Reports Of Meetings.

as performed by the retiring Master , and also reverting to the fact that if information was required in connection with Craft matters , there were Past Masters and Provincial Officers present , whose names he mentioned , 'who were always ready and willing to give assistance if called upon . The toast of the newly installed Worshipfnl Master was proposed by Bro . Hardicker I . P . M ., in a very trenchant speech , to which Bro . Hall replied , saying he felt the Brethren of the Duke of York Lodge had conferred

a very great honour upon him , by placing him at their head . He duly appreciated that honour , and would do his best to maintain the standard of excellence in working which had been established by his predecessors . He believed he had the confidence and esteem of all the Officers who had been appointed to assist him , and with the additional help of the Past Masters , which he thought would be ungrudgingly given , looked forward to a most successful year . Certainly no effort on his part would be spared to make his term of office a record one in every possible way .

Bro . Hall then proposed the health of the I . P . M ., saying that Bro . Hardicker had beon a most successful Master , and one who knew how to do his work , as evidenced by his efforts that day . His Officers had also been exceptionally good workers , which fact was very creditable . Personally he reckoned him as a particular friend outside Masonry , and it was with the greatest pleasure that he now pinned upon his breast a Past Master ' s jewel by way of marking the respect in which he was held by members of the Lodge . The jewel bore the following inscription : —

Presented to BRO . T . T . HARDICKER P . M ., by the members of the Duke of York Lodge , No . 2449 , as a token of esteem for services rendered . 11 th March 1897 . Other toasts followed , notably that of the visitors , proposed by Bro . Robert Meggitt S . W . Besides those already mentioned , we noticed that

there ' were present Bros . 0 . D . Cheetham P . M . Prov . J . G . W ., James Beardmore P . M . 852 Prov . G . D . C , Geo . A . Myers P . M . 1730 P . P . G . D . C . ( W-L- ) . Rev . J . O . Jelly P . M . 277 P . P . G . Chap ., Geo . W . Belshaw W . M . 1219 , T . A . Lever W . M . 2482 , John Walker W . M . 2359 , M . B . Salt P . M . 1588 , and others . The musical septet consisted of Bros . Nelson Stokes , A . Lewtas , 0 . Blacow , T . H . Stott , p . Rushton , and S . Kew , with C . H . Thompson as accompanist , some very good numbers being furnished .

BRO . CLEMENT JOHN HALL

W . M . OP THE DUKfi OP YORK LODflfi , No . U 49 , 1 S 07-8 . Bro . Clement John Hall , whose portrait accompanies this sketch , is a gentleman who does not lay claim to a great array of titles , nor to meretricious popularity , his field of action being limited and circumscribed

by country recreations which rightfully belong to one who , like himself , has retired from mercantile and kindred pursuits ; nor has he yet ventured into the arena of politics or other active public positions which might , with his abilities , liave made him prominent in some local Sanhedrim .

He was initiated in the Strangeways Lodge , No . 1219 , in May 1891 , * is also a member of the Prince Leopold Lodge , No . 1588 ; was one of the Founders of the Duke of York Lodge , and became its first Secretary , which position he retained for two years , afterwards going to Junior Warden , and culminating as we see in that of Worshipful Master , which is just the right place for such a man as he to be in .

Bro . Hall is a Royal Arch Mason , and belongs to the Caledonian Chapter , No . 204 , while in Mark Masonry he is connected with the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 34 , where he has recently attained the dignity of S . D . He has the congenital merit of being good tempered , and we hope that

under his guidance the Brethren of the Duke of York Lodge will be bound in a sodality which may not be broken for many years to come . He has announced his intention of doing his best during his year of office , and ol sticking to his Lodge , and with this pronouncement we may expsct that he will do so , even with the tenacity of limpets to a rock .

Reports Of Meetings.

BERESFORD PEIRSE LODGE , No . 2610 . ON Friday , 2 nd inst ., tbe annual festival was held in Bedale Town Hall , when Sir Henry Beresford Peirse , Bart ., W . M .-elect was duly installed in the chair oi K .. S ., the ceremony Toeing ahly performed in the presence of a large number of Brethren by Bro . 0 . N . Backhouse Prov . G . W . On the completion of business the banquet was held at the Black Swan Hotel , the new W . M . presiding , when the customary Masonic toasts were honoured . There was a very large attendance of Brethren , including Provincial Officers .

LODGE OF INSTRUCTION No . 581 . THE bi-monthly meeting of this useful Lodge was held at the Old Boar ' s Head , Manchester , on Tuesday , 30 th ult ., Bro . James W . Abbott P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Preceptor . Proceedings commenced at 7 . 30 , the principal chair being assumed by Bro . H . E . Massie . the other chairs being occupied by Bros . F . Middleton S . W ., and Charles H . Griffiths J . W .

Lodge having been advanced , Bro . Horsfield P . M . took the chair , and Bro . H . Bacon , the candidate , was questioned , received a test of merit , and retired . Lodge was opened in the third degree , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed by Bro . F . Middleton , the traditional history being given by Bro . Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C , who also presented and explained the working tools of the degree . We are glad to state that propositions for joining members were made , and duly honoured . The next meeting was fixed for Thursday , 8 th inst .

EOYAL AECH

RECTITUDE CHAPTER , No . 581 . THE regular meeting was held at the Mosley Hotel , Manchester , on Thursday , 1 st inst ., Comp . Hy . B . Brown M . E . Z . An exaltation was due , but the candidate did not put in an appearance . The ordinary business of the Chapter having been disposed of , an early adjournment was made to supper , this being followed by the social board .

Loyal and Royal Arch toasts were submitted and duly responded to , the following contributing , to the harmony of the evening : Comps . Robert Rudman J ., Harry G . Walker E ., Nelson Stokes N ., T . C . Lilly P . S ., Wm . Rostron Treas ., Chas . W . Dove , Robert Adshead , H . J . Harrison , W . J . Melling P . Z . P . P . G . D . C , C . H . Griffiths , and others .

Comp . Melling alluded in very touching terms to the loss recently sustained by Comp . Ben Walker , in the death of his daughter , and it seemed to be the universal desire of the Companions that Scribe E . should be instructed to communicate with Comp . Walker , conveying the heartfelt sympathy of the Companions with him in his bereavement . Comp . Brown M . E . Z . imparted the information that Comp . Dove was

about to leave Manchester , and take up a permanent residence in London . Whilst expressing sorrow that his personality would be lost to Manchester Masons , yet it was satisfactory to know that financially the change would benefit Comp . Dove . On behalf of the members of the Rectitude Chapter he heartily wished God speed to Comp . Dove , whose health was most enthusiastically drunk .

Comp . Dove responded , thanking Comp . Brown' and the other Companions for their hearty good wishes . He was very sorry to sever a connection of years , but explained that the exigences of circumstances demanded it .

We tender our congratulations to Bro . Frank James , who was on Thursday installed aa Worshipful Master of the St . Matthew Lodge , No . 539 , Walsall , on his continued good health and interest in our Order . Bro . James was one of the founders , in 1847 , of the Lodge over which he now presides , and previously occupied its chair—in 1855-56 . His re-appointment this year is

in connection with the celebration of the Jubilee of the Lodge , and in recognition of the many services he has rendered during the fifty years of its existence . We venture to think there are very few instances on record where a founder has lived to preside at the Jubilee of his Lodge ' s establishment . We trust our Brother may enjoy good health during ' this auspicious year of his Mastership .

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