Reports Of Meetings.

the p . E . being ordered to write to the Companion asking him to re-consider his intention . . This concluded the business of the evening , and the Chapter , was closed in due form . The companions adjourned to the banqueting room , where an excellent repast was provided . After having done ample justice to the dinner and grace having been said , the toast of His Majesty the King and the

Royal Family was cordially given by the M . E . Z ., who said he was sure the King would follow in the footsteps of his illustrious mother ; he was now the Protector of Freemasons . The late esteemed Queen was a mother to her family , to the country , and to the Craft , and now that the G . A . O . T . U . had taken her from them they could look

to the noble King , who , he was sure , would do everything in his power to follow the excellent example of his never to be forgotten mother . They trusted the G . A . O . T . U . would give him health and strength to reign for many , many years to come . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm , Miss Ada jaunt Smith singing the National Anthem , the Companions most heartily joining in .

This was followed by the toast of the Grand Officers present and past , which was duly honoured . , \ y The toast of the M . E . Z . was proposed by Comp . Barnes I . P . Z ., who said that with companion Arrowsmith as M . E . Z . of the

Chapter they all knew they had a good worker . He was sure the West Smithfield Chapter would not lose any of its lustre during his year of Office . He wished him health , strength and prosperity . The toast was enthusiastically received , as was Comp . Arrowsmith on rising to respond .

He thanked Comp . Barnes for his kind and generous remarks , also the Companions for the manner in which they had received them . He would not undertake to do the working as perfectly as Comp . Barnes had done , but sincerely promised to do his very best to give the satisfaction which was expected from the M . £ ,. Z . He would do everything in his power for the welfare of the Chapter .

He had belonged to the Westbourne Chapter for some years , but was foolish enough not to work up there ; he was strongly advised to do so when he joined that Chapter , and was very thankful to have followed that good advice , as he was now proud of being M . E . Z . Again he thanked them all .

1 he M . E . Z . next proposed the toast of the H . and J ., and Comp . Patrick P . Z . as H . responded on behalf of Comp . Davidson . He was sure Comp . Davidson was sorry he was unable to be present , but he knew the perfect working of that Companion , and he was positive the members would be pleased with his services .

Comp . Scott J . thanked the Companions for the honour they had conferred upon him . His intention was not to accept it , but after consideration he thought that with their kind indulgence he would try . He assured the M . E . Z . he would do his best to give satisfaction , and . no doubt with a little practice he would be able to get over the difficulties of his position . He had been nearly two years amongst them , and had always received every kindness .

The M . E . Z . now said he wished Comp . Patrick P . Z . to present his old friend Comp . Brickdale S . E ., with a present provided by the Chapter . Comp . Patrick thanked the M . E . Z . for the honour . He did not take it as the oldest member of the Chapter , but as one of the oldest friends of Comp . Brickdale . As good fortune would have it it happened that the day was the 31 st anniversary of his friend ' s

wedding . He was sorry that his private avocations prevented him continuing to fulfil the duties of S . E . The members wished to recognise the valuable services he had rendered to the Chapter , and asked him to accept a framed testimonal . At this point the M . E . Z ., in a short but eloquent speech , handed Comp . Brickdale a purse of money for Mrs . Brickdale to buy a little souvenir with .

Comp . Brickdale , on rising , received an ovation . He said he felt quite honoured by the kindness of the Companions . They had worked together in the Chapter for twenty years in love and harmony , and he should not have , resigned , but was now living a considerable distance from town . He should take home the testimonial , which proved he had given satisfaction , and of which he .

was very proud . He also sincerely thanked them on behalf of his wife , and was happy to say that all their family were united , and that all of them loved Freemasonry . His son , before he left for South Africa , asked him to propose him as a member of the Craft . Again he thanked them , and wished the West Smithfield Chapter continued prosi : erity .

In toasting the Installing Principals the M . E . Z . eulogised the magnificent working of Comp . Barnes , and especially thanked Comp . H . Dehane for the eloquent manner in which he had installed Comp . Scott as J . His kindness was highly appreciated , not alone by himself but by the Companions generally . His .

perfect working was so generallv known that wherever Comp . Dehane went , in the Craft or Arch Degree , if there was an Officerabsent Comp . Dehane was always ready to assist them . The M . E . Z . also alluded to the fact that he had had the pleasure of knowing Comp . Dehane for over twenty years .

Comp . Barnes said he was pleased to hear he had given satisfaction during his year of Office , and that the M . E . Z . and Past Principals approved of the way in which he had installed the M . E . Z . Comp . Dehane said he really did not know what to say ; he visited a great number of Chapters , and whenever there was an Officer absent it was always Oh ! Companion Dehane P . Z . will do

so and so , and he generally did what he could . He had the pleasure of having installed between 200 and 300 Brethren or Companions , and Companion Barnes , he was sure , hardly less ; but it was merely a labour of love , and being a constant visitor at the Chapter he was always pleased to render any assistance that might be required .

The M . E . Z ., in welcoming the Visitors , assured them the ' members of the Chapter were pleased to have so many distinguished Companions among them . He gave them a most hearty welcome . ' Comp . F . W . Downes responded on behalf of the visitors , and thanked the M . E . Z . for his hospitality ,

Reports Of Meetings.

In proposing the Past Zs the M . E . Z . pointed out the great help they were in the Chapter , and was sorry there were not many present ; at any rate they had quality , if not quantity . Comp . Patrick and others suitably responded . The M . E . Z . proposed the Officers of the Chapter , to which Companions F . G . Pacy P . S ., Charles Riemann 1 st Assistant , C . F . Malcholm 2 nd Assistant , and J . Williams D . C . responded .

The Janitor ' s toast closed a meeting that must at all points be recorded as a great success . Some excellent songs were rendered by Miss Ada Hunt Smith , Mr . Fred Wilson , Mr . Hugh Cochrane , Comp . R . S . Cobden , and others . Comp . T . F . Noakes most ably presided at the piano .

Philbrick Chapter , No . 1662 . THB installation meeting of this Chapter was held on 19 th ult , at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , E . G ., when owing to the unavoidable absence of the Principals through sickness , the convocation was opened by Companions David Legg , Orlton Cooper , and G . W . Knight .

After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , a Board of Installed Third Principals was formed , and Comp . James Clark was inducted in the chair of Joshua . The ceremony was admirably rendered by Comp . Legg , who subsequently received a vote of thanks for his services .

The First Principal ' s chair . was then taken by Comp . Orlton Cooper , who invested the following Officers for the year : —Comps . H . T . Hallows P . Z . Treasurer , A . Oakden S . E ., G . H . nzey S . N ., C . T . Papworth P . S ., W . W . West First Assistant , J . P . Watts Second Assistant , A . Attwell D . C , E . C . Holmes Organist , and T .

J . Maidwell P . P . G . S . B . Essex Janitor . Upon the proposition of Comp . G . H . Pizey , seconded by Comp . James Clark , it was agreed that the regular meetings of the Chapter should be altered to the third . Tuesday in the months of February , September , and November , the latter date to be the installation meeting .

One joining member and one candidate for exaltation were proposed for acceptance at the next convocation , and the resignation of two members was accepted with regret . There being no further business the Chapter was closed in due form , and the Companions adjourned to dinner .

Duke of Fife Chapter , No . 2345 . THE election convocation of this Chapter was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , on Wednesday , 13 th ult ., when there were present Comps . John Mitchell Z ., S . G . Bonner P . Z . as H ., J . Smith S . N ., Charlie Woods J ., Andrew Robertson Treas ., F . W . Sinclair S . E ., A . Harvey P . Z ., Geo . Taylor P . S ., E . Brindley 2 nd Assist ., J . A . Barton Organist , C . Patrick Janitor , A . Caink , W . Greatorex , C . J . Fitch , Bruce Kench .

The M . E . Z ; moved , and Comp . Bonner secdnded , "This Chapter desires to place on record deep regret at the loss to the nation by the death of our late illustrious sovereign Queen Victoria , and of great sympathy with his Majesty the King G . Z ., and the Royal Family . " The M . E . Z . spoke most feelingly to the motion , which was carried in silence .

The H . Comp . Morris apologised for absence through illness , and asked to be relieved for the present from Masonic work . The Chapter heard this news with much regret . Elections resulted thus ( all being unanimous ) : —Comps . Charlie Woods Z ., Jas . Smith H ., E . Brindlev J ., Robertson Treas ., Sinclair S . E ., W . Greatorex S . N ., G . Taylor P . Soj ., Beckwith 1 st Assist ., Barton 2 nd Assist ., Innocent Steward , Patrick Janitor , Bassett and Barrow Auditors .

The S . E . was instructed to express regret at the cause of absence of Comps . Folkard r . Z ., and Wyer P . Z . Comp . Charlie Woods raised the question of alteration of Bye-Laws , and having obtained an unanimous opinion in favour , gave notice of motion accordingly . It was unanimously resolved to present a P . Z . jewel to the M . E . Z . Comp . John Mitchell , for his very valuable services . All business being ended the Companions dined together ,

— : o : — Crusaders Lodge , No . 1677 . A LADIES banquet and social evening was held at the Holborn Restaurant , on Wednesday evening , 20 th ult . Bro . U . B . Ladler W . 'M . was supported by a large number of Ladies , Brethren , and visitors , and bv the Officers of the Lodge .

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— : o : — Royal Union Lodge , No . 382 , AN emergency meeting was held at the Town Hall , Uxbridge , on Thursday evening , aiat ult ., the W . M . Bro . A , Hanson , of Southall , in the chair ,

After the banquet the company adjourned to the Ball room , where between the dances a selection of songs and music was given under the direction of Bro . Willie Wright P . M . P . Z . P . P . G . Org . Middx . Bros . Edward Small and Ernest N . Gideon acted as M . C . The Officers of the Lodge are Bros . A . W . Humphrey I . P . M .,

A . Tarling S . W ., G . W . Collingridge J . W ., J . J . Stockall P . M . Treas ., A . Goode P . M . Sec , W . W . Stanley S . D ., C . W . Deacon J . D ., J . Pratt P . M . I . G ., J . Robinson D . C , A . P . Cork A . D . C , James Spellar P . M . Steward , A . G . Ball and E . A . Ward Asst . Stewards .