Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings .

OEAFT : PROVINCIAL .

GILBERT GREENALL LODGE , No . 1250 . rilHB members held their annual picnic on Thursday , 17 th ult ., the place JL selected being Gateacre . Tho party , numbering about fifty , left Warrington shortly after one o'clock , and on their arrival at Gateacre they were entertained by Colonel Walker , who kindly permitted them to inspect his fine grounds . Afterwards a substantial tea was partaken of at the Elephant Hotel , Woolton .

PERSEVERANCE LODGE , No . 1643 . ON Wednesday , the 23 rd ult ., the annual picnic was held at Barnard Castle . A saloon carriage was provided for the party of thirty-seven . Dinner was partaken of at Mrs . Milburn ' s Hotel . Afterwards the party drove to Eaby Castle , where , through the kindness of Lord Barnard and his agent , they were permitted to view the beautiful grounds . Afterwards the party returned to Barnard Castle , and after tea returned home .

In the carriage a vote of thanks was proposed by Bro . Wm . Atkinson P . M ., to Bro . David Anderson ; and another by Bro . Munroe , to the W . M . Bro . A . Marshall , for the kindly interest they had taken in the arrangements . Bro . Munroe also proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies for their company . The picnic was one of the most enjoyable ever held by the Lodge .

OBEDIENCE LODGE , No . 1753 . rriHE twenty-third annual meeting of this Lodge took place on the J . 28 th ult ., at Okehampton , when Bro . Eev . T . Ward Brown , M . A ., rector of LufEncott , was installed W . M . The banquet was held in the Assembly Boom of the Hotel .

METROPOLITAN : INSTRUCTION .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . THIS unfavourable weather on Thursday , and the holiday season , had a marked effect on the attendance at the weekly meeting of this Lodge at the Star and Girter Hotel , Kew Bridge . Bro . L . Standring occupied the chair , supported by Bros . H . U . Worth S . W ., F . Ridley J . W ., T . J . Larkman P . M . Treas ., J . Wynman I . G . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed . Next Thursday being Officers' night Bro . Worth was elected W . M . for the 14 th inst .

IMPERIAL LODGE , No . 1694 . ON Tuesday we had the pleasure of visiting this young but very prosperous Lodge , at the house of Bro . Douglas White , the popular host of the Pier Hotel , Chelsea . The chair was taken by the Preceptor of the Lodge Bro . George Holland P . M ., who received tho assistance of Bros . F . C . Davison S . W ., J . Norton J . W ., J . Braddick P . M . acting " Preceptor , A . Schott Sec , W . R . Mead S . D ., G . E . White J . D ., Douglas Whits I . G ., H . J . OHive P . M ., J . Wynrnan , George White P . M ., H . Jackson , and others .

The Lodge was opened to the second degree , when Bro . Ollive P . M . kindlv offered himself as a candidate , and he was examined and entrusted . The Lodge was opened in the third ilogree and the ceremony rehearsed , the W . M . giving the Charg ; , which excellent example we should like to see followed in all Instruction Lodges . Tne work was perfectly rendered , the explanation of the Traciug Board being highly appreciated by the Brethren .

Tho W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree , and then called off . On resuming he gave a very interesting exposition on Freemasonry , which was also highly appreciated .

MARK MASONRY .

SOUTHDOWN LODGE , No . 164 . . nnHE annual installation was held at the Station Hotel , Hayward ' s Heath , JL on Wednesday evening , 23 rd ult . The Lodge was opened by tho W . M . Bro . J . H . Glassington Prov . A . G . D . C , supported by Officers and Brethren of tho Lodge and the following visitors : Bros . Newbery P . M . 27 , V . P . Freeman P . G . D ., and B . V . N , Burden Sec . 75 .

The chief business was the installation of Bro . F . H . Beeny P . P . G . S . B . as W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being performed by Bro . J . H . Glassington . The W . M . appointed his Officers and invested them with the insignia of their respective positions . The retiring W . M . Bro . Glassington was presented with a Past Master ' s jewel , in recognition of the admirable manner in which he had carried out his duties during the past year , and Bro . F . C . Golding was presented with a jewel by the retiring W . M ., in appreciation of his services as Secretary during his year of Office .

The Lodge having been closed , the Brethren sat down to a banquet , under the presidency of the newly-installed W . M . The customary Loyal and Mark toasts were honoured .

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LODGE Summonses , Lists of members , Menus , & c , of every description , M rgan , Printer , Freemason ' s Chronicle Office , New Bamet

Dispensations.

DISPENSATIONS .

THE issue of dispensations is a good and necessary Masonic custom sanctified by long use ; indeed , they may be regarded as virtual necessities when the circumscribed nature of the " lex scripfca" is considered . Mackay tersely describes a dispensation as " a permission to do that which without such permission is forbidden by the Constitutions and usages of the Order . " He

further says , " The power of granting dispensations is confided to the Grand Master , or his representative , but should not be exercised except on extraordinary occasions , or for excellent reasons , " to which we say amen ! Dispensations , like many other things in Freemasonry , are too easily obtainable , and are

not unfrequently applied for on the most frivolous pretexts . An instance is on record of a Brother desiring to have the third degree conferred by dispensation at a less interval than twentyeight days , because he was about to be married . History does not record whether his haste was prompted by a desire to approach

the festal altar in the exuberance of his joy as a full-blown Master Mason , or whether it was an anxiety to avoid a searching marital investigation for presumed injuries , had the ceremony taken place shortly after the happy marriage event . Another occasion was the application of a Craftsman immediately after

" passing , " because " he wanted to be a M . M . in time for the installation ceremony of his Lodge . " In neither instance was the application granted , but we have known them issued on even more " shoddy" reasons . But where good reasons do exist they should be given , and without injustice , which we are constrained

to say is not always the case with the Grand Lodge of New Zealand . In that Grand Body one or two things is quite patent , either the wording of the present form of dispensation is quite wrong , or that in one instance , an unjust and inequitable charge is made . We refer especially to the issue of a dispensation to

confer degrees at a less interval tban twenty-eight days . Assuming that there are three candidates requiring this privilege in the same Lodge and on the same night , existing custom issues " one " dispensation , but charges " three " fees . It does not strike one with the force of a dynamite gun that there is any logic in this .

But the answer of the authorities is that the mistake has been made in not issuing " three dispensations , " as they are intended for the candidate and not the Lodge , consequently each should have one and be made to pay . But this evasion is exploded by the wording of the dispensation form which is given to the W . M .,

and specifically empowers the " Lodge " to do certain things , not the candidate to receive something , " ergo , " if each candidate requires a special dispensation it should be in the form of an authority to receive , not the Lodge to give . To assume that three dispensations are necessary to empower the Lodge to confer one

degree on three candidates is a contention so eminently grotesque as to be unworthy of consideration . We hold that the present form of dispensation is correct , and the fee is payable for the document , not what it may purport to do . In this we are strengthened by the Masonic jurist before referred to ( Mackay ) ,

who in stating the purposes for which dispensations may be granted , says : — " Not more than five candidates can be made at the same meeting of a Lodge ; but the Grand Master , on the showing of sufficient cause , may extend to a ' Lodge' the privilege of making as many more as he may think proper . " But

no one would think of demanding a separate dispensation fee from each . The imposition of this charge has been a source of trouble for years past , and has caused useless and unnecessary friction , culminating in one Lodge largely interested passing a special resolution asking relief from Grand Lodge . If the question is regarded from a common-sense point of view it must

be evident that the charge is inequitable under the present form , and we do not assume anyone would be sufficiently bold to wish to alter that form to suit any specific case—at least we hope not . Since writing the above we are informed on official authority that the District Grand Lodges B . C . charge for the dispensation , but in no case for the candidate . — " New Zealand Craftsman . "

The obligation you have taken at the altar , my Brother , is no unmeaning affair . It binds you , or should bind you , to the Fraternity with hooks stronger than steel , for the reason that obligations of honour are the strongest binding man to man . It were well that on frequent occasions we repeat those obligations and compare our acts with duty . —Exchange .

A COMPLIMENTARY performance is to be given at the Palace Theatre on the evening of Thursday , 21 st inst ., to celebrate the eightieth anniversary of Bro . Charles Morton ' s birthday . It is almost needless to say that this most popular manager will have very strong support upon so interesting an occasion , and the list of artists who have given their services comprises upwards of sixty names , including a great many of the most noted actors and actresses and music-hall performers of the day .