Craft Masonry.

St . George ' s Lodge , No . 242 . The monthly meeting was held in the Masonic Rooms , Doncaster , on Friday , the 7 H 1 instant . Present : Bros . H . H . Buckland , I . P . M ., acting VV . M . ; T . VV . Turner , S . W . ; F . Duff , J . VV . ; J . Fitzgerald , Chap .,- F . Rand , P . P . G . Treas ., Treas . ; ) . W . Hainsworth , Sec . ; H . Foster , S . D . ; C . Reasbeck , J . D . ; A . VV . Fretwell , D . C ;

1 . H . Pawson , P . P . G . R ., Org . ; J . W . Chapman and J . Hurst , Stewards ; J . Mason , Tyler ; C . Goldthorpe , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; F . J . Forth , P . M . ; R . A . Bridge , P . M . ; P . Webb , P . M . ; F . King , C . Porrett , J . W . Taylor , H . C . White , W . H . Ord , J . F . Hanson , and J . Charles . Visitors : Bros . J . Constable , 2259 , P . P . G . Std . Br ., and G . Wesley , SG .

A letter of apology was read from Bro . G . Smith , the W . M ., for absence owing to ill-health . The election for the W . M . for the ensuing year resulted in a unanimous vote for Bro . T . W . Turner , S . W ., who suitably responded . Bro . F . Rand was reelected Treasurer . The office of Tyler and . Assistant Tyler being vacant , Messrs . J . Marsdin and E . J . Pratt were duly initiated into Freemasonry as serving brethren , and were afterwards elected Tylers . The brethren at the close of the Iodge partook of light refreshment in the

anteroom . Franklin Lodge , No . 838 . At the Peacock and Royal Hotel , Boston , on the Gth inst ., Councillor William Pooles , the Mayor of the borough , was entertained at a complimentary banquet by the members of the above lodge , with which he has been actively associated for upwards of 30 years , and was presented with a handsomely illuminated address , congratulating him on the high honour conferred upon him by his fellow townsmen .

A lodge was held in the afternoon , at which a large number of members and visiting brethren were present , including Bro . W . Harling Sissons , J . P ., D . L ., the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Lincolnshire . The VV . M ., Bro . T . Kitwood , presided at the banquet , and was supported on the right by the guest of the evening , and on the left by the D . P . G . M . Business engagements prevented the attendance of Bros . VV . Garfit , M . P . ; C A . Kiiby , VV . J . H . Wood , C . T . Tunnard , and others .

Gundulph Lodge , No . 1050 . The installation meeting of this flourishing lodge was held at the Guildhall , Rochester , on Wednesday , the 5 th instant , the event being marked , by the kind permission of the Mayor and Corporation , by the hoisting of the flag belonging to the lodge on tl e Gundulph Tower of the ancient Castle . There were present Bros . F . Oldroyd , W . M . ; H . VV . Bagshaw , I . P . M . ; J . F . W . Morris , S . W ., W . M . elect ; C . H .

Fielding , M . A , P . M ., P . P . G . C , Chap . ; J . W . Nash , P . M ., Treas . ; Ed . Barrell , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . Kent , Sec ; R . Ternouth , S . D . ; E . J . Mantell , J . D . ; James Smart , l . G . ; ] . T . Snell , Stwd . ; G . H . Russell , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . ; E . Lemon , P . M . ; CT . Ashton , P . M . ; S . Price , junr ., P . M . ; F . Oman , C . H . Dibley , H . Lililewood , W . Browning , W . A . Peach , W . S . J . Biice , H . Butler , and A . S . Boucher . Visitors ; Bros , the Very Rev . Dean S . Reynolds Hole , P . G . C ; C . F . Bow , W . M .

503 j S . E . Morgan , P . M . 2404 ; G . Masters , W . M . 77 ; Hy . Bagshaw , P . M . 54 S ; H . W . T . Oaks , W . M . 20 ; E . Lake , 19 G 7 ; F . F . Smith , W . M . 1174 ; T . Davies , W . M . 13 S 1 ; C . D . Levy , P . M . 20 ; C Mai tin , 65 ; F . Fox , 101 ; Archie Christie , 1 G 22 ; F . A . Harris , 1 G 22 ; S . W . Ballard , P . M . 1 G 22 ; S . J . Derham , P . M . 1 G 22 ; C . Woodgate , W . M . 19 G 7 ; Francis Powell . P . M . 903 , P . P . G . D . Hants ; VV . J . Beck , VV . M . 2404 ; and C . ' H . Stone , P . M . 507 , S . W . 1641 .

Bro . H . W . Bagshaw , I . P . M ., DC , announced the arrival of Bro . the Very Rev . Dean Hole , P . G . Chap ., and he Mas saluted in due form . In reply , the Ven . Dean accepted " Iheir hearty salutations , and extended fraternal greetings . " TheW . M . elect , Bro . J . F . Morris , was next presented by Bro . H . W . Bagshaw , I . P . M ., D . C , to the W . M . to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , which ceremony was admirably carried out in a Board of 25 Installed Masters . Bro . J . F . VV . Morris , VV . M ., invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . T . Oldroyd , I . P . M . ; VV .

Mason , S . W . ( deferred ); R . 1 ernouth , ,. W . ; the Rev . C . H . Fielding , P . M ., Chap . ; J . W . Nash , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Barrell , P . M ., Sec ; E . J . Mar . tell , S . D . ; A . L . Brown , J . D . j H . Amon , D . C . ( deferred ) ; J . Smart , Org . ; J . T . Snell , l . G . ; Peach and Boucher , Stwds . ; W . Broadbridge , Almoner ( deferred ); and B . Astle , Tyler . The three addresses were impressively rendered by Bro . Oldroyd , Installing Master . The W . M . next rose , and said a very pleasing duty devolved upon him and that was to present a handsome jewel to Bro . Oldroyd unanimously voted by the brethren for the

able services he had rendered the lodge and specially during the past year . He had worked the installation ceremony in a very able manner which had been admired by all . He hoped he wou ! d wear that testimony of their esteeem for many years . In reply , Bro . Oldroyd tendered his hearty thanks for the handsome jewel and for their kind expressions towards him . He had done his best , whicii was only his duty , and none could do more , and he trusted he might live for many years to wear that mark of tlieir affection in the Gundulph Lodge . The W . M . next moved " That a hearty vote of

thanks be given to the Mayor and corporation for allowing the lodge to hold its installation meeting in the Guildhall , which was a very great privilege , and also for hoisting the II jg on the Gundulph Tower in commemoration of the same . " This was able seconded by Bro . E . Lemon , P . M ., and supported by Bros . F . F . Smith , W . M . 1174 , and H . W . Bagshaw , I . P . M . Bro . E . Lemon , P . M ., very kindly undertook to convey the resolution to the Mayor and Corporation that evening . Bro . Solon Price , jun ., P . M ., was te-elected the Charity Representative , which office he had ably filled for

some time . Bro . S . Price very suitably replied , and thanked the brethren for the trust reposed in him to fill such an important office . A hearty vote of thanks was next proposed by the VV . M . to the Installing Master , who had performed the csremony in an excellent manner . The VV . M . hoped to emulate the Installing Master in every way . This was very ably seconded by Bro . H . VV . Bigshaw , I . P . M . In reply , Bro . Oldroyd , I . P . M ., lhanked the brethren very much ; what he had done was to the best of his ability , and having put his shoulder to the plough he would not turn back , and if he had succeeded , it fully gratified him .

The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the King ' s Head Hotel , where was si-ivtd a sumptuous banquet , at which the VV . M . most ably presided . The barquet ended , the VV . M . presented the customary loyal and Masonic toasts in a very patriotic imnner . Tie toast ot " lhe PM G . M ., Dap . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , " was prerenied by Bro . C H . Pie ding , Prov . G . C , who said the men of Kent , were veiy pr . ud nl Earl Amherst , P o G . M ., who was indeed an able nobleman , and also cl other brethren holding honours in Grand Lodge . 1 he least was cordially received .

Bro . H . VV . Bagshaw , I . P . M ., next presented the toast of "The Prov . . G . M ., Dtp . Prov . CM ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , " and stated that the brethren ol Kent felt indeed the great honour in tlieir Prov . G . M . having been installed Pro CM ., and none were mjre worthy of that position . Of Bro . Kistes , Dep . Prov . G . M ., there was no one more brotherly , genial , and fatherly to all , and but to know him was to love him . He coupled with the toa « t Bro . C H . Fielding , Prov . G . Chap .

ln reply , Bro . Fielding , M . A ., said he was always glad to respond for such eminent Masons hnd sing thtir praises , which he had done for years past . There were others who hjd toile d hard in Freemasonry besides himself , such as Bros . Price and Barrell . The Gundulph Lcd ^ e , withal , was well represented in the Grand Lodge of Kent . It was 21 years since he became a member , and he ielt he had come of age , and he hoped that many more in the lodge would reach the summit and be added to the roll of Prov . G . Officers .

The Installing Master next proposed the toast of " The VV . M ., " of whom he could not say too much , for ihere was no brother who had filled the various offices more ably and r . ow had been installed as W . M ., and he ( Bro . Oldroyd ) was assured the duties would be carried out in the same efficient manner , and the brethren of the Gundulph Lodge were proud of him . In reply , Bro . Morris , VV . M . ( who had a warm reception ) , said he most heartily

thanked them fur their cordial greeting , lie could assure them with what pleasure he held the honourable position . It had taken him 10 years to attain the same , and it had been his ambition , as it ought to be of all brethren , if possible . He had followed the I . P M . step by ste-p , and had be-en installed by him mjst ably . His aim would be to upl e . lel the : dignity and prestige of the Gundulph Lodge , which prided itself upon having as £ Cod Masters as any lodge in the Province of Kent . Although living away from Rochester , it would not deter him from doing his utmost to carry out his duties , and

Craft Masonry.

maintain the good name that had always been connected with the lodge . He thanked them most heartily . The W . M . next presented the toast of " The Visitors" in most becoming terras , giving them all a most hearty welcome , and the lodge was proud of having so many worthy brethren present . The toast was most ably responded to by Bros . Powell , Oaks , Masters , Bow , Smith , Davies , Stone , Beck , and " Woodgate , one and all remarking upon the work , kindly

feelinjr , and hospitality shown . The toasts of "The Past Masters , " "The Officers of the Lodge , " and "The Masonic Charities " having been duly honoured , the Tyler ' s toast closed a happy and profitable evening . An excellent programme of music was arranged by Bro . T . Oldroyd , P . M ., ably assisted by Miss Kate Willey ( loudly encored ) , Miss Marie Villiers ( who also had a capital reception ) . Mr . C . Shepherd ( humorist ) , Bros . S . J . Derham , P . M . ( flautist ) , and Valentine Hill ( reciter ) . Mr . Spence very ably accompanied upon the piano .

Farringdon Without Lodge , No . 1745 . A meeting was held at the Viaduct Hotel , Holborn , on the 27 th ult . Among those present were Bros . W . R . Witt , W . M . ; J . D . Webb , S . W . ; C Bachoffner , P . M ., as J . W . ; H . J . Lardner , P . M ., P . G . S ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; W . H . Jackson , P . M ., Sec ; Dr . E . M . Lott , P . M ., P . G . Org . England , Org . ; Dr . J . W . Hinton , M . A ., P . M . 84 , W . M . 1503 , P . P . G . O ., Asst . Org . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . S ., P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Young , P . M . ; T . Simpson , P . M . ; N . P . Lardner , P . M . ; Evans , I . P . M . ; F . Kent , P . M . 177 j J . W . Gaze , C . C , P . M . ; and E . Mallet , P . M . 141 , Tyler .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Messrs . William Henry Hayward and William Gipps Kent , and they being in attendance , were impressively initiated—the first-named by the W . M . and the latter by Bro . F . Kent , P . M . A resolution was unanimously passed— "That a summer outing of the lodge take place , and a sum of money be contributed from the funds of the lodge towards the expenses of the same . " Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . W . Wellsman , C . C , P . M ., J . W . ; P . Weinel , S . D . ; G . Herbert , P . M . ; T . L . Pewtress , and others . The lodge having been closed , a banquet followed

Upon the removal of the cloth the customary loyal and Craft toasts were ; duly honoured .

Bro . Dr . E . M . Lott , P . G . O ., responded on behalf of "The Grand Officers . " "The Health of the W . M . " was submitted by the I . P . M . He congratulated the W . M . upon the steady progress of the lodge during his Mastership . He also complimented him upon the manner in which he had discharged his duties both in and out of the lodge . The W . M . brielly , in reply , expressed his acknowledgments to the proposer of the toast for the flittering manner in which he had given the same . He had endeavoured to do his best . He hoped that tbe summer outing and dinner in J uly , over which he

hoped to preside , would be as successful as the last one had oeen . In giving the toast of / 'The Initiates " the W . M . conveyed his appreciation of the services of Bro . F . Kent in initiating one of the candidates . It was always an interesting event to see a father initiate a son . Bro . F . Kent was an old Masonic veteran , and he trusted that his son would follow in the footsteps of a worthy sire . This toast having been warmly received , the candidates duly replied .

The other toasts followed in quick succession , as the hour was late . They were "The Visitors , "The Past Masters , " "The Treasurer and , Sscretary , " ani "The Officers . " During the evening several ot the brethren entertained the members , assisted by the valuable professional aid of Bros . Drs . Lott , and Hinton .

The Late Bro. Col. Le Gendre N. Starkie Provincial Grand Master Of Lancashire (E.D.).

THE LATE BRO . COL . LE GENDRE N . STARKIE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF LANCASHIRE ( E . D . ) .

We were just on the eve of goin'g to press , when the mournful news reached us that yet another of the most distinguished members of our Order—R . W . Bro . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie—died at his residence , Huntroyde , near Burnley , after a brief illness , on Thursday , the 13 th instant . Bro . Col . Starkie

won high distinction in every branch of Masonry with which he was connected . He had presided over Craft and Royal Arch Masonry in the large and influential Province of East Lancashire for close on 29 years , having been appointed Provincial

Grand Master in July , 1870 , and Grand Superintendent the September following . In Mark Masonry he served as S . G . W . in 18 73 , and since 18 7 6 had held the office of Dep . Prov . Grand Mark Master of Lancashire , under the late Earl of Lathom . He

was also a Past Grand Constable in the Order of the Temple , ancl Captain of the Guards in the Supreme Council of the A . and A . Rite . He was much loved and highly respected by the whole body of East Lancashire brethren , in the promotion of Whose interests he spared neither time nor energy . He was a

staunch supporter of all our Charitable Institutions , the last occasion on which he took part in any of their annual functions having been on the " glorious ioth June , " 1898 , when he headed the East Lancashire contingent of Stewards at the Centenary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys with a list

of Donations and Subscriptions amounting to upwards of , £ 500 . He was a Patron of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , at whose Festival in 18 79 he presidedas Chairman with a degree of success which in those days was remarkable ; a Vice-Patron of the Girls' School , and a Vice-President of the Boys' School ;

while as regards the East Lancashire Systematic Educational and Benevolent Institution , of whicii he was the President , there was no duty he was not prepared lo undertake , if by so doing he saw his way to doing it a service . We shall hope to give a

fuller account of his Masonic career next week , but in the meantime we take the opportunity of tendering to the members of his family and the brethren of his Province our most sincere sympathy in thc loss they have sustained .