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 .

MARK MASONRY

PORCHESTER LODGE , No . 27 . THE installation meeting was held at Newbury , on Wednesday , 17 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . 0 . E . Keyser W . M . Tbe Senior Warden of the Lodge Bro . Edward Hill , having been unanimously elected to preside during the coming twelvemonths , was installed by Bro . Keyser , the entire ceremony being performed in a most perfect and impressive manner .

A short discussion ensued m reference to the annual Provincial Grand Mark Lodge which will be held in the summer , under the banner of tbe Porchester Lodge , when a numerous attendance is expected , Bro . Keyser having invited the Brethren of the Province , together with their lady friends , to drive , after the Lodge business , via Greenham and Crookham Commons , to Aldermaston Park , where he will entertain them at dinner .

Bro . Ravenscroft , on behalf of Viscount Valentia and the Grand Lodge , tendered hearty thanks to Bro . Keyser for his kind offer , and tho third Wednesday in June was mentioned as the probable date . Should the above date prove inconvenient to Lord Valentia , the gathering will probably be deferred until July , owing to the Jubilee festivities in the latter portion of June .

A case for the Mark Benevolent Fund having been considered , the necessary forms were signed for transmission to the Mark Grand Lodge . At the close of the business the Mark Masons adjourned to the Chequers Hotel , where they were joined at a well-served banquet by several Brethren of the Lodge of Hope , including Pasfc Masters R . Ravenor and H . S . Hannington .

The newly installed Worshipful Master presided , and proposed as the second toast H . R . H . the Prince of Wales Grand Mark Master Mason , and the rest of the Officers of the Grand Lodge , associating with it the name of Bro . Keyser , to whom the W . M . referred as a most enthusiastic and liberal Mason , always ready by his personal efforts and his purse , to help any charitable work or alleviate distress .

Bro . Keyser , in reply , said he must plead guilty to putting his heart and soul into Masonry , and doing his best to promote the success of the different degrees , and the welfare of the various charitable Institutions connected with the Order . Bro . Keyser said that as he had not yefc the honour of holding office in the Mark Masonic Province of Berks and Oxon , it gave him much pleasure to propose the health of the Prov . G . M . Lord Valentia , the

Deputy Prov . G . M . Bro . Tomkins , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers Present and Past . He felt proud to belong to such a prosperous little Province , and he congratulated them upon having such an excellent Provincial Grand Master in the person of Viscount Valentia . They were all pleased to have with them their Provincial Grand Secretary Bro . Ravenscroft , as well as other Provincial Grand Officers . - He strongly advised Craft Masons to join the Mark degree .

Bro . Ravenscroft suitably replied , observing that notwithstanding the numerous duties which devolved upon their Provincial Grand Master , in Parliament and elsewhere , his Lordship showed himself extremely careful and particular in connection wifch the work of the Province , the details of which were gone through by him , and either endorsed or altered as circumstances might demand . Tbe Deputy Prov . G . M ., residing at St . Leonards , was unable to visit the Lodges as formerly , but , as they all knew , he was an enthusiastic Mark Mason , and took a large share in the formation

of this Province , the welfare of which he had done his utmost to promote . As regarded himself , it gave him unqualified pleasure to visit the Porchester Lodge , which had such a good record , because it was not only the oldest Lodge in the Province , but also vvas known for its vi gour and good working . He considered it was the duty of every Graft Mason to complete his Masonic career by taking the Mark degree , and also joining a Royal Arch Chapter . He warmly thanked the Newbury Brethren for their kind and hospitable reception , and presaged that the next Provincial Grand Lodge would be one of the best and most attractive ever held .

In complimentary terms Brother Keyser proposed the health of the Worshipful Master , who briefly acknowledged the compliment , remarking that he regarded it as a great honour to have had the presence of a number of Brethren from a distance . Past Master Stephen Knight appropriately proposed the toast of the

visiting Brethren , for whom Bro . Bonny responded , remarking that it was always a pleasure to visit Newbury in connection with any Masonic function . He felt that the Mark degree vvas a survival of old operative Masonry , and ought to be taken before the Royal Arch degree . He regarded the Porchester Lodge as one to which any Brother might well feel proud to belong .

Pasfc Master Knight ( who had taken the chair afc the request of the W . M . on his leaving to catch the train ) submitted the toast of the Wardens Overseers , and ofcher Officers of the Lodge . He felt that the W . M . might be congratulated upon being supported by a body of men who would fill their respective positions in an efficient manner . In referring to the Officers

individually , the speaker , on behalf of the Brethren of the Lodge , warmly congratulated their excellent Secretary Bro . Stickland upon his success at Windsor that afternoon , in having been appointed Surveyor to the Corporation of the Royal Borough from among nearly 150 candidates . They were glad to know thafc Bro . Stickland would continue to hold office in this Lodge during tbe coming year .

Bro . Stickland returned thanks , expressing his appreciation of the hearty congratulations conveyed through Bro . Knighfc . He had had the pleasure of belonging to the Masonic Lodges in Newbury for five or six years , during which he had experienced every possible kindness , and although he was sorry he vvas about to leave many old friends in Newbury , he felt that in Windsor he would find good and true Masons . He fully appreciated all the kindness which had been shown to him during his seven years stay in Newbury . '

METHAM LODGE , No . 96 . UNTIL recently this Mark Lodge held its meetings in the vicinity of Devonport . But the membershi p declining permission was obtained from Provincial Grand Lodge to remove to Pljmpton , where at that time no Mark Lodge existed . Subsequent events have proved that the step was a

Reports Of Meetings.

wise one , and it is gratifying to the Master and members generally to find that prosperity now attends Mark Masonry in the suburb town . On the lOfcb inst . the annual installation meetiug was held , Bro . Joseph Pearse being duly appointed presiding Officer by Bros . R . Hambly , James Gidley , T . J . R . Challice , H . W . Pengelly , J . H . Blackell , and John Parker . It was resolved that Bro . R . Hambly be recommended as a candidate to oin the future executive Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge .

ROYAL ARK MARINERS .

DEWAR LODGE , No . 237 . THE installation meeting of the Devvar Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners was held at the King ' s Head Hotel , Rochester , on the 13 th ult . The W . C . N . E . Barrell installed his successor Bro . J . W . Nash in a very able and impressive manner . The following candidates were elevated : Bros . John Percy White W . M . of Gordon Lodge , No . 364 , William Russell W . M .-elect 364 , Robert Urquhart Secretary of United Service Lodge , No . 69 , Charles Woodger S . O . 69 .

The following Officers were appointed : Bros . G . H . Russell J ., S . J . Brice S ., H . S . Bagshaw Treas ., E . Barrell Scribe , T . J . Nye S . D ., L . Salt J . D ., W . H . Dakers D . C , J . W . Peart Org ., J . Smart Guardian , G . Sweet Steward , and J . Arum Warden .

The Lodge being closed the Brethren adjourned to the banquet hall , were the usual toasts were honoured . In the course of the evening Bro . White stated that the members of his Lodge proposed asking for a Royal Ark Mariners Charter , in connection wifch fche Gordon Mark Lodge , of Gravesend , which would form the second in the Province of Kent .

CRAFT : METROPOLITAN

CAMDEN LODGE , No . 704 . THE traditional reputation of this Lodge was ably sustained at the installation meeting held on Tuesday , the 16 th ult ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , when Bro . John Simpson was placed in the chair , the members being supported by a goodly array of distinguished visitors . The Lodge was opened by Bro . C . Gammon W . M ., and the minutes were

read and confirmed , after which Bro . John Simpson was presented to the installing Master Bro . W . C . Beaumont P . A . G . D . C , who , by the invitation of the Lodge , attended to perform the ceremony , by Bro . H . W . Coplestone P . M . D . C , to be installed . The ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . Beaumont in an exceptionally brilliant manner , saj s the •' St . Pancras Gazette . "

Messrs . Jose Juan Franco , Wm . Leighton Eraser , and Ghas . Schindler were then initiated in duo form , and Bro . Sysfcimus Fenwick Atkinson was admitted as a joining member . The W . M . presented Bro . Charles Gammon I . P . M . with a Past Master ' s jewel , which was suitably acknowledged , and the Lodge was closed . A banquet followed , after which the usual toasts were honoured .

Bro . Charles Gammon I . P . M ., in proposing the Worshipful Master , said he had known Bro . Simpson from his infancy , and a close friendship had been formed between them . He was glad to see him attain the distinguished position of W . M . of the Camden Lodge , and felt confident he would prove himself as good a Master as any of his predecessors , for the more work he had to do the more he was pleased . He was glad to say there were severa " candidates about to present themselves for initiation , and the work consequent thereon would enable the Brethren the more to recognise the ability of their W . M . in the performance of his Masonic duties .

In reply , Bro . Simpson thanked the I . P . M . for the kind manner in which he had submitted the toast , and the Brethren for the cordial reception they had given to it . He had practically been in harness from the day he joined the Camden Lodge , nearly nine years ago , and he had always endeavoured to aid the members in any project they initiated , either for the good of that Lodge or Masonry generally , and , thanks to the able tuition of Past Masters ,

he felt himself competent to fulfil the duties he had undertaken . He had for years aspired to the distinguished position it was then his privilege fco hold , and they might rest assured that he would leave no effort untried tc promote the best interests of the Camden Lodge . He trusted when he vacated the chair he would enjoy the goodwill and esteem of the Brethren in the same manner as he had that night .

The W . M . then proposed the Installing Master . It was to him one of tbe greatest pleasures of that evening ' s gathering to propose that toast . Bro . Beaumont had attended at the special invitation of the Lodge to perform the ceremony of installation . He had the pleasure and honour of being initiated into that Lodge by Bro . Beaumont , and that night installed by him , by the kindness of the I . P . M ., and while there were many Past Masters in that Lodge well qualified to perform the ceremony—he appreciated much

their kindness in permitting a departure from fche ordinary rule ; that act of grace he recognised to the fullest extent , and he should ever remember it with feelings of gratitude . Bro . Beaumont had followed his career in Freemasonry , and had done everything to encourage him to endeavour to worthily fulfil the proud and honourable position he held that night , and he felt certain he was echoing the sentiments of every Brother present when he said they gave Bro . Beaumont a hearty welcome at all times in that Lodge , and they trusted

he was satisfied with the working of the Lodge which he had witnessed that day . There were times when the heart was almost too full for the tongue to give adequate expression to one ' s feelings , and that was his position that night . He could only say on behalf of the Lodge that he thanked Bro . Beaumont for the kindness he had conferred upon the Lodge by his presence , and he sincerely trusted he might be long spared to continue the admirable work he was doing in Freemasonry . He felt certain he would add lustre to the already brilliant traditions of the Grand Officers of England .

Bro . Beaumont P . A . G . D . C , in responding , said some hours ago it was his duty to tell the proposer of the toasfc that he was expected to be " easy of address and courteous in manner . " They had had evidence that he was very easy of address , and his extreme courtesy of manner rendered ifc difficult for him to respond to the excellent speech they had heard , in which he himself had been spoken of in far too flattering terms . His thoughts that night had been entirely directed to the W . M ., whose health had already been proposed in a manner which he could not emulate , because the speech of the I . P . M , was absolutely inimitable . He felt jealous of the I . P . M .,