Craft Masonry.

Sydney Lodge , No . 829-Tuesday , the nth instant , was a delightful day , and on that day , and at the Black Horse Hotel , at Sidcup , in the Province of Kent , after a pleasant drive from his residence at Plumstead , Bro . Henry S . Syer , P . M ., Treas . 13 , S . W . and W . M . elect , was installed as its W . M ., in the presence , and with the assistance , of a Board of Ins t alled Masters numbering some 22 , all well known and respected brethren of the " mystic tye" Bro . W . JorgensonW . M . opened the lodgeand , after tt-e minutes of the

. , , , previous meeting had been confirmed , Bro . A . Sharoe , P . M ., P . P . G . Org ., by special request , assumed the chair as Installing Officer , and Bro . G . B . Davies , P . M . 13 ( Hon . ) , D . C , presented the W . M . elect to Bro . Sharpe , to receive at his hands the benefits of installation , and excellently well did our esteemed and veteran brother perform his arduous task , his delivery of the addresses being perfect and impressive . Bro . Syer invested his officers as follows : Bros . W . Jorgenson , I . P . M . ; William Bull , S . W . ; C . ForwardJ . W . ; Rev . C . E . T . Woolmer . P . M ., P . P . G . C , Chap . ; Thos . Knight ,

, P . M ., Treas . ; William Moulder , P . M ., Sec . ; George B . Davies , P . M ., D . C . ; A . V . Chapman , S . D . ; Thomas M . Coombes , J . D . ; William G . Fletcher , I . G . j William H . Arnold , A . D C ; John Seaton , P . M ., Donald M . Mackay . and John G . Dennis , Stewards ; Edmond Whomes , Organist ; and J . Bailey , Tyler . Bro . Sharpe was thanked for his grand working of the instillation cereminy . Bro . Jorgenson was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel for his services and to mark the respect of the brethren . Bro . Syer was re-elected to represent the lodge on

the Piovincial Charity Committee . Several calls in the cause of charity were adjudicated upon , and then Ihe lodge was closed . The banquet was an exceedingly nice one , and ampng the other brethren present were Bros . Sidney Gore , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P . ; John Coombes , P . M ., P . G . Org . ; lames Senton , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . ; G . Kennedy , P . M . ; Jas . Farrier , P . M . ; H . Hale ? , P . M . ; C Msrlin , P . M . ; W . Mcsser , H . Murton , G . Cadwell , W . Wade , 1 . H . Cook , J . Skinner , Jimes Read , H . Sherman , G . Knight , T . Conlett , A . Bailey , j . Brcu -hton , Jas . Jacobs , G . W . Hurst , W . Chick , F . Marks , D . Mackav , J . Dimels ,

A . V . M rshall , and T . Piitchard . Among the visitors were Bros . 'C Jn ! l ' , P . M . and Sec . 1472 and 2184 , P . P . G . D . C . Essex ; T . B . Sanderkoclf , P . M . 2530 ; K . W . Caiter , P . M . S- . S ; VV . Busbridge , P . M ., and E . M . Taylor , W . M . of 013 i O . Dale , W . M .-. 499 ; H . Pammant , P . M . 700 ; A . Walker , W . M . 4 S 3 ; E . Dawes , 14 S ( N . S . W . ); W . Davidson , 913 ; W . H . Pope , 1472 ; W . Callingham , 1599 ; W . E . Rent , 1539 ; J . I ) . Moore , 1539 ; J- Wiggins , and G . W . Smith , 254 . The W . M . havng proposed the toasts of " The Oieen and the Craft ; " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of the Order j " and the other Grand Lodge toasts , most

rame to lhat which he said interested them , as Masons ot the Prov nee of Kent , . Of their Provincial Grand Master he had little to say , but those who had the honour of meeting Earl Amherst , whether at their Provincial Charity meetings , or atltheir preparatory meetings , had a Masonic experience not easily to be realised by those who were not so happily placed . He trusted that at their next Provincial Grand meeting every one present would make an effort to attend and make the acquaintance of their Grand Master , who was not only a splendid Mason , but a perfect gentleman , under whom it was an honour and a pleasure to serve .

The toast of " Bro . Eastes , Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was coupled with the name of Bro . Coombes , P . G . O ., and in giving it Ihe W . M . said that upon every occasion that he had attended the Prov . meetings Bro . Eastes was the moving spirit of the meeting , and did all he could to make the Province of Kent one of the foremost in the jurisdiction of England . Bro . Coombes , in response , assured the brethren that it was one of the proudest moments in his life to stand before them as a Prov . G . Officer . Their Grand Master shook hands with him when he invested him with the purple , and asked him to assist the professional G . Organist to the best of his ability , and he promised he would .

The I . P . M ., Bro . Jorgenson , then proposed the toast of "The W . M ., " and said he had known Bro . Syer for some years , and always found him a good Mason and

perfect gentleman . Bro . Syer , in rising to respond , was met with a perfect storm of applause . He said that he could assure the brethren that when , some years ago , he came to their lodge as a visitor with one of the best friends he ever had in his life , and one of the best Masons that he ever knew , their late esteemed and lamented Bro . Hastings , he never thought that he should some day arrive at the proud position he now held as their W . M ., and certainly never should have been a member of their excellent and harmonious lodge ; but now that he had joined itand they had , by theii unanimous vote , placed

, him in the chair as their W . M ., he could fairly and honestly say that he blessed the day and loved the lodge , ar . d should ever do his utmost to increase its prestige , harmony , and prospeiity . It was a proud position , one that any Mason might be proud to occupy . As Master of the Sydney Lodge , he could assure them that nothing should be wanting on his part , so to discharge his duties , that at the termination of his year * of office he should receive at their hands the same kindne-ss that they had that night

bestowed upon his respected and esteemed predecessor . He had the honour of being a P . M . and Treasurer of an older lodge than the Sydney , and could assure them that , as he had in his old lodge done all in his power to increase its prestije and prosperity , so would he endeavour to maintain the high character and increase the prosperity of their lodge , till it became , as he trusted it would be , one of the foremost in the province of Kent . ( Loud applause . )

Bro . Sydney , in response to an enthusiastic reception of his name as "Installing Officer , " said nothing could have given him greater pleasure thin to have had the honour of installing Bro . Syer into the chair of their lodge . There was , however , one thing that had dimmed his pleasure , and that was the loss of th eir esteemed and respected Bro . Hastings , P . M ., who for so many years had held the office of Treasurer of their lodge . It was , however , one of those things that T . G . A . O . T . U . saw lit , for his own good purposes , to do , and although they deeply regretted the loss of their late brother , yet it was not for them to question the will and wisdom of the Grand Master of

the Grand Lodge above . Now , with respect to his installation of Bro . Syer , he was proud to say that he felt that in the hands of Bro . Syer the honour , reputation , and progress of the lodge was safe ; and , if in the discharge of his duty that day , he had given satisfaction to the brethren that was all he cared for . Their esteemed Bro . Coombes had at the recent meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge received the purple at the handsof their P . G . M ., and he congratulated Bro . Coombes on the fact . Bro . Coombes had had the satisfaction of seeing one of his sons invested as an officer of the lodge that day , and he heard that another son of Bro . Coombes was about to join their lodge . 11 s was at all times detirous to do all he could for the lodge and the happiness and comfort

of its members . Bros . Jolly , Taylor , Walker , Pammant , and Hawes responded to the toast of " The Visitors . " "The Officers '" and Tyler ' s toasts concluded the business and pleasures of the evening , the pleasure being much enhanced by some excellent singing by the brethren of the Iodce .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Strawberry Hill Chapter , No . 946 . A meeting of this nourishing provincial chapter was held on Wednesday , the 12 th inst .. at the Masonic Hall , Twickenham Junction . Amongst those present were Comps , Burcham Cooper , P . P . G . S .. *) .. M . E . Z . ; R . W . Forge , P . P . G . P . S ., S . E . ; R . R , Collick , P . P . G . P . S ., Treas . ; R . C Bayne , S . N . , * W . C . King , P . S . ; G . W . Forfescue , ist A . S . ; Hugh James , 2 nd A . S . ; J . S . Taverner , P . Z ., P . G . Std . Br . ; A . VV . Tjvkc , C . S . Rogers , A . H . Kimbault , | . T . Mortimer , and T . Bo * ler , Janitor . Visitor : Comp . F . C . Austin , P . Z . 1793 , P . A . G . S ., who occupied the chair of H ., and also Eave the lectures of the second and third chairs .

The chapter having been opened , Comp . R . W . Forge , in brief and feeling terms , referred tothe recent death of Crap , Riymind IT . Thrupp , Prov . G . H ., and moved that a sincere vote of sympathy and condolence be recorded on the minutes and communicated to the relatives of the deceased , expressing deep sorro / t at the lu « sustained by them . This was seconded by the M . li . Z ., and carried unanim msly . The minutes

of the previous meeting were read and conlirmed . A ballot was taken for the election of Bros . J . D . Tetley , 1504 and ) . Th rn , 2 \ . 7 , which prwe-1 in their favour , and , both being in attendance , they were duly exalted by the M . E . Z . in a most impressive manner . The election of Principals and ofiicers for ths ensuing year resulted as follo . vs : Comps . T . Wallace Ingram , M . E . Z . ; Gomm , H . ; Bayne , J . ; Collick , Treas . ; I ' orge ,

Royal Arch.

S . E . ; King , S . N . ; James , P . S . ; Wills , ist A . S . ; Rogers , 2 nd A . S . ; and Bowler , Janitor . The usual P . Z . 's jewel was awarded to the M . E . Z ., and a vote of thanks accorded to him for his excellent working . Comp . Austin was also highly complimented for the way in which he , although at very short notice , had rehearsed the second and third lectures . Letters having been read from Comps . Ingram , H . ( who was unable to attend in consequence of illness ) , and Gomm , J ., the chapter was closed .

Mozart Chapter , No . 1929 . The installation meetjng was held at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon , on the 19 th ult . Among those present were Comps . Dr . Russell Beardmore , M . E . Z . ; Major T . W . Richardson , P . Z ., H ., M . E . Z . elect ; H . F . Cain , J ., H . elect ; Major T . C . Walls , P . Z ., P . D . G . D . C . Eng ., S . E . ; H . Selby , and W . Lane , Janitor . The minutes of the previous convocation having been read and confirmed , the

M . E . Z . inducted Comp . Major Richardson as First Principal , and the latter installed Comp . Cain as Second Principal . The installation of Comp . Djw White as Third Principal , in consequence of his unavoidable absence , was necessarily postponed . Comp . Major Walls was invested as S . E ., Comp . Selby as S . N ., and Comp . Lane as Janitor . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Communications regretting inability to attend were received from Comps . R . A . Gowan , P . Z ., Treas . j R . P . Thomas , P . Z . ; and Dow White .

The chapter having been closed , a banquet followed , at which the M . E . Z . presided most ably . Comp . Dr . Russell Beardmore responded on behalf of "The Provincial Grand Officers . " In giving the toast of " The M . E . Z ., " Comp . Dr . Russell Beardmore said that the

Fust Principal was an excellent worker in the Royal Arch Degree , and thoroughly earner-1 in everything he undertook . He had passed the chair several times in the Royal Arch , and , therefore , he brought to beir a considerable amount of experience in the duties of First Principal . He only hoped that during the coming year , eligible exaltees would he forthcoming .

The M K . T .., in reply , briefly said that he felt greatly honoured in being elected and installed for the second time as the First Principal of the Mozart Chapter . He could only fay thai if candidates uere loi il" coming , it would afford him a great deal of pleasure to exalt them . He had a very high opinion of the Royal Arch Degree , and he regrelted that the Order was not more appreciated and supported by the Craft at large . The toast of " The Second Principal" followed , and gave Comp . Cain an opportunity of indulging in some very laudatory remarks on the Mozart Chapter .

"The Past Principals" was coupled with the nameofComp , Dr . Beardmore , I . P . Z ., who duly acknowledged the compliment . The toast of " The S . K ., Treasurer , and Officers " came next in order , and in submitting this toast the M . E . Z . congratulated the S . E . and Treasurer on the very excellent balance sheet that had been presented that evening . He believed that it was the most satisfactory one ever presented to the Mozart Chapter . He coupled the toast with the names of Comps . Major Walls and Selby , who respectively replied . The proceedings then terminated .

Rye Chapter , No . 2272 . The installation meeting vvas held at the Peckham Public Hall , Rye Lane , Peckham , on Thursday , the 13 th inst . Present : Comps . T . M . Wright , M . E . Z . ; Chas . Thomson , P . Z ., H ., M . E . Z . elect ; W . R . Dunn , J ., H . elect ; A . Swinford F . Smith , S . N ., J . elect ; F . Dunn , P . Z ., Treas . ; G . J . North , S . E . ; Thos . Grummant , P . Z ., hon . j Wm . Cock , P . Z . ; E . Lawrence , and R . Thomson . The visitors were Comps . C . H . Stone , P . Z . 1001 , and Fred Cousins , and Bro . Arthur Court .

The minutes of the previous convocation were read and confirmed . A conclave of installed First Principals was formed , and Comp . Chas . Thomson , P . Z ., inducted into the chair of M . E . Z . by Comp . T . M . VVright , I . P . Z . The conclave of First Principals was closed , and a conclave of Second Principals was formed , and Comp . W . R . Dunn was installed into the second chair by Comp . T . M . Wright . The conclave of Second Principals was closed , and a conclave of Third Principals was formed , and Comp . A . Swinford F . Smith installed in the third chair by Comp . T . M . Wright . The

installations were worked in an exemplary manner b y the Installing Principal , Comp . T . M . Wright , I . P . Z . The conclave of Third Principals was closed , and the companions admitted . The investing of officers for the ensuing year was as follows : Comps . F . Dunn , P . Z ., Treas . ; G . J . North , S . E . ; J . A . Fletcher , S . N . ; W . Bacon , P . S . ; Wm . Castledine , ist Asst . Soj . ; H . E . Reed , 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; C . Goddard Clarke and E . Lawrence , Stwds . ; and J . Whiteman , Janitor . Comp . Thos . Grummant , P . Z ., P . Prov . G . Soj . Essex , acted as D . C . Notice of motion was discussed for the removing

of the chapter to more suitable premises , which will be decided at an emergency meeting to be called at once . Letters of apology for non-attendance were read , and a letter of sympathy was resolved to be sent to Comp . H . Reed on account of the serious illness of his wife . The balance sheet was presented , accepted , and adopted , which showed the chapter to be in a flourishing condition . The convocation ended , the companions adjourned to a capital banquet , which was much appreciated . The cloth removed , the customary loyal and Royal Arch toasts were ably presented

by the M . E . Z ., and received by the companions right royally . Also the toastof "The Grand H . and J . and the rest of the Grand Officers . " Comp . T . M . Wright , I . P . Z ., in proposing " The Health of the M . E . Z ., " said it was a most pleasing duty , and one which would be most cordially received . The M . E . Z . had performed the duties in the other chairs in an exemplary manner , and in placing him into the lirst chair , he was confident the duties would be carried out with the same efficiency . It only remained for worthy brethren to be introduced to prove the fact , and

he trusted that the M . E . Z . would have a very successful and happy year of office . In reply , Comp . C . Thomson , M . E . Z ., thoroughly appreciated all the kind expressions said of him , and hoped that they would all be fully realised . It would not be through an endeavour upon his part , and with the kindly support of the companions the chapter would continue to flourish and its prestige fully maintained .

The M . E . Z . next presented the toast of " The Installing Principal , Comp . T . M . Wright , '' whose abilities had been realised and recognised not only in Cntt Masonry , but also in the R . A . Degree . He had very great pleasure in presenting the jewel which had been bestowed by the companions . He hoped that the I . P . Z . would wear and treasure it , not for its intrinsic value , but as coming from the bottom of their hearts in love and esteem , and that he might wear the same with distinction for many years to

come . Comp . T . M . Wright , I . P . Z ., in reply , said he sincerely thanked them for their kind expressions and best wishes . He had had the welfare of the chapter at heart , and in performing the duties , especially of installation , he had only copied many of the worthy Past Principals who had preceded him in the chair . He hoped he should be enabled to look upon the handsome jewel for long to come , as it would remind him of the very many happy hours spent in the chapter . His desire was that the M . E . Z . would be favoured with several exaltees .

The toast of " The H . and J . " was presented in eloquent terms , and most ably responded to by both Principals . The toast of " The Visitors " received at the hands of the M . E . Z . a most cordial and hearty welcome , and was duly responded to by Comps . C . H . Stone and Fred . Cousins , and liro . A . Court . The M . E . Z next proposed the toastof "The Treasurer , S . E ., and the Officers of the Chapter " in eulogistic terms , and congratulated himself and the chapter upon such an efficient body .

In reply , Comp . F . Dunn , P . Z ., Treas ., stated the great pleasure it gave him to act in that capacity , and having the trust again reposed in him . He was pleased to state that the chapter was in a very flourishing condition , and he hoped that the funds would continue to increase when the chapter had moved to its new quarters . Comps . North , S . E ., and Bacon , P . S ., also very suitably acknowledged the

compliment paid them , and pledged the performance of their duties lo the best of their ability . The Janitor ' s toast closed a very happy convocation . Some excellent harmony was presented by Comps . F . Swinford Smith , Fred-Cousins , and C . 11 . Stone , and Bro . Arthur Court . Comp . Fred Cousins abl y presided at the piano ,