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 .

CEAET : METROPOLITAN . HONOUR AND GENEROSITY LODGE , No . 165 . THE first meeting of the season of this ancient Lodgo was held on Tuesday , 28 th ult ., when the following Brethren were present : —F . Howard Rosher W . M ., John Woodhouse S . W ., Godfrey Sykes J . W .. J . W . Howard

Thompson P . M . Treasurer , Henry Times P . M . Secretary , H . W . Clarkson Organist , A . P . Crabb I . P . M ., F . E . Rosher P . M ., Hayward J . Strudwick , William H . Burt , Harry Bearman , C . J . Andrews , Joseph W . Ellis , W . 0 . Hulbert , Bertram B . Van Praagh , Frank S . Gaylor , Ernest H . Palin Francis . Amongst the Visitors wero : Bros . W . 0 . Lumley Grand Master ' s Lodge

No . 1 , Hy . Pritchard P . M . Secretary Bank of England Lodge 263 P . P . G . Treas . Middlesex , Albert Leighton W . M . 263 , W . H . Anns De Moullinm Lodge 1146 ,-3 . Dowdoswell 1146 , H . Massey P . M . Gallery Lodge 1928 , D . Marston Duke o £ Albany Lodge 1863 , W . Drew Eccentric Lodge , F . H . Callingham S . D . Clarendon Lodge 176 S , Reginald Groome Runymede Lodge , Percy Nisbett John Hervey Lodge 126 , John Bromley Mary Chapel Lodge No . 1 of Edinburgh , and F . H . Cheesewright P . M . Royal Albert Lodge 907 .

Letters of regret lor absence from illness and other unavoidable causes were read from Bros . Sir John Monckton P . G . W ., Richard Eve P . G . Treas ., Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary , V . P . Freeman P . G . D . and Prov . G . Secretary Sussex , Charles Belton P . G . S . B ., R . Clay Sudlow P . G . S . B ., Sir A . Collins P . M ., and John Le Hay .

Bro . J . W . Howard Thompson Treasurer moved a resolution that a sum of twenty guineas should be given to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution from the Lodge funds , and placed on the list of Bro . Times , acting as Steward at the next Festival . This was seconded by Bro . A . P . Crabb I . P . M . and was carried unanimously .

The third ceremony was worked , and after all other Masonic business bad been concluded the Brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where an excellent dinner was provided . The toast of the Queen and the Craft was duly honoured , and God save the Queen was sung by Bro . Reginald Groome . After the toast of the Grand Master H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the Grand Officers had been duly honoured , Bro . A . P . Crabb I . P . M . gave that of the W . M ., which was briefly responded to by Bro . F . Howard Rosher .

The Visitors' toast was responded to by Bro . Henry Pritchard P . M . P . P . G . Treas . Middlesex , and Bro . Albert Leighton W . M . of the Bank of England Lodge , No . 263 . Bro . J . \ V . Howard Thompson P . M . and Treas ., Bro . Jno . Woodhouse S . W ., and Bro . Godfrey Sykes J . W . replied for the Officers , and the Tyler ' s toast brought an enjoyable evening to a close .

During the evening the Brethren were entertained with an excellent musical programme , which was arranged by Bro . Groome , who was assisted by Bro . F . Cbeesewright , with Bro . John Bromley at the piano . Mr . James Dunn gave a banjo sketch , and Bro . Dr . Byrd-Page delighted the Brethren with some tricks of sleight of hand . During the evening a collection was made on behalf of the " Daily Telegraph " Soldiers' Widows and Orphans fund , which realised the sum of £ 10 .

CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . THE members of this Lodge , who are so widely known for their unbounded hospitality , and for the liberal way in which they always entertain their guests , held their Seventh Annual Ladies Banquet and Ball on Wednesday , 29 th ult ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., and it proved one of the most charming and most pleasant gatherings we have ever had the pleasure

of participating in . From the ruler of the Lodge ( Bro . George Spice ) to the youngest member all seerned to have but one desire—that of being happy aud communicating happiness ; no Masonic work was thought of on the occasion , the aim of the members being to devote their whole attentio n to the numerous guests who assembled to participate in the pleasures of a " Confidence social " ; and they succeeded iu their endeavours .

The Worshipful Master , with his sister Mrs . Grier , received the company , and an early adjournment was made to the banquet room , where the tables were most beautifully decorated with flowers and tasteful ornaments . The dinner was all that could be desired , and reflected credit alike on the establishment and on Bro . Charles E . Wagstaff , the manager . Bro . Coliings in his usual attentive manner superintended the banquet , and to the satisfaction of the company .

At the conclusion of the repast the Worshipful Master gave the toast of the Queen and the Craft . The Queen was the grand patroness of the Order , and might God bless her for many years to come . " In proposing His Royal Highness the Grand Master , the W . M . spoke of the goodness and charitable disposition of the Prince of Wales . Tbe toast was heartily honoured , and Bro . 3 . W . Simeons S . W . ( whose voice was in extra good form ) sang " God bless the Prince of Wales . "

Bro . E . Pennock I . P . M . gave the toast of the W . M ., referring to his special ability inside the Lodgo , his interest in such gatherings as the present , and , above all , his devotion to the true principles of Freemasonry . Tho Worshipful Master , on rising , received quite an ovation , and it was somo moments before Bro . Spice had the opportunity of responding . He

thanked Bro . Pennock for the flattering terms in which he gave the toast and assured the Brethren of his great interest in the success o £ the Lodge ! He felt it his duty to acknowledge the services of Bro . Davey , their worthy Secretary , in carrying out the arrangements for the present successful gathering , and proposed a special toast in his honour .

Bro . Davey thanked the W . M . for the flattering terms in which he had proposed his health . It was a pleasure to do anything in his power to promote the success and pleasure of the Confidence Lodge . Bro . T . Kington P . M ., by special desire of the W . M ., gave the toast of the Ladies , saying he felt it an honour to bo asked to do so . As the mouthpiece of the Lodge he gave the Ladies a most hearty welcome , and assured

Reports Of Meetings.

them that the best endeavours of the members of the Lodge had been made to afford the guests a pleasurable evening . He should have liked to say a great deal more , but being a batchelor he was rather bashful in the presence of so many ladies . At any rate , he hoped the Ladies would equally enjoy themselves later on in the Ball room . Bro . F . Fells , in a short but elegant speech , responded on behalf of the Ladies .

Bro . 3 . W . Simeons S . W . gave the health of the visitors , saying he considered it a special compliment being entrusted with the toast , as there were several distinguished guests amongst them . He wished the toast had been placed in more able hands than his own , so that full justice might have been done to it , but the Brethren knew the Lodge was famed for its hospitality , and in their name he gave the Visitors a most hearty welcome , with the hope that they might have the pleasure of their company for many years to come .

Some ofcher speeches followed , after whioh the company retired to the Ball room , which was beautifully decorated with ferns and plants . The band of Bro . F . R . Pritchard played excellent dance music , and the Ladies , with their beaming faces and magnificent dresses , made one for the moment imagine they were in tho land of the fairies—instead of at Anderton ' s Hotel . The party separated at an early hour in the morning , to retire to their homesteads , and no doubt to dream of the very pleasant and enjoyable time they had spent amongst the members of the Confidence Lodge .

Amongst those present were Bro . G . Spice W . M . and his sister , Bro . J . W . Simeons S . W ., Mrs . Buick and Miss Smith , Dr . and Mrs . Grant , Bro Fraser P . M . 1901 , Bros . Brown S . W . 902 , Green , 3 . Cowper Turner and Mrs . Turner , Bro . F . Pribul , Mrs . and Miss Pribul , Bro . and Mrs . E . Stratford , Bro . J . B . Fells P . M . Treasurer , with Mrs . and Misses Fells , Bro . E . Pennock I P . M . and Mrs . Pennock , Bro . Kington P . M . and friends , Bro . Cornish and

friends , Bro . and Mrs . 3 . Cutting and friends , Bro . and Mrs . Lough and Mrs . Stagg , Bro . M . Baillie J . D . and daughters , Bro . B . Humphrey P . M ., Bro . and Mrs . R . M . Owen and friends , Bro . and Mrs . W . Houghton , Bro . G . F . Carr , Bro . and Mrs . Goovartz , Bro . and Mrs . Gosham and friends , Bro . T . Wifien and family , Bro . G . Barrett and lady , Bro . and Mrs . S . 0 . Foreman , Bro . and Mrs . Jay and friends , Bro . and Mrs . Webber and friends , Bro . G . R . Ousey P . M ., Bro . J . Wynman , and numerous others .

The musical entertainment during the banquet was greatly appreciated and well received . Bro . E . H . Lough with his usual ability presided at the piano , while in conclusion we congratulate Bro . Simeons and Webber for the able manner in which they acted as Directors of Ceremonies .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE , No . 1524 . THE Worshipful Master Bro . Edmund Frisby presided at a meeting ol this Lodge held on Thursday of last week , at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., when a full programme of business was presented . . With praiseworthy punctuality Bro . Frisby opened the Lodge at the time mentioned on tho summons , but unfortunately his Officers , with the exception of Bros . James Bedford J . W ., C . Lorkin P . M . Secretary , and W- H . Brand P . M . Treasurer , from various causes were not present , and other Brethren had to be appointed to the various vacant Offices .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the Lodge was advanced to the second degree , when Bros . Thomson , Burbridge , De Leef , Robinson , and Croft proved their proficiency as Craftsmen , were afterwards raised to the sublime degree , and took their seats in the Lodge as Master Masons . Bros . W . G . Jones and Cope were passed as Craftsmen ; and Mr . Robert Woffinder was regularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Order . All the ceremonies were ably rendered by Bro . Frisby , who certainly deserved the compliment that was subsequently bestowed upon him .

This being election night according to the bye-laws the Brethren proceeded to elect a Master , Treasurer , and Tyler for the ensuing year , with the result that Bro . James Bedford J . W ., W . H . Brand P . M ., and 0 . Williams were selected for those respective Offices . Bros . Robinson , Wagner , and Stephens were appointed to audit the accounts of the Lodge . Bro . W . T . Oakley P . M . proposer , and Bro . Esmond J . Turnbull P . M .

seconded , that a grant of 2 LO shillings be made to the " Daily Telegraph " Fund for the Widows and Orphans o £ the soldiers and sailors fallen in the Transvaal War . This was agreed to , and the W . M . suggested that the amount might be further increased by a collection at the dinner table , when a further sum of 105 shillings was gathered in , and a cheque for fifteen guineas was drawn by Bro . Brand , and sent on during the evening .

Bro . Archer I . P . M . proposed that in order to mark the valuable services of Bro . Frisby during his year of office , a Past Master ' s jewel of the value of ten guineas be presented to him at the next meeting . This was also carried , and Bro . Frisby returned his sincere thanks . Three candidates were proposed for initiation , and as there are still two others already approved of , it would appear that the Lodge will be busy for some time to come . The Visiting Brethren having tendered their hearty good wishes , the Lodge was closed ^ nd the meeting adjourned .

A very pleasant evening followed , and tho customary congratulatory speeches were made . A capital musical entertainment was provided , the artistes being Miss Sfcannah , Bros . W . W . Robinson , Cope , Harding , F . Henderson , and Duncanson , together with Mr . J . G . Stones . Among those who were present in addition to those mentioned above were

Bros . Arthur Ferrar P . M ., J . H . Rich P . M ., A . R . Olley P . M ., J . Buszard , W . Twist , G . T . Dobson , B . Harris , T . James , & c . The visitors were Bros . Thomas Griffiths P . P . A . D . C . Surrey , Rev . I . H . Russell Chaplain 2408 , W . C . Sabine I . P . M . 1893 , A . L . Brown J . D . 1050 , Edward Parker J . D . 511 , Charles Snow 765 , Frank W . Jackson 2005 , and Orlton Cooper 211 .

Congratulations , tempered by regret , were conveyed to Bro . Duncanson , the first initiate of the W . M ., who is leaving the Dodge in consequence of having to take up a good commercial position in Glasgow .

INSTRUCTION . CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . ON Wednesday , at the Bunch of Grapes , Lime Street , B . C ., at 7 p . m ., Bros . G . Spice W . M ., 3 . W . Simeons S . W ., JL Baillie J . W ., G . F .

Carr S . D , H . Martin J . D ., J . Done I . G ., E . J . Davey acting Secretary , Thos . Goodchild , J . Sweeney , B . 3 . Tiffin , and other Brethren . Bro . Goodchild offered himself as a candidate for initiation , and the ceremony was rehearsed . The Lodgo was opened in tho second degree , and the ceremony of installation was rehearsed by the W . M ., Bro . Simeons acting