Reports Of Meetings.

W , H . Bale P . M ., F . Pow P . M . 1901 , Wimble P . M . 1901 , J . D . Wilkinson P . M . Sec . of the Star Lodge of Instruction , T . Dickason S . W . 1 S 61 , H . P . White and W . J . White 1541 , S . W . Clarke 1861 , Rees Day 1861 , W . H . Webb 1329 , R . C . S . Philp 1861 , Culpeck 879 , H . R . Gurney S . D . 1861 , Hand 1928 , Brace 1928 , A . H . Portch

J . D . 1861 , Robinson P . M ., J . Rose P . M ., J . Lightfoot P . M . 1901 , J . Pointing 1622 , Gibbons 16 58 , H . H . Bolton 1901 , G . Dixon 879 , J . Reynolds Sec . of the Vitruvian Lodge of Instruction , and many others . The Lodge was opened in the three degrees and closed down .

The Secretary read letters and messages of regret for unavoidable absence from Bros . W . Rogers W . M . 1861 , Deeley , C . W . Phillips 1928 , Underdown 1861 , J . Hart 1901 , T . _ G . Bond 1 S 61 , and others . The Worshipful Master , addressing the Brethren , said they were assembled to perform a labour of love , and to congratulate their worthy Preceptor on his attaining to the dignity of Grand

Standard Bearer of the Province of Surrey . It was fitting that their little ceremony should be practically contemporaneous with the installation of their Grand Master the Duke of Connaught the same day , at which many of them had had the honour to be present ; at any rate in the minds of those present , one event would serve to connote the other ; and in the calendar of Bro . Pointon , / at any rate , they

hoped that evening would long be remembered by him , and cherished ; firstly as a personal friend of his , and secondly , as the Brother of them all , for the little mark of appreciation he had now to bestow on him on their behalf in token of his unselfish devotion to the Lodge in particular and to Freemasonry in general . It never occurred to him that he would ever have the pleasurable task of

informally investing Bro . Pointon , as his successor , with the clothing he had himself been proud to wear . In the circumstances of Bro . Rogers' ill-health , his duty that evening had come as a pleasant surprise . He could not tell Bro . Pointon all that was in his heart , and the hearts of all , of their deep sense of gratitude for what he had done for them . The gift that night was the spontaneous outcome of

their feeling for him . Bro . Pointon had been amongst them a good many years . He was a teacher among teachers , and he had very great pleasure in presenting him with the clothing of his new Office . The Worshipful Master hereupon handed to Bro . Pointon the full dress and undress regalia of Prov . G . Std . Br ., together with tlie Prov . G . Std . Bearer's jewel .

Bro . Pointon , assuming his new and handsome garb , received a perfect ovation from the Brethren on rising to acknowledge the compliment . He spoke of the very great surprise it had been to him and of the comparative success of the conspiracy of silence in regard to their scheme . If he had served them well—and it was a labour of love—he was now amply repaid . He paid a tribute to his Masonic foster father ( the late Bro . Walter Martin P . Grand Purs .

of England ) who he wished could have been present at that function , and after again thanking the Brethren from the bottom of his heart , the speaker resumed his seat amid a fresh outburst of applause . Bro . J . H . Wimble P . M . felicitated Bro . Pointon on thecompliment paid to him on his own behalf and that of Bro . Wills P . M ., whose first initiate the recipient was . This was an honour that Bro . Pointon thoroughly deserved .

Bro . J . T . Wilkinson Secretary of the Star Lodge , Bro . Sykes P . M ., Bro . Brace of the Gallery Lodge , and members of the Selwyn Lodge all haying expressed their appreciation of the instruction received at Bro . Pointon's hands , the proceedings closed in harmony .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

Independence Lodge , No . 721 . THE members of this Chester Lodge had an enjoyable picnic to Bettws-y-Coed . A party numbering over a hundred , and comprising a large number of ladies , left Chester General Station by special

train at 9 . 45 , and arrived at Bettws at 11 . 30 . The first item on the programme was luncheon at the Glan Aber Hotel , after which the party drove in char-a-bancs and other conveyances to Capel Curig , calling en route at the Miners' Bridge , Swallow Falls , and Cyfing Falls , each of which interesting spots received its share of admiration . The weather was delightful , and everybody enjoyed the magnificent scenery .

After a short stay at Capel Curig the visitors returned to the Glan Aber Hotel , where a cold collation was served . The W . M . Bro . D . L . Hewitt presided , supported by Bros . F . Coveney S . W ., J . Applcton J . W ., and the other Officers of the Lodge , in addition to Councillor S . Coppack and other members . After tea the visitors enjoyed themselves by inspecting the Fairy Glen and other scenes of beauty and interest . Bettws was left for home at 8 . 45 , and the party reached Chester , after a successful outing , at 10 . 30 .

********** Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge , No . 283 7 . THE first annual picnic of this popular Lodge was held on Tuesday , 2 nd inst ., at Hawkestone Park , near Wem , Salop , under most favourable auspices . The party , numbering about fifty , proceeded to Wem , via Birkenhead , in specially reserved saloon carriages , and on arriving at Wem Station handsome brakes

conveyed the company to the hotel at Hawkestone , after an enjoyable and circuitous drive , amid a continuity of picturesque scenery in this paradise of England . A sumptuous dinner was provided and served up in Bro . Tom Bush ' s celebrated high-class style . The park , gardens , grottoes , obelisk , ike , were all subsequently visited , under the direction of experienced guides , and a knife and fork tea was done full justice to after this appetising and bracing perambulation .

Provincial.

In the course of the post prandial proceedings , a handsome framed group of the Founders of the Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge was , on behalf of the members , presented to the first Worshipful Master Bro . Houlding . This group had been specially photographed and enlarged by the newest process by Bro . H . Bowden , of Parkside Studio , Bootle .

The presentation was introduced by an appropriate speech by Bro . W . M'Lachlan I . P . M ., who eulogised the W . M . 's career as a Freemason . The same theme was spoken , and further enlarged upon by the Senior Warden Bro . F . W . Knight , who recounted the various public services of Alderman Houlding , along numerous avenues of usefulness , paying also a graceful tribute to his deserved preferment to a conspicuous and important position in the Grand

Lodge of England during the Grand Mastership of his present Majesty , King Edward VII . They were highly honoured in having such a distinguished Brother as the first W . M . of the Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge , and it was a self-evident fact that all the Officers felt it an honour and a privilege to serve under such a distinguished Mason , whose wonderful career might be regarded as an object lesson , an incentive , and an inspiration .

Alderman Houlding accented the picture with manifest emotion He did not affect to b : impervious to the affectionate regard anc svmpathctic attachment of n ; s Brothers in the Craft . To him the launching of the Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge had been entirely congenial , he was having a happy year of Office , and he confidently predicted that the Sir Walter Raleigh would soon take rank with the very best Lodges in the Province of West Lancashire .

The catering by Bro . Bush gave unqualified satisfaction . Alderman Houlding voiced the feelings and wishes of all present when he thanked Bro . Bush for the marked attentions and courtesies he hao . lavished upon them that day , to which Bro . Bush replied in graceful terms , and said he hoped this initial survey of Hawkestone might prove the precursor of manv -repeated visits .

********** Chantrey Lodge , No . 2355 . THE twelfth installation meeting of this Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall . Dore , on Friday , 19 th inst ., when Bro . James Tindall S . W . was installed by Bro . A . ' E . Maygcr P . M . 1386 W . M . and Bro . G . A . Tandy r . M . P . P . G . Swd . B . The W . M . appointed and invested his Officers for the ensuing year .

The banquet was splendidly served at the Wharncliffe Hotel , Sheffield , by Bro . James Kerridge , after which the usual toasts were honoured , and an agreeable musical programme was rendered by Bros . Riley P . M ., W . C . Newton , R . C . Honey , J . H . Lawson , and W . Roper .

The Mystic Tie.

THE MYSTIC TIE .

THE Mystic Tie is broad and strong It knows no weakness in its thong ; To all its votaries 'tis secure 'Tis sought by all—by rich and poor , In everv clime by old and young .

It will not harbour thought of wrong , For nought but joys to it belong No railing foeman can obscure The Mystic Tie . Its graces then let us prolong When to the Lodge our Brethren throng

Its blessings shall for aye endure , And everlasting life procure ; Let us be true and praise in song The Mystic Tie . CHAS . F . FORSHAW , LL . D .

General Steam Navigation Co.

GENERAL STEAM NAVIGATION Co .

LONDON AND EDINBURGH . WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY FROM EACH END .

FARES—Chief Cabin , 22 s ; Return , 34 s . Fore Cabin , 16 s ; Return , 24 s 6 d . The "Seamew , " one of the finest and fastest steamers on the Coast , is now on the route .

Cheap Tours in the Highlands of Scotland . Including 1 st class passage to Edinburgh and back , carriage of bicycle , full table d'hote meals on board , hotel accommodation ( with board ) in the Highlands , and Trip , 1 st class , via Loch Fyne

and the Kyles of Bute , from Inverary to Glasgow , by the magnificent Royal Mail steamer " Lord of the Isles , " vrith dinner on board , and carriage of bicycle . These tours have been designed primarily to meet the wants of cyclists , but are equally suitable to the ordinary tourist and holiday maker .

6 day Tour £ 3 14 6 . 9 i > 5 o o I or 6 s . less if 12 „ 6 5 6 I "Lord of the 1 3 > , 6 12 f > r Isles" coupon Jo ,, 7 19 o not required . ' 7 „ 850 /

NOTE . —Th-se inclusive fares are at the rate of about 10 s 6 d per day , or less than the cost of simply staying at a fairly good hotel . For itineraries , route map , and all information apply to General Steam Navigation Co ., 55 Great Tower Street , E . C . Company ' s Illustrated Guide free on application ; by post , 2 d .