Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

"We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings .

GRAFT : PROVINCIAL . — : o : — QUEEN VICTORIA LODGE , No . 2584 . THE regular meeting was held at the Conservative Club , Cheetham , Manchester , on Monday , 9 th inst ., Bro . William Richardson Worshipful Master . The principal business of the evening was that of reading and confirming the minutes , a proposition for a new member , and an interesting debate upon the forthcoming Festival in connection with the Boys Institution .

Lodge having been closed in peace and harmony , the Brethren sat down to the festive board , where Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , these being agreeably relieved by songs and recitations , contributed by Bros . J . D . Smith , who sang " The Old Mill Stream , " and " In happy moments ;" Cuthbert Blacow 2156 , who , amongt other numbers , rendered a song

composed expressly for him ; T . H . Fitzsimmons W . M . 1083 , a celebrated and eloquent reciter , whose borrowing scene from the " Merchant of Venice " and " A view of Death" ( Thaiiatopsis ) , were highly appreciated ; and Edwd . Roberts P . M . 1459 , in a Dutch , and other sketches . Bro . E . A . W . Wragg was the accompanist .

Bro . J . Polhtt P . M . C . R . proposed the health of the W . M ., of whom he spoke in terms of high admiration , his remarks eliciting a suitable reply from Bro . Richardson . Bro . John Newell J . D . introduced the toast of the Visitors , tendering them a hearty welcome .

The toast of the Officers was in the hands of Bro . Greenhalgh , this being responded to by Bros . Thomas Nesbitt ( W . M . 1055 ) S . W . and Joseph King . The former referred to the Provincial honour which had been offered to Bro . Councillor Saml . I . Mills P . M . by the Grand Master of East Lancashire , and which would be conferred upon him at the meeting to be held in Bury , on 18 th inst . Bro . Nesbitt contended that such recognition of the personal worth of Bro . Mills would add dignity and lustre to the Queen Victoria Lodge , and the members were justly proud of his connection with them .

Bro . B . Brook , B . A ., Chaplain , in a very interesting and scholarly speech , advocated the claims of the Masonic Charities , to which Bro . Pollitt responded . Besides those mentioned above , the following among others were present , Bros . C . W . Godby P . M . Treasurer , R . H . Williams S . D ., Jos . Howarth P . M . D . C , Wm . Midgley P . M ., and Geo . T . Lenard P . M . 1077 .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2564 . THE regular meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester , on Friday , 13 th inst ., Bro . William Charlton , J . P ., Worshipful Master . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bro . Charles Jordan was

passed to the degree of F . C . by the W . M . This was succeeded by a very interesting explanation of tne first tracing board by Bro . E . Webb P . M . 1134 . The festive board followed Lodge business , where Loyal and Masoni « toasts were relieved by songs , recitations , & c , several Brethren being brought under contribution .

1 XION LODGE , No . 2501 . ALTHOUGH established but four years this Lodge has made such progress that it already ranks among the first division of those in the Province of Essex , with its members exceeding three score and ten , while the manner in which the ritual is carried out is worthy of all praise . It was therefore with much pleasure that we accepted the invitation to be present at the Annual Festival , which was held at the Roebuck Hotel , Buckhurst Hill , Essex , on the 12 th inst .

Bro . William Gower W . M . Provincial Grand Treasurer presided , and was supported by his Officers , and the following Brethren : —C . J . R . Tijou P . M . 1884 P . A . G . P . Eng ., Dr . Ernest Dring P . P . S . G . W ., Henry M . Power P . P . G . D . C , H . Ffrench Bromhead P . P . G . Supt . of Wks ., G . T . Peall P . M . 2361 Secretary , Richard Sandell Treasurer , A . F . Lay P . M . 1304 P . P . A . D . C ,

H . Pelican , T . R . Hadwen , J . R . Bradley , F . P . Forse , W . Moon , Alfred Appleton , W . Pedley , J . Holden , R . Smith , S . J . Legg , J . Smith , C . Vignes , E . H . Thompson , T . Wakelin , A . Aarons , Hy . Heather , W . Hoffman , J . Saunders , W . Flight , F . Jones , F . J . Bates , Walter J . Hone , Thos . Bastard , S . Kierstein , SI P . Smith , E . Wilmot , and many others .

The following were among the visitors : Bros . W . F . Batsford 2291 , James Smith P . M . 933 , A . Forrest 561 , H . R . Smith 898 , J . Scott 2291 , George Chivers 65 , Thomas Powell S . D . 2182 , G . R . Scott I . P . M . 889 , Walter E . Dilley P . M . 147 , William Coates 1922 , and Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 . The Lodge was formally opened , and the minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed .

The following gentlemen were approved as candidates , Messrs . Morris Goldberg , John William Pryor , Frederick John Bates , William Stephens , Charles Fredk . Taylor , Francis Jones , Henry Mardell , and William Allen With the exception of Messrs . Goldberg and Allen all were present , and they were therefore admitted and enrolled as members of the Order in accordance with ancient custom .

The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted , the funds being in such a satisfactory state that the sum of twenty guineas was voted to head the list of Bro . W . J . Barnes , who is going up as a Steward at the forthcoming Festival of the Boys School . It may here be mentioned that during the evening this amount was supplemented by donations of the Brethren to £ 60 , so the Lodge will be fairly represented on the occasion .

An alteration was suggested in the Bye-laws , so as to embrace all Past Masters of the Ledge on the General Purposes Committee , which , after discussion , was agreed to . The principal business of the evening was then proceeded with . The Fellow Crafts Lodge was opened , and Bro . William John Barnes W . M .-elect

Reports Of Meetings.

was presented by Bro . Bromhead , and took the usual obligation . The lay Brethren retired , and a Board of Installed Masters was formed , when Bro . Barnes was installed in the chair of King Solomon with all formality observed on the occasion . The Brethren were re-admitted , when Bro . Barnes was proclaimed Master and was saluted in the various degrees . He then proceeded , with a few well

chosen words of congratulation to each , to appoint and invest his Officers , as follow : —Thomas H . Lloyd S . W ., John R . Carter J . W ., Archdeacon Dunbar Chaplain , R . Sandell Treasurer , George T . Peall P . M . Secretary , Leo Taylor S . D ., H . Miller J . D ., B . G . Jones I . G ., F . X . Zimmerli D . C , G . IS . Gratton Organist , B . Dietrich , V . Taylor , E . Wilmot , H . C . Hudson , C . H . Wilson and H . M . Pollock Stewards , and David Legg P . M . Tyler .

Bro . Gower , who had performed both the previous ceremonies , then delivered the addresses , which were greeted by the applause of the Brethren , and well merited the commendation of the W . M ., when presenting him with a Past Master ' s jewel in the name of the Lodge . Bro . Gower returned his sincere thanks for the compliment .

Bro . Barnes was elected to represent the Lodge on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee , and that concluding the business of the evening , the visiting Brethren tendered their congratulations to the W . M ., the Lodge was closed , and the company adjourned to the banquet hall . The customary complimentary toasts followed , and the evening was enlivened by a capital musical programme provided by Bro . Barnes , in which Miss Adele Kiihn , Miss Ethel Harrison , Bros . W . E . Dilley , and CharleB Conyers took part .

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . THE regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Palatine Hotel , Hunt ' s Bank , Manchester , on Thursday , 12 th inst ., Bro . John Kinsey W . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Brother T . W . Lewin , who had satisfactorily qualified for the next step , was passed into the degree of F . C . by Bro . Thos . T . Hardicker P . M . P . G . Swd . Br ., the working tools being presented and explained by Bro . A . G . Bryce S . W ., while the ancient charge of the first degree was rendered by Bro . Oates Rushton J . W .

Lodge having been closed in peace and harmony , the Brethren adjourned to the festive board , where the Loyal and Masonic toasts were varied by songs , & c , a pleasant evening being spent .

TILBURY LODGE , No . 2006 . BRO . A . J . CONSTABLE was installed as Master of this Lodge at a meeting held at the palatial Tilbury Hotel , on Saturday , 14 th inst . The following"Officers were appointed : Bros . F . W . Brend I . P . M ., E . W . Standford S . W ., A . J . Brickwell J . W ., A . J . Dudgeon P . M . P . P . S . G . D . Treasurer , Joseph Bruton P . M . P . P . G . D . C Sec , G . Ryon S . D ., Wayman Martin J . D ., Plumer C Walker I . G ., Frederick Clark P . M . Prov . G . D . C . D . C , W . J . Crump P . M . P . A . G . D . C P . P . J . G . W . Steward , A . W . Martin Tyler .

After the ceremony a veiy recherchg repast was served by Bro . J . Salter , the genial and courteous manager of the Hotel , and the evening was spent in merriment and good fellowship .

ERASMUS WILSON LODGE , No . 1464 . THIS Lodge , which is named after one of the most brilliant exponents of the mysteries of nature and science , has just completed its first quarter of a century , and the twenty-fifth Festival took place on ThurEday , 19 th inst ., at the Old Falcon Hotel , Gravesend , with considerable success .

Bro . Dr . H . T . Sells presided , and opened with praiseworthy punctuality at half-past five . In addition to the Officers , there were present Bros . William Russell A . G . D . C . England Grand Treasurer of Kent , Rev . Augustus Jackson P . Prov . G . Chaplain , Arthur Ronaldson P . P . A . G . S ., Robert J . Beamish P . P . A . G . D . C , J . C . Strong P . M . 91 , William Barlow P . M . 77 , V . B . M . Zanchi W . M . 91 , Frederick Corbett W . M . 2499 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , S . R . Macartney 77 , John M . Newman , George R . Ceiley .

The only business before the Lodge was the installation of the W . M . for the ensuing year . After the minutes had been read and confirmed , the chair was vacated by Bro . Sells , in favour of Bro . William Russell , who had kindly consented to perform the ceremony . Bro . Russell declared all offices vacant , and requested Bros . Barlow , Corbett , and Jackson to assist him as S . W ., J . W . and I . G . respectively .

Bro . S . R . Macartney W . M .-elect was presented by his predecessor , and expressed his willingness to undertake the duties pertaining to the position of Master of the Lodge . A Board of Installed Masters was formed , when Bro . Macartney was regularly installed in the chair according to ancient tradition , and the Warrant was entrusted to his keeping .

The following Officers were appointed : —Bros . Frederick Mitchell S . W ., J . M . Newman J . W ., William Russell Treasurer , A . Ronaldson Secretary , Rev . Augustus Jackson Chaplain , George J . Lucas S . D ., E . C . Paine J . D ., W . C Stanley I . G ., G . R . Ceiley Organist , and George Martin Tyler . Brother Russell then delivered the beautiful addresses to the Master , Wardens , and Brethren generally , which , together with the entire ceremony , elicited the cordial approval of the Lodge .

Bro . Jackson was re-elected Charity Representative , and returned thanks for the honour . Certain alterations in the Bye-laws were sanctioned , having been approved by the Provincial Grand Master . The Treasurer ' s Report was received and adopted , the funds being in so satisfactory a condition that the Lodge voted twenty-five guineas to be distributed among the MaaoDic Charities .

In kindly terms the W . M . presented Bro . Sells with a handsome Past Master's jewel , in the name of the Lodge . Bro . Sells , in reply , said he was not much addicted to wearing jewellery , and he was . therefore pleased to think that the first piece he would wear was the beautiful ornament presented to him by the Brethren , and was an emblem of the Craft of which he was such an ardent admirer .

Bro . Ronaldson referred to the Masonic Service to' take place at Rochester Cathedral , on 25 th June . It was also stated that the Provincial Grand Lodge would be held at Margate , on the 15 th June , and the Provincial Grand Chapter at Ramsgate , on 8 th July .

A well-known medical gentleman was proposed for initiation at the next meeting . This concluded the business of the evening , and the Lodge was closed , after which the Brethren partook of an excellent dinner , provided by Bro . John Simpson . The customary complimentary toasts and speeches followed , and a pleasant evening was enjoyed .

In may be noted that this Lodge possesses a valuable memento of Professor Erasmus Wilson , in the rough ashlar on the Junior Warden ' s pedestal , the silver stand of which bears the following inscription : —A