Reports Of Meetings.

Station ( which is on the new Dore and Chinley line ) carriages were in waiting to convey them to the Castle Hotel , Castleton , where lunch was served shortly after 12 . Preceding this , however , some of the party strolled towards the neighbouring church , which is said to be rich with reliquary indications of vanished greatness . In the churchyard , too , this domain of Sepulchralia has been furnished with Masonic inscriptions and symbolisms which are very interesting , these being examined by the researchful with more than simulated archaeological fervour .

The next part of the programme was a drive through some of the most interesting scenery of the district , and this was inexpressibly charming . When not dominated by the innumerable peaks which lift their heads in sublime grandeur , the scene commanded a delightful view of a finely diversified country . It would he impossible for a visitor to do anything like

adequate justice to this neighbourhood even by a week ' s sojourn here , the place is so luxuriant in interesting resorts , among which may be mentioned caverns , lead mines , ancient ruins , & c . Some of our party , therefore , were content with paying a visit to the Blue John Mine , a cavern dear to the hearts of mineralogists , and which , from a geological point of view , is said to be the mosfc interesting in the High Peak of Derbyshire .

Seldon said of the frogs in iEsop that " they were extremely wise : they had a great mind to some water , but they would not leap into a well because they could not get out again . " Perhaps for a very similar reason—the difficulty of moving amongst these brecciated rocks—some of the more timorous , or wise ones , preferred the sunshine above to Cimmerian darkness below the earth , and did not venture into the winding , vaulted pathways which lead into the very heart of the mountain .

- The remainder of the afternoon was spent in those various pleasant ways which , while not severely taxing the resources of a pic-nic party , nevertheless tend to bring into prominence the jocoseness and " gaite de cceur " so necessary for a successful gathering . The return to the hotel was accomplished in sufficient time to allow of a good and substantial dinner , after which various toasts were submitted and duly honoured .

Mrs . Henry Nail sang the national anthem , which was well received . Bro . J . G . Bromley P . M . proposed the health of the W . M ., regretting that it had not been possiblejto assign the duty to other Past Masters of the Lodge , on account of their unavoidable absence . He reverted to the fact that the ladies had come forward loyally , and he was pleased at this because he

was going to impart to them a little secret . Bro . Bromley then mentioned the fact that since the last pic-nic their W . M . had become a Benedict . He heartily wished Bro . Chas . Rawle Worshipful Master and wife , -who was present , much happiness in their wedded life , hoping that it might be as bright as the day which they were then enjoying .

Bro . Henry Nail P . M . Treas . Prov . G . Treas . then sang , " Here ' s to his health , " after which Bro . Rawle responded , thanking his auditors for their good wishes and enthusiasm , and sincerely hoping that they would all meet many times under similar conditions , and enjoy as happy a day as that which marked their pic-nic of 1896 . Bro . H . W . Bloomer , in a very trenchant speech , proposed the health of the Ladies , saying that he considered this to be the toast of the day .

Bro . Cyril H . Beever P . M . responded in that usual happy and felicitous manner which has made him a " persona gratia " at such assemblies . Ha regretted that unfortunately he was not in tho best of health , or otherwise he might have done better justice to the toast . Although relating a story of another bachelor who , reading about the virtues of the fair sex , said " they might be beautiful as stars , but he hoped they would keep at a telescopic distance , " yet Bio . Beever accorded to the ladies the honour of having added to the day ' s enjoyment .

Bro . Arthur A . Moss P . M . proposed the Masonic Charities , explaining that Freemasonry was not as he had seen described—all dinners and orphanages . Their purpose was a high one , and the Fraternity boasted some of the finest institutions in the world . A song by Bro . Wm . Rushton Organist brought the proceedings to a close , and the party were shortly afterwards driven to the railway station , the train arriving in Manchester , after a very jolly journey , at about 10 p . m .

Besides those above mentioned , were noticed the following , who were accompanied by their wives , viz ., Bros . W . T . Hesketh P . M . Sec , A . Pickford P . M ., J . R . E . Birkett J . D ., John Mann Crone , W . Lea , C . A . Klindworth , E . Ireland ( Virtue , 152 ) , Sam Luke ( 2363 ) , J . Travers P . M . ( 1387 ); Mr . Harry Rushton , Mr . and Mrs . Poole , Miss Sheard , and Miss Hindle .

HAMER LODGE , No . 1393 . ON the 18 th inst ., at the Masonic Temple , Hope Street , Liverpool , the annual installation meeting took place . The W . M .-elect Bro . Neils Christensen was duly presented by Past Masters Brooks and Pierpoint , and installed as the Worshipful Master of the Lodge for the ensuing twelve months by Bro . 3 : O . Jones W . M .

During the evening the retiring W . M . was presented with a beautiful clock and side ornaments , as a token of the esteem in which he is held by the Brethren . He was also the recipient of a Past Master ' s jewel , as mark of appreciation of his services in the chair during the year .

CONCORD LODGE , No . 1534 . THE regular meeting was held at Prestwich , on Thursday , the 18 th June , Bro . E . S . Done W . M . There was a fair attendance of members , the visitors being Bros . Allan Mercer P . M . 1534 1170 , and E . Arthur W . Wragg 2584 . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bro . Thomas Edmund Collier was passed to the degree of F . C . by the W . M ., assisted by Bros . F . W . Maxwell S . W ., H . B . Fawssett J . W ., and Jobn Walkden P . M .

ARLECDON LODGE , No . 1660 . THE annual installation was held on the 3 rd , at Frizington , when Bro . E . Jackson was duly installed by Brother G . Dalrymple P . M . P . G . Sec , assisted by Bro . J . Armstrong P . M . P . G . A . D . C . Bro . H . Hartley , on behalf of the Lodge , presented Bro . William Brown I . P . M . with a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel , as a token of respect for his able services during his year of office . It is now twenty years since the Lodge received its Warrant , and the past year has been the most prosperous

smce its loimation . Bro . Brown briefly thanked the members for their great kindness , and other toasts were given .

Reports Of Meetings.

ST . GEORGE LODGE , No . 2165 . THE installation of the Right Rev . C . O . L . Riley , Bishop of Perth , West Australia , as W . M ., took place on 5 th May , in the new St . George's Parish Hall . Among those present was His Excellency Sir Gerard Smith P . G . J . W ., who represented the Grand Lodge of England .

WESTERN DISTRICT UNITED SERVICE LODGE , No . 2258 . AT a meeting held at East Stonehouse , on Wednesday , 17 th inst ., Bro . Brebnor was elected W . M . for the ensuing year , S . H . Best Treasurer , J . Gidley Tyler , S . Jew representative on the Committee of Petititions , and Captain Reynolds Charity Steward . The installation will take place on the third Wednesday in July .

CYCLING AND ATHLETIC LODGE , No . 2335 . THE members held their annual picnic on the 17 th inst ., when Bro . Pearson Chambers W . M . was supported by his Officers and upwards of fifty Brethren and their lady friends . The party proceeded to Chester , where luncheon was served ; thence to Eaton Hall , then on to Hawarden Castle , where the annual fete in aid of the local Institute was in progress . After seeing the grounds the party returned to Chester , where dinner was served at six o ' clock .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . THE first anniversary of this Lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester , on Friday , 12 th inst ., Bro . W . B . Akerman Worshipful Master . Two ceremonies to precede the principal business of the day had been announced on the summons , and members had accordingly been called for

an early hour in the afternoon . The minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed , and a ballot , which was successful , was taken for Mr . Alfred Williams , Cycle Manufacturer , Manchester , who was subsequently initiated by the W . M ., the working tools being presented and explained by Bro . Wm . Charlton , J . P ., J . W . The second candidate was absent . Other

ordinary business having been disposed of , the Lodge was advanced , and a Board of Installed Masters formed , consisting of Bro . A . H . Jefieris P . M . P . P . G . W . as Installing Master , A . H . Duffin P . M . 1134 P . P . G . D . C . as S . W ., John Bladon P . M . 317 P . P . G . A . D . C . as J . W ., and W . B . Akerman W . M . as Inner Guard .

Bro . C . H . Arnold I . P . M . having presented Bro . Thomas Plumpton S . W . Worshipful Master-elect to receive the benefits of installation , the ceremony was performed by Bro . Jefferis in his characteristically excellent manner , he being assisted by Bro . James Bent P . M ., who delivered the address to the incoming Master .

Bro . Plumpton addressed and invested his Officers for 1896-7 as follow : Bro . Wm . Charlton S . W ., Wm . A . Boyer J . W ., A . C . K . Smith Treas ., E . A . Eason Sec , A . B . Smith S . D ., W . E . Davies J . D ., J . A . Thompson I . G ., C . H . Arnold P . M . D . C , A . H . Jefieris P . M . P . P . G . W . Org ., J . A . K . Haddad , A . Barlow , Adam Still , F . J . Burt Stewards .

Hearty good wishes having been expressed by the visitors , Lodge was closed by Bro . Plumpton W . M ., and the Brethren afterwards adjourned to a very recherche banquet , which had been provided in the large dining room of the hall by Bro . Allan Phillips . The function was a brilliant one from beginning to end , and will long be remembered by those who had the good fortune to participate in it . The major portion of the toasts were proposed by the newly-installed W . M ., who made several neat and apropos speeches , which were well received .

In the first place he paid a worthy tribute to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , expatiated upon the untiring work performed by H . R . H , the Prince of Wales M . W . Grand Master of Masons in England , not forgetting other Officers of Grand and Provincial Grand Lodges . Bro . Jas . Newton , in responding on behalf of Prov . Grand Lodge , said this was the first Lodge he had visited since his appointment as Provincial

Grand Secretary for East Lancashire . The Manchester Lodge had justified every expectation formed of it , and had responded most loyally with regard to the charities . Referring to the new Deputy Provincial Grand Master , whose other engagements had compelled him to leave that meeting , he said that Bro . C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds Past Grand Deacon England and Deputy Grand Master-designate of their Province had worked hard during the

present generation . Whilst occupying the position o £ H . in the Royal Arch degree , he had visited various Chapters and witnessed the working there , and the speaker was understood to say that he had determined to do the same in connection with the Craft , —his visits therefore were likely to be unexpectedly made whenever they did take place . Speaking of himself , Bro . Newton said

that as Prov . Grand Secretary he would require all the assistance which could be given him , in order to carry out the duties of his office . His desire was to make himself fully cognisant of the work done in the various Lodges of the Province , and he hoped he should convince tho Brethren that he was acting in all sincerity , and without displaying fear , favour , or affection towards any man .

Bros . H . J . Cutter P . M . 44 P . G . S . D ., Geo . R . Lloyd P . M . Sec . 1730 P . P . G . Reg ., and Arthur Middleton P . M . P . P . S . G . D . spoke in flattering terms of The Manchester Lodge , and its successful efforts in the way of charity , warmly commending the same to the notice of other Lodges . * Bro . Jno . E . Lees P . M . P . P . G . Tr . who , amidst jocular interruptions , attempted to banter some of the Officers of the Lodge , was not quite so successful as his

follower , Bro . A . H . Duffin P . P . G . D . C . The latter , who adopted a very happy vein with his audience , remarked that the consecration of this Lodge was the first duty he had been called upon to perform after receiving Provincial honours . He spoke of the great progress made in the admission of new members into the Craft , at the same time throwing out a strong monition to his auditors as to the care they should exercise with regard to the quality of the individual whom they wished to introduce into their midst .

Bro . Akerman I . P . M ., in proposing the health of the W . M ., said that this was the toast of the evening . Having known Bro . Plumpton for years he had watched his Masonic career , and it afforded him equally as much pleasure as it did the subject of his remarks to see him installed into the

chair of K . S . That night there had been displayed a very happy augury for the future , for they had had present many distinguished Officers who attended with but one object , and one desire—that of supporting the new Master . Personally he wished Bro . Plumpton every success , and hoped his Officers would be loyal towards him .

The Worshipful Master , in replying , thanked the Brethren for their enthusiastic reception of his name , which had given him a feeling of pride , indeed he might truthfully assert that this was one of the proudest moments