodge towards the foundation of a cot at Wolverhampton Orphan Asylum for the orphans of Masons , He mentioned that about £ 500 altogether had been promised towards this foundation , and said he had little doubt that before the year was out the full amount required , of between £ 700 and £ 800 , would be subscribed . He proposed to deal more fully with this matter when they met in Provincial Grand Lodge on the 13 th May .

The health of Lieut .-Col . Bindley was also very cordially honoured . In the course of the proceedings , the Worshipful Master referred with pride to the fact that his father , Bro . James Marson , who is still alive , in his eighty-sixth year , was a member of the Order and is probably the oldest Mason in Staffordshire , having been initiated a member of the Lodge of Fortitude ( since erased ) , at Stafford , in 1833 .

The musical part of the programme was greatly indebted to Brother Ffrench Davis , the famous harpist , who was specially engaged for the occasion . Songs were given by Bros . Sydney Dean ( Wolverhampton ) , S . H . Basing , and W . Vincent , and the gathering as a whole was a great success .

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 1343 . A MOST interesting meeting of this very successful Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Grays , on Wednesday . The W . M . Brother Charles Westwood G . S . of Essex presided , and was assisted by his Officers , Bros . F . W . Polling S . W ., Edward Ayres J . W ., J . Weymouth S . D ., J . Capstick J . D .,

G . H . Silverwood I . G .. James Howell P . M . P . Prov . G . Std . B . Essex Treasurer , Chas . Cobham P . M . P . Prov . Supt . of Wks Durham Sec , F . Haslock Grand Chaplain Essex , R . Matthews Assist . Org ., F . Spencer Guy I . P . M ., R . Atkins P . M ., H . C . Borradaile P . M . Prov . G . St . Br . Essex , A . J . Baldock , G . Cunningham , Elliott , G . Fletcher , & c , & c .

The visitors included Arthur Ronaldson Assist . Grand Secretary Kent , Stanley Savill 2427 , J . A . Gillett 483 , Ernest Ingman 483 , R . B . Hamant 1624 , H . Hyde 1227 , Chas . H . Harris 1599 , and Orlton Cooper 211 . Owing to the large amount of work to be transacted the Lodge was opened at the early hour of half-past three o'clock . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken and proved

unanimous in favour of Mr . Herbert Edmund Brooks , J . P ., of Stifford Lodge , Grays , who , being in attendance , was regularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of our ancient Order . Considerable interest was evoked by this initiation , as Bro . Brooks is a member of an old Quaker family lung settled in this district , and though he does not ait present exercise the peculiar tenets of the Society of Friends , still it is known

that he always affirms instead of taking the oath in a court of law . Of course the ancient ritual could not be departed from , and Bro . Brooks took the obligation , sealing it in the usual manner . So far as we are aware this is the first instance of a member of the sect entering into Freemasonry , affording yet another proof of its universality .

Bros . J . Siveright , T . A . Capron , and J . W . S . Bowton having proved their proficiency , were passed to the degree of Craftsmen . Bros . B . D . Borradaile , H . N . Fryer , J . W . Barefoot , and A . C . James answered the usual questions , and were subsequently raised to the sublime degree , and took their seats in the Master Mason ' s Lodge , The whole of the ceremonies were

Reports Of Meeting.

admirably worked by Bro . Westwood , and included the rehearsal of the traditional history , but we have so frequently referred to his rendering of the ritual that there is no occasion for further laudatory remarks . Still , as this is the last meeting previous to the annual festival , we must congratulate Bro . Westwood upon his distinct success in the chair . In order to mark their appreciation of his services the Brethren voted a Past Master ' s jewel of double the usual value , also a Past Master's collar and jewel to Bro . Westwood , to be presented to him at the next meeting .

Bro . F . W . Pelling S . W . was unanimously elected Master of the Lodge for the ensuing year , Bro . James Howell P . M . was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . George Martin re-elected Tyler . A sum of five guineas was voted from the funds of the Lodge to be placed on Bro . Polling ' s list as Steward for the next Festival of the Girls School . The bye-laws were read . Four of the junior members , together with the Past Masters and Wardens , were appointed as the Audit Committee .

The W . M . announced that it was intended to hold a Masonic service at an early date at Rainham Church , for the purpose of assisting the restoration fund . It was understood that one of the Grand Chaplains and the Prov . Grand Chaplains of Essex would conduct the service , and that dispensation to wear Masonic clothing had been applied for . It was hoped that the various Lodges in the Province would be represented .

The Master received the hearty congratulations of the visiting Brethren , and there being no further business the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony . The Brethren adjourned to supper , and a pleasant evening was spent .

URMSTON LODGE , No . 1730 . THE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Urmston , on Monday ; the 13 th inst . There were present : —Bros . Walter Bowers W . M ., J . Ormrod J . W ., Ed . L . Littler P . M . P . P . G . P ., Geo . R . Lloyd P . M . P . P . G . Treas . Secretary , J . Bowers P . M . Org ., R . Swindells P . M ., J . H . Marsh P . M ., John Walton P . M ., Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , E . W . Barratt , W . H . Ashworth ; R . Appledore , T . W . French , J . F . Mends , and others . Visitor : —Bro . F . Ridsdale Bowley P . M . 2216 .

The principal business of the evening was a motion , introduced by Bro . Lloyd on behalf of Bro . Slyman P . M . P . P . S . G . D . Charity Representative ( who was absent on a committee of the Urban District Council ) , that " the sum of five guineas be contributed from the funds of the Lodge in support of the bazaar to be held in Liverpool for the benefit of the Society for Waifs and Strays . " After some little discussion the motion was adopted .

Bro . Littler read a letter from Bro . Archie Christie , dated Hotel Bellevue , Dresden , 11 th April , wherein the writer stated that he had just received intelligence from his wife to the effect that on the previous evening his father had passed away suddenly and without any warning . Unhesitatingly the members conceded a vote of condolence , and the Secretary was instructed to convey to Bro . Christie the regret of the Brethren that he had suffered so great and sudden a bereavement .

ST . DAVID LODGE , No . 2226 . THE anniversary was held at the School Room , Rhymney , on the 16 th inst ., when Bro . Thomas Edwards P . G . S . B . was re-installed W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . John Jewel Williams P . M . P . P . S . G . D ., assisted by the D . P . G . M . Lieut .-Colonel C . R . Lyne . A large number of visiting Brethren were present .

A very interesting feature of the subsequent proceedings was the presentation of Past Master ' s jewels to Bro . Roger W . Jones P . M . Treasurer and Bro . W . Lloyd Marks .

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . THE regular meeting was held at the Palatine Hotel , Manchester , on Thursday , the 9 th inst ., Bro . T . T . Hardicker W . M . There were also present : —Bros . Clement J . Hall S . W ., Robt . Meggitt J . W ., Oates Rushton Treas ., John Kinsey Sec , T . H . Stott Assist . Secretary , A . G . Bryce S . D ., A . Scarlett J . D ., J . T . Whittle D . C ., T . H . Wooler I . G ., R . H . Whatham , W ; H . Taylor , Wm . T . Schofield P . M . 1219 2449 P . P . G . D ., and others .

After the reading and confirmation of minutes , the Auditors report and balance sheet was presented , a document which seemed to give univeral satisfaction . During the evening Bro . Hardicker W . M . expatiated upon the benefits which were continually being conferred upon indigent Brethren , widows , and orphans , by the efforts of the East Lancashire Systematic Educational and

Masonic Benevolent Institution , and kindred funds , which elicited a substantial response in the shape of a sum of ten guineas , contributed as follows : —Bros . Clement J . Hall £ 5 5 s , R . H . Whatham £ 1 Is , T . H . Stott £ 1 Is , J . T . Whittle £ 1 Is , Jas . Park £ 1 Is , W . H . Taylor ± 1 Is . By virtue of former subscriptions the Lodge and its Officers already possess thirty-three votes , and the amount above mentioned is a very pleasing adjunct . , »

ST . ANNE LODGE , No . 2457 . THE members met in the Masonic Hall , St . Annes-on-Sea , on Monday ; 13 th inst ., for the purpose of installing Bro . J . W . Clayton as W . M . Bro . R . G . Bradley P . Prov . Dep . G . D . C . acted as the Installing Master , and also performed the ceremony of the investiture of Officers . After the ceremonies , the party journeyed to the Palatine Hotel , Blackpool , where they sat down to a banquet , which was served in the well-known admirable style of the establishment , and did Mr . Grew , the manager , great credit .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . THE regular meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Friday , 10 th April , Bro . W . B . Akerman W . M ., the following being also present : —Bros . C . H . Arnold I . P . M ., Thomas Plumpton S . W ., W . Charlton , J . P ., J . W ., Wm . A . Boyer Treasurer , Arthur C . K . Smith Secretary , Edward A . Eason S . D ., A . B . Smith J . D ., Wm . Ed . Davies I . G ., J . A . Thompson and J , A . K . Haddad Stewards , A . H . Jefferis P . M . P . P . G . W ., James Bent P . M ., Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , P . Z . da Cunah , and others .

Visitors : —Bros . Abm . Pemberton P . M . 1030 P . P . G . D . C , G . V . Blaikie P . M . 152 . Upon the general termination of Lodge business an adjournment was made , and tho Brethren were enabled to appreciate the social side of Masonry , which was lengthy and of a very excellent kind , Loyal and Masonic