Craft Masonry.

Bro . F . Piggott , P . J . G . W ., assisted in the ceremony with the proclamations and working tools . The following are the officers for the year : Bros . H . S . Davison , P . P . G . Stwd ., W . M . ; Major J . H . Moyes , P . P . G . S . B ., I . P . M . ; F . ] . Moden , P . P . G . Stwd ., S . W . ; William James , j . W . ; C . H . Binbam , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg-., Chap . ; Major B . W . Beales , P . P . A . G . D . C , Treas . ; Major Oliver Papworth , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Sec , Sec . ; Arthur R . Hill , S . D . ; C . F . Charlton , P . P . G . Stwd ., J . D . ;

Frank Piggott , P . M ., P . J . G . W ., D . C ; John Bester , P . P . G . P ., I . G . j Major John Morley , Org . ; C . S . Palmer , Std . Br . ; W . Swindall , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., Stwd . ; and G . A . Allen , Tyler . At the conclusion of the ceremony of installation , which went crisply throughout , the D . P . G . M ., in behalf of the lodge , presented a Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . J . H . Moyes , in recognition of his praiseworthy services in the chair during the past year .

The visiting breihren having expressed their " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed , and the brethren afterwards met at banquet . At the conclusion of the repast , the customary loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and the evening was spent in true Masonic harmony , under the able direction of Bro . Davison .

Bro . J . H . Gray , P . G . Chap . Eng ., in acknowledging the honour done to the Grand Officers , alluded to the success of Masonry during the past 25 years' Grand Mastership of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and expressed the hope that his tenure of the office might be doubled . Referring to the late Lord Lathom , he said , " may our six months' mourning not exhaust our memory of him , " adding that Masons could set to themselves no greater example than the late Pro G . Master .

Responding next for " The Provincial Grand Officers , " Bro . Gray , in a very happy speech , alluded to their versatility . This , he said , was especially exhibited by the present Senior and Junior Wardens of the province , Bros . F . Dewberry and F . Piggot . It could not fail to be noticed how they vied with each other in their duties as Directors of the Ceremonies in their respective lodges . Further , they lived in the same street , they

bore office in the same church , they also held the higher chairs in another place ( the Prov . Grand Chapter , in which they are j . and H . respectively ); in tact , they might fairly be described as Tweedledum and Tweedledee . ( Applause . ) Speaking for himself , the D . P . G . M . admitted that he had a craze for the extension of Masonry in the province , and he hoped that the brethren would do what they could to gratify that wish .

Bro . F . Dewberry , P . S . G . W ., also responded . Bro . J . H . Moyes , I . P . M ., next proposed the toast of the evening , "The Health of the W . M ., " and described Bro . Davison as one of the keenest Masons in the province , and who would do all he could to uphold the traditions of No . SS . The brethren had had a foretaste of his ability in the way he invested his various officers . Might he have health and strength to discharge the duties of his office and be with them for many years . ( Applause . )

The Worshipful Master , in responding , assured the brethren that it was indeed the proudest moment of his life to fill the chair of that ancient lodge . It was quite true that he had Masonry at heart . He felt it to be peculiarly gratifying , after an enforced absence from the lodge , to be unanimously elected as their W . M ., and this mark of their kindness he would endeavour to appreciate by doing all he could for the lodge , if hi * health were spared . He was especially thankful to those Past Masters who had

offiered to assist rather than he should overtax himself , and this was particularly gratifying at home , where some anxiety was naturally felt about him under the circumstances . The Dep . Prov . G . Master gave "The Health of tbe Installing Master and Past Masters , " and made special reference to Bros . Chennell , Papworth , Piggott , Spalding , and Moyes . With regard to the latter , he was doubly pleased to see Bro . Moyes instal his successor so well , showing that he was following in the footsteps of his worthy father , the late D . P . G . M .

In the course of the responses from the Past Masters , Bro . F . Piggott alluded in Sympathetic terms to an unfortunate accident at the Guildhall that mid-day to Bro . T . Nichols , which would cause the venerable P . M . to lay up for some time . On the other hand , Bro . W . P . Spalding alluded with pleasure to the return of Bro . W . I . Pashler , P . M ., after several years' illness . Bro . O . Papworth , P . M ., submitted the toast of "The Visitors , " of whom there were upwards of 40 . These , however , did not include Bro . L . Hosegood , the newly-Installed W . M . of the sister lodge , No . 441 , who was temporarily indisposed .

The toast was acknowledged by Bros . Dr . Gordon Campbell , 1492 ; Harvey , 2727 \ F . W . Miller , 441 ; Churchyard , 2 G 02 ; Royce , 4 G 6 ; and Thompson , 1282 . The Tyler ' s toast concluded a very successful and happy festival , the pleasure of which was much enhanced by an excellent programme of music , shared in by Bros . E . M . Duncombe , W . H . Heal , E . Bowman , H . A . Chapman , J . Laxton , and W . F , Cheeseman , P . M ., the last-named being "immense" in his hunnrous songs . Bro . W . H . Berridge , P . P . G . O ., was accompanist .

Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192-An emergency meeting of the above lodge was held on Thursday , the 5 th instant , at Cannon-street Hotel , when there were present Bros , William Baker , W . M . j J . G . Robeson , S . W . ; T . Stokes , J . W . ; T . Cohu , P . M ., Treas ., ,- H . Legge , P . M ., Sec . ; A . Fergusson , S . D . ; J . C . Peach , J . D . ; R . F . Roche , Stwd . ; Couchman , Tylerj F . Hughes , P . M . ; Bayley , Lloyd , Taylor , Hipwell , Farr , Wetton , Thomson , Franklin , arid Meers . Thelodge was opened , and Bros . Bayley , Thomson , and Meers passed . The lodge Was closed .

Bank Terrace Lodge , No , 462 . The festival of St . John the Evangelist is considered in every Freemason lodge as a red-letter day in their year . The above lodge celebrated their annual gathering on Thursday the 5 th instant , at the Hargreaves Arms Hotel , Accrington , and , in addition to a large number of the members of the lodge present , there were many Masonic brethren representing the various lodges in the district , also representatives from West Lancashire , and one from Plymouth , a number of Provincial Officers of the province ,

and a goodly number of Past Masters being also present , lhe ceremonies of installation and investiture of officers were efficiently rendered by Bros . G . Oldman , P . M . 126 , P . P . J . G . D . E . Lanes ., and Tom Heaton , P . M . 10 G 4 . The following are the officers for the ensuing yean Bros . J . W . Clough , W . M . ; Edwin Welch , I . P . M . ; F . A . Frank , land , S . W . ; R . F . Ware , J . W . j Thos . Cunliffe , P . M ., Treas . ; Wm . Ormerod , P . M ., Sec ; J . Hindle , P . M ., Chap . ; D . C Dewhurst , P . M ., D . of C ; J . Cunliffe , S . D . j Hiram Waddington , J . D . ; A . Pilling , I . G . ; W . Rodgers , P . M ., Tyler ; S . Harker , A . O . G . j J . A . Bleakley , Org . ; W . Carter , T . Bentley , J . E . Hill , and R . Tyack . Stwds . Bro . J . W , Clough , W . M ., was appointed Charity Representative , and Broi W . Otmerod , P . M ., Almoner . After the impressive ceremonies the brethren sat down to a capital banquet , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

A resolution was a ' so passed ( expressing condolence with Mrs . Birtwistle and family upon their recent bereavement by the loss they have sustained in the death of a husband and father and a brother Mason , whom every one respected , who always by precept and example , "though never taking any ostentatious part , " always endeavoured to act up to the true tenets of the Order , and endeared himself to everyone he cam : in contact with . Another resolution expressing sympathy with Bro . W . Carter in his illness was carried , with a fervent hope for his speedy recovery . lhe catering reflected the highest credit on those responsible for that department .

Duiing the evening a capital programme of songs and duets were ably rendered by Bros . J . W . Clough , W . M ., assisted by Bros . R . Tyack , lohn Whittaker , A . Salthouse , and Wm . Tomlinson , of 462 ; R . Horsfall , 10 G 4 ; E . Walsh , P . M . 1145 ; W . Bradley , 1145 , and others . A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by singing the National Anthem .

La Tolerance Lodge , No . 53 S . The instaMa'ioi meeting of this lodge was held on thc 5 th inst . at the Freemasons ' Hall , when there were present Bros . T . 11 . Clca ' , W . M , ; T . A . Tidy , S . W . ; John Gumming , J . W . ; J ; mss Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., Treas . j Thomas W . Smale , P . M ., Secj G . A . Sltrg ss S . D . ; S . C . Cro . 's , J . D . j II . T . Hipwell , I . G . ; J . J . Pitt , man , P . M ., D . C ; Fred . Cambridge , P . M ., Org . ; F . J . Pittman , j . Leather , H . Rivett , W . H . George , J . Bannister Howard , A . Harry Heron , William Merven Everett , F . A . Zeppenfeld , G . T . Augspurg , P . M . j John Skinner , P . M . ; aid Thos .

Craft Masonry.

Bowler , P . M ., Tyler . The visitors were Bros . W . Jarvis , 1471 ; L . A . Lockwood , 2509 ; H . J . Davis , 127 S ; A . H . Jones , S . W . 2 o 5 ; Frank Hall , P . M . 403 ; Percy Jakins , 13 S 5 ; Joseph Pike , P . M . 1639 ; John Paul , P . M . 12 S 7 ; Richard Kershaw , P . M . 61 ; Orlton Cooper , P . M . 211 ; James Hemming , P . M . 2498 ; W . C . Jones , 2 o 6 ; Fred Nicholl , P . M . 1650 , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey ; W . J . Greig , P . M . 65 ; H . Massey , P . M . G 19 and 1928 ; Edwin H . Tompsett , J . W . 1505 ; E . Brin Wilkinson , P . M . 335 ; Thomas E . Mullins , J . D . 211 ; John B . Pinchbeck , 2202 ; W . T . Rickwood , P . M . 192 ; J . W . Elvin , W . M . 2395 ; and C . W . Saffell , S 60 .

Lodge having been opened , Bros . Joseph Leather , 1207 , F . A . Zeppenfeld , 2705 , and Bannister Howard , 2705 , were elected joining members ; after which Messrs . Edward James Whittle and Sidney Worpell Harrington were initiated by the W . M . in excellent style . The final ceremony on the card was the installation of a new W . M ., and for the performance of this the W . M . requested Bro . James Kench , Treas ., to take the chair . Bro . Kench then installed Bro . Thomas Alfred Tidy , S . W . and W . M . elect , as W . M . for the year ensuing , and Bro . T . H . Clear was invested as I . P . M . The other brethren who received collars of office were Bros . J . Gumming , S . W . ; G . A . Sturgess , J . W . ; James Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., Treas . ; T . W . Smale , P . M ., Sec . ;

F . Cambridge , P . P . G . Org . Surrey , Org . j J . J . Pittman . P . M ., D . C ; H . T . Hipwell , S . D . ; S . C . Cross , J . D . ; F . J . Pittman , I G . ; Herbert Rivett , A . D . C . ; G . T . Augspurg , P . M ., W . M . Everett , and W . H . George , Stwds . ; and Thomas Bowler , Tyler . . . The lodge was afterwards closed , ar . d the brethren were subsequently entertained at an elegant banquet at Freemasons' Tavern , the usual toasts succeeding . The speeches in which these were proposed and responded to were interspersed with musical selections , vocal and instrumental , and humorous sketches , in which the executants were Miss Jessie Hotine , Miss Emily Foxcroft , Bro . Mandeno Jackson , a nd Bro . James Kift , under the direction of Bro . F . Cambridge , Mus . Bac .

Bro . James Kench , P . G . P ., responded to the toast of "The Grand Officers . " He said : It gives me great pleasure to respond to the toast of the Grand Officers , and to assure you of the gratification 1 felt at witnessing the cordial manifestation of good feeling in which the toast was received . For , although it is a long time , as most of you know , since I was a regular attendant at Grand Lodge , yet I can assure you I take particular care to acquaint myself with the business that is transacted at the Quarterly Communication , and with all matters relating to the welfare of the Craft . One matter more especially interested me on a recent occasion . It had reference to the formation of

a new District Grand Lodge to be held at Christchurch in our Colony of New Zealand . It has already been recognised by us as an independent sovereign Masonic body having jurisdiction in New Zealand , and I doubt not that the oflicers who have been appointed and invested there will like those our W . M . has had the pleasure to invest in our lodge this evening , well and worthily discharge the duties of their respective offices and faithfully follow in the footsteps of those illustrious brethren who have at different times presided over the destinies of the Craft of this country . Such an event , I am inclined to think , marks an era in the growth of the Colony , as it clearly shows that out

Colonial brethren are worthy descendants of those Englishmen who left our shores in such multitudes 40 or 50 years ago to people a remote and comparatively speaking an almost unknown portion of our habitable globe . They went forth from this country not merely to make a home for themselves in another hemisphere , but to endeavour to civilise the Maoris , the natives of those parts , and to try , if possible , to raise them up to their own level . And , although they may not perhaps have succeeded to the ertent that might be desired , yet , at least , they have been the means under Providence of effecting a great improvement in the moral , social , and political condition of

the natives . It was in 1 S 40 that New Zealand was made a British Colony , and since that time we have endeavoured—and , I think , successfully—to instil into the minds of the natives a correct estimate of the value of truth and peace by the force of our own example . We have taught them the lessons of Christianity , progress , and order , and enabled them , by the aid of European science , to take advantage of the almost inexhaustible resources of the country to attach them to ourselves and to our government by the ties of love and interest rather than by the stern persuasion of the sword . And it is thus , brethren , by inculcating , as far as lies in our power , habits of order , obedience

to law , self-reliance and self-restraint , that we honour ourselves as a nation , and do honour to the great empire of which we are all proud to be citizens . And I thank you all most heartily for the kind manner in which you responded to the toast of the Grand Officers . ( Cheers . ) Bro . T . H . Clear , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " said all the brethren were gratified to see such an accomplished and distinguished brother as Bro . Tid y occupying the chair . Having gone through all the offices of the lodge with satisfaction to the brethren , raised their confidence that he would increase the

reputation of the lodge in his capacity of W . M . However , he had to rely on the support of the brethren , and that he knew they would give . They had had two initiates that evening and three joining members , and if the lodge went on like that during the year it must have a good career . If the new W . M . contemplated having a ladies' banquet and a summer excursion , as last year , he asked all the brethren to support the W . M . to the very utmost . The W . M . was a strong supporter of the Old People ' s Institution , and if he had any idea of going up as Steward for that Institution , he ( Bro . Clear ) was prepared to support him , and he knew the other brethren would do the

same . Bro . T . A . Tidy , W . M ., in response , said that as W . M . he had many responsibilities , but he was relying on the kind co-operation of all the brethren by which he should for surmounting those responsibilites . He should do his utmost to maintain the prestige of the lodge , and when he retired from the chair he trusted the brethren would say he had filled it creditably . He was pleased to see the Iodge increasing in numbers , and this was really due to the Past Masters . The summer outing of the lodge had done much towards this result . The brethren then enjoyed themselves very much as

had been shown by the testimony since rendered to the excellent arrangements made and carried out . He proposed to have another of these entertainments this year . But while on this topic of enjoyment he should mention that they should all bear in mind that as Masons they should do all they could for the Masonic Institutions . He , therefore , proposed to go up as Steward for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The brethren would all agree that when a Mason in old age became reduced in circumstances it was a very great thing to have an institution such as the Benevolent . He hoped with the assistance of the lodge to take up such a list of subscriptions that they might not be

ashamed of . Bto . Tidy , W . M ., next proposed "The Installing Mister , " and said , if there was one brother of the lodge more popular than another , it was Bro . Kench , whom they were all pleased to call friend and brother . Bro . Kench had been in the lodge so long that they were also entitled to call him the father of the lodge . . Bro . Kench loved the lodge only second to his own home ; he had acted as Treasurer of thelodge for the last 30 years ; and for these reasons no words from him would adequately express what the brethren thought of Bro . Kench in the past and now . He must have * nlled the many

offices in his long career with the greatest credit , or . it would be impossible for him to be in the high position he now held ; but if there was one in which he excelled or distinguished himself it was that of Treasurer . At the request of the brethren , he had now to make Bro . Kench a presentation —( applause)—a silver salver , subscribed for by the brethren as a testimony of their appreciation of the very excellent way in which he had peiformed the duties of Treasuier to the lodge for the last 30 years . The brethren hoped he might live long to take part in contributing to the welfare of the lodge , and that when he retired from these busy scenes of his labours he would have the satisfaction of

knowing that he carried with him the affection and es teem of every brother of the lodge . The inscription on the salver was , " Presented to Brother . James Kench , Past Master , Past Grand Pursuivant , by the Past Masters and Brethren of Lodge La Tolerance , No . 53 S , as a token of their regard and esteem , and as a mark of their appreciation for the very atle and courteous manner he has discharged the duties of Treasurer of the Lodge for the past Thirty Vears , London , January 5 th , 18 99 . " ( Applause . ) Bro . Kench , who , on rising to respond , was received with renewed cheering , said : Worshipful Master and brethren , you have taken me so completely by surprise that I

do not know how to thank you . 1 can only say , poor though I am in thanks , I thank you . I do thank you with all my heart ; and I assure you that whatever I have done for the lodge has been a pleasure on my part—a labour of loire ; and I trust I may have the pleasure of being spared many years to be with you : and if I am , my best services will be used for the welfare and prosperity of the lodge . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Tidy , W . M ., in ( proposing the toast of "The I . P . M ., " referred to the great assistance he had . received from Bro . Clear , and presented him with a Past Master ' s jewel .

Bro . T . H . Clear , I . P . M ., replying , thanked the P . Ms , for the support they had given him during the past year ; he included all the P . Ms ., the Treasurer , thj Secretary , the D . of C , the I . P . M ., the Wine Stewards , and all the officers .