Reports Of Meetings

and to his connection with the members of the Lodge , and the visitors who were present . Bro . G . Woods I . P . M . proposed the health of the W . M . Bro . John Mitchell . He said that at any time it would be a great pleasure to propose the toast of the Master of the Lodge , for they delighted to honour the one

whom they had elected , but on this occasion it was a much greater pleasure , considering the excellent and highly esteemed craftsman who presidod over them . The able and impressive way in which he had done his work that evening would convince those present that their Master was able and willing —in a pre-eminent degree—to perform the duties of his high office .

Bro . Mitchell responded , promising that everything in his power should be done to ensure that this year should be one of success—and that the welfare and happiness of the members should receive due attention . The W . M . then proposed the toast of the Installing Master Bro . C . Woods , whose work he eulogised . He took this opportunity of pinning to the I . P . M's breast the handsome jewel , voted by the Lodge , expressing a hope that he might live long to wear it . The Jewel bore the following inscription :

Presented to BRO . CHARLIE WOODS , by the Duke of Fife Lodge , as a mark of esteem . 17 th March 1897 . Bro . Woods , in response , said that he was reminded of the first time he

responded as Secretary in that room . Then he had said that theirs must be made one of the very best Lodges in the world . All the founders , especially the Past Masters , had laboured with that end in view . Their work had been duly rewarded , for no happier band of Brethren could be met with anywhere .

The W . M ., in proposing the Initiates , said that if his son made as good a Mason as he had been a son then they would all be proud of him in years to come . He believed also that Bro . Harrould equally would earn their esteem . Bros . Mitchell and Harrould suitably replied . The W . M . proposed in most felicitous terms the Visitors , many of whom were friends of many years , all being highly esteemed .

Bro . Lipscomb W . M . 507 said that they had that evening received a Masonic treat of very high order in the Lodge room , and afterwards an equal treat at the banquet table . Often the pleasure of realisation was less than the expectation . In this instance the realisation far exceeded anything he could have expected . The work was excellent , and only equalled by the hospitality displayed . Bro . Danby P . M . 1056 made an able and telling speech , and referred to the time when he had installed Bro . John Mitchell , in the Victoria Lodge , and to their labours together .

Bro . Bond P . M . 1314 P . P . G . D . C . Kent referred to his experience in years gone by , in that Lodge . He always enjoyed his visits there , and was deeply indebted to Bro , Wyer for the opportunity of attending . Bro . Billing 2244 , as a young Mason , had received information and pleasure . Bro . A . Caink P . M . 1056 had worked with and beside the W . M . for upwards of thirty years . His esteem for him continually increased , and he congratulated the Lodge on having such a Master .

The W . M ., in felicitous terms , proposed the Past Masters , all seven of whom were present . Bro . Westley P . M . D . C . said that the Past Masters had worked in the past , and would do the same in the future . He looked forward to their meetings always . Happiness was ever to be found there . The W . M . proposed the Treasurer and the Secretary , both highly esteemed Past Masters ; both able and willing to do their work .

Bros . Steele and Folkard replied , in earnest , interesting , and suitable words . The W . M ., in proposing the Officers , referred to their past labours , and their promise for the future . They guaranteed that many years of prosperity were before the Lodge . Bro . T . Morris and A . Robertson replied on behalf of the Officers , and promised heartiest support to the Master .

The harmony of the evening was greatly enhanced by the musical efforts of Bros . G . F . Winny , Wilson , James , Wilfred Straeey , Bobbins , Machin , Caink , Stanley , Gissey , and Brown .

HAMPSTEAD LODGE , No . 2408 . A VERY succesful meeting , under the Mastership of Bro . Fred H . Gervis , was held at the Vestry Hall , Hampstead , on Tuesday , 16 th inst . There were one or two special incidents of the meeting which made it more than usually interesting . First , the W . M . — ' in one of the most impressive ceremonies ever heard in the Hampstead Lodge—initiated into Freemasonry his own son , Mr . F . Harcourt Gervis , and also Mr . Charles Robert Lowe , the son of Bro . C H . Lowe , G . I 5 . Nextthe Lodge had the

, pleasure of welcoming back , after six months absence in the antipodes , Bro . T . Sansome Preston P . M ., apparently much improved in health by the holiday ; and , finally , it was decided by the Lodge to hold , in June next , a special emergency meeting , with a banquet and entertainment , to which ladies will be invited . This will be in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee , and nothing will be wanting to make the event in every way a complete success .

The sum of £ 10 10 s was voted to the Boys Institution , £ 5 5 s to the Indian Famine Fund , and £ 5 5 s to the Hampstead fund for local hospitals in connection with the Diamond Jubilee . An excellent banquet was interspersed with music and recitations by tho Brethren , under the able direction of the Organist , Bro . F . Isitt .

PEOYINCIAL ,

INDUSTRY LODGE , No . 48 . ON Monday , 22 nd inst ., the annual meeting was held in the Masonic Hall , Jackson Street , Gateshead . Bro . Alfred Simpson was installed the installing Master being Bro . Uugh Jackson W . M . ' In the evening the Brethren had dinner , after which the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .

Reports Of Meetings

ROYAL YORK LODGE , No . 315 . THE annual installation was held at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Tuesday , 2 nd inst ., when Bro . G . Bungard was installed W . M . for the ensuing year . On behalf of the Lodge the W . M . presented tho retiring W . M . Bro . T . H . Challis with a Past Master's gold jewel in appreciation of the admirable manner in which he had carried out his duties during the

past year . On the closing of the Lodge , the Brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , whore they sat down to an elegant banquet , supplied by Messrs . Booth and Sons , of East Street , whose catering gave every satisfaction . The newly installed W . M . presided , the company present numbering about one hundred . The customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bro . Sir Joseph Ewart , in responding for the Prov . G . M . and Officers , said H . R . H .

the Duke of Connaught held a high position in Freemasonry , and also m military circles , and as Provincial Grand Master had given great satisfaction by presiding at meetings shared by the leading Masonic centres in the county . Bro . J . Turton also acknowledged the toast . He congratulated the Lodge upon securing such a W . M . as Bro . G . Bungard , who , he was sure , would uphold its prestige and dignity . In his opinion , the honour secured by a Provincial Grand Officer was a recognition of past labours .

Bro . T . H . Challis , in proposing the Worshipful Master , said Bro . G . Bungard had displayed great zeal in the work of the Lodge since his initiation , and had worthily attained the high position of W . M . He had every belief Bro . Bungard would carry out the duties of the trust imposed upon him in a thoroughly able manner .

The W . M ., on rising to respond , was received with enthusiastic and prolonged applause . Since his initiation ten years ago , he said he regarded the office of W . M . as one to which all Freemasons should aspire , and he highly prized the unanimous manner in which the Brethren of the Lodge had voted him to the chair . He was especially grateful to the Brethren for

their confidence in appointing him W . M . during the year in which they would celebrate their centenary , and he would do all in his power , by a faithful discharge of his duties , to give them every satisfaction . He was confident of receiving the invaluable assistance of the Past Masters and Officers , and he trusted the Brethren would rally round him so that by united efforts they might advance the interests of the Lodge and Craft .

NORTHERN COUNTIES LODGE , No . 406 . THE new Masonic buildings in Pilgrim Street , Newcastle , were largely occupied on Monday , 22 nd inst ., by an assemblage of ladies and gentlemen for the fourth annual " At Home , " under the auspices of this Lodge . There was a reception at seven o ' clock by the Worshipful Master Bro . John Wood and other office bearers , and there were Brethren present from ail the sister Lodges of the district .

Many had an opportunity for the first time of hearing Bro . Lindon Travers give a portion of his well known entertainment : " What I saw in Africa , " interspersed with song and story , and illustrated by coloured photographic- transparencies . Bro . Travers shows how keenly he observed things , and among various notable people he talked with was Mr . Groheler , President Kruger ' s nephew .

The " At Home " was further delightfully entertained by Miss Daisy L . Travers , Miss Alice L . Travers , Miss Cecila Armitage , Miss Clara Cole , Bro . L . 0 . Guthrie , Bro . W . Lyall , Bro . Thomas Hoffman , and Bro . Macdonald with the cinematographe and the graphophone . Dancing ensued till the " Cinderella " hour , the whole function being a delightful success .

TRUTH LODGE , No . 581 . THE summons for this Lodge announced three ceremonies for the 17 th inst ., so that business commenced at a very early hour of the day . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , a ballot , which was successful , was taken for Mr . Fredk . Andrew , Merchant , Higher Openshaw , and he was duly initiated into Freemasonry by the W . M .

Lodge having been advanced , Bros . Matthew Goth and Robert Hartley Beard were raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the former by Bro . H . J . Harrison P . M . and the latter by Bro . Saml . Whittaker P . M . The remainder of the evening was devoted to tho usual toasts , these being relieved by an occasional song or recitation . Among the visitors we noticed Bros . Edwin Housley 1083 , T . C Lilly W . M . 2185 , and Frank Robinson I . G . 361 .

LEWIS LODGE , No . 872 . ON Monday , 15 th inst ., there was a large and enthusiastic gathering at the Freemasons' Hall , Duke Street , Whitehaven , when , after ordinary business , Bro . J . Dixon , in a neat little speech , presented to Bro . Clark I . P . M ., on behalf of the Officers who served under him last year , a Past Master's jewel .

Bro . Ciark , in appropriate and feeling terms , acknowledged the gift , which he said was entirely unexpected and came as a very pleasant surprise to him . He was pleased to find his Mastership of Lewis Lodge had given such satisfaction . He had striven to do his duty and to inculcate the genuine principles of the Order , and from what had been said by the speakers that evening he was gratified to find he had been to a great extent successful ; The jewel bore the following inscription :

Presented to BRO . J . M . CLARK P . M . by his Officers , as a token of regard . o o o EGERTON LODGE , No . 1030 . THE regular meeting was held at the George Hotel , Heaton Norris , on Monday , J . 5 th inst ., Bro . J . W . Abbott P . M . P . P . G . D . C . W . M . The principal business of the evening was that of balloting for Bro . John William Fitton , Longsight Lodge , No . 2464 , who was desirous of becoming a joining member , the ballot being successful .

Bro . W . Curwen Sheard was afterwards passed to the degree of F . C , by the W . M ., tho working tools being presented and explained by Bro . Geo . B . Goodfellow I . P . M ., the delivery of the ancient charge falling to tho lot of Bro . Abm . Pemberton P . M . P . P . G . D . C . At the festive board , Loyal and Masonic toasts were varied by songs and sketches , the contributaries being Bros . Chas . Porter J . D ., E . Roberts P . M . 1459 , C . A . Hurst late 1219 , and Henry Norris 1798 .