Reports Of Meetings.

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . THE regular meeting was held at the Palatine Hotel , Manchester , on Thursday , the 13 th inst ., thc following being present : —Bros . Fred Warburton W . M ., Wm . Boden I . P . M ., Thos . T . Hardicker S . W ., Clement J . Hall J . W ., Oates Eushton Treas ., Eobt . Meggitt Secretary , John Kinsey

Assist . Sec , Georgo A . Bowden S . D , T . H . Stott J . D ., A . G . Bryce I . G ., Thos . D . Lightfoot , Wm . T . Soholfield P . M . 1219 P . P . G . D ., Jas . Andrew P . M . 1219 P . P . S . G . D ., J . B . Marshall , Jno . H . Eatcliffe P . M . 322 , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , and others . Visitors : —Bros . John Williams P . M . 1011 , Wm . M . Eckersle 1021 .

Being the fast meeting of the financial year , an election of Officers took place , the choice with regard to tho position of Worshipful Master being unanimously in favour of Bro . Hardicker S . W ., whose installation is fixed to take place on the 12 th proximo , when a good attendance is expected , he being very popular in the Lodge . Business over , a pleasant evening was spent , many of the Brethren being laid under contribution for songs , recitations , & c .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . THB regular meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Friday , the 14 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . W . B . Akerman Worshipful Master . Business commenced at an early hour . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Brother Arthur Henry Jefferis , Merchant , Mosley Street , Manchester , P . M . Humphrey Chetham Lodge , No . 645 P . P . G . W . East Lanes , was successfully balloted for as a joining member .

Bro . Charles Wroe was passed by the W . M ., this being followed by the raising of Bros . Samuel Dawson and Harry Thompson , the first ceremony being performed by Brother Arnold I . P . M ., and the latter by Brother A . H . Jefferis . At the festive board which followed , the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted , that of the W . M . being proposed by Bro . Arnold .

Bro . Akerman W . M . said , in response , that there had been no lack of work since the consecration of the Lodge , and it was a good indication of the progress they aimed at . The Manchester was only a new Lodge , but they had now something like twenty-six members , with a possible four or five more to follow . Before concluding his very interesting speech he proposed the health of the Officers , who , he said , were getting more proficient every

meeting . He spoke of the able support which had been given to him by Bro . Arnold , and thanked him not only for this , but also for bringing many new members among them . Bro . Akerman then made some passing allusions to Bro . Plurnpton S . W ., which were of a very humourous character , but their publication would be the means of prematurely divulging a pleasing personal indident to which we shall in all likelihood refer later on . Other toasts followed , being varied by songs , recitations , & c , rendered by various Brethren .

Mount Edgcumbe Lodge Ball.

MOUNT EDGCUMBE LODGE BALL .

THE eleventh annual ball and ladies' night of this prosperous and flourishing Lodge ( No . 1446 ) was held on Friday , 21 st inst ., at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen Street , when over 130 members and their friends enjoyed a most successful evening . The W . M . Brother Eutherford Darling was well supported by the

following Brethren : Brothers G . H . Lindsey-Eenton I . P . M ., J . Brown S . W ., A . E . Mullins J . W ., G . W . Perry Treasurer , G . M . E . Hamilton Secretary , Jesse Masters S . D ., W . Duncan D . C , Vincent Wood A . D . C , T . K . Sherborne Steward , H . Lamb , T . Tofts , S . 0 . Hunt , E . 0 . Cook , H . Brown , T . Hopkins , and Past Masters T . Cull , 0 . P . Boret , and Joseph Whitehead .

Among the guests were many highly distinguished Brethren of the Craft , and under the able management of the genial Director of Ceremonies Brother W . Duncan , supported by Brothers A . E . Mullins , V . Wood , and S . C Hunt as M . Cs ., a good programme of dances was got through , and the great success of the meeting can only be judged by the way the ladies seemed to enjoy themselves throughout the evening .

The supper took place at twelve o'clock , and was served in the style well known to Brethren who have had the pleasure of partaking of such at this world famed house .

Three toasts were submitted : The Queen , the W . M ., and the Ladies . Miss Pain once again ably rendering the solo after the first named . The I . P . M . Brother Eenton , in proposing the health of the W . M ., said he felt sure that in Brother Darling they had a President of whom they were all proud , and who he felt sure would reflect credit on the Lodge . He and his charming wife beside him that night must both feel it to be one of the proudest moments of their lives , in fact he felt sure that on such an occasion as this the Mount Edgcumbe Lodge would not be well and worthil y

represented if the W . M . had not his esteemed wife beside him to give him that support which we all need at such times . He had therefore great pleasure in proposing the healths of Brother Darling and his esteemed lady . The W . M ., in briefly responding , said that indeed he and his wife felt it to be the proudest moments of their lives that they were present in such a capacity , and he felt sure that all Brethren coming on to the post of W . M . in the Mount Edgcumbe Lodge looked forward to this meeting as the crowning point of their Masonic career in the Lodge .

The W . M ., in next proposing the health of the Ladies , said that on all open occasions of the Lodge the Brethren were always pleased to receive the Ladies amongst them , and that in the endeavour to contribute to their enjoyment they ( the ladies ) were greatly contributing to the pleasure of the Brethren . He trusted that on a future occasion they would see them again around the festive board .

Brother Bowers m a neat speech responded . Dancing was resumed and kept up until 4- 30 . During the evening many Brethren and friends underwent the " operation " of being photographed .

Ladies Night Of The Citadel Instruction Lodge.

LADIES NIGHT OF THE CITADEL INSTRUCTION LODGE .

rriHE members of this flourishing Lodge commemorated the second year JL of its existence by entertaining their lady friends , at the Holborn Restaurant , on Friday , 21 st inst ., at a supper held in the Caledonian Salon , when eighty ladies and Brethren were present , amongst whom were Bros . F . Dunstan and party , O . J . Von Holtorp and party , C . J . Davison and party , W . S . Clark and party , Captain A . Schlosshauer and party , Crane and party , Mrs . and Bro . George Clark , Mrs . and Bro . Campbell , Mrs . and Bro . Galley , Mrs . and Bro . T . V . Fenn , Mrs . and Bro . Hazell , Mrs . and Bro . Whiteside ,

Ladies Night Of The Citadel Instruction Lodge.

Mrs . and Bro . Millin , Mrs . and Bro . W . H . Tilloy , Miss Wayland and Bro . C H . Ditchman , Miss and Bro . T . Feistel , Mrs . and Bro . Sully , Mrs . and Bro . Harry Willsmer ( Secretary ) , Mrs . and Bro . W . H . Jeanes , Mrs . and Bro . Taylor , Mrs . and Bro . Davis , Mrs . and Bro . Collett , Miss E . Bird , & c , and Bros . Bishop , Cole , Friedlander , Fred . Kebbell , Busby , Alf . Wyatt , Witte , Piatt , aud Mr . F . Willsmer and Miss Pink , Mr . and Mrs . S . Pardoe , and others .

Brother F . Dunstan P . M . P . A . G . D . C . Middx . the Preceptor presided , supported by Bros . T . I . Bird P . M . P . Z . P . P . G . S . Br . Middx . ( Treasurer ) , and George Clark P M . ( V . P . Masonic Charities Association ) in the Vice-Chairs . A few Loyal and Masonic toasts divided attention with the dessert . The toast of the Citadel Lodge of Instruction was proposed by the Chairman , and replied to by Brother T . I . Bird , who , in the course of his remarks commented upon the success that had attended the efforts of the

members of this Lodge of Instruction since its formation , and rehearsal of the ceremony of consecration by Brother James Terry ( who was unavoidably absent in consequence of the great demand upon his time at the present moment in connection with the forthcoming Festival ) in November 1894 , especially in connection with its Masonic Charities Association , which , only starting at the end of September 1895 had , up to the end of January , contributed no less than 70 guineas to the respective Institutions .

The toast of the Ladies was in the hands of Brother A . Rusby , and very ably responded to by Bro . W . S . Clark . Our Visitors by Brother W . E . Jeanes , and replied to by Bro . Sully ; and then followed that of the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen and the Stewards and Secretary . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Thomas

Feistel and Miss Gertrude Feistel accompanist , and amongst those who assisted were the Misses Marie V . Rodriguez ( Cert , and Silver Med . ) , Violin Solos ; Carmen V . Rodriguez ( Cert , and Mitchell Scholar ) , pianoforte solos ; Gertrude Dunstan , Mrs . Richmond , Bros . W . E . Jeanes , G . Clark , F . Dunstan and Thomas Feistel ( in his well-known recitations of " Bardell v . Pickwick " in wig and gown , and the " Jay , " by Jerome ) .

The arrangements generally were under the supervision of Brothers A . Wyatt and Harry Willsmer Secretary . The cover to the printed menu and toast list , supplied by the Holborn Restaurant , was a reproduction of a pen and ink drawing of a Masonic character by Bro . Harry Willsmer , in which were introduced the photos of Bros . Dunstan , Bird and Willsmer , who are respectively the Preceptor , Treasurer , and Secretary of the Lodge of Instruction .

Before the close of the proceedings each lady visitor was presented with fancy boxes of various designs of choice confectionery as a souvenir of their visit . The result of the efforts of the promoters was a signal success , and the event will doubtless be an annual one .

Party By Bro. Councillor Samuel I . Mills.

PARTY BY BRO . COUNCILLOR SAMUEL I . MILLS .

ON Thursday , the 13 th inst ., at the Cheetham Town Hall , Manchester , Brother Councillor Samuel I . Mills Worshipful Master of the Queen Victoria Lodge , No . 2584 , which has only recently been consecrated , gave , in conjunction with Mrs . Mills , a very brilliant party to the various Officers and friends of both sexes , who numbered in great force .

A band was provided , under the direction of Brother C . M . Nesbitt , and discoursed some excellent music . Dancing commenced at 7-30 , and was continued into the matin , a pleasant relief being afforded by the efforts of Brothers John Horsfield P . M . 1077 , Tom Bradbury 1773 , J . Allin 2231 , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 ( F REEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ) , and Miss Holland , who sang or recited during the intervals .

One of the principal features of the evening was a recherche ^ supper , to which all seemed to do full justice . Other tables had been provided with comestibles in no barmecide manner , and Bro . Mills and his good lady may congratulate themselves upon the fact that they furnished an evening ' s enjoyment , the remembrance of which will be treasured by many for years to come . As a natural consequence , such prodigal hospitality evoked an expression of thanks to the promoters , and this was tendered in felicitous terms by Mr . G . Henson , of Eccles .

Brother Mills said , in reply , that he had with very great pleasure participated in many functions which had taken place in the Cheetham Town Hall , many of them happening prior to his marriage . His silver wedding had been held here , and also the banquet which followed the consecration of the Queen Victoria Lodge , on which occasion , in that room ,

and in the Worshipful Master ' s chair , he had read a telegram from Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen . After giving a hearty welcome to all present , he concluded by hoping that this would not be the last time tney would meet under such happy conditions . Brother Joseph Howarth , Wilton Lodge , No . 1077 , responded on behalf of Mrs . Mills .

Presentation At Folkestone.

PRESENTATION AT FOLKESTONE .

A MOST delightful evening was enjoyed at the Masonic Hall , Folkestone , on Wednesday , 12 th inst ., when a smoking concert was given on the occasion of the jubilee birthday of Bro . G . L . Hart , Chairman of the Masonic Hall Company , at whose invitation a number of guests assembled . The proceedings were of an unusually agreeable nature , and all present thoroughly

enjoyed themselves . The host had a most agreeable surprise , inasmuch as his friends had subscribed a considerable sum of money , and purchased therewith a service of plate , weighing 120 ounces , and a valuable brooch for his lady , which , at the termination of the first part of the programme the Worshipful Master of the Temple Lodge ( Bro . 0 . J . Saunders ) , in a few most admirable words , presented .

Bro . Saunders said he had the privilege and honour of proposing the toast of the evening , the health of their host , Bro . L . Hart . He did not know whether it was cause for congratulation or not , that Brother Hart had reached the age of fifty years , but considering that he had reached that age , and that he enjoyed such splendid and robust health , he felt it was a very great source of congratulation to him and to them . In that respect he thought that timo had indeed dealt very gently with him . Added to that , he was

that evening surrounded by a host on friends , and he thought he had every cause for satisfaction on that most auspicious occasion , seeing that he was favoured by such a splendid gathering of gentlemen , on that his fiftieth birthday . It was a splendid tribute to the high esteem in which Bro . Hart was held by his Masonic Brethren of Temple Lodge , and members of the Masonic Club . He was sure they would all unite in wishing him . long life and happiness . Since Bro . Hart had joined their Lodge , some years since , a new impetus had been given to Masonry in the town , mainly through his