Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

alioiv him to claim him as a very old friend , although he ^ ust have been of a certain age when he ( Lord Saltoun ) was a boy wearing a little kilt . Moreover , Bro . Gellion ' s connection and acquaintance with the Saltoun family went so far back as to remembrance of his ( Lord Saltoun's ) grandmother . The old lady used to drive a four-in-hand when 3 ro . Gellion was a little boy in a kilt , and he used to know her very well . There was another curious circumstance ;

when he ( Lord Saltoun ) joined his old regiment ( the Grenadiers ) , the Quartermaster of the regiment had been Sergeant-major to his grandfather , who fought at Waterloo To go back to the toast , he might say , while repeating the p leasure he felt at seeing Bro . Gellion in the chair , that he had been in a position of responsibility and of very great trust for a period of over 40 years , and therefore the brethren might be perfectly certain that he was a man

thoroughly efficient and in the right place when he was in the chair of the Scots Lodge . He knew they would welcome him with acclamation and would give him every support . When the lime came for him to vacate the chair his record would be a most honourable one for the lodge and a most proud one for himself . Bro . Gellion , in reply , said it was with a very great amount of diffidence he rose to respond to the toast , for

really after the glowing terms in which Lord Saltoun had spoken of him it put him in the position of inability to do so properly . However , he was quite sure the brethren would take it for granted from him that he appreciated every word had been spoken , and the reception of what had been said that showed the brethren ' s appreciation of the performance of his duties in the different offices of the lodge . The brethren might rest assured that during his year of office as W . M .

it would always be his endeavour as far as lay in his power to maintain the dignity and uphold the harmony of the Scots Lodge , and whatever he might do or say would be lor its benefit . Bro . Gellion , in giving the toast of "The Visitors , " and coupling the names of Bros . Read and Reynolds with it , said Bro . Read was his first instructor in Masonry . Bro . Read expressed his great pleasure at seeing his old

friend installed in the chair , and congratulated the lodge on having such a worthy Master . At the West-end they ted confessed his virtue . Much as they honoured him at the West-end they were pleased to find him so much esteemed in the Scots Lodge . It was a great thing for him to be Master of a lodge connected with his own nationality . Bro . Reynolds , who had entertained the brethren witi some first-class recitations , said his sympathies were very

Scotch . He thought sometimes he ought to be a Scotchman , and wear kilts and read Scotch poetry . He thought he understood it better than the Scotch brethren did . He congratulated Bro . Gellion on being W . M . and the lodge on having such a Master . Bro . Gellion proposed " The Past Masters , " and made special reference to the immense services which Bros . Whitehead and Page had rendered to the lodge . Lord

Saltoun he had known since his lordship was a very small boy indeed , and his dear old grandmother he was very fond of . As a boy he remembered her driving into town ivith four Shetland ponies with long tails . She was the only lady round Inverness who drove four-in-hand . Bros . Whitehead and Page very briefly replied , but both assured the brethren of the deep interest they took in the Scots Lodge .

Lord Saltoun also replied . He regretted his absence from the lodge , but he lived a great deal in the North of Scotland , and he held high office in the Grand Lodge o f Scotland , and they would all understand that essentially his work lay with Masonry in Scotland . _ That was no excuse for his not having fulfilled his duties in the Scots Lodge . The sole reason for his absence was ill-health . He wished to say a word of thanks to his friend on his left ( Bro . John Page ) who had so ably conducted the work of

the lodge during his enforced absence . The knowledge that the brethren had been satisfied with Bro . Page's work , and the way in which he had filled the chair had been a very great comfort to him . The other toasts followed , and were responded to by liios . James Thomson , D . A . Ross , Thomas Grant , S . W ., Joseph Whitehead , E . J . Gordon , and Dr . Forbes . The Tyler's toast , given by Bro . W . Robertson , and Auld Lang Syne closed the proceedings . Peter Maclean was Piper .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

AMERSHAM . Carrington Lodge ( N 0 . 2421 ) . —At a meeting of this young and very successful lodge on Saturday , the 22 nd ult ., at the Crown Hotel , there were present Bros . J . C . Tower , W . M . ; J . J . Thomas , Treas ., acting S . W . ; K . Feiguson , J . W . ; H . Clark , S . D . ; VV . Darlington ,

acting I . G . ; Harry Price , I . P . M . ; T . Hobbs , Sec . ; J . alone , W . Hobbs , and Oades . Visitor : Bro . G . Price , 619 . , The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meet'ng were read and confirmed . Bro . Oades was passed to the Degree of F . C . in a very able manner . The W . M . palled-on Bro . T . Hobbs , Sec , to give the lecture on the

tracing board , which he did in a faultless manner . A notice w motion was given by Bro . R . Ferguson , J . W ., to alter the days of meeting . "Hearty good wishes" having been given , the lodge was ™ : < cd , and the brethren adjourned to the festive board , which was liberally supplied by ihe hostBro . Collins . The

, us ) jal toasts were enthusiastically drunk . 1 his lodge was consecrated on April 30 th , 1 S 92 , and now '" Usters some 30 members , and has taken up to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and Boys' Schoolduring its year of existence about £ 235 .

CROWLE . 'sle of Axholme Lodge ( No . 1482 ) . —The s-tl , i ffat ' ' fi' ° f 'his lodge was held on 'Tuesday , the IK . "''•>at the Masonic Rooms , when there were present : r ' *; R- N . Brunyee , W . M . ; M . R . J . Behrendt , I . P . M . ;

iV " . S . W .,- J . Faulkner , J . W . ; John Constable , 1 ' l > r £ - - > Cha P- > J- F - Watson , Treas . ; R . Wood , IJP ^ S . B ., Sec ; W . Pickering , J . D . ; W . Chamberlain , \ £ -i W . S . Scholey , I . G . ; W . A . Wressell , and J . C . j . Stewards ; VV . Burtonshaw , P . P . G . P . ; T . f'niforth , P . G . VV . ; T . C . Horobin , P . P . G . D . ; J . S . H Jt . 'd Br - ¦ •A L ' ea "> Treas . 2259 ; H . Hoe , "•C Ashlin , I . P . M . 2259 : I . Batty , A . S . O . Birch ,

Provincial Meetings.

and G . Naylor , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . W . H . Sissons , 1447 , D . P . G . M . ; and C . Blagboro . 1302 . Ihe lodge being opened , the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Sissons , was announced and received with salutatory honours . The VV . M . then called upon Bro . T . Staniforth , to undertake the installation ceremony . The VV . M . elect , Bro . C . Fox , S . W ., being presented by Bro . Wood , the impressive ceremony was performed according to ancient custom

and Bro . Fox placed in the chair of K . S . The solo " Be thou faithful , " was sung by Bro . Blagboro , the noted tenor , and the working tools presented by Bros . Peace , Constable , and Ashlin , the whole of the remaining ritual being admirably recited by Bro . Staniforth . The W . M . invested his officers for the year as follows : Bros . J . Faulkner , S . W . ; H . L . Burtonshaw , J . W . ; J . Constable , Chap . ; R . Wood , Sec ; J . F . Watson , Treas . ; T .

Staniforth , Almoner ; W . Chamberlain , D . C . ; W . Pickering , S . D . ; S . H . C . Ashlin , | . D . j J . Turner , Std . Br . ; W . A . Wressell , I . G . ; W . T . Oates , J . Franks , and A . S . Birch , Stwds . ; and G . Naylor , Tyler . Bro . Sissons then , on behalf of the lodge , presented Bro . T . Staniforth with a Royal Arch jewel as some slight recognition of his great work as Provincial Charity Steward . The D . P . G . M . having placed the jewel on his breast , the

recipient very feelingly responded . " Hearty good wishes" being given all round for a happy and prosperous year of office , the lodge was closed The brethren adjourned to host Bro . Cundall ' s banquet table , when the following toasts were' given interspersed with songs ( good old English ballads ) from Bro . Blagboro , which were highly appreciated : The W . M . proposed " Her Most Gracious Majesty the

Queen , and the Craft" and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master of England , and the Grand Lodge . " The W . M . next proposed "R . W . Bro . Smith , Prov . Grand Master , " "The Worshipful Deputy Prov . Grand Master , " and "The Prov . G . Officers . " Bro . Sissons , D . P . G . M ., responded . Bro . Behrendt proposed " The W . M ., and the Prosperity of the Isle of Axholme Lodge . "

The W . M . responded . Bro . Ashlin proposed "The Installing Master . " Bro . Staniforth responded . Bro . Burtonshaw proposed "The I . P . M . and Past Masters . " Bro . R . N . Brunyee responded . Bro . Constable proposed "The Visiting Brethren . " Bros . Sissons and Blagboro responded . Bro . A . L . Peace proposed " The Officers of the

Lodge . " Bro . Faulkner responded . Bro . Chamberlain proposed " The Ladies . " Bro . Franks responded . The Tyler's toast was proposed by Bro . Naylor . Bros . Peace , Fox , and Faulkner , also added to the harmony , so that altogether a most delightful evening was spent .

GLASTONBURY . Pilgrims' Lodge ( No . 772 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Room , George Hotel , on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . Hitchings Davies , VV . M ., supported by the officers of the lodge . The visitors included the W . M . and brethren of Lodge Love and Honour , No . 285 , and the W . M . and brethren of Benevolent Lodge , No . 44 C . Provincial Grand Officers and Past Masters attended in good numbers .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , together with letters and messages expressive of regret from members unavoidably absent , the ceremony of openings and closings in the Three Degrees were ably and impressively rendered , alter which the brethren spent a pleasant hour together in the well-known " Fourth . "

PLUMSTEAD . United Military Lodge ( No . 1536 ) . —The installation meeting of the above lodge took place on 'Tuesday , the 25 th ult ., at Freemasons' Hall , and was attended by a goodly array of the brethren of the lodge and visitors principally from the Province of Kent and neighbouring lodges . The lodge was opened by Bro . VV . Saylc-Edwards , W . M ., and the minutes of the previous meeting having

been confirmed , the ballot was taken for Bro . J . W . Thatcher , of 1923 , and proved unanimous , and then Bro . Grieveson was passed . Bro . J . Bilton , VV . M . 2399 , and S . W . and W . M . elect of the lodge , was presented to the VV . M ., to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , but , as he was already installed , there was no necessity for repeating that particular portion of the ceremony . He appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . W .

Sayle-Edwards , I . P . M . ; E . W . Sinnct . S . W . ; J . VV . Ingle , J . W . ; J . W . Gee , Treas . ; T . O'Neill , Sec . ; R . Fowler , S . D . ; F . Reed , J . D . ; A . Hill , I . G . ; F . Anderson , D . of C ; L . E . Gee , A . D . of C ; F . J . Stretton , Org . ; and A . Simmonds , G . Bull , J . R . Fairbairn , and R . G . I . Spence , Stwds . At the conclusion of the ceremonyBro . Edwards received a hearty vote of thanks for the impressive manner in which he had carried out

the duties of Installing Officer , more especially that portion which embraced the three charges . He was also presented with a handsome Past Master's jewel , for which he returned thanks . Bro . Capt . G . Spinks , P . M . and P . P . G . btd . Br ., was re-elected to serve on the Provincial Charity Committee , and the lodge was closed . The banquet was served in the upper hall , and was much enjoyed . Among the other brethren present were Bros . G . Kennedy ,

P . M . and P . P . G . Std . Br . ; VV . Moulds , P . M . and P . P . G . Std . Br . ; C Jolly , P . M . ( Hon . ) , and others , both ot the lodge and visitors . The usual loyal , Grand Lodge , and Provincial Grand Lodge toasts having been honoured , Bro . Spinks , in responding for the toast of " Bro . Eastes , D . P . G . M , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , " said he had the honour and pleasure

of being a P . P . G . Officer of the Province of Kent , and to show what interest their Prov . G . Master took in their welfare he might say that at their last provincial meeting his lordship congratulated him upon being present to represent their lodge . Both their Provincial Grand Master and Deputy Provincial Grand Master had been invited to their meeting that day , and he hoped to be able to induce one or both of them to pay them a visit in the near future . On behalf of the Prov . G . Officers , Present and

Provincial Meetings.

Past , he thanked them for their cordial reception of the toast . •The I . P . M . then proposed the toast of "The W . M . " He said that that old familiar gavel in his hands at that period of the evening , and under the surrounding circumstances , gave them the cue as to the purport of his toast , it was to propose the health of their esteemed

W . M . If any of them thought that he was going to make a long speech they would be disappointed . He had never visited that blessed stone at Killarney , and so of course had not kissed it , so that what he had to say about their W . M . would be to the purpose and not mere flattery . It was , however , a pleasing task to do honour to one whom Ihey honoured and esteemed . There might be many who could

do the toast and its object more honour , but he yielded to none in his respect and regard for their W . M . Their W . M . was a good man and a good soldier , and had won golden opinions from all who came within the circle ot his influence . He , Bro . Bilton , was in a proud and unique position . He | was at that moment VV . M . of two lodges meeting under that roof , a position which had neveryet occurred

he believed , in that district . He trusted Bro . Bilton would have health and strength to , carry out his duties so that at the end of his year of office they might say to him " well done , thou good and faithful servant . " The Worshipful Master , in response , assured them that although the VV . M . of another lodge , he should do his duty by that one . Some few years ago he was in a position to

occupy that chair but had to eo away on duty . When he came back he was asked by the then W . M . to take office , and he took it , and meant to do the work . He thanked them . The other toasts were " The Installing Officer , " " The

Past Masters , " Ihe Visitors , which was responded to by Bros . Deans , W . M . 13 ; Clapham , W . M . 913 ; Lawson , W . M . 700 ; Gladiner , S . W . 1472 ; Horton , S . W . 706 ; and Pickering ; " The Officers " and theTyler'stoast . Some good music was heard during the evening , notably that of Bros . Stratton ( violin ) , and Horton ( piano . ) The whole affair was perfectly enjoyable .

RAINHAM . Royal Victorian Jubilee Lodge ( No . 2184 ) . — the progress and goodfellowshipof this flourishing lodge , since its removal from Chingford to the Phoenix Hotel , Rainham , was eminently shown at its late meeting there on Thursday , the 27 th ult . Bro . T . Ringrose , P . A . G . Sec , W . M ., filled the chair , supported by the following

officers and brethren -. Bros . J . G . Hammond , SAV . ; •F . J . Eedle , P . M ., J . W . ; C . H . Canning , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., Treas . ; C . Jolly , P . M ., Sec ; J . Barnes , S . D . ; S . Carlton , J . D . ; VV . Reynolds , I . G . ; F . D . Campbell , D . of C . ; w . Catt and G . Penny , Stewards ; J . Ives , P . M ., Tyler ; J . Joyce , J . McHugh , J . Millin . T . Hart , and E . Cook . The visitors included Bros . Col . J . S . Tichenor , P . M .

Harmony Lodge , Washington , U . b . / V . ; White , W . M , 1076 ; Ringrose , 1076 ; Pulsford , P . M . S 9 S ; and Hefvey , ' S . D . 174 . - The work consisted of Ihe passing of Bros . Millin and Hart and the raising of Bro . Cook , both of which ceremonies were performed by the VV . M . in a most able and impressive manner . Several candidates were proposed for

initiation and joining , and Bro . Tichenor was unanimously elected an honorary member of the lodge . The banquet was superbly served by Bro . Joyce , . the esteemed host , who rejoices in making the brethren happy , and some excellent harmony helped along a pleasant and enjoyable meeting . On the next meeting in August the brethren will drive in Bro . Joyce ' s drags from Stratford to Rainham .

ST . HELENA . Old Rock Lodge ( No . 912 ) . —The brethren of this lodge met at the St . Helena Lodge House , Napoleonstreet , on the 24 th ult ., to celebrate the 31 st annual festival , and the installation of the VV . M . and his officers for thc ensuing sear . This being the regular monthly meeting the usual business was taken first : Bro . Sergt . F . VV .

Hooper , 400 , was admitted a member , Bro . B . S . Cressy passed , and Mr . G . W . Hogg initiated . Thc installation of the W . M . elect and the officers for the ensuing year then took place , the ceremony being performed by Bro . S , P . Young , I . P . M . Bro . B . Wood being re-elected as the W . M . was installed for the second year . The following brethren were then installed by the VV . M . as officers : Bros .

S . P . Young , I . P . M . ; Hon . Major de Villainil , S . W . ; J . Woods , R . A ., J . W . ; F . J . Broadway , Sec ; T . Clayton , Treas . ; R . Henry , S . D . ; F . P . Frost , J . D . ; F . VV . Hooper , I . G . ; and R . M . L . Pritchard , P . M ., Tyler . The following visitors were present : Bros . J . Truebody , P . M ., T . L . M . Adams , P . M ., A . S . Brady , P . M ., ( who kindly presided at the harmonium ) , R . A . Clarke , P . M ., 1 i 1 oinir 400 maior

. v-arr , -. m ., arm . r . n , or , ourgcon-B . W . Fowler , P . M ., and B . N . C . Knipe , P . M ., late 912 ; and A . L . Innes , 7 S 8 . Great regret was expressed b y the members at the absence of Bro . P . M . Dowling , W . M , 4 88 , through domestic affliction . The labours of the evening being ended , the brethren—26 in number—adjourned to the banquet h til , where an

excellent supper had been provided by Bro . W . H . Cingdon , P . M ., in his usual efficient style . After doing justice to the good things provided , the customary loyal and Masonic toasts were given , followed by complimentary speeches , songs , and recitations , accompanied with expressions of feelings of regret on the part of the members in losing Bro . B . Wood , W . M ., so soon and

on the part of Bro . Wood in leaving the island and his mother lodge where he had spent so many happy evenings and received so much kindness and attention . The National Anthem was sung , and the brethren separated after spending a most sociable and pleasant evening . The lodge and banquet were most tastefully decorated , and reflected great credit upon thc decorators .

YORK . Agn ' COia Lodge ( No . 1991 ) . —A regular meeting ot this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Castlerratc , on Monday evening , the 24 th ult ., the W . M ., Bro . Capt . F . Hewson , P . M ., P . Z ., P . D . G . S . D . Malta , & c , presiding over a numerous gathering of the members and visitors from sister lodges . The Secretary , Bro . Geo . H . Stott , having read the minutes of the last regular lodge and a lodge of emergency , a new ^ member was successfully