Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings tot insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings . We do not sanction anyone attending Lodge meetings as our representative without a specific invitation .

CRAFT : METROPOLITAN . — : o : —

New Concord Lodge , No . 813 . No greater evidence of a Masters popularity and a Lodge '? success could be desired than was shown on the occasion of the regular meeting of this Lodge , held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham Street , on Thursday of last week , when—with the thermometer registering iS' 6 degrees in the shade—about fifty members and visitors assembled under the presidency of Bro . John Howard Worshipful Master .

Those present included Bros . J . Keiser S . W ., R . Fletcher J . W ., C . I . Stevens Chaplain , A . J . Potter P . M . Sec , H . E . Fletcher S . D ., W . Chittock acting J . D ., W . H . Carter I . G ., R . H . Tickle Org ., A . K . Tuberfield Tvler ; Past Masters W . M . Johnson I . P . M ., H . Spiake , J . I . Moar , C . H . Ockelford , R . Clarke ; Bros . A . A . Smith , W .

Venner , A . Amidie , J . R . Cordell , F . M , Wenborn , T . H . Cole , F . Joyner , C . G . Innes , A . Denton , G . Bennett , H . Watkins , Fred . Wade , M . Ellis , W . M .. Stevens , R . Anderson , H . Garrett , J . L . Van Helden , A . E . Burnett , T . W . Couch , P . A . Cordell , and others .

The Visitors were Bros . R . H . Bulman W . M . 1244 , G . Elgar W . M . 2586 , G . W . Tindall P . P . G . D . C , Robert McBcan P . i \ G . Asst . D . C ., O . Sma . llman 16 79 , John Whitehead W . M . 1760 , H . Rix 19 81 , H . G . Riches 73 , J . Wynman . There being a full agenda , proceedings were commenced at 3 . 30 , when Bro . John Howard opened the Lodge in due form , and the minutes of the last regular and emergency meetings were read and confirmed .

The Lodge was opened m the second degree , when Bro . A . A . Smith answered the questions , was entrusted and retired . The W . M ., wishing to economise time resumed the Lodge 'to the first degree , and the ballot was separately taken for four candidates , Messrs . C . G . Cautley , Agostino Dogliani , George Williams , and Wm . Edward Schroder . It resulted unanimouslv in their favour .

The Lodge was resumed to the second and third degrees and in due course Bro . A . A . Smith was raised as a Master Mason . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Bros . Cole , Roger and Bennett answered the questions leading to the second degree and were entrusted . The Lodge was again advanced and those Brethren were passed to the degree of Fellow Craft .

The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , when the W . M ., in the exercise of a very wise and excellent judgment called the Lodge off for a few minutes , to give the Brethren an opportunity of seeking that refreshment which was most difficult to find—Fresh Air . Having failed in their search the Brethren tried as a substitute a little cooling draught , and being thereby refreshed , they were called upon to resume their Masonic labours .

On resumption , the candidates previously mentioned were duly initiated into the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry . We cannot speak too highly of the perfect working of the W . M . It was most creditable to himself and the Lodge . The ancient charge given by Bro . Wenborn was faultlessly and impressively rendered . We may also congratulate the Officers on the assistance they accorded .

Other matters concerning the Lodge were disposed of , and after the W . M . had received well earned hearty good wishes the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren retired to partake of . an excellent dinner . At the conclusion of the repast the W . M . submitted the toast of the King and the Craft . No doubt there were several of the Brethren

present at the Installation of His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught . who had heard the newly installed Grand Master say he hoped that the Craft would be as prosperous in the future as it had been during the time the present King had been at its head . They could all endorse that wish .

Speaking of the M . W . G . M . the Duke of Connaught the W . M . said he had the honour of seeing him installed , and hoped he would be spared in health for many , many years to occupy the position of Grand Master of English Freemasons . Bro . H . Sprake acting I . P . M . proposed the toast of the W . M ., and said that when a ship made good speed the captain was

complimented . The Captain there was the Worshipful Master , and the Brethren who formed the crew rejoiced in having a splendid commander , one who knew his work to perfection . The working that evening had been a Masonic treat . He fkiished by wishing for the W . M . health and strength , and for the New Concord Lodge every prosperity .

The W . M . replied , saying a great compliment had been paid him , and it was indeed a pleasure to hear that his working had been appreciated . A W . M . could not do without good Officers , no more than a Captain could do witnout th-m ; he , as the Captain of their Craft

, was proud to say he had good Officers . But what was a good Captain without a good crew ? It was his pleasure to say they had that evening added four candidates to their crew , and by the ' great attention they had paid to their initiation and the ancient charge he felt sure they would be acquisitions to the Craft .

Bro . Charges G . Cautley thanked the W . M . for having initiated him . He had been very much impressed with the ceremony , and hoped he might be useful and become a good member oi the New Concord Lodge ,

Reports Of Meetings.

Bro . Agostino Dogliani said he was very pleased he had been accepted as one of the crew of Freemasonry , and especially on that excellent ship the New Concord , to serve under such a perfect ruler . He also thanked the Officers and crew for having accepted him as one amongst them . The ceremony had greatly impressed him , and he should never forget his obligation .

Bro . George Williams thanked Bro . J . Moar P . M . for having introduced him to such a noble Order as that of Freemasonry . He also desired to thank the W . M ., Officers and Brethren for having accepted him as a Brother amongst them . Bro . William Ed . Schroder said in South Africa Masons did not speak much , but he had regarded Freemasonry there for years past

as one of the most noble Orders . He had a chance to join ai Lodge in South Africa , but thought he would give his native country the preference , and was sure he had joined one of the best Lodges . He also thanked Bros . Denton and Potter P . M . for having introduced him ; he was delighted with the ceremony , should never forget his obligation , and sincerely thanked the Brethren for having honoured the toast in such a cordial manner .

The W . M . in short but eloquent terms gave the toast of the Visitors . Bro . R . H . Bulman W . M . 1244 , after thanking the W . M . and Brethren for their hearty reception , congratulated them oh the manner in which the working of the Lodge had been conducted . He had looked upon it with a critical eye , but could not find fault with it . In the north the Masters of the Lodges never did so much as he

had seen done that evening by the W . M . of the New Concord Lodge . Although they were able to do it , they preferred to enlist the assistance of the Past . Masters , and by that means drew the Past Masters round them in larger numbers . He also preferred the system of allowing a Brother to explain the charge or duties to the initiates ; but altogether he was delighted with the working he had witnessed thai evening .

Bro . H . Rix 19 S 1 said the working he had witnessed had been a real Masonic treat , and the Brethren might well be proud of having such an excellent Worshipful Master . He also thanked Bro . Smith for having invited him , and thanked them all for their cordiality . Several other Visitors also suitably responded . The Past Masters and Officers toasts were next honoured and responded to .

During the evening some excellent songs were rendered , and a most pleasant evening terminated with the Tyler ' s toast .

********** Stanhope Lodge , No . 12 69 . THE members of this Lodge celebrated the installation of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught as Most Worshipful Grand Master by a dinner at the Holborn Restaurant on Wednesday evening , 17 th inst ., when

the following Brethren were present : Bros . J . C . Escott W . M . in the chair , Childs S . W ., Clout S . D ., Withers I . G ., H . Broughton . I . P . M ., J . A . Smith P . M . Treasurer , W . J . Kestin Secretary ; Ring , Woods , Murrow , Oldfield , Wilkinson , Ivory , Davies , Slowman , G . W . Smith Past Masters , and Bros . Musgrove , Young , Jones , Edenborough , Sweet , and Blewitt Faull Organist . A very enjoyable evening was spent , despite the tropical weather . **********

Westboume Lodge , No . 733 . AT the Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , Harrow Road , on Tuesday , Bro . G . Mogford P . M . 2362 occupied the chair , supported by Bros . W . Wieffenbach S . W ., E . Thomas J . W ., H .

INSTRUCTION . — : o : —

Dehane P . ML P-rec , G . Weaver P . M . Treas ., C . E . Lilly P . M . 733 acting Sec , F . Smith Rose S . D ., G . Knight J . D ., Porter I . G ., F . Middleton , R . H . Shaw , J . Wynman . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Middleton acting as the candidate . Lodge was called off and resumed . The W . M . gave the ancient charge .

The Lodge was adjourned until Tuesday , 17 th September , the members marking the close of the season with a musical entertainment after the closing of the Lodge . ********** Claremont Lodge , No . 1861 . PRESENTATION TO THE PRECEPTOR .

THE Preceptor of the Claremont Lodge of Instruction ( Bro . J . S . Pointon P . M . ) having been appointed Grand Standard Bearer for the Province of Surrey , in succession to Bro . W . Ellinger r . M . 2222 , the members gathered in great force on Wednesday evening of last week , at the home of the Lodge , the Newlands Tavern , Stuart Road ,

Peckham Rye , S . E . —of which " mine host" is Bro . Dickason—a private " whip round" having been made with a view to marking the sense of the Lodge , and other comrade Lodges of their appreciation of the honour done by Provincial Grand Lodge to Brother Pointon .

The Claremont Lodge of Instruction ., by the way , is one of the most genial and efficient nurseries of the Craft in Suburbia ; and since its foundation three years ago , its weekly coinvocations bear an unbroken record . The following Officers were present : Bros . J . Ellinger P . M . 2322 P . P . G . Std . Br . Surrey W . M ., J . Tossell 1205

S . W ., W . Maybourn 1901 J . W ., J . E . Wiberg 1901 S . D ., A . S . Jennings 73 J . D ., A . Bridge 1 S 61 I . G ., J . S . Pointon Prov . G . Std . Br . Surrey P . M . 1 S 61 and W . M . 1901 Preceptor , W . T . Greenland J . W . 1861 Sec , W . Jobson J . D . 2266 Org ., J . Dickason 1901 Treas . There were also present Bros , Sykes P . M ., H , E . Frances P . P . G . S . D . iSOlj