Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

tinp- this officer the Installing Master presented No . 998 ve . f" fhe badge for this office ); T . McGrath , D . C .: J . TV - ilv . S'D '; "' R- Gilb ; u ,, < ' J ' - ' ' ¦!• "' Anderson , i p " . [ . Barnard , Tyler . Before closing the lodge the lyjl said that he had the pleasure to present the I . P . M . t ' li a " l ' a £ t Master ' s jewel given by the lodge , which was T ' lv acknowledged . The jewel presented is a work of art , .. i , chaste and beautiful ; has the words " Welchpool

f od ^ e No . 998 , " on the front , and on the reverse is engraved as follows : — " Presented by the Welchpool Lodge , No . OO ^ , to Bro . Frederick Britton , P . M ., to mark the fficient manner in which he discharged the duties of W . M . AD . 1875-6- " The business being completed , the lodge was closed according to ancient custom , and the brethren

adjourned to a splendid banquet . After supper the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , interspersed with songs , after which the evening was brought to a close by the time-honoured toast , " To all Poor and Distressed Masons . " SOUTHEND . —Priory Lodge ( No . 1000 ) . —The jegular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the

Middleton Hotel , Southend , on Thursday , the 6 th inst . The lodge was summoned for six o ' clock p . m ., and shortly after that time was opened by the W . M ., Bro . Dr . E . E . Phillips , P . M . 379 , supported by the following officers and brethren : —Bros . A . Luckinsr , P . M . 160 , and Prov . A . G . D . C . I . P . M . ; Rev . S . R . Wigram , P . M . and P . Z . 214 , Grand Chaplain , S . W . ; W . Frost , J . W . ; F . Wood ,

P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . W ., Treas . ; J . A . Wardell , P . M . 160 and 1000 , P . Prov . G . D ., Sec ; J . R . Hemmann , P . M ., Prov . J . G . D ., Org . ; W . Chaplin , S . D . ; W . P . Bellias , J . D . ; W . Chignell , I . G . ; J . Reeve , W . M . 260 ; Wallis ; W . Allen , jun ., S . D . 160 ; G . J . Glasscock ; Rev . II . J . Hatch , S . W . 160 , Prov . G . Chap . ; W . Waterhouse , H . Hicks , B . Mackei , H . Lukcr , W . D . Merritt ,

C . Woosnam , F . Canter , 1 '' . V . Jillings , S . W . 160 . Visitors : Bros . Sir Thos . Kirkpatrick , Bart ., 957 ; E . C . Rylay , W . Pissey , P . M . 160 , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; Capt . D . L'Anrierson ; G . Sooling , 160 , G . Goodman , 160 ; Dr . Grayson , 277 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Mr . George Frederick Wood as a candidate for initiation , which

proved unanimous in his favour . Bro . P . Benton was then passed to the Second Degree , Bros . Rev . Hayes , II . Briggs , and W . H . Lockey raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason , and Mr . G . F . Wood into the mysteries of the Craft , the work being done in a masterly way by the W . M . The charge to the initiate was very impressively

given by the S . W ., Bro . Rev . S . H . Wigram . Bro . Rev . Hayes was then invested by the W . M . with the collar of Chaplain of the lodge . All Masonic business being ended , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to supper . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and duly responded to . Some excellent harmony by Captain De [ . 'Anderson , and several others contributed to the pleasures

of the evening . LANCASTER . —Rowley Lodge ( No . io ; i ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms , Athenajum , on the 3 rd inst ., Bro . Longman , the W . M ., presiding . The lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed . There being no business of importance before

the lodge , it merged into instruction , with Bro . Dr . J . D , Moore , P . G . S . B . Eng ., as Preceptor , and a very instructive evening was spent by those present . MANCHESTER . —Derby Lodge ( No . 1055 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Knowsley Hotel , Cheetham , on Thursday the 13 th inst . The lodge was opened by the W . M .., Bro . R . Hankinson ,

P . P . G . Reg ., at 4 o ' clock . riie minutes were read and confirmed , and the balance sheet was submitted and passed . The W . M . Elect , Bro . E . Griffith Hughes , was installed in the chair of King Solomon by Bro . T . II . Glendining , P . M ., assisted by Bro . Sillitoe , P . M . 317 , who also invested the following officers : —viz ., Bros . A . Turner , S . W . ; J . Pollitt , J . W . ; J . West , P . M ., Treas . ; Bradshaw ,

Sec ; F . Thompson , P . M ., D . C ; J . Boult , S . D . ; Robinson , J . D . ; Morrison , I . G . ; Pope and Williamson , Stewards ; and Marshall , Tyler . The addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren were impressively delivered by Bro . Freeman , P . M ., about sixty members and visitors being present . After the lodge was closed , the brethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet , provided in

the well-known style of the host , Bro . Bremnell , which was presided over by Bro . Hughes , W . M . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The toast of the evening , viz ., " The W . M . " was proposed by the I . P . M . in a very complimentary speech , and met with a very hearty and enthusiastic reception . Other toasts were also ably proposed and responded to . Dunn ? the evening

Bros . Lovatt and W . Dumville ( of the cathedral choir ; , and Bro . Bednal sang some excellent songs and glees , and Bro . Jarrett amused the brethren with some choice comic songs . The meeting dispersed about 10 . 30 after spending a pleasant evening . DERBY . —Hartington Lodge ( N ;\ 1085 ) . — J he monthly meeting of this ledge was held at the

Masonic Hall , Gower-street , Derby , on Wednesday , April 5 th Present : Bros . S . Pipes , W . M . ; f . VVorsnop , I . P . M . ; VV . Heathcotc , S . W . ; J . Gadsby , | . W . ; M . H . Bobart , Treas . ; G . Pipes , Sec . ; J . Hills , S . D . ; J . Heathcote , J . D . ; J . Shaw , D . of C . ; J . H . Biggs , I . G . ; G . F . Edwards , Org . ; I . Slinn , Tyler ; Steele , Parkins , Manton , Frazer , llextall , Butterfield , Russell , and Whales . Visitors : Bros ,

McCoombe , W . M . 731 ; Dunsford , King Alfred Lodge , 306 , Leeds ; T . Merry , Wliittaker , Knight , 731 . The lod ge was opened at 7 . 45 . After the minutes had be-n read and confirmed the ballot was taken for Mr . George Johnson , coal proprietor , who was duly elected . Bro . i akernan was duly passed to the Second Degree . Mr . Geo . Hill , iron founder , was duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry by the W . M . Mr . John Lane , engineer , Derby , was proposed as a candidate

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

for Freemasonry . After the W . M . had received the hearty good wishes of several of the brethren the lodge was closed , after which the brethren adjourned to supper , when a very pleasant and enjoyable evening was spent . LAGOS ( S . W . Africa ) . —Lagos Lodge ( No 1171 ) . —The annual festival and installation of this lodge in Lagos , Western Africa , was held en Monday , the 27 th

December , at the Freemasons' Hall , Broad-street , Bro . Robert Campbell W . M ., presiding . The minutes of the previous meeting being read and confirmed , Bro . Charles Dennett Turton , W . M . elect , was then presented by Bro . Frank Simpson , P . M ., to the Installing Master for installation . The ceremony of installation having been impressively performed , the new W . M . invested Bros . Robert

Campbell , I . P . M . ; Charles Pike , S . W . ; Robert Knight Bousfield , J . W . ; Rev . Valentine Faulkner , Chap . ; George Smith , Sec . ; Americo Jacinto Rodrigues , S . D . ; Williim Meyer , J . D . ; Jose Augusto Ribeiro , D . C . ; Thomas J . Whittington , I . G . ; John Smith and Adolphe Bell , Stwds . The lodge was closed at the conclusion of business and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . To the pleasures

of this upwards of twenty-five brethren sat down to enjoy the many delicacies which had been so carefully provided by the exertions of Bros . Carrenaand Ribeiro . The W . M . gave the toasts of " The Queen , " " Bro . Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " " The Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family , " and " The Right Honourable the Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro Grand Master , " the

last toast being responded to by his Excellency Bro . John D . A « -Dumaresq , No . 784 , who referred to the valuable services his lordship had rendered to the cause of Masonry . The W . M . then proposed " The Health of His Excellency Bro . Dumaresq , " stating that it gave the members great pleasure to welcome him at their annual festival and it rejoiced all present to sec him take so warm an interest in

this lodge and Masonic work generally . His excellency after thanking the brethren for their good feeling towards him , and wishing the lodge a continuance of its prosperity , proposed " The Health of the W . M . " adding he had much pleasure in congratulating the brethren of the lodge in having secured so able and popular a brother as the W . M . to preside over them , and from his official knowledge of

him he felt sure the brethren could not have elected one who would show more zeal for the work committed to his care , for this lodge and Masonry generally . The W . M . thanked the brethren for the manner in which the toast had been received , and hoped his year ' s services in the chair would justify the confidence reposed in him . The earnest zeal ol the brethren of his mother lodge , No . 823 ,

had animated him with a desire to emulate them in this new country , and it gave him much pleasure to say that he found the brethren here willing and determined to help him . Ills Excellency , Bro . Durmresq , then proposed "The Health of the Installing Master and Past Masters , ' ' stating that he had been informal how much the lodge was indebted to their untiring zeal for its success . In an

unhealthy climate like Lagos , Europeans were obliged to leave the country frequently to save their lives , and this naturally must make it a work of great d . fficulty to secure brethren capable of performing the duties efficiently . He understood that the Past Masters who had been

associated with the lodge from its commencement had by their energy successfully overcome every obstacle , and placed Masonry in such a position in the country that could not but be gratifying to all who had its welfare at heart . He hoped they mijht long be spared so that the lodge mi ^ ht have a continuance of their valuable services . Bro . Robt .

Campbell , Installing Master , thanked the brethren for the hearty manner in which the toast had been received , and he could only say that he never felt happier than when Masonry was prospering , as he took a great interest in the Craft . He saw the lodge improving daily , and he hoped he would lo . ig b ; able to take the same active part in its management as he had always done . Bro . Frank

Simpson , P . M ., in acknowledging the compliment for the Past Masters could only say that his efforts of late had been principally in the financial direction , as no lodge could prosper if it was in debt . They had over £ 400 in hand , which would be appropriated to the erection of a new Masonic Hall when the sum was sufficiently large to cover th ; expenditure of such a work . He always had been

proud of this lodge , which was the pioneer of Masonry in this part of Africa , and he knowing the vast amount of work to be done could but he gratified at the success which had attended it . "The Officers of the Lodge " werc acknowledged by the J . W ., "The Visiting Brethren" by Bro . Senhor Godintro , Lodge Irmao de Caridade , Bahai , "The Ladies " by Bro . Meyer , and the banquet was brought to

a close by the Tyler ' s toasc . Owing to the forethought of Bro . Meyer , who is noted for his musical talent , the band of the Houssa armed police , by kind permission of Bro . H . H . Graves , Assistant Inspector Gold Coast Constabulary , p layed suitable airs between each toast , and several brethren exhibited their musical talent , which added much enjoyment to the evening .

LIVERPOOL . — Fermor Hesketli Lodge ( No . 1350 ) . —The usual mor . thly meeting of this lodge was held on Monday evening , the 10 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Liverpool , the proceedings being of more than ordinary interest and novelty . Bro . Dr . J . M . Bennett , W . M ., occupied his position in the E ., and amongst those present were Bros . I . Higson Johnston , P . M . ; Dr . A . Samuels ,

P . M . ; T . A . Colhnson , P . M ., Treas . ; Dr . Crawford , P . M . ; R . Collinson , S . W . ; W . I I . Cooper , J . W . ; Cooper , J . D . ; Evans , I . G . ; Gilmour , S . S . ; Kaye , J . S . ; and Titherly . The visitors included Bro . Dr . Stephens , P . Pro / . I . G . D . ; Bro . T . Piatt , P . Prov . J . G . D . Cheshire ; and

Bro . Dr . Bailey , 786 . After the First and Second Degrees had been given , and certain formal business had been transacted , Bro . Collinson , I . P . M ., presented the W . M . with a very chaste and 1 andsome silver cup , subscribed for by members of the lodge , as a kind of congratulatory offering in connection with a certain recent and in-

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teresting event , when another child was added to his family . Bro . Collinson referred in felicitous terms to the happy event , and cordially wished Bro . Dr . Bennett , the W . M ., sincere happiness along with his wife and family . Brol J . Higson Johnston , P . M ., also spoke in connection with the presentation , stating that the lodge was now in a prosperous condition , and hoped it would long continue so . Bro .

Dr . Bennett , W M ., said he had been quite taken by surprise , as he had not the remotest idea such a presentation was to be made . He thanked the brethren for their kind recognition of the happy event , and he was quite sure his wife , along with himself , would be delighted at the kindly feeling thus displayed by the brethren of the lodge . Refreshments were subsequently served in an adjoining

room , and a very pleasant evening was spent . VALPARAISO . —Lodge of Harmony ( No . 1411 ) . —On Friday , 14 th January , 1876 , this lodge met in their hall in the Calle de Elias , for the purpose of installing the W . M . for the ensuing year . There was a good attendance of members , and a very numerous assemblage of visitors from the different sister lodges . The installation

ceremony was performed in a most effective manner by Bro . W . R . Betterley , P . G . P . Staffordshire , W . M . 1551 , after which the W . M ., Bro . George Jenkins , was saluted by the members in each degree , and received the hearty good wishes of the visitors present . The appointment and investment of the officers next took place as follows : —Bros . . [ . B . Bughe , I . P . M . ; J . Bamctt , S . W . ; G . H .

Hodgkinson , J . W . ; J . G . Rowe , Treas . ; G . R . Gepp , Sec ; W . D . Vaughan , D . C . ; C . D . Rowe , S . D . ; Charles Lewis , J . D . ; T . M . Mole , I . G . ; G . Crisp , S . S . ; G . B . Barnett , J . S . ; Rev . John Rowe , Chaplain . Before the lodge was closed Bro . Trumbull , Chaplain Bethesda Lodge , made a most impressive appeal to the brethren on behalf of the Bias Cuevas Schools , which he had lately had an

opportunity of visiting , and becoming convinced not only of the excellent administration of their present master , but also of the great amount of good these schools were effecting . All business being ended , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banqnet , where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and enthusiastically received .

PLUMSTEAD . — United Military Lodge ( No . 1536 ) . —The above lodge held an emergency meeting on Monday , the 10 th inst ., in consequence of Good Friday falling upon their usual meeting night , and the attendance of both brethren and visitors must have been most gratifying to the esteemed W . M ., Bro . F . G . Pownall , Bro . Plxisted ' s fine room being nearly double lined

with Masons good and true . The visitors included Bros . C . Coupland , P . G . S . Kent , and P . M . 91 ?; A . Penfold , W . M . 913 ; T . Butt , S . W . 703 ; C . Cooke , Org . 700 and 13 ; H . S . Syer , Sec . 13 ; T . Mutton , 13 ; O . Ilutton , 13 ; B . Norman , 13 ; C . VV . Crews , 13 ; T . W . Robinson , 13 ; T . E . Hassell , 13 ; T . Iluntingford , 13 ; G . W . Mitchell , 700 ; F . Lyons ,

913 and 700 ; R . Beaver , 700 ; G . Beaver , 700 ; Fisher , 703 ; J . W . Weill , 1331 ; W . Lennox , 273 ; Joskey , 1107 ; E . Humphreys , 1066 ; R . Fletcher , 1066 ; C . Morris , 1331 ; J . Richards , 1326 ; A . Upperton , 913 ; E . Hughes , 913 ; and C . Jolly , 913 . The officers present beside the W . M . were W . Weston , S . W . ; G . Spinks , J . W . ; W . Murphy , Treas . ; T .

Cooper , Sec . ; H . G . Picken , S . D . ; R . Lapham , I . G . ; J . McCaffery , Steward ; and J . Lackland , O . G . Bro . Croisdale , P . M 706 , was I . P . M . The business before the lodge was the ballotting for of Sergeant VV . A . Watkins , R . A ., who after approval was duly initiated into the Craft . Bros . W . Taylor and G . Harris were then passed to the Sec ind Degree , the working of both degrees by Bro .

rovvnall was most excellent , ft was then put and carried , that the election of W . M . take place in June instead of May , and that the bye-laws be am ended accordingly , and after the proposal of three candida t es , the lodge was duly closed . After refreshment the W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , that of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and G . M . of England , " who , ' he W . M . said , had done

good service in India , and who he hoped , as had been suggested at Grand Lodge , would receive a truly Masonic welcome back to his native land , was most warmly received . In proposing the toast of " Lord Ilolmesdale , P . G . M . Kent , and the rest of the P . G . Officers , " the W . M . said he hoped Bro . P . M . Coupland would tell the P . G . M . something of the real position and standing of the lodge ,

so that they might understand the great increase in its numbers and strength since the time of its consecration nine months ago . At the consecration of a new military lodge he had had the pleasure of attending in London a short time ago , Bro . Simpson , P . G . C . of England , had spoken warningly of indiscriminate admissions to the Craft , and it might be thought in the province that they

were increasing in numbers without regard to those qualifications , bnth social and moral , without which no one should be admitted to the Order ; but Bro . Coupland could sec by the members present what the lodge was composed of , and their numbers would be accounted for by the admission of joining members who were continually arriving at the garrison from Canada , India , the

Mediteranean , and other parts of Her Majesty ' s dominions . He felt proud to say that the initiates and former members were one and all an honour to ooth the lodge and the Craft . I le coupled with the toast the name of Bro . P . M . Coupland , of the Pattison Lodge . Bro . Coupland , in the course of an eloquent reply , bore his testimony to the excellent character of the lodge , and should be proud to

sec the Worshipful Master some day taking a position in the province , such as his zeal and ability in Masonry , so well qualified him for . He quite agreed with Bro . Pownall as to the too lax manner in which members were admitted to Masonry ; no one , in his opinion , should be admitted unless he occupied a gODd position in life and was of good moral character . Just at present there was quite a rage for Masonry , and many young men , who