Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — 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 .

CEAFT : PBOVINCIAL . — : o : —

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . THE second annual picnic of this Lodge took place on Wednesday , 19 th ult ., the place selected being Harrogate , in the West Riding of Yorkshire . A party of fifty-four persons , consisting of members and friends of both sexes , left the Exchange Station , Manchester , at 9 . 30 a . m ., by corridor saloons , arriving at the famous north of England watering place shortly before 12 . Lunch was partaken of at the Commercial Hotel , facing the Stray , West Park , after which the party assembled in front of the Hotel , and a picture of the group was taken by a local photographer .

Coaches had been provided for an afternoon drive , and at 1 . 30 the party left Harrogate , their first visit being to the Plumpton Rocks . An hour or so spent there was amidst delightful scenery , and well worth the little charge imposed at the entrance gate . As Father Prout says of a similar place at Blarney , " there are groves for conversation , and walks for speculation , " besides a lake of considerable size , which is embosomed between immense overhanging rocks , with trees and ferns in profusion . Close by is Plumpton

Hall , with its charming flower gardens and ornamental grounds , and as the building can be hired for dancing and other recreations , refreshments being purchasable , the place provides ample material for a full day's pleasure . But other attractions were in store , and after another lovely and interesting drive the party arrived at the ancient and royal town ( or by prescription borough ) of Knaresborough , sometimes called the Switzerland of England . The town , which was originally surrounded by a rampart or ditch , traces of

which . remain , now forms part of the Duehy of Lancaster , and is situated partly on the side and partly on the summit of a rough , ragged limestone rock , on the N . E . bank of the river Nidd . Many of tbe houses are of a very substantial character , the walls being of immense thickness , and built of stones taken from the Castle quarry , the latter having been formed when , in 1648 , the House of Commons put an embargo upon the structure as a

place of residence . The Castle , which is now only a name given to some crumbling ruins , stands , or rather decays , on a rocky height at the S . W . side of the town , near the river . A lovely view of Knaresborough , and also of the handsome castellated railway viaduct which spans the Nidd , are here obtained , a scene which has often tempted the pencil and brush both of artist and amateur . Several snap-shots were taken by a son of Bro . Roland H . Whatham Treasurer , and were very successful .

In an article of this description , which is limited simply to an ephemeric visit , it is impossible to enumerate all tho objects of attraction which the neighbourhood supplies , historic , antiquarian , and picturesque . The chronicles of the town include such names as Mother Shipton ( the Cassandra of her time ) ; Eugene Aram , the subject of Tom Hood ' s clever poem , and of Bulwer Lytton's novel of that name ; Blind Jack Metcalfe , whose wonderful and skilful feats of road making and bridge building have been perpetuated by Samuel Smiles

in his "Lives of the Engineers , " and later by the Rev . S . Baring Gould in his "Yorkshire Oddities and Strange Events" ; E . Hargrove , the first historian of Knaresborough ; Dr . Kay , one of the revisers of the Old Testament ; Campbell Foster , Q . C . ; Howell , the artist ; Dr . Stubbs , Bishop of Oxford ; and W . P . Firth , the well-known painter , who received his education in the town . The district is also justly celebrated for its petrifying wells , and various kind of mineral springs , these latter being a sort of vitriolic spa , chalybeate , and sulphuric .

Descending by a series of steps to the river side , several of the party crossed the water in boats , to the Long Walk , a picturesque wood planted by the local member of Parliament ( Sir Henry Slingsby ) about the year 1730 . Here , at the foot of a limestone rock , near the river , is the famous Dropping Well , or mineral spring , and the cave where Mother Shipton is supposed to have worked her mysterious charms . A charge of sixpence made for admission should be strenuously resisted , and is by vigorous and

uncompromising chaffing of the Cerberus of the door capable of abatement for parties of a dozen or so . The principal objects to be seen are a few birds , which , having parted with life reluctantly , now appear miserably decrepit , and entirely out of their element in their present position ; some gloves which look as though their former owners had been glad to be rid of such impedimenta ; slippers of Cinderella andTitautic dimensions ; and hats of a wofully

bygone shape—these are all hung up , and are undergoing the petrifying process , which is said to take about three months to complete . A glass which is placed in an invitingly prominent position acts as an allurement for visitors to take a drink of the cold lime-impregnated water , and it is laughable to listen to the various speculations as to what probable effect the water will have upon each individual system .

A feature which is certainly not a pleasant one , and which ought to he suppressed by the authorities for their own good , is that of several grimy-faced , ragged , and almost shoeless urchins who will insist upon following and pestering visitors with a monotonous a : id scarcely understandable sing-song history of past local events , many of these being attributed to the machinations of Mother Shipton , of whose career we give an account elsewhere in this issue .

A drive of three-and-a-half miles and the party arrived at the Commercial , Harrogate , where a really recherche dinner had been provided . This over , a few Loyal and other toasts were introduced and duly disposed of . Bro . John Kinsey I . P . M ., in proposing the health of the Worshipful Master Bro . A . G . Brycc , regretted his enforced absence . Although not present in person he was , he felt sure , with them in spirit .

The task of proposing the health of the ladies was in the hands of Bro . J . T . Whittle J . W ., who explained that the picnic was promoted principally on behalf of their fair friends . On occasions like this it was only reasonable to suppose that the Brethren were desirous of showing the kind of hospicality extended to Freemasons in their Lodges . The ladies wore necessary to the

success of such a picnic as this , and he was sure that every gentleman present felt deepl y grateful to their fair visitors for the honour of their presence . Bro . Whittle made a very apropos reference to King Solomon and his plurality of wives , and seemed quite to put the minds of the ladies at ease when he ventured to inform them that , although a good Mason , he was now defunct , and slept with his forefathers .

Reports Of Meetings.

Bro . R . H . Whatham Treasurer responded , and a very humorous speech explained that the picnic , which had so far been a success , was due to the confabulation of a few Brethren . He thanked them on behalf of the ladies for the enjoyment which they had participated in , and which they looked upon as an assurance that they were expected to join in the good things provided .

Bro . Arthur Sutcliffe J . D . Secretary of the Picnic Committee proposed the health of the landlord ( Mr . A . L . Fairburn , late of Leeds ) , who , he said , had given every satisfaction to the party by his excellent catering . Mr . Fairburn replied , saying he was glad to have pleased his guests , and on any future occasion when he might again be favoured with their company , or indeed of that of any of the Freemasons , he would try to do his best on their behalf .

The other members of the Committee were Bros . Whittle , Simpson , Whatham , Lewin , T . H . Stutb , Geo . Sawyer , and Arthur Hudson . The return jouruey was commenced at 6 . 46 , and Manchester wa 3 reached shortly before 9 p . m ., the tedium , of travelling having been relieved by songs , recitations , & c .

Mr . Newsholme , a visitor , proposed the health of the Picnic Committee , and stated that all present had had a day of wonderful enjoyment , for which they ought to be grateful . There had not been a hitch in any single particular . Mr . Law , another visitor , also spoke in similar terms . Bro . Whatham Treas . responded on behalf of the Committee , and stated that he would duly convey the sentiments just expressed to those in the other compartments , who had unhappily not been able to hear them .

Other prominent members of the party were Bros . Simon Mamelok P . M . S . W . P . P . G . J . D ., Clement John Hall P . M ., who , by the way , sang grace at lunch and dinner , J . Bingham P . M ., Samuel Kew S . D ., Plant , Cordwell , W . Greenhalgh , Life , and Wm . Marshall Higginson J . D . 152 , Messrs . H . Bingham , Dale , DeLucey , Royle , Rhodes , Shaw , Shawcross , C . Simpson , W . Sutcliffe , and others , nearly all being accompanied by a lady relative .

CHANTREY LODGE , No . 2355 . ON Friday , 28 th ult ., Bro . C . F . Shepherd S . W . was installed as W . M . at the Masonic Hall , Dore , Derbyshire . There was a large attendance , amongst those present being Bro . S . Cox P . G . A . D . C . Eng ., and a large number of past and present Provincial Officers of Derbyshire and Yorkshire . The installing Officer was Bro . G . A . Sandy , who performed his duties in a most efficient and impressive manner .

Subsequently , at the Masonic Hall , Sheffield , the W . M . and between seventy and eighty Brethren sat down to a banquet , at which the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and an agreeable programme of musio rendered .

HORSA LODGE , No . 2208 . THE summer outing in connection with this Lodge took place on Wednesday , 12 th ult ., in beautiful weather . A good party left the Bournemouth West Station at 8 a . m . for Salisbury . On their arrival there conveyances were in waiting to convey them to Longford Castle , the seat of the Earl of Radnor Provincial Grand Master Wilts . They were very kindly shown over the mansion , and the valuable

pictures , beautiful furniture and tapestry Were especially admired . Subsequently they were taken through the extensive range of hothouses , where luscious fruits appeared to be in great abundance , and to be thriving most satisfactorily . Before leaving Longford Castle , the W . M . of Lodge Horsa Bro . Knight and the Secretary Bro . Brazier had an opportunity , during a personal and very pleasant interview with Lord Radnor , of thanking

his lordship , in the name of the whole party , for his great kindness . A return was then made to Salisbury , and at the V / hite Hart Hotel host Bro . Bowes had provided an excellent luncheon , which was fully enjoyed . The luncheon over , the party were driven to Stonehenge , via Amesbury . At Stonehenge a group photograph was taken of the party . The drive back was by way of

Heale House , where Charles II . was secreted for some days in his flight after the battle of Worcester . At the White Hart Hotel , Salisbury , the visitors partook of a substantial tea , and left Salisbury by the 7 . 15 train , Bournemouth being reached about 9 . 30 . The arrangements for the outing had been admirably managed , which contributed greatly to the day ' s enjoyment .

OBEDIENCE LODGE , No . 1753 . fT ^ HE election meeting of this Lodge was held at Okehampton , on Monday , JL 31 st ult ., when Bro . Rev . T . Ward Brown S . W . was chosen to preside over the Lodge during the ensuing year . The installation is duo on Monday , 28 th inst ., when we hope our reverend Brother will start on a year of prosperity in his high office .

CEDEWAIN LODGE , No . 1594 . ON Thursday , 20 th ult ., the Brethren held their annual installation meeting , when Bro . J . Lloyd Hughes was installed Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , the ceremony being impressively performed by Bro . Danily P . M . P . P . G . W . After the business the Brethren adjourned to a banquet , which was laid in tho dining room of the Temple , where the Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

ASHBURY LODGE , No . 1459 . THE summer outing took place on the 20 th ult ., to Alton Towers . The party , numbering fifty-four , under the guidance of Bro . H . E . Massie , proceeded by Great Central from London Road , Manchester , and on arrival at Alton partook of cold luncheon at the Shrewsbury Hotel , after which they left for the serpentine drive down the Churnet valley , through the Earl of Shrewsbury ' s grounds .

Dinner was served in the evening at the Shrewsbury Hotel , and the health of the W . M . ( Bro . A . E . Burgess ) and his good lady was proposed by Bro : Bee D . C ., and duly responded to . Bro . Burgess complimented Bro . Massie on the excellence of bis arrangements , which , he said , did credit to the Great Central Railway Company , with which he was connected .

Bro . Massie , in acknowledging a vote of thanks passed with great heartiness , said the Great Central made it a special point to oblige p icnic parties , especially Masonic ones , and in view of recent developments had secured twenty-five new saloons to provide for the traffic ; and , with the