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 liodge or other proceedings . CRAFT : PROVINCIAL . — : o : —

PRUDENCE LODGE , No . 1550 . AT a meeting of the Lodge held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on Saturday , 1 st inst ., Bro . W . J . Penwaru S . W . was unanimously elected W . M . for tho ensuing year . Bros . C . Philp Treasurer , J . G . Kevern Representative on the Committee of Petitions , and C . Mutton Charity Steward were all re-elected , and Bro . Phillips was co-appointed Tylor .

Ihe installation will take place at tho next meeting of the Lodge , to bo held on Saturday , 6 th July .

MEDWAY LODGE , No . 1678 . rpHE installation meeting took place on Tuesday , 28 th ult ., at Tonbridge , _ L when the retiring W . M . Bro . A . A . T . A'Vard impressively installed as his successor Bro . C . J . Gallard , and tho Officers wero invested .

GORDON LODGE , No . 2149 . ON Wednesday , 22 nd ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Hanley , Brother Thomas Taylor P . P . G . S . W . was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year . In all about eighty Brethren attended , ancl , as evidence of the great respect entertained for Bro . Taylor by the Craft , it is worthy of mention that the Board of Installed Masters comprised fifty-four , including several from tho

central and southern parts of tho Province . The interesting fact should also be stated that twenty-five years ago Bro . Taylor was W . M . of tho Menturia Lodge , and that Bros . E . E . Sorivonor P . P . G . S . D . and Bickloy P . P . G . J . W ., who were his Senior and Junior Wardens at that time , occupied the Wardens ' Chairs at the present installation . The ceremony was performed by Bro . J . Clare the retiring W . M .

At tho close of the business the Brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , where a splendid banquet was provided by Bro . John Munro . The W . M . presided , and after dinner proposed the loyal toasts . Bro . Boothman proposed the health of the Pro G . M . the Earl of Lathom ,

the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe , and the Grand Lodge of England . Bro . Bodenham , who responded , testified to the great services rendered to Freemasonry by Bro . Taylor , and expressed a hope that Staffordshire Provincial Grand Lodge would be strengthened by the election of Bro . J . W . Bailey as Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of England .

Bro . Charleswortb , who proposed tho toast of the Prov . G . M . tho Earl of Dartmouth , and the D . P . G . M . Col . Bindley and the rest of the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge present and past pointed to evidences which had been manifested by the Earl of Dartmouth of the great interest which he took in Freemasonry , and spoke in complimentary terms of Col . Bindley .

Bro . Clare proposed the health of the W . M ., and spoke of the valuable and substantial aid Bro . Taylor had rendered to the various Masonic Charities , and of his useful career as a townsman . Bro . Bodenham added a few

complimentary observations , remarking that it was unique in the history of installations in Staffordshire to see the ceremony attended by fifty-four Past Masters . Bro . Taylor had been thirty years a Mason , and he had a good prospect of living to celebrate his jubilee .

Bro . Taylor responded in a neat speech , which was well received , and in which he expressed himself as specially pleased with the fact that the two Brothers who were his Wardens when he was W . M . of the Menturia Lodge , twenty-five years ago , occupied the Wardens' chairs at his installation as W . M . of the Gordon Lodge that day . Other toasts followed .

MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . THE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , 27 th ult ., there being present : —Bros . Cyril H . Beever W . M ., W . A . Brabner I . P . M ., 0 . Harrop S . W ., Jos . Hilton Treas ., Fred Hilton P . M . P . P . G . D . C . S . D ., Thos . Hamnett J . D ., Sam Luke I . G ., F . W . Wollaston P . M .

Chap . P . G . D . D . C , Edwyn A . Smith Organist , S . H . Stubbs Std ., J . W . Lloyd P . M ., Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , Wm . Thos . Watts , Saml . L . Watts , H . Bowes , W . F . Doarden , F . Todd , A . J . Holt . Visitors : —Bros . J . Nelson Stokes 2182 2156 , T . T . Jones Org . 2464 , J . H . Greenwood Org . 2387 .

The picnic committee gave their report , wherein it transpired that arrangements for a contemplated visit to Ripon , for Fountains Abbey , during the recess were in progress , a largo number of Brethren and friends having

intimated thoir desire to be present on the occasion . After the closing of the Lodge , a very enjoyable evening was spent at the festive board , Bros . Brabner , Stubbs , Todd , and the Visitors , who arc all musically inclined , being laid under contribution for songs , & c .

INSTRUCTION

LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 581 . AT the last meeting of this Lodge , held at thc Old Boar's Head , Manchester , on Tuesday , 28 th ult ., the following were present : —Bios . Jas . W . Abbott P . M . P . P . G . D . C . 1 ' ieceptor , G . T . Lenard Treas ., Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C . Secretary , Eugene Loebell Acting W . M ., W . Goodman S . W ., Alfred Murray ( Visitor ) Blair 815 J . W ., J . J . Dean S . D ., John Whittaker J . D ., Rothwell Berry I . G ., H . S . Jackson , John Renwick , F . T . Hair , H . J . Harrison . E . Roberts P . M . Visitors : — Bros Fred Munay 815 , Harry Waicl 815 , and W . J . Thompson 1011 .

The proceedings having been opened and thc minutes of the former meeting icad by thc Seeutaiy , and duly ccufiimed , Bio . Hnrry Ward elected lo lucerne candidate , aiid ( lie ceiimciiy of initiation was peifoimecl b y Bro . LctLell , v . lio iJio pit-tented and explained thc Working Tools .

Reports Of Meetings.

Bro . Harrison then assumed tho principal chair , and questioned Bro Jackson , who retired , tho Lodge being advanced . Upon his re-entry , the second ceremony was rehearsed and Bro . Jackson was passed to the decree of F . C . by the acting W . M . ( Bro . Harrison ) . ° Before the Lodge was closed , tlie names of Bri . Dr . E . E . Jones 581 , and W . M . Boyd 268 , wore submitted as Joining Members , and they will bo balloted for upon a future occasion .

Bio . Hebden was responsible for the following notice of motion , " That the sum of £ 10 be voted from the funds of the Lodge to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . " A visiting Bro . intimated to our representative that he had only recently become acquainted with the fact that there was such an Institution as this Lodge of Instruction in the Province of East Lancashire .

For our own part we think the unconsckrasness of the fact that there exists in tho very midst of the Manchester Brethren so useful a medium for Masonic education , one which has undoubtedly had a vitalising influence upon Lodges by its training of Officers to a degree of proficiency , and the proceedings of which are continually reported in the columns of this journal for the benefit of subscribers , who belong to nearly every Lodge in the district , ought to bo impossible .

To those who wish well of the Lodge in question we commend a perusal of tho above paragraph , and make tho further announcement that tho next meeting will take place on Thursday , the 13 th inst ., with a rehearsal of the ceremony of raising .

We have the authority of Brother Abbott Preceptor for saying that Brethren from other Provinces , whether distant or near , who may be desirous of paying a visit to tho Lodge at any timo , wiil be accorded a most hearty welcome . The meetings are held upon the second Thursday and last Tuesday in each month , July and August excepted .

Presentation To Bro. Gover.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . GOVER .

AN event probably unique in the annals of Masonry , notwithstanding that thoy extend over several centuries , took place on Tuesday , when Bro . J . B . Gover P . M . P . P . G . Sec . Devonshire , whose naiiie is a household word among tho Brethren of tho Craft , was a recipient of his portrait , while his wife was handed a service of plate , in recognition of his forty years' service in behalf of Masonic Charities .

Lodgo St . John , No . 70 , of which Bro . Govor is Secretary , held a regular meeting at tho Masonic Hall , Plymouth , when among the business transacted was the initiation of Mr . Frank Gover . The gathering was largely attended , and was presided over bv Bro . G . R . Stanlake W . M .

Subsequently a new reading of the fourth degree was made , when a tea and musical entertainment wero provided , at which ladies attended . The company numbered about 100 , and , thanks to the efforts of the W . M . and his Officers , a most pleasant gathering resulted ; Bro . Willoughby , Mus . Bac , having charge of the musical arrangements .

During the interval , the W . M . said the chief event of the evening had fallen to his lot , and it was one which ho should havo liked some distinguished Mason to have undertaken . It was not for want of effort that they had failed to secure the services of Viscount Ebrington , who apologised for not

being present , or of the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe , who was otherwise engaged , and sent his best wishes for a pleasant and happy evening . It was also iiis wish that Bro . Hughan , of Torquay , might perform the duty , but it had fallen to himself , ancl whilst it was a pleasant one , he felt utterly unable to clo that justice to it which it so thoroughly deserved .

They wore met together for the purpose of honouring one who deserved all that could bo given him ; they desired to offer him a very slight recognition—for whatever thoy did they could not adequately appreciate to its fullest extent tho work he had dono for Masonry during the time he had been an active member , which extended over the past forty years . Bro . Gover was admitted a member of St . John ' s Lodge in 1854 , and ever since then he had been an active member of that Lodge . In 1858-59 he was the

W . M . ; when the Committee of Petitions was formed in 1870 he acted as Secretary , and had continued to do so ever since , and when the Devon Educational Fund was started in 1879 he took up a similar position , which he still held , and it was their earnest wish that he might continue in the office . He also founded the Prudence , St . John ' s ( 1247 ) , and Duncombe ( 1486 ) Lodges . Members who attended Lodge meetings knew what the work entailed upon the Secretary was , but it was impossible to realise all that he had done .

At the same timo it was a real pleasure for members of Lodge 70 to have the opportunity to invite their lady friends to join them for once to enjoy a pleasant evening . Masonry had two principles—to create friendship among those who would not otherwise know each other , to help each other in difficulties , and to promote charity , which was the very essence of Masonry . Bro . Gover had been the moving spirit in promoting those princip les

incessantly , but he could have dono very little without the assistance of his better half , who hacl most ably seconded his efforts . In the name of Lodge 70 , and other Brethren who had subscribed to tho presentation fund , he had much pleasure in presenting Bro . Gover with a photograph of himself , and to Mrs . Gover a silver tea set . In concluding , the W . M . alluded to the ' nifiVHnn nf V . rn f-lnvnr inn thn . f-. fln . v _ n . nrl hnnod tbah ho wnnlrl . so far aS

Masonry was concerned , follow in the footsteps of his father . A number of letters of apology were read , thc writers all bearing testimony to the fact that Bro . Gover was deserving of every honour that could be conferred upon him-Brother Gover , in acknowledging tho gifts , said it was an old axiom of Masonry that the W . M . could do no wrong , and , therefore , he could not say that which was not true , but at thc same time he failed to see that he

deserved all that had been said of him . During the past forty-one years m had tried to clo his best for the Order , he had put his shoulder to the whee for all the Charities , and whilst somo had given money he had given brains which wore , perhaps the equivalent of the other . He proceeded to refer t ( the pleasure he experienced in seeing ladies present on that occasion , anc whilst expressing a wish to see them become members of the Order , he was

in doubt as to how they could be prepared . There was no secret connected with the Order , for every man who read the Bible knew what they were . Reverting to the presentation lie said he could not find words to thank them ior the gift to himself , ancl on behalf of himself and wife he could simp ly say " I thank you . " In concluding , he asked the W . M . to accep t on behalf ol the Lodge , the photograph , and to place it on the walls of the Lodge Room

ua a lasting memorial . , ,, Tho W . M . said he had great pleasure in accepting the portrait on ' r ~ of the Lodge , and Bro . Lord ancl Bro . Moore also spoke on behalf of tne members , in acknowledging tho gift . -id The portrait was exceedingly well executed , and the various jewels an the insignia of office stand out very boldly . The silver tea set is of antiqu palteri ] , nnd is enclosed in a handsome case . —" Western Mercury . "