Reports Of Meetings.

handsome sum of £ 270 , which money would enable the widow to nearly clear off the mortgage on the house . He also alluded to the excellent work being done by the Benevolent Association , which , in the twelve years it had been started , had sent no less than £ 2 , 252 to the various Masonic charities . When it was remembered that this large amount had been subscribed in the small sums of a shilling a week per member it showed that their association was in a very flourishing condition .

Bros . Ellinger , Carpenter , and Blenkarn ( who responded for Bro . Hooper , unavoidably absent through illness ) replied to the toast . The toast of the Past Executive of the Brixton Lodge nf Instruction was responded to by Bro . W . Phillips , who , as one of the founders , spoke of the great satisfaction it gave him to be present that night , and though he noticed many old faces were absent , still the useful work was being carried on among the younger members of the Craft , and he heartily wished it continued prosperity .

The various speeches were interspersed with some capital songs by Bros Kipps ( who also officiated at the piano ) , Burgess , and Davis .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT INSTRUCTION LODGE SUPPER . ON Friday evening , 31 st ult ., there was a very numerous gathering of Brethren at the Lord Napier , London Fields , the occasion being , in addition to the annual supper , the presentation of an illuminated testimonial on vellum , an album with photos of the members , and a large framed portrait group of most of the principal supporters of the Lodge of Instruction , to their esteemed ex-Preceptor Bro . Charles Lorkin P . M . and Secretary of the Mother Lodge .

Bro . R . E . Fairclough P . M . Preceptor presided as W . M ., and was supported by Bro . C . Lorkin , the guest of the evening , Bros . James Bunker P . M . and Treasurer , G . Edwards Assistant Preceptor , Fred Kebbell Secretary Bros . A . Rusby and Frost occupied the chairs of S . W . and J . W . respectively , well reporting their columns when called upon . After a substantial supper , which did great credit to the superintendence and management of Host Weight and his assistants , the usual loyal toasts having been duly honoured at the hands of the W . M ., were followed by that of the Mother Lodge , which was replied to by Bro . Burgess .

The Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction was proposed by the Chairman , and replied to by Bros . J . Bunker P . M . Treas . and Fred Kebbell J . W . 1662 Secretary . The toast of the Preceptor was in the capable hands of Bro . Rusby , and replied to by Bro . Fairclough P . M . Then came the toast of the evening , the late Preceptor Bro . C . Lorkin P . M . The Chairman , in felicitous terms , proposed the toast , and , in the

course of his complimentary but well-deserved allusions to the past services of their talented Brother , expressed the sincere regret felt by every member of the Lodge of Instruction when they learnt that his removal from London would necessitate hi .- severance from their midst , adding that he could pay a great many well-merited tributes to Bro . Lorkin ' s past support of the Lodge of Instruction , but as Bro . Bunker had a few remarks to make , he would content himself by asking them to drink to his continued good health and happiness .

Bro . Bunker , addressing Bro . Lorkin in a very touching speech , referred to the blow it had been to him and the other members when they heard they were to lose their old friend and teacher , whom they respected and appreciated so much , and they came to the conclusion that they must express this feeling in some tangible form . After several meetings it had been decided to present him with this illuminated testimonial , album , and photo group of the members , so that they might long live in his memory , and

that these slight tokens of the goodwill and friendship of the Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction members might be handed clown to his children as evidence of the respect in which their father was held . He was echoing the feelings of every member of the Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction when he hoped that the G . A . O . T . U . would spare him for many years , and that at least once a year he would honour them with his presence at their annual gatherings .

Bro . Lorkin , who was visibly affected , on rising to respond received a . most enthusiastic reception . He said he scarcely knew how to thank the Brethren for this exceedingly kind mark of their good feeling towards him . He was deeply grateful to them all , and would prize and preserve those handsome presents all his life . He referred at some length to his past

connection with the Lodge , which dated back upwards of twenty years . Since 1888 he had been their Preceptor , and nothing gave him more concern upon leaving London than his enforced retirement from a position he had filled with so much pleasure to himself , and he hoped and felt satisfaction to the Brethren .

The toast of the visitors was proposed by Bro . Edwards , and responded to by Bro . Luker P . M . ; while that of the Officers was submitted by Bro . Frost , and responded to by Bro . F . Kebbell . An excellent programme of music , under the superintendence of Bros . P . Felsenthall and Worthington the Organist and Assistant of tho Lodge , was gone through . The Brethren who contributed were Bros . F . Small , Tom Feistel ( the well-known North London dramatic reciter ) , who both gave two

excellent recitations , " My first public dinner" and " The women of Mumbles Head "; Bros . Fairclough , Edwards , and Luker , in a trio , "The slumber song " ; Bro . W . W . Robinson , " Our Johnny " ; George Kebbell , & c . In addition to those already mentioned who were present we noticed Bros . Caton P . M ., Ives P . M ., Punter , Willis . J . Robinson , Kotch , Friedlander , Captain Schlosshauer , Sulley , Islip , Crisp , Wilde , Ridgway , Wales , Mansell , Dowline P . M ., Johnson , & c .

Bros . Islip and Wilde acted as Stewards , their assistance being much appreciated . A very tasty menu was provided by Bro . Fred Kebbell , with photo of Bro . Lorkin in a Masonic frame in centre , another specimen of his handiwork .

EOYAL AECH

DUKE OF FIFE CHAPTER , No . 2345 . TITHE election meeting was hold on Saturday , at Anderton ' s Hotel , E . G ., _ l when thero . were present : —Comps . J . W . Folkard Z ., A . Hatvey H ., J . A . Randall J ., Charlie Woods S . E ., W . G . Boswell S . N ., A . Robertson Treas ., S . G . Bonner P . Soj ., J . Wyer P . Z ., T . Morris Stwd ., R . J . Voisey P . Z ., J . D . Clayton , C . Patrick P . Z . Janitor . Visitor : Comp . G . F . Rossiter S . N . 907 . The Principals and Officers were unanimously elected as follows : — Comps . A . Harvey Z ., J . A . Randall H ., W . G . Boswell J ., 0 . Woods S . E ., S ,

Reports Of Meetings.

G . Bonner S . N ., A . Robertson Treas ., C . Munslow P . S ., J . Mitchell 1 st A . S ., T . Morris 2 nd A . S ., Clayton Steward , Patrick Janitor , Morris and Clavton Auditors .

It was unanimously resolved , on the motion of Comp . Wyer P . Z ., that a P . Z . ' s jewel be presented to Comp . Folkard for his valuable and esteemed services as M . E . Z . during the past year . It was resolved that the meetings of the Chapter be held on the first Wednesday in the months of February , May , October , and December , respectively .

Each Companion received a copy of the bye-laws , which were taken as read . The Companions afterwards dined together under the chairmanship of the M . E . Z .

VICTORIA CHAPTER , No . 1345 . THE annual convocation was held at the Masonic Rooms , Eccles , on the 23 rd ult ., when a satisfactory statement of the past year was given by Comp . C . E . Hindley ( Mayor of Eccles ) and the sum of six guineas was voted to the Alpass Memorial Fund . Comp . Wm . Goodacre Prov . Scribe E . attended and installed to office Comps . C . Bagot Z ., T . Yarwood H ., S . Spencer J .

MAEK MASONRY

ST . PETER AND ST . PAUL LODGE , No . 163 . AT the installation meeting , held in the Masonic Hall , Newport Pagnell , on the 21 st ult ., Brother the Rev . F . R . Harnett W . M ., assisted by Brother the Rev . V . P . Wyatt , advanced Bro . W . J . Gresham and Brother G . J . A . Uthwatt to the degree . Brother Harnett then installed his successor Bro . F . W . Webb into the chair .

FRIENDSHIP , UNANIMITY AND PHILANTHROPIC LODGE , No . 191 ON Monday , 20 th ult ., the annual meeting was held at the Railway Hotel , Highbridge . The ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . R . C . Else Prov . G . M . Somerset , Bro . Hitchings Davies , of Somerton , being installed as W . M .

BOOTLE LODGE , No . 478 . ON Saturday , 1 st inst ., this Lodge met at the County Hall , Bootle , when Bro . Allied Cross was installed by Bro . Walter Simpson G . J . D . Eng . The I . P . M . was presented with a handsome silver spirit lamp in the form of a dragon .

PRESENTATION AT SCARBOROUGH . AN interesting gathering took place on Friday , 31 st ult ., at the Masonic Club , the occasion being a complimentary supper to Bro . W . Attwaters , who is leaving Scarborough to open a branch of Messrs . Drake and Goreham ' s business in Glasgow . Bro . Attwaters has only resided in Scarborough about four years , but his gentlemanly demeanour and business aptitude have brought him many friends , and his Masonic Brethren thought it appropriate to evince their feelings of goodwill towards him by presenting him with a Master Mason's jewel bearing the following inscription : —

Presented to BBOTHBB W . ATTWATERS , by Scarborough Masonic friends , as a token of their fraternal esteem and regard . 31 st January 1896 . The best of wishes were expressed by the Brethren towards Brother Attwaters , and a very pleasant evening was passed .

DEVON AND CORNWALL FREEMASONS' HALL . THE annual meeting of shareholders in the Devon and Cornwall Freemasons' Hall and Club Company was held on the 31 st ult ., at the Hall , Princess Square , Plymouth , Bro . J . R . Lord Chairman of the Company presiding . The Directors reported that during the past year they had spent a considerable sum in decorations and renovations , as well as in providing increased accommodation for Brethren and visitors . The number of Club members had decreased , and this was attributed to the action taken by the

Inland Revenue in insisting that all members must be shareholders . The Directors hoped , however , that this temporary difficulty would ultimately result in . a permanent benefit to the Company by giving every individual member a voice in the management , and they recognised with pleasure the readiness with which the members took up shares . The usual dividend of three per cent , on the preference shares has been paid , and the directors now recommended that a dividend of 4 per cent , be paid on the ordinary shares . The report was unanimously adopted , and the Chairman congratulated the members on the continued prosperity of the Club .

The retiring Directors Bros . Cooper , Goad , Cornish , and Stebbing , and the retiring shareholders' auditor Bro . T . Gibbons were all re-elected . Bro . and Mrs . Harvey , the Steward and Stewardess of the Club , and the staff generally , were heartily thanked for their services . Bros . S . Jew , Captain Reynolds , H . Barter , and others all bearing testimony to the admirable manner in which Brother and Mrs . Harvey and Brother Phillips the Tyler discharged their duties , and their desire , at all times , to promote the best interests of the Club and contribute to the comfort of the members .

The Directors were also cordially thanked for their services , and the Chairman , in acknowledging the vote , referred in feeling terms to the loss the Club and Freemasonry had sustained by the death of Bro . J . Leonard , who was hi .: ! " - ! " ! by every Freemason wbo enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance and friendship . Brother Lord moved that a letter of condolence should be sent to his sorrowing wife and family . This was seconded by Bro . Gover , and carried unanimously . Thanks were passed to the Auditors ( Bros . Gibbons and Stanbury ) , to thc Secretary ( Bro . W . H . Dillon ) , and to the Chairman for presiding .