Reports Of Meetings.

which they had made , and for the perfect manner in which they had been carried out . Bro . Worsley , in response , said the Committee were perfectly satisfied , and amply rewarded by the success which had attended their efforts , which itself constituted sufficient payment . Ho

announced that the pic-nic had been satisfactory in every way . Thus ended one of the most delightful days which it has oyer been our pleasure to enjoy . The weather was of that kind which may be described as fine and clear without being uncomfortably hot , and the scenery so incomparably beautiful that it could not be adequately described in the space at our command .

WESTERN DISTRICT UNITED SERVICE LODGE , No . 2258 . rpHE installation meeting was held on Wednesday , 18 th inst ., at _ 1 _ tho Motham Masonic Temple , Caroline Place , Stonehouse , when Bro . Superintending-Clerk John Davidson , R . M . L . I ., S . W .

was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremorTy of installation was ably performed by the retiring W . M . Colonel G . Vernon , late Bedfordshire Regiment . Bro . Major Dick was unanimously re-appointed Charity Steward , and Bro . S . Jew representative on the Committee of Petitions .

Previous to the installation Bro . Denison was passed to the second degree , and Bros . Lieutenant Hopwood and Sergeant Gribblo raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the work being done in . 1 most impressive mannor , reflecting great credit on the W . M . ( Colonel Vernon ) and his Officers . The toasts of the W . M ., Officers , etc ., were most cordially drunk at tho festive board .

The Installation banquet was held on tho 20 th , at the Farley Hotel , Plymouth , when the Worshipful Master was well supported . An excellent dinner was admirably served up , says the " Western Mercury , " after which the loyal toasts were given by the W . M . and heartily drunk .

Bro . Colonel G . V ernon the I . P . M . said he had the greatest possible pleasure in submitting the health of the W . M ., Bro , J . Davidson , who had occupied the chair of S . W . for the past two years , and during that time had been most regular in his attendance , and had done his work in a most efficient manner . He had found Bro . Davidson a most excellent man in every respect , and a true and trusty Mason . He had no doubt whatever that Bro . Davidson would have a most successful year of office .

The toast having been drunk with enthusiasm , the W . M ., in reply , said no effort should be wanting on his part to make his year of office most successful in every way . Bro . Major Dick P . M . P . P . G . S . W . proposed the health of the I . P . M . Bro . Colonel Vernon , which was received with musical honours . Ho said that Bro . Vernon had fully justified their choice

in electing him as W . M ., for he had carried out his duties as far as the working of the Lodge was concerned in about as able a manner as any W . M . in the Province . Bro . Colonel Vernon had been the means of placing the Lodge on a sound financial basis , for which they were much indebted to him , and had also conclusively and practically proved that the United Service Lodge was one to which all branches of the services could belong .

Bro . Colonel Vernon , in reply , said he had done his best for the Western District United Lodge , which would always have his best support . He thanked the Officers and Brethren for the assistance they had rendered him during the past year .

Bro . S . Jew , in giving the health of the Treasurer and Secretary , said he was not going to say they were the best Officers for that position , but they could not suipass them in any Lodge in England . They had worked with zeal , assiduity , and for the benefit of the Lodge .

Bro . H . Best P . M . Treasurer , in reply , said he was pleased to infoim them that the Ledge was in a sound financial position , and they had a good balance at their bankers . During the past year they had had six initiates and twelve joining members . Bro . W . Powell P . M . P . P . G . T . Secretary said he prided himself

on the fact that he first proposed the founding of the Western District Lodge , which he believed had a great future before it . He also thought tho present year would be one of unexampled success in the history of the Lodge , for , in addition to a good W . M . they had a most excellent set of Officers .

The S . W . Bro . Swanton proposed in appropriate terms the other Past Masters of the Lodge . Bro . Major Dick acknowledged the toast , and expatiated on the rules of the United Service Lodge , which , he said , was now firmly established , and for which he entertained a great affection , being one of its parents , so to speak . Bro . Wood P . M . gave the Waulens and Assistant Officersand

, observed that the well-being of the Lodge depended to a great extent on the way in which they performed their work and the loyal way in which they supported the W . M . In a Service Lodge they had members who brought them the experience of the world , and he did not doubt but that ere long the Western District United Service Lodge would become one of the principal Lodges in the Province .

The S . W . Bro . Captain Swanton referred to the advantages of Brethren belonging to the Services being members of the United Service Lodge , for if by the exigencies of the Service they were ordered abroad and still remained members of the Lodge , they were allowed on their return to take the office which they would have assumed had they remained at home . Bro . D . Bicbner , R . N ., J . W . also replied . Bro . Best proposed the Visitors , and Bro . W . Allsford replied .

Besides those mentioned , we noticed as present on this occasion Bro . Geo . Macfarlano P . M . 1633 P . P . G . Supt . Wks ., Bro . Jeffry W . M . 1110 , Messrs . Dyson , Lowe , and Tom Manchester ( Princes Theatre ) , nearly all being accompanied by their wives or relatives . o 0 o

Reports Of Meetings.

Songs , & c , were given by Bros . Lieut . Dundas , S . Jew , Maher , Griffiths , Dunn , Brockman , and Wood . A small orchestral band , under the direction of Bro \ A . T . Lidiard D . C . 105 , played some choice selections during the dinner .

o . o o THORNHAM LODGE , No . 2279 . rriHE members had their Annual pic-nic on Wednesday , 18 th JL inst ., tho place selected being Chester and Hawarden . Chester was reached at 11 o'clock , and landaus were awaiting

the arrival of the train to convey tho Brethren to the Bull and Billet Hotel . Arriving there luncheon was served in a most excellent style . After lunch came the drive to Eaton Hall and

Hawarden Castle . The scenery and grounds were generally admired , nature appearing at its vory best . Returning to the Hotel at five o'clock p . m . tea was served . The return journey was made at 8-35 , home being reached about 11 o ' clock . o o o

Metropolitan.

METBOPOLITAN .

— : o : — ALBION LODGE , No . 9 . THE Summer outing of this Lodge , held last month , was attended by a select numbor of Ladies and Brethren , who journeyed by train to Taplow , and there embarked on a launch to Henley , where they dined at the Catherine Wheel Hotel . o o o

TEMPLE LODGE , No . 101 . THE Annual excursion of the Lodge took place on Tuesday , 19 th ult ., when the steam launch , " Queen of the Thames , " was boarded at Maidenhead , and proceeded up tho river as far as Great Marlow . A stay of about an hour was made at Medeuham Abbey , where the party , numbering sixty-seven , wore photographed , A capital repast was enjoyed on board . o o o

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

ST . HILDA CHAPTER , No . 240 . A MEETING was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Ingram Street , South Shields , on Wednesday , 18 th inst ., Comp . W . E . Moffett Z . P . P . G . R . presiding . Comp . James Sedcole was installed Z . by Comp . Robert Hudson P . Z . P . P . G . Stand . B . Eng . P . G . S . E . Comp . George Harland H . and D . Cameron J . by Comp . John T . Robson P . Z . P . P . G . J .

PERSEVERANCE CHAPTER , No . 300 . THE regular meeting was held at Ashton-under-Lyne , on Tuesday the 17 th inst ., there being present : Comps . Jno . Preece Z ., Alfred D . Rayner S . E ., S . Newton P . S ., F . W . Bromley P . Z . P . P . G . R ., Thos . T . Broadbent P . Z ., J . B . Pownall , George H . Coop , Ed . Roberts P . M . ( FKEEMASOH ' S CHUOHICLE ) . Visitors Comps . R . Gornall P . Z . Perseverance 345 P . P . G . P . S ., Ernest Moss P . Z . P . P . G . Swd . B ., G . W . Davies A . S . 268 .

The Chapter was opened and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . There had been three ceremonies of exaltation announced , but only one candidate ( Bro . Henry Lees S . W . Royal Edward Lodge , No . 1088 ) , put in an appearance , the abstentions very probably being occasioned by the wretchedness of

the evening , the rain for some considerable time coming down very heavily . This was a pity , as Comp . Gomall had made an especial journey from Blackburn for the purpose of performing the ceremonies . He , however , was no wise disconcerted , but put Bro . Lees through in that masterly manner for which he has gained a wide reputation . Supper followed , which in turn was succeeded by the festive board , where the usual toasts were honoured .

The Companions afterwards had supper together , presided over by Comp . Sedcole . o o o

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CANDIDATES FOR THE INSTITUTIONS . — : o : — Announcements nre inserted umier this head at the rate of five shillings per inch , to appear each week from the time the ballot papers are issued up to the day of election , for cash with order .

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GIRLS SCHOOL . — : o : — JESSIE RACHEL FISHER ( Aged 9 ) . Her father , Bro . Henry James Fisher , Collector for Kent Water Co ., was initiated in the Royal Oak Lodge , No . 871 , ot \ 23 rd January 1873 , and remained a subscribing member until his death , 26 th November 1893 . He was Organist of the Lodge for some years , and served the several offices up to S . W . Her mother also died 12 th January 1894 , leaving four children . This most distressing case is strongly recommended . Proxios will be thankfully received by Miss Fisher , c / o Mr . Gregory , Shirley Villa , Sidcup .