Reports Of Meetings.

musical treat , his artistes including Mrs . E . Roberts , Miss Emmerson Hurst , Bro . Clifton Wood , Mr . Walter Fullerton , and Mr . Will Webster , with Mr . Stuart Hobson at the piano . . > Mr . Percy Seymour , the manager of the Hotel , was also thanked for what he had done towards ensuring the * enjoyment of the company , the supper and its service being most satisfactory under his supervision . The Tyler's toast concluded a happy and harmonious evening .

PEOVINCIAL .

ST . MATTHEW , LODGE , No . 539 . THIS Walsall Lodge attains its jubilee during the present year , having been founded in 1847 . One of its few remaining original members is Bro . Frank James , who was W . M . in 1855-56 , andin recognition of his many eminent services the Brethren invited him to allow himself to be again elected for this year . Although it is expected that the duties will be unusually heavy , Bro . James consented , and the installation took place on the 1 st inst . The police parade room ; which was lent by thc Town Council , was used for the Lodge meeting , which was very largely attended .

After the Lodge had been closed a large company sat down to the usual banquet at the Dragon Hotel , where the newly-installed W . M . was supported by a large number of Past Masters and other Brethren .

SIR CHARLES BRIGHT LODGE , No . 1793 . A BRILLIANT assembly of members and their friends gathered at the annual festival of this Lodge , held at Bro . W . Wickes's , the Clarence Hotel , Teddington , on Wednesday , 31 st ult-, the occasion being the installation of Bro . William Smith , who is well-known in connection with the Mitre Hotel , Hampton Court . Bro . J . E . Ruffle W . M . presided , and was assisted by Bros . W . Middleweek P . M . P . A . G . D . C . I . P . M ., J . Finch P . M . P . P . A . G . D . C . S . W ., William Smith W . M .-elect J . W ., R . W . Forge P . M .

P . P . G . D . C . Treasurer , E . W . Warner P . M . - P . P . A . G . D . C . Secretary , T . Middleweek S . D ., E . Hall J . D ., R . Coff acting I . G ., E . I . Packington I . P . M ; 2444 Org ., H . Ward Steward , John Gilbert P . G . Tv . 'Tyler . Also Bros . Howard H . Room P . G . Std . B . Prov . G . Secretary , W . J . Porter P . M ., B . Muller P . M ., F . Chandler P . M . P . P . G . P ., R . Edwards , H . J . Thompson , Albert Williams , A . H . Gomme , H . Hewett , M . R . Fitzwilliam ' , W . H . Brougham , and several others . .....

Amongst the visitors we had the pleasure of seeing Bro . John Mayo W . M . 1618 2222 , & c , the popular host of the Castle Hotel , East Molesey ; 0 . Oldridge W . M . 1638 ; J . A . Harvey P . M . 1314 ; A . Ellenden 1623 , W . Andrews S . W . 177 and 2421 , G . A . Sanger 1642 ,- W . Rice W . M . 1656 , W . Tunge P . M . 975 , J . Edgell P . Mi 889 , R . 0 . Fox , R . Moorman , J . Wynman

( F REEMASON s CHRONICLE ) , and severaroth ' ers . * The Lodge was opened with solemn' prater , and the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed . Afterwards , -Mr . Henry Hoad , who was balloted for , with a result unanimous in his favour , was initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry , the ceremony being performed in a most impressive and faultless manner .

The W . M . opened the Lodge in the second degree and Bro . R . W . Forge Treasurer presented Bro . William Smith as W . M .-elect for the ensuing twelve months ,. and he was regularly obligated . The Lodge was advanced and , a Board of Installed Masters being formed-, Bro . Smith was regularly placed in the chair , the whole of the ceremonial work being most impressively rendered .

The new ruler was now saluted in the three degrees , and being invested with the full dignities of his office proceeded to appoint tha following as his assistant Officers for the year : —J . E . Ruffle I . P . M ., Thomas Middleweek S . W ., Edw . Hall J . W ., R . W . Forge P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Treas ., E . W . Warner P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C Sec , R . Coff S . D :, C . H . Houghton J . D ., H .

Hunt I . G ., E . J . Packington P . M . Org ., D . G . Morris D . C , A . Goddard and W . Brougham Stds , J . Gilbert Prov . G . T . Tyler . This portion of the business being completed the Installing Master Bro . J . E . Ruffle gave the customary addresses , with marked effect , for which he received the well earned congratulation of the Brethren .

The W . M . then presented a Past Master ' s jewel- to Bro . Ruffle , as a mark of the respect and esteem in . which he is held by the Brethren . The inscription of the jewel was :

Presented by " The Sir Charles Bright Lodge , No . 1793 , to BRO . J . E . RUFFLE , for his valuable and efficient services , as Worshipful Master during the . year

1896-7 . In acknowledgment of the jewel Bro . Ruffle , in a most eloquent manner , thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their , kindness . It was proposed by the Treasurer , and seconded by the Secretary , that a sum of £ 10 be voted to the family of a late Brother , which was most willingly agreed to . It was also proposed , seconded , supported and unanimously carried , that Bro . Ruffle I . P . M . should represent the Lodge on the Charity Committee of the Province , and the Lodge votes were handed to him for that

purpose . A few new members were proposed for initiation at the next meeting , and , after a few more transactions , the Lodge was closed with hearty good wishes of the Brethren and Visitors alike . The company then adjourned to the banqueting room , where an excellent banquet was awaiting them . We must compliment Bro . W . Wickes , the host , for the very perfect style in which the dinner was served . The viands , wine , cigars , & c , were all of first class quality , and everything that could be desired .

The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly attended to with musical honours . In proposing the Grand Officers the W . M . had much pleasure in coupling the name of Bro . Howard H . Room P . G . Std . Br . Prov . Grand Sec , who cordially acknowledged the fraternal goodwill expressed towards the Officers of Grand Lodge in general , and to himself in particular . He was delighted to see the Sir Charles Bright Lodge so flourishing , and was gratified to see his friend Bro . W- Smith in the chair as W . M . The Brethren could not have done better than by electing him .

In proposing the health of the Worshipful Master Bro . Ruffle I . P . M . stated that the W . M . had set a splendid example , and be would follow it by being brief with his speech . The toast , he was sure , would be received with the same amount- of pleasure as he experienced in giving it . Bro . \ Smith

Reports Of Meetings.

had begun his work in the chair by investing his Officers in a manner that gave great satisfaction , and was a credit to him . He was sure the new Master would make one of the best rulers the Sir Charles Bright Lodge had ever had . Bro . W . Smith W . M ., on rising to respond , had a very hearty welcome . He thanked Bro . Ruffle for his very kind words , and the Brethren for their greeting ; he was proud to be Worshipful Master of the Sir Charles Bright Lodge , and felt sure that with the able assistance of his Officers the Lodge would continue on its flourishing career .

The next toast was that of the Initiate . The W . M . said he was sure , from the attention Bro . Henry Hoad had paid to the ceremony , that he would be an ornament to the Lodge , and would give every satisfaction . The Initiate , in reply , thanked the W . M . and Brethren for admitting him into the Lodge , of which he was pleased to become a , member . He would endeavour to give satisfaction .

The Installing Master , in replying to the toast given in his honour ,-thanked the W . M . for the kind words he had used in proposing his health , and also thanked the Brethren for receiving the toast in such a hearty manner . It was only due to hard work that he occupied his present position , and as he should be pleased to continue it he promised to render the present Worshipful Master all the assistance in his power .

The next toast was that of the Visitors , which the W . M . had muoh pleasure in proposing . Guests were always welcome at the Sir Charles Bright Lodge , the members of which were very pleased to see so many familiar faces . With the toast he had much pleasure in coupling Bro . John Mayo W . M . 1618 2222 , & c , Past Master Oidridge W . M . 1638 , J . A . Harvey P . M . 1314 , Bro . Ellenden 1623 , W . Andrews S . W . 177 and 2421 , W . Rice W . M . 1656 , W . . Tunge P . M . 975 , J . Edgell P . M . 889 , R . C . Fox , R . Moorman , and others .

Bro . John Mayo responded in an eloquent manner , thanking tha W . M . and members for the kind way in which they had received and entertained him' and the other visitors . He had the pleasure of knowing the W . M ., and was sure he would be a perfect ruler in the Lodge . Several other Visitors responded in a suitable manner . The W . BI . now had very much pleasure in proposing the toast of the Past Masters , and in doing so he said they were Masons who could be relied upon . It was a pleasure to undertake the duties of the Lodge with such an able body of Past Masters .

Bros . W . J . Porter , J . Finch , W . Middleweek , and other Past Masterg responded to the toast in suitable terms . The Secretary and Treasurer ' s toast was fully honoured and responded to , and then came that of the Officers . The W . M . remarked that a Master , however competent he might be , could not do without an efficient staff of Officers . By selecting Bro . T . Middleweek as Senior Warden , Bro . Edward Hall as Junior Warden , Bro . Coff as S . D ., and Bro . 0 . H . Houghton as J . D ., he was sure he had found reliable Officers , and the Lodge could not do otherwise than prosper with their united labour .

The Officers made suitable response , pledging themselves to render all the assistance in their power , and hoping to be able to give many proofs of their ability , thereby promoting the interests of the Lodge . The Tyler ' s toast brought a most delightful and pleasant evening to a termination . The vocal and musical entertainment was one of the very best , and was thoroughly enjoyed by all . The following took part : —Bros . W . Middleweek P . M ., F . Hall , Fox , H . Thompson , Mr . Overall , Mr . F . Ruffle , and several others .

COTEHELE LODGE , No . 2166 . CALSTOCK , the favourite holiday resort of inhabitants of the Three Towns of Plymouth , Stonehouse and Devonport , was visited by several prominent . Brethren on the 2 nd inst ., to assist in installing Bro . Major G . Shanks as Master . Bro . Wm . Coulter W . M . presided over the opening proceedings .

At the conclusion of the business an adjournment was made to the Tamar Hotel ( proprietor Bro . Herring ) , where the annual installation banquet was held , under the presidency of the newly installed Master .

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . THE annua ] meeting and Festival of St . John in connection with this Lodge took place at the Palatine Hotel , Hunt ' s Bank , Manchester , last month , Bro . Thos . T . Hardicker W . M . Although two ceremonies were due , and had been announced on the summons , yet it was thought that an attempt to perform the same might unduly interfere with the more important function of installation ; the

latter was therefore allowed to proceed undisturbed . Bro . Hardicker was the Installing Master , and he acquitted himself in so satisfactory a manner as afterwards to receive the commendation of many visitors . Past Masters W . T . Schofield P . P . G . D ., William Boden , and S . Mamelok , who assisted , were also in excellent form , and deserved all the praise which was lavished upon them .

A board of Installed Masters was formed , which consisted of Bros . Hardicker as Master , John Chadwick P . G . Sw . B . P . P . G . Sec as S . W ., Jas . W . Abbott P . P . G . D . C as J . W ., and Abm . Pemberton P . P . G . D . C . as I . G . Bro . Clement John Hall S . W . Worshipful Master-elect having been presented to receive the benefits of installation , answered the ancient constitutional questions as put by Bro . Boden , and was afterwards duly placed in the chair of K . S . by Bro . Hardicker , who regularly proclaimed him in the E ., W . and S . The working tools of the various degrees were

presented and explained by Bro . Mamelok , the addresses being given as follow , viz ., that to the W . M . by Bro . Hardicker , that to the Wardens by Bro . Schofield , and that to the Brethren generally by Bro . Mamelok . Bro . Boden was responsible for all the investitures of other Officers , which were as follow ' : —Bros . R . Meggitt S . W ., J . Kinsey J . W ., W . H . Taylor Chap ., 0 . Rushton Treas .. T . H . Stott Sec , A . G , Bryce S . D ., T . D . Lightfoot J . D ., J . Whittle D . C , S . Kew I . G ., J . Fairbairn , A . Sutcliffe , R . Hamilton , R . H . Whatham , VV . E . Brooks , J . H . Crowther , and James Park Stewards . Bro . William Boden P . M . was appointed Charity Representative .

Lodge having been closed in peace and harmony , the Brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where a recherche dinner had been provided . The usual Loyal toasts were proposed by the newly installed W . M ., who took the opportunity of referring to the jubilee of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , and hoped the City of Manchester , as also Manchester Masons , would not be behind in testifying their loyalty in the forthcoming celebrations .

The toast of the Grand Officers was responded to by Bros . Captain 0 . R . N . Beswicke-Royds Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and John Chadwick P . G . Swd . Br . England , the former praising the work of installation