Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

OEAET : PROVINCIAL . LODGE OF FAITH , No . 581 . GBEAT preparations had been made by the membersior the meeting held at the Gransrnoor Hotel , Openshaw , on the 15 th ult ., the Lodge Boom and dining room having been thrown into one , whilst decorations of elaborate and tasteful description adorned the walls . Upon the conclusion of the ordinary business , which was not of a very important nature ( if we

except a notice of motion by Bro . Whittaker P . M . " that £ 10 be given to the Easf Lancashire Systematic Educational and Benevolent Institution " ) , the Brethren adjourned while tables were prepared for a recherche banquet , to which lady friends had been invited as participants . This very successful function passed off in a pleasant manner , several Loyal and Masonic toasts being proposed and duly honoured .

In reply to that of the Officers , introduced by Bro . Joseph Lever Worshipful Master , Bro . George Scott S . D . said he regretted the absence of several Officers , who , he thought , should have made a supreme effort to support the proceedings Of that evening . He supposed , however , they were justified in absenting themselves , but nevertheless the fact was one which they ought to deplore .

Bro . W . W . M . McLeod W . M . 1166 , in proposing the toast of the ladies , reverted to the story which has now become a classical one in Masonry , of the lady whose desire to learn our secrets ended in her becoming a member of the Craft . Bro . Dr . E . E . "Tones replied on behalf of the fair sex , in a very trenchant manner .

Bro . Hy . B . Brown P . M . proposed the health of the W . M . The latter , in responding , said he was proud to welcome the Brethren and their lady friends to the social gathering of tbat evening , and he sincerely hoped they would all enjoy the dances and other entertainments provided for their benefit .

An excellent band was in attendance , and the various dances were relieved by songs , recitations , & c , the contributories being Bros . J . H . Harrison I . P . M ., Charles H . Griffiths I . G ., J . T . Moorhouse , Geo . E . Mellor , and Edward Eoberts P . M . 1459 ( FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ) .

ST ., GEORGE LODGE , No . 1170 . THE annual meeting and festival of St . John took place at the Freemason ' s Hall , Manchester , on Monday , the 20 th ult ., Bro . J . C Whatham W . M . Prior to the business of installation , Brother Henry Littlewood , Chorlton Lodge , No . 1387 , was successfully balloted for as a joining member , after which Brother John Carter Jackson , who had regularly demonstrated his efficiency , was raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by Bro . W . Brookes P . M ., the working tools being presented and explained by Bro . Arthur H . Jefferis P . M . P . Prov . G . W .

Following this , a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . W . Leybourn S . W . Worshipful Master-elect was presented according to constitutional usage to receive the benefits of installation . Bro . Jefferis occupied the principal chair , and he performed a very excellent ceremony to an audience of over twenty Installed Masters . We must not admit to state , in passing , that the addresses in the E . and W . were delivered by Brother S . Moore P . M .

Bro . Leybourn the new W . M . invested his Officers for the ensuing financial year as follow , the various Brethren being addressed in turn by Bro . Jefferis : —Bros . J . C . Whatham I . P . M ., H . Smith S . W ., I . E . A . Gotz J . W ., W . Brookes P . M . Treasurer , A . H . Williams P . M . P . P . G . O . Sec , J . Pitt-Hardacre S . D ., E . H . Whatham J . D ., Peter Lawton P . M . P . P . D . C . D . C , Thos . Black P . M . P . P . G . D . Charity Bepresentative , E . W . Boutley P . M . Chap ., C . E . SBowley Organist , J . 0 . Jackson I . G .

Bro . Allan Phillips , of the hall , had provided a very choice banquet , to which the Brethren afterwards sat down . The orthodox Loyal and Masonic toasts followed , and selections from a capital musical programme being sandwiched between , it goes without saying that a very pleasant evening was the result .

AMHERST LODGE , No . 1223 . AT the annual meeting , held at the Amherst Arms , Biverhead , there was •a large attendance . On the proposition of the W . M . Bro . E . Evenden , seconded by Bro . C . Hooker P . M ., Bro . W . Edwards of the Strong Man Lodge , No . 45 , was elected a joining member . Bro . J . H . Palmer was raised to the

degree of Master Mason . Bro . J . Willmott S . W . was elected W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . B . Durtnell was appointed Treasurer , Bros . C . S . S . Brown and J . A . Hughes Auditors , and Bro . A . F . Bowra Tyler . Supper was afterwards served by Bro . Waller , and the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .

FRATERNITY LODGE , No . 1418 . THE annual festival was held in the Masonic Hall , Stockton , on Thursday , 23 rd ult . Special interest attached to the event by the attendance of a number of the Provincial Grand Officers , the ceremony of installing Bro . Henry Coulton J . W . as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year being performed by Bro . B . Hudson P . M . P . G . S . B . England Prov . G . Sec .

Subsequently a large number of the Brethren dined together in tbe banqueting hall , and after the repast the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .

CONCORD LODGE , No . 1534 . AT the regular meeting , which was held in the Local Board Boom , Prestwich , on Thursday , the 16 th ult ., the principal business was that ot raising Brother Thos . Linaon Wjatt ( of the Manchester concerts ) to the sublime degree of M M .

Aftor supper , which followed Lodge proceedings , the health of Brother Wyatt was proposed and duly honoured , in reply to which the newl * . -raised Brother expressed his appreciation of the ceremonies through which he had passed , thanking the members at the same time for the cordial manner in which he had been received among them . The musical numbers were contributed by Brothers Fawssett J . W ., Lightbown I . G ., Wyatt , and E . Bobcrts P . M . 1459 .

Reports Of Meetings.

ALBERT VICTOR LODGE , No . 1773 . THE regular meeting was held at the Town Hall , Pendleton , on Friday , 17 th ult ., Bro . James Clough W . M ., there being a very good attendance of Brethren , among whom we noticed the following , viz ., Bros . Wm . Mosley I . P . M ., Thomas M . Brown S . W ., Wm . Lambert J . W ., Bev . James Preston

Chaplain , F . Townson P . M . Treasurer , Wm . Thos . Blease Secretary , W . Allen Smith S . D ., Wm . Woodeson J . D . j J . Harrop D . C , G . L . Hardcastle Org ., P . B . Hayden I . G ., John Harwood and J . Handley Stewards , Thos . T . Sefton P . M ., E . Winterbottom P . M ., Thomas Kay P . M ., J . L . Smith P . M ., Edward Holland P . M ., and Bichard Hilton .

Visitors : Bros . A . W . Sidebottom W . M . 852 , F . Eidsdale Bowley P . M ., Jno . W . Hallam I . P . M . 1055 , John Bye 325 . The principal business of the evening was that of passing to the degree of F . C . Bro . John Horricks , the ceremony being performed by the W . M ., assisted by Bros . Brown and Mosley , the former presenting and explaining the working tools , and the latter delivering the charge .

Dinner followed these proceedings , which was in turn succeeded by the festive hoard , Loyal and Masonic toasts being pleasantly relieved by songs , recitations , & c , rendered by Bros . Hardcastle , Bowley , Harwood , Horricks , and Hallam .

AGRICOLA LODGE , No . 1991 . THE installation meeting was held on Monday , 27 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Caslegate , York , when there was a numerous gathering of the Craft , including many visitors . The W . M . Bro . J . W . Dow presided . The Secretary Bro . Jas . P . Gill was incapacitated by an attack of pneumonia , and his duties were carried out by Bro . E . A . Eobinson I . G .

Bro . Eobert Spence was duly installed Worshipful Master for the ensuing year by Bro . D . Young I . P . M ., assisted by Bro . J . W . Dow W . M .

ST . CLAIR LODGE , No . 2074 . ON Monday , 20 th ult ., the annual meeting was heltl at the Freemason's Hall , Landport , when Bro . George Luxton was installed into the chair , the ceremony being impressively performed by Bro . William Dart P . M . P . P . G . P ., there being a large board of Installed Masters present . After the votes of thanks to the Installing Master , Treasurer and Secretary , and the transaction of other business , the Brethren adjourned to the banqueting hall , where a banquet was served by the Club Steward .

WILBERFORCE LODGE , No . 2134 . THE chair of this Lodge was on Tuesday , 14 th ult ., vacated by Brother Alfred Spring , after a most successful year of office , his successor being Brother G . Eckles , who after a year ' s duty as the Senior Warden , was unanimously selected by the Brethren as their ruler for the next twelve months .

The installation ceremony was attended by many Brethren from sister Lodges , who assembled in strong force to applaud the retiring and to accord a hearty greeting to the incoming chief . The ceremony of installation was impressively performed by Bros . J . T . Belt I . P . M . and T . B . Bedfearn P . M . P . P . G . S . Brother Eckles having been placed in the chair , he appointed the Officers ;

Brother T . T . Davis P . M . P . P . G . Beg . presented to the retiring Master a jewel bearing the following inscription :

Presented to BRO . A ; SPRING , by the Brethren of the Wilberforce Lodge , in appreciation of his sterling merit as a Mason ; as a token of their high esteem and regard for him as Worshipful Master , 1895-6 .,

Bro . Spring feelingly acknowledged the spontaneous gift of the Brethren , and assured them that he should ever regard it as a memento of their good feeling towards him during his tenure of office . At the installation banquet the Worshipful Master , proposing the toast of

H . B . H . the Prince of Wales M . W . Grand Master , mentioned the popularity enjoyed by His Boyal Highness for his many excellencies , and alluded particularly to the service rendered by him when in the recent serious crisis in Venezuelan affairs he reminded thousands of Masons in the United States that we were bound to each other in Masonic ties as well as in blood .

The toast of the evening , the W . M . of the Wilberforce Lodge and his Officers , was proposed by Bro . T . B . Eedfearn . He said that the new W . M . was elected so unanimously that it showed the work he had done in the past was highly appreciated by the Lodge . Nothing told so much in favour of a Brother as perfect unanimity at the ballot . It proclaimed his popularity , and a belief in the services he was able to render . It was during his year of

office , six years ago , that Brother Eckles was initiated into the Wilberforce Lodge . Since then he had advanced step by step , had filled various offices with satisfaction to the Brethren and credit to himself , and he had now been raised to the highest office it was in the power of the Craft Lodge to confer upon him . He felt confident of his future career in Masonry . With reference to his Officers , he had got together a most excellent set of tried men and Masons . He had been fortunate in being able to retain the

services of Bro . John Work as Secretary , and Brother 0 . E . Aves as chief Steward . Brother James Work the Senior' Warden , has already shown his fitness for office , and he congratulated him upon his being elevated to one of the chairs of the Lodge , and believed it would not be very long before they saw him occupying a still higher position . Brother T . J . Bell the Junior Warden was also a good man and true , and would fill his office with every credit .

The Worshipful Master tendered the warmest thanks of his Officers and himself to Past Master Bedfearn for his reference to them in such encouraging and generous terms . To the Past Masters of the Lodge he was under deep obligation , and he knew that from them as Masons he would receive all the assistance and sympathy he needed in the discharge of his responsible duties . To the Immediate Past Master he was greatly indebted .

Brother Spring ' s heart was so much in his work that he knew he should get from him valuable counsel and assistance . He should make no promises , but he trusted by his performances to merit their approbation . One point had struck him with reference to the Craft . They did not always remember the noble truths that Masonry taught . It seemed to him that every Brother should try to live up to those truths in his life , and he for one meant to try . Other- toasts followed . ¦