Notices Of Meetings.

former said that this was not the first occasion he had been presont in the Concord Lodge , and hoped it would not be tho last . He thanked the proposer of the toast for the happy way in which he had done it , and also for having reverted to the small part he had taken

in the ceremonies in the capacity of actiug Chaplain . Ho waa glad however to have assisted them in a small way to so successful a performance , npon whioh fact he heartily congratulated them . Bro . Critcbley also replied , thanking the Officers and Brethren for the cordiality which they had displayed towards him .

AVON LODGE , No . 1633 . THE regular meeting of the above Lodge was held at the Wheatsheaf Hotel , High Street , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 22 nd nltimo , Brother W . Battersby W . M . After the ordinary business of the Lodge had been transacted , it waa announced that two brothreu who had been guided through the former stages of Freemasonry were desirous of being raised to the sublime degree . They were Brothers Dr . Gould and J . Petty , and the test questions having been put to

them and answered satisfactorily , they in turn submitted themselves as candidates for the third degree . The first of these ceremonies was performed by Brother J . T . Kenworthy I . P . M ., while Brother Battersby W . M . undertook the raising of Brother Petty . Before the Lodge was closed , two Provincial Officers ( Brothers W . H . Peak and Andrews ) , who had during the afternoon been taking part in the

consecration of a new Royal Arch Chapter ( Unity ) , at Oldham , addressed tho brethren upon the Masonio Benevolent Institutions . Brother Andrews said that a very happy introduction to his remarks was the fact that the charity box had just gone round the Lodge , yielding good results , a proof that oharity begins at home . He visited the Avon Lodgo thut evening at the invitation of Brother G .

Macfarlanc P . M ., their Charity Representative , and ho might incidentally remark that the manner in which he had been received made him feel quite at home amongst them . Ho congratulated them upon having so indefatigable an Officer as Bro . Macfarlane , who was constantly exerting himself in the cause of charity , and he was informed that at that moment ho ( Bro . Mncfarlane ) was in London

endeavouring to got from the Board of Benevolence a grant for one of their brethren whom misfortune and sickness had nnhappily overtaken . Brother Andrews spoke of the good which hnrl been done by tho Masonic Institutions , gave some excellent details with regard to elections , Life-Governorship ? , and investments , and made a very eloquent appeal on behalf of tho local Charities , urging that they

ought to be supported . The Secretary spoko of tho great efforts in this direction which the Avon Lodge had made , and regretted that in the distribntion of Provincial honours they had been somewhat overlooked . Bro . W . F . Farrington P . M . also deplored the fact that tho labours of the Lodge in aid of Masonic Institutions had not been better recognised , and contended that the Charities would lose

nothing by a suitable acknowledgment . Bro . W . Craven P . M . spoke upon similar lines , in fact , tho whole tenour of the remarks uttered by those three brethren tended to prove that the Province had been recipients of the quid , without having returned tho corresponding quo . It was announced during the evening that a telegram had been forwarded from London by Bro . Macfarlnne , announcing that the

application of the Avon Lodge to the Board of Benevolence on behalf of Bro . W . H . Brown P . M . had been successful , and that he had been granted a sum of £ 40 . At the festive board whioh followed , Bro . Peak responded to the toast of the Provincial Officers . He reverted to the meeting , at Oldham , from which he and others in the room had just returned , and took the opportunity of

paying a graceful compliment to the Officer who had presided , asserting that in Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie they possessed one of the best possible Provincial Grand Masters , one who seemed to be ever ready at tho call of dnty , and who evenj'set aside his own personal affairs on their behalf . Though ho was a great martinet in some things , yet on tbe other hand

he had gained a splendid character as a worker and for fair dealing . Brother Peak also referred to the forthcoming Provincial meeting to be held at Asbton . under-Lyne in May next , and hoped that the presentation whioh would be made to Brother George Mellor Deputy Provincial Grand Master would be a substantial one . Brother Mellor had been a subscribing member to the Minerva Lodge , No .

300 , for 50 years , was also a hard worker , and such devotion oertainly deserved suitable recognition . He hoped the Provincial olaims of the Avon Lodge would not be forgotten , and in conclusion said that he felt gratified to think that their application to the Board of Benevolence had been successful . Brother Kenwoithy I . P . M . proposed the toast of the Worshipful Master , praising him

for his successful attempt to perform tho ceremony of tbo third degree . It was a good example , and ono worthy of being followed . The W . M ., in responding , said that he had endeavoured to do his best as Worshipful Master , but tho pleasure of his position was accentuated by the fact that he had that evening raised a friend who was very dear to him . Speaking of the Past Masters , he said that the work done by them made it absolutely incumbent upon those

following in their footsteps to do their best so as to equal what they had previously accomplished . Of the I . P . M . he said that the labours which Bro . Kenworthy had given to tho Lodge deserved the thanks of its members , and he took the opportunity of acknowledging the assistance rendered to him personally , and concluded by proposing the health of that Officer . The W . M . proposed the toast of the visiting brethren , Bros . Peak , Andrews , E . Roberts P . M . ( FKEE . MASON ' CHBONICLE ) and others responding .

URMSTON LODGE , No . 1730 . THE regular meeting of this Lodge was held on Monday , the 13 th ult ., at the Victoria Hotel , Urmston , when there were present : — BrotburB Hardwieke . Marab W . M ., W . II . Jolliffe S . W ,, Stretch J . W .,

Littler Treasurer , Lloyd Secretary , Walton jun . S . D ., Walter Bowers J . D ., Myers P . M . D . C ., Mends Organist , Ormrod I . G ., Stott , French , Mallard and Plowman Stewards , Joues Tyler , Heaton P . M . P . P . G . Steward , John Bowers P . M ., Jone ? , A . Hawkins , and W . Kirk . Visitors : —Brothers Stevens 633 , Heymau 13 S 7 , Sharpies , Jepson , Worstencroft , of 2359 . The Lodge was opened by the W . M ., and tho

minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Kirk was passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft by the Worshipful Master , the Senior Wurden delivering the working tools . Brother Arthnr Hawkins was then raised to tho sublime degree of M . M . by Brother Swindells , in a masterly and impressive manner ,

the working tools being delivered by Brother Joliff - . Hearty good wishes were tendered on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge and the following Lodges : Nos . 633 , 1387 , 2231 , 2359 , and 2447 . The Lodge was then closed , aud the brethren adjourned to refresh , merit . The usnul Loyal and Masonio toasts wera givon and well received by the brethren .

ALBERT VICTOR LODGE , No . 1773 . r PHE regular meeting of this Lodge was held at tho Town Hall , -L Pendleton , on Fiiday , 17 th inst ., Thomas Threlfall Worshipful Master . There were also present Bros . J . L . Smith Immediate Past Master , T . Sefton Senior Warden , William Mosley Junior Warden , R . H . Berry Treasorer , J . Glough Secretary , J . Clarkson S . D ., Thomas M . Brown J . D ., W . Hardcastle P . M . D . C ., Wm . Lambort I . G ., W . T . Blease and W . Allen Smith Stewards , Richard Dnxbury

P . M . P . P . G . S . D ., J . Han-op P . M . P . P . G . D ., F . Townson , E . Winter , bottom , E . Holland , Thomas Kay , and Ed . Roberts ( FREEMASON ' S CnuoNiCLE ) : Past Masters Robert Wiustunley , W . H . Barrett , J . Handley , Richard Hilton , Ed . Hewitt , and William VVoodeson . Visitors—Bros . R . Beresford P . M . 1993 , W . H . Newett 345 , W . French 1140 , and T . Bradbury 852 . After the confirmation of the minutes of

tho last meeting the name of Mr . John Harwood was put to the ballot , Bro . Threlfall announcing amidst expressions of satisfaction that it was unanimously in his favour . He was afterwards initiated , theWorshipfnl Master performing the ceremony . Bro . Harwood is well known in Lancashire as a very clover reciter , and ia popularly con . sidered to be a worthy follower of the late Mr . Henry Brandram . He ia

also a gentleman who has on numerous occasious devoted his extra . ordinary talents to the cause of charity , our own Institutions having benefited amongst others , and by his admission into our ranks Free , masory has made an acquisition to be somewhat proud of . From a social point of view , likewise , tho Albert Victor Lodge may congratulalate itself upon having numbered him as one of its members ,

for Bro . Haywood is a representative of one of the oldest and most deservedly respected Unitarian families in this locality . He is also nephew to a former very popular Mayor of Salford , who , in his oon . nection with the famous historical Cross Street Chapel , Manchester , attained celebrity as a philanthropist of no [ mean order . The nsnal festive board followed , when the Liyal and Masonic toasts were duly houonred .

CROOK LODGE , No . 2019 . ON Wednesday afternoon , the 22 ud ult ., the brethren of this Lodge met at the Freemasons' Hall , Church Street , Crook , for tbe purpose of installing Brother A . Y . Talbot S . W . as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . At the conclusion of the business the Worshipful Master elect was presented and duly installed in the

chair of K . S . by Brother George Emmerson I . P . M . Brother Talbot W . M . afterwards appointed and invested his Officers , as follow : — Brothers G . Emmerson I . P . M ., Myles Taylor S . W ., George Smith J . W ., the Rev . F . Newsome Chaplain , W . Turner Treasurer , W . T . Wanless Secretary , J . Hughes S . D ., J . H . Pollard J . D ., T . Walton

Director of Ceremonies , W . J . Anderson Organist , J . Hinchley Almoner , T . B . Carr I . G ., Linton and Bowes Stewards , and Dowson Tyler . There was a very large attendance of visiting brethren from the neighbouring Lodges . An excellent banquet was subsequently

provided by Mrs . Brown , of the King ' s Head , in tho banqueting hall , after whioh the usual Loyal and Masonio toasts were duly honoured , A handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Emmerson , the retiring Master , which was acknowledged in suitable torms .

SURBITON LODGE , No . 2146 . THIS Lodgo met at the Maple Hall , Surbiton , on the 21 st ult ., when tho W . M ., Brother T . H . R . Beok P . G . S . D . waa supported by all his working Officers and a good muster of brethren , Brother J . M . Chapman S . W . 1891 was a visitor . There was a good array of work before the W . M . Mr . George Agars Sowerby was

ballotted for and initiated , the ceremony being excellently performed . Brothers Masters and Thomas wero then passed , the work being also carried out in a manner very gratifying to the Lodge and its Officers . The W . M . having been chosen to represent the Lodge at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , it was decided to grant

20 guineas from the Lodge and Charity funds to start his list . Bro , Masters , of the Guildhall School of Music , received tbe hearty congratulations of the Lodge on having been elected to a very good

position in the musical world , and ho made snitable reply . In the refreshment interval the health of the initiate , Brother Sowerby , was toasted with good fire , and Brother Sowerby acknowledged the compliment with really well-chosen words .

ARDWICK LODGE , No . 2185 . rpHE installation meeting and Festival of St . John in connection -L with this Lodge , were held at the Midland Hctel , Ardwick , on , Monday , 13 th March . Brothers W ; Uoylaud P . M . Dir . of Coremomus ,