Reports Of Meetings.

WEST LANCASHIRE CENTURY LODGE , No . 2349 . ON Monday , 20 th ult ., the annual installation took place at the South Shore Hotel , Blackpool . Bro . W . B . Brandwood P . M . installed Bro . Chas . E . Hardman as W . M ., the addresses being delivered by Bro . Fred . Hilton P . M . P . P . G . D . O . E . L . Bro . E . Simister P . M . addressed the Wardens , and Bro . Aid . J . Snape P . M . 1055 , the members generally . There were a number of visitors present .

MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . THIS very popular Lodge held its regular meeting at tho Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , 27 th ult ., Bro . Henry Nail P . M . Prov . G . Tr . YfJj . Worshipful Master . An initiation and two passings had been announced on the summons , but one of the candidates for the latter degree did not put in an appearance . The first of the remaining ceremonies was the initiation of Mr . William

Henry Purdy , this gentleman having been regularly balloted for . Bro . M . Thomas P . M . P . P . G . D . Secretary assumed the principal chair , and performed the major portion of the work , the remainder that of presenting and explaining the working tools and delivering the charge of the degree , being relegated to Brother E . A . Smith J . W ., who acquitted himself in a manner which gained the approvel of members and visitors alike .

The W . M . undertook the duty of passing Bro . William John Brooke , the working tools in this instance being presented by Brother Fred Hilton P . M . P . P . G . D . C . S . W . Brother Sam Luke J . D ., in presenting a report on behalf of the pic-nic

committee , stated that the neighbourhood of Bolton Abbey had been fixed upon for this year ' s trip , which would take place on 29 th June . He explained the action already taken , and urged the Brethren to forward early replies to circulars which would shortly be issued , so that final arrangements might not be delayed , but a successful outing insured .

The management of the Hotel had provided a very excellent dinner , to which the Brethren subsequently adjourned , this being followed by the festive board , which on this occasion was of an exceptionally merry kind , every song and sketch being well given and enthusiastically received . The candidates were nof forgotten , and the introduction of their names by way of toasts received fitting responses .

The visitors , in responding to their toast , referred in unqualified terms to the even character of the work in the Lodge , and congratulated the members on the excellent position they had arrived at .

BOOTLE WILBRAHAM LODGE , No . 2463 . THEBE was a numerous gathering at the Village Hall , Knotty Ash , on Thursday , 23 rd ult ., when the annual installation took place under the most auspicious circumstances . The assembly numbered between sixty and seventy Brethren . After the transaction of some preliminary business , Bro . W . T . Oversby W . M . most impressively installed Bro . W . H . Bucknell as his successor in the chair .

In the course of the evening Brother Oversby was presented with a Vice-Presidentship of the Alpass Benevolent Institution , in recognition of his valuable services to the Lodge .

QUEEN VICTORIA LODGE , No . 2584 . A VEEY large programme of work confronting the Officers of this new Lodge , their last meeting , held at the Conservative Club , Cheetham , Manchester , on Tuesday , the 21 st ult ., was necessarily called for an early hour in the afternoon . The preliminary business having been disposed of , a ballot , which was successful , was taken for Bro . Dr . Walter Edward Husband , M . E . C . S ., Lodges 44 and 1040 , who had expressed his desire to become

a joining member . This in turn was followed by a ballot for Mr . Benjamin Brook , B . A ., Cheetham , Schoolmaster , and being also successful , he was initated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . the ceremony being performed by Bro . C W ; Godby P . M . I . P . M ., assisted by Bro . Thos . Nesbitt J . W ., who presented and explained the Working Tools to the candidate .

Bro . Councillor Samuel I . Mills W . M . then passed Bro . Edmund Arthur Windridge Wragg to the degree of F . C , the apex of ceremonial being reserved for Bro . J . Pollitt P . M ., who raisedrBro . Harry Simon Hiles , the Working Tools in the latter degrees being presented and explained by Bro . Wm . B . Midgley P . M . S . W .

A motion , adjourned from a former meeting , was moved by Bro . Thos . Syms Sec , ta this effect : — " That the meetings of the Lodge be held upon some day other than the third Tuesday in each month , more convenient to the Brethren , and , so far as is necessary , to amend Bye-Laws in that behalf . " After discussion , the second Monday in the month was generally agreed upon , and it is therefore proposed to hold any future meetings upon this latter date .

At the festive board which followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , the undermentioned contributing songs and recitations , which formed a very pleasant relief to some long , but excellent , and in one or two instances witty speeches made by the candidates and those who had proposed their healths , viz ., Bros . Moulton Org ., J . Pollitt P . M ., J . W . Millward P . M . 992 Prov . S . of Works , Goo . Nield Org . 1531 , G . E . Hall 1055 , and Edward Eoberts P . M . 1459 .

METROPOLITAN

FRIARS LODGE , No . 1349 . THE installation meeting took place on Monday , 20 th ult ., at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall Street , the Brethren mustering in good numbers under the presidency of Bro . A . Cohen W . M . Previous to the installation the W . M . passed Bro . Isaacs , of the Barnato Lodge , and Bro . Emden was raised to the degree of M . M . by Bro . B . Da Costa .

The board of Installed Masters having been formed , Bro . David Shuter was duly placed in the chair of K . S , and then very effectively appointed his Officers : Henry Harris S . W ., M . Da Costa J . W ., Corper S . D ., J . Abrahams J . D ., Crabb I . G ., I . Davis D . C , Goldman and J . Goldstone Stewards . Bro . De Gas-seres was Director of Ceremonies , and Bro . B . Da Costa

Reports Of Meetings.

Installing Master , tho three addresses being delivered by the latter in a letterperfect and pleasing manner , says the "East London Observer . " The Brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where a sumptuous repast had been prepared , two features being noticed , namely , the profusion of flowers decking the tables , and the menu and programme , the cover of which was in delicate cream colour , with the portraits of the W . M ., I . P . M .,

and Senior and Junior Wardens , with medallions of blue ribbon encircling them in excellent relief , the centre being filled up with a large square and compass embossed in gold . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts followed . The I . P . M . was the recipient of two jewels , one given by the Lodge , and one by tbe members as a token of their sincere appreciation .

WANDERERS LODGE , No . 1604 . THB annual installation meeting took place on Tuesday , 14 th ult ., at Freemasons' Uall , Great Queen Street , when Bro . W . J . Thatcher was installed W . M . for the ensuing year by his predecessor , Bro . Captain H . E . Fraser .

Business beinf * ended and the Lodge closed , some eighty Brethren sat down to an excellent banquet provided by Messrs . Spiers and Pond , in ( rhe Crown Eoom , when the usual toasts were given , during the course of which Bro . Thatcher said it should be his utmost endeavour to give satisfaction to the Lodge over which he was called upon to preside during the ensuing year .

BISHOPSGATE LODGE , No . 2396 . THE installation meeting was held at the Great Eastern Hotel , on Monday . Mr . Lionel Henry Lemon was ballotted for , elected , and initiated . Bro . David A . Bomain was then installed as Worshipful Master for the year , the ceremony being performed by Sir John B . Monckton .

The W . M . appointed and invested his Officers , and Bro . S . Jacobs I . P . M . was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel and an illuminated vote of thanks . Other business having been performed the Lodge was closed . After the banquet , says the " City Press , " Bro . S . Jacobs , in proposing the health of the W . M ., said he was indeed proud to have that privilege . They had now as Worshipful Master a Brother whom he had known for many years , and who , he was sure , would carry on the business of the Lodge for the advantage of all the Brethren .

The W . M ., in reply to the toast , said there had been many occasions on which he had experienced the emotions of joy , but never had that been more the case than at the present time , for he was in the proud position of Worshipful Master . He was not easily overcome , but the occasion was one of exceptional importance , and they must excuse him for being so affected .

From the moment he entered the Lodge ho felt assured that Freemasonry was a Brotherhood of love . He was the first initiate of the Lodge , a fact of which he felt very proud . He felt sure that the visitors to the Lodge would find that the proceedings were conducted without let or hindrance . He concluded by expressing the wish that the Brethren mighfclong be spared to meet at the Bishopsgate Lodge .

After the Worshipful Master had proposed the toast of the initiate , to which Bro . Lemon replied , he again rose , to give the toast of the Installing Master , the Immediate Past Master , and the Past Masters . He spoke in appreciative terms of the Immediate Past Master , with whom , he declared , there were few who could compare in the conduct of the Craft's interests . The guests present that evening were the most distinguished entertained by the Lodge for a long time , while all the arrangements left nothing to be desired . Thc Immediate Past Master , in a few well-chosen sentences , expressed his thanks to his Brethren and to the Worshipful Master .

INSTRUCTION

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 167 . THE regular meeting was held on Thursday , at the Court House , Harlesden . N . W ., Bro . Blackburn W . M . 1549 W . M ., F . J . Ortier S . W . Isaac Cohen J . W ., S . Hussey P . M . 1657 S . D ., Parker J . D ., W . Hillier P . M . Preceptor , G . Chapman Treas ., F . S . Priest Sec , W . C . Tibbit P . M . 2045 Assist . Sec , Thomas I . G ., Marks , Peradon , Thompson , Wynman , Bartlett P . M ., Moss , Hauss , Playford P . M ., Chapman Sec . of the St . John Benevolent Fund , Lawrence P . M ., and several others .

The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Marks candidate , performing the work in a most impressive and able manner . The W . M . called the Lodge off and on . The Lodge having resumed , Brother Hillier P . M . rehearsed the first and second sections of the first lecture , in his usual most able manner . Bro . Ortier was unanimously elected to the ohair for the next meeting .

Two Life Subscriberships were drawn for in the Benevolent Association connected with the Lodge , Bros . Maurice Moss and E . G . Payne being successful .

JOPPA LODGE , No . 188 . THIS Lodge met on Tuesday , 28 th ult ., for the first time in its new home at the Moorgate , 15 Finsbury Pavement , E . C . The W . M . of- the Mother Lodge , Bev . S . T . Boco was in the chair , supported by the following Officers : Dancyger P . M . Preceptor , Dimes S . W ., Bosenberg J . W ., Isaac Cohen S . D ., E . Emanuel J . D ., Bosenbaum I . G ., Saunders W . M . Sec .

The Lodge was opened to the third degree . The "W . M . rehearsed the initiation ceremony , Bro . Meadows candidate . Initiate Bro . Levay answered the questions leading to the second degree , after which P . M . Ives was the candidate for passing , which ceremony the W . M . ably performed . The Lodge was then re-opened in the third degree , and Bro . Josephs was a candidate for raising . The W . M . very creditably performed this degree .

. Bro . Silverthorne P . M . and Meadows W . M . were elected members , both suitably returning thanks and being pleased to signify their pleasure at being elected . Letters were received from several Brethren wishing the Lodge success in its new home . A vote of sjmpathy was ordered to be entered on the minutes , as accorded to tho Treasurer Bro . P . M . Garrard , on the sad bereavement he