Meetings In The Provinces.

MEETINGS IN THE PROVINCES .

PROBITY LODGE , No . 61 . ON Monday , 27 th ult ., the members celebrated the festival of St . John the Evangelist , at Halifax . There was a very large attendance , there being Brethren present from Liverpool , Manchester , Leeds , Bradford , Huddersfleld , Wakefield , Brighouse , & c . Bro . George Henry Smith ( Mayor of Halifax ) was installed Worshipful Master , che ceremony being performed by Bro . Alfred Binns W . M .

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 70 . ON Tuesday , 4 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Princess Square , Plymouth , the regular business included the passing of Bro . G . T . H . Woodgate , after which an adjournment was made to the banqueting hall , where the Brethren were j > ined by ladies , in all about a hundred and fifty sitting down to tea . The repast was served in excellent style by the Club caterer Bro . S . Harvey .

In tlie absince of the W . M . Bro . Mark Jacobs , Bro . Stanlake presided . A telegram conveying the hearty wishes of the company was despatched to Bro . Jacobs at Weston-super-Mare . Dancing was afterwards indulged in . A pleasing feature of the evening was the presentation of a beautiful marble clock , suitably inscribed , to Bro . Stanlake , the retiring Worshipful Master .

Bro . Westlake , on behalf of the Lodge , asked Bro . Stanlake to accept the present as a mark of esteem . The members of Lodge St . John were proud of having him amongst them , and hoped their slight token of regard

would remind him of his pleasant year of office . Bro . Stanlake thanked the Lodge in a few well-chosen words . He expressed great gratification at the mention of Mrs . Stanlake in connection with the presentation .

ECONOMY LODGE , No . 76 . ON Wednesday , 29 th ult ., the installation of Bro . R . Austey took place at the Masonic Hall , Winchester , under most auspicious circumstances , for the attendance was large , and , by a curious coincidence the number at

the banquet coincided with the Lodge number on the Roll of Grand Lodge . Moreover , the Board of Installed Masters was the largest ( forty ) ever experienced in tho Lodge , and the function was altogether imposing and impressive .

Bro . Tearle took the chair after the opening , and proceeded in his own excellent style to initiate a candidate . This effected , the W . M . Bro . Hinxman resumed the chair and proceeded

to instal his successor . The usual addresses closed the ceremony , for which Bro . Hinxman received the deserved and hearty thanks of the Prov . G . M . Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., who , with several of his Officers , was present .

The W . M . thanked the Prov . G . M . on the part of himself and Brothers for attending , and at the same time rejoiced to see him recovered from his recent serious accident in the hunting field . Bro . Beach responded , and thanked the Brethren of his old Lodge for their welcome , and congratulated them on their prosperity and excellent working then as always .

Bro . Harris and Bro . Stopher , the seniors of the Lodge next to the P . G . M ., moved and seconded a resolution , congratulating Bro . J . Murray , formerly a member and Master of No . 76 , on the fact that he had in Scotland become P . G . M . of Kirkcudbrightshire , a dignity of much honour under the Scottish Grand Lodge , and well deserved by such an excellent Mason . The proposition was unanimously agreed to .

MARQUIS OF GRANBY LODGE , No . 124 . ON Tuesday , 4 th inst ., at the regular meeting at the Masonic Halli ? Durham , an interesting ceremony took place in the presentation to P . M . Harry Brown , one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools , of a handsome Past Master ' s jewel as a remembrance of his very successful year of office as

W . M . of the Lodge , wbich he recently vacated . The members of the Lodge felt that Bro . Brown's year of office was such an exceptionally successful one that more than ordinary notice should be taken of it , and at the same time show to Brother Brown the esteem and goodwill in which he is held by the members .

The presentation was made by P . M . Bro . Councillor S . Fenny , who spoke of Bro . Brown ' s many good qualities , and of the esteem in which he was held by the members of the Craft generally . Bro . Brown suitably acknowledged the presentation , and afterwards the members spent a very pleasant evening together , several members aiding in the evening ' s enjoyment .

UNION LODGE , No . 129 . ON Thursday , 30 th ult ., the festival of St . John the Evangelist was celebrated at the Commercial Hotel , Kendal , Bro . W . Bradley being installed as Worshipful Master .

FORTITUDE LODGE , No . 131 . ON Tuesday , 14 th ult ., Bro . W . F . Clarke S . W . was installed W . M . by Bro . T . C . Mack P . M . P . P . S . G . D .

ALBANY LODGE , No . 151 . ON Monday , 13 th ult ., the annual meeting was held in the Masonic Hall , Newport , Isle of Wight , when Bro . R . G . Smith was installed W . M . by Brother C . T . Allee P . M . P . P . S . G . D ., in succession to Bro . W . L . George , whose efficient services during the past year were acknowledged by the presentation of a Past Master ' s jewel .

Meetings In The Provinces.

LODGE OF INTEGRITY , No . 163 . THE annual meeting and festival of St . John took place at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 29 th ult ., nearly seventy Brethren attending . The Lodgo was opened at the early hour of 4 p . m . by Bro . R . Alf . Hepworth W . M ., who undertook the duty of installing Brother S . Gaskill S . W . into the chair of K . S . In the delivery of the various charges , and investiture of Officers , Bro . Hepworth had the valuable assistance of P . Ms . H . H . Warburton P . P . S . G . D ., J . M . Sinclair P . P . J . G . D . Treas ., J , M . H . Blarney I . P . M ., and T . H . Scholfield :

Before surrendering the gavel to his successor , Bro . Hepworth took the opportunity oi thanking all those Brethren who , by loyal support of him in the chair , had considerably lightened the labours of his position . The following is a list of . Officers for the forthcoming year : —Bros . H . A . Owles S . W ., F . Walmsley J . W ., J . M . Sinclair P . M . P . P . J . G . D . Treasurer , J . B . Mead Secretary , Hy . R . Yates S . D ., J . H . Studd J . D ., W . Morton I . G ., J . M . H . Blarney P . M . D . C , R . W . Nuttall Organist , H . H . Warburton P . M . P . P . S . G . D . Charity Representative , B . Williams P . M ., R . Race , G . Taylor , J . Grime , and H . E . Massie Stewards .

The Festival of St . John was held in the dining room of the hall , Loyal and Masonic toasts being agreeably interspersed with songs , recitations , & c , contributed by Bros . H . A . Owles S . W ., B . Williams P . M ., Ben Eastwood , R . W . Nuttall and Chas . Turner P . M . 1011 2156 P . P . G . A . D . C . At an early stage of the proceedings a telephonic message was received from the Townley Parker Lodge , No . 1083 , conveying best wishes and congratulations of the Officers and members .

Bro . 3 . H . SillftooP . M . 645 P . G . Std . Br . Eng . P . P . G . W ., by desire of the W . M . was early in evidence as a speaker . He expressed in judicious terms the extreme gratification which he had derived from the excellent performance of the ceremony of installation by Bro . Hepworth . He also reverted to the manner in whioh the Lodge of Integrity dispensed its

chanties , not only to Masonic Institutions , but also to outside ones . As evidenced by their balance sheet they had helped nobly and generously , and he would retain the sheet which had been handed co him that day with infinite pleasure ; he would treasure it , and always speak with pride of what the grand old Lodge had achieved , for with regard to the Masonic Charities it stood at the top of the tree . .

Bro . Sinclair proposed the health of the Worshipful Master . Speaking of his early connection with the Lodge , he stated that illness had prevented Bro . Gaskill from taking office . After a time , however , he began with the arduous duties of Secretary , then went into the Junior Warden's chair , and had now reached the highest position which the Lodge could bestow , having followed three of the best Masters the Lodge of Integrity had furnished for some time . He , however , had every confidence in him , for he combined the

various qualifications of his predecessors , in that he possessed the intelligence of Bro . Scholfield , the enthusiasm of Brother Blarney , and the painstaking manner of Bro . Hepworth . His success as a reciter would also enable him to use that declamation required to give a dramatic and finished effect to the ceremonies . The speaker drew attention to the fact that Bro . Gaskill had also been instrumental in introducing among them many members who had already proved a . credit to the Lodge .

Bro . Gaskill , in response , said there were occasions in the life of every man when he could hardly express what was passing in his mind . Brother Sinclair ' s speech had come as a revelation to him , for he did not know that he possessed so many good qualifications . He spoke of the Lodge from its inception , and noted the various changes which the city they were in had undergone , some of these having had a direct influence upon the success of the Lodge . Much had been said of him that evening , but he sincerely hoped

that in twelve months' time he might retain their confidence . He spoke of the cordial feeling which governed the Lodge and members , and with regard to its social aspect said that it compared very favourably with any parties or meetings which he had visited . In reverting to the probable advent into the Lodge of several new members , he considered that quality and not quantity should guide them in their choice , for in the introduction of friends they

ought to be sure of their acceptance by the Brethren . He emphasised the remarks of Bro . Sillitoe as to the great amount of good which they had been able to dispense in connection with the charities , and hoped they would continue their good works . H intimated that messages had been received from Brother Clare Edgar Towell P . M . Doric Lodge , No . 2359 , and others , regretting their inability to be present .

Bro . Warburton P . M ., Sec , in proposing the Masonic Charities , said he stood before them that evening a proud and happy man , for the Lodge of Integrity had , during the pa * st year , exceeded all it had done before . Of the valuable help which he had received from Past Masters John Studd P . P . G . D . C , and Blarney he could not speak too highly , for their exertions in the cause had achieved the admirable result of placing the Lodge second in the list of donors to the charities . They had obtained a grant for the widow

of a former member , and had been enabled to send Christmas boxes to five children who were in the various Institutions . Their efforts had set up many generous rivals who were following close upon tbeir heels in the bestowal of charity , and he strongly exhorted the Brethren not to relax any efforts in this direction . Freemasonry , he added , was the most charitable institution in heart and soul on the face of the earth ; it was a religion in which all men could join and do good , and with confidence he commended the widows and orphans , and old men to their tender care and solicitude .

Brother Warburton strongly warned the Brethren against that genus the Masonic tramp , reminding his auditors that there was a special Almoner in Manchester ( Brother Newton ) , to whom this class of individual ought to be directed , mentioning at the same time a most flagrant case which had recently come under his notice . He drew attention to some very valuable statistics contained in the balahce sheet . From the latter we glean that the Lodge of Integrity has given . to the Masonic Institutions ( including that for

Boys , Girls , Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , Female Fund East Lanes . Systematic Educational and Benevolent ) , the sum of £ 2 , 00 : 310 s , for which it receives 958 votes in perpetuity . It also possesses 20 votes for a local institntion ( the Manchester Warehousemen and Clerks' Orphans ) , and has given donations to the following , viz ., Manchester Royal Infirmary , Hospital Sunday Fund , Royal National Lifeboat Institution , Manchester and Salford Boys and Girls Refuges and Homes , and the Commercial Travellers' Schools , Pinner .

Bro . Race in a very admirable speech proposed tbe toast of the Installing Master and Past Masters of the Lodge , to which Brother Hepworth I . P . M . replied , tendering his most sincere thanks for the very complimentary things which they had been good enough to utter about him . As far as possible he had endeavoured to follow the example sot by his esteemed Brothers Blarney ,

Scholfield , and others . At one timo lie had doubts as to whether the custom of installing one ' s successor-was a good one , but latterly he had formed the impression that such a rule , if made imperative , might have a tendency to keep back those who had not rendered themselves competent for the position . Speaking of his visits to other meetings , he said that as W . M . of the Lodge of Integrity he had alwajs had a good reception . Other toasts followed .