Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for « rtion ha our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a 1 oresentaiive to report . Lodge or other proceedings .

CftAFT : PROVINCIAL

WILTON LODGE , No . 1077 . rilHE regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Red Lion Hotel , I Blackley , on Monday . A remarkably good gathering of Brethren testified to the popularity of Bro . G . T . Leuard W . M ., which was further increased by the admirable manner in which he raised Bro . Edwin Sawyer to

the degree of Master Mason , and his skilful rendition of the Traditional History . Following this ceremony was that of raising to the sublime degree Bro . J- Planty jun ., which was accomplished by Bro . John Horsfield I . P . M ., the Working Tools being presented and explained to the candidates by Bro . Hiram Jackson .

These ceremonies over , the Lodge was closed in due form , and the Brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet . This in turn was succeeded by the festive board , where Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted and responded to , the proceedings being enlivened by songs , recitations , & c , given by Bros . Robt . H . Jackson S . W ., F . Midtileton J . W ., Edwaid Roberts P . M . 1459 , and J . W . Shaw P . M . The accompanist was BrorAlfred Smith Std . and Organist .

Bro . Horsfield proposed the health of the newly-raised Brethren , who replied , expressing the pleasure they had derived from the excellent manner in which the ceremonies had been performed , and how much impresstd they had been with the same . In proposing the health of the Principal Officer , Bro . C . W . Godby P . M .

said that he cordially endorsed the remaiks of the Visitors to the effect that they seemed proud of their W . M ., and he would emphasise their words by saying that they were indeed proud of him , and of tho splendid work which he was capable of performing . Bro . Godby announced that he had received several subscriptions for Life Governorships , and solicited further aid in an endeavour to perpetuate tho memory of Bro . Lenard W . M .

The W . M . responded , saying that he could scarcely find words adequately to express his thankfulness for the many complimentary remarks which had been uttered of him that evening , lt was always a pleasure for him to perform any part of a ceremony , or indeed to do anything which would have a tendency to conduce to the prosperity of the Lodge . In concluding his remarks . Bro . Lenard reverted to the great assistance which had been rendered to the Lodge by Bro . Horsfield . Other toasts followed .

Besides those mentioned above there were present : —Bro . J . T . Sawyer P . M . Treas ., R . Wingfield Sec , Dr . J . Knight Coutts S . D ., Dr . C . Barry Taylor J . D ., W . H . Lowry I . G ., Thomas Stopford P . M . D . C , Geo . Jackson P . M ., Councl . Saml . Mills P . M ., Geo . Holford P . M ., Edmund Horsfield , H .

G . Jackson , Jas . Parkinson , W . H . Rogers , Jos . King , R . Kirk , J . Williamson , R . Collinson , Job Kershaw , Chas . Slee , J . Fletcher , J . Palmer , C . G . Virgo , G . Siddall , J . Siddall , R . H . Williams , Barnette Jackson , G . P . Jackson , W . Smith , A . Whittaker , S . T . Brown , and F . Thomason . Visitors : —Bros . John Waring P . M . 1184 , J . R . Farrar 2185 , and George Rothwell Berry 1011 .

ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 . IT was not only an eminently satisfactory and successful function , in connection with this Lodge , which took place at the Masonic Rooms , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , on Friday of last week , but it was also a very brilliant one , as will bc seen by the list appended , for fifteen Provincial Officers shed the lustre of their presence over the meeting , and as they entered the Lodge in due order to receive the salutations of those Brethren who had not vet

attained to Provincial rank , they presented a very imposing appearance , causing one to think that a visit of such magnitude as this to a private Lodge is an indication at least that the members of it are either not supinely indifferent to their present position in the Province , or that the distinguished visitors in question can appreciate the efforts which are being made to maintain that position , and to insure the ultimate success of the Architect Lodge .

The formalities over , and the minutes of last meeting having beon read and confirmed , Bro . William Lea , who had signified his intention of taking the final step in Craft Masonry , was subjected to the customary test as to proficiency , and ultimately raised to the degree of Master Mason by the W . M ., the ceremony being carefully and , so far as could be judged , faultlessly performed .

The Picnic Committee , in presenting their report , stated thafc this year the Derbyshire town of Matlock had been decided upon , and prospective arrangements made for a visit there on Monday , 17 th June , the party to dine at the Royal Bath Hotel . At the festive board , which followed these proceedings , Loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and honoured . Iu responding to that of the Grand Officers , Bro . Wylie took the opportunity of congratulating the Architect

Lodge upon its working capacities , and also the high position which it occupied in the Province with regard to charity . It was very gratifying to think that at the recent election in connection with tho Boys School , the candidate in whom Bro . Moss had interested himself was successful , as were also three other candidates supported by the Province of West Lancashire . The fact that this Lodge had placed their votes unreservedly at the disposal ° f Provincial Grand Lodge had materially assisted the efforts made , and

should be an object lesson to other Lodges , an inducement for them to act in a similar manner , and thus strengthen their hands , the Province being generall y enabled to bring to bear , as circumstances may require , an amount of interest and support which it is not always in the power of individual podges to command . Bro . Wylie also made the gratifying announcement that although in the nature of things they had sometimes to defer a candidate , yet when the Province of West Lancashire had undertaken to lend its support to any casethey had invariably succeeded in their efforts .

, Hi •" ^ ros- Goodacre and Helme also spoke , and in felicitous terms indicated 'heir approval of the general working of the Lodge , and of the ceremony of raising as performed by the W . M . Bro . Hesketh proposed the health of the Visitors , extending to one and & 11 a heart y and unequivocal welcome . Bros . Simpson , Lambert , Armitage , woss and Brayshaw responded .

all i' ^' 0 Unc 'M ° Jofin Bradshaw , in proposing the health of the W . M ., 'luded to the prosperity which had marked his tenure of office , and said he w » s extremel y glad that such had been the case , for before being elected to

Reports Of Meetings.

the high position which he then held , Bro . Pickford had shown by conspicuous ability m various ways tli-. it he was one who could be fully trusted to maintain the glorious traditions ol the Architect Lodge , and hand them down to his successor untarm .-huu , and with honour . Bro . Pickford W . M . thanked Bro . Bradshaw for his unqualified praise

of him , and also the Visitors for the kind and feeling manner in which thoy had alluded to the work of that evening , lt was very gratifying for him to hear these- remarks from such distinguished sources , and it would be his constant desire to mamtain the good opinion which had been expressed of him . He sincerely thanked them for having honoured the Lodge with a visit while he was in . the chair as Master .

Bro . Pickford subsequently proposed tho health of the newly-raised Brother , saying that what he knew of him was of a most satisfactory character . By patience and industry he might hope to attain a high position among the Brethren , for he possessed undoubted abilities for such distinction .

Bro . Lea , in reply , expressed the pleasure which he had derived from being present that evening , and he took it as a compliment ( for which he thanked thtm ) , that such a distinguished company shonld have been invited to see him go through his third and last degree . He had been very much impressed with what he had setn , and would try to make himself worthy of all they had done on his behalf , and of the confidence placed in him .

Tho W . M . announced the fact that one of their prominent Past Masters had been honoured with the Royal Arch Treasurership in Provincial Arch Chapter , which induced a very able riposte from Bro . Henry Nail , the subject of these remaiks . Bro . Rawlo S . W . very trenchantly proposed the health of the Past

Masters of the Lodge , who he said were always ready with words of eiicourugemt nt and advice , and eager to take any duties which might be assigned to them . He alluded specifically to several of them , his speech finding an excellent corollary in that of Bro . Slyman , who followed him with the toast of the Officers of tlie Lodge .

Bro . Nail announced an interesting ceremony which is to take place in tho village of Chorlton-cum-Hardy in connection with a contemplated extension of the parish church . At the laying of the foundation stone it is intended to hold a Masonic service , under the auspices of the Chorlton Lodge , No . 1387 , and he called upon the Chaplain of that Lodge , who was present , to give further particulars .

The Rev . Bro . Thomas explained that it was intended to add a substantial portion to the parish church . Some years ago , when outside the pale of Masonry , he had attended a similar function in the Province of East Lancashire , and WHS SO much impressed with what he had seen that was good and devotional , that he had had a strong wish whenever the opportunity presented itself to become a member of the Craft . Having now joined

Freemasonry , he had a desire to do in this district what had so impressed him in another . A conference with several Provincial Officers had led him to believe that they were in favour of the scheme , and he hoped that about the middle of July the ceremony would take place . Ifc might have a tendency fco give the outside world a good impression , for Masonry was full of beauty , full of order , and the backbone of everything that was good .

The various speeches were enlivened by songs , recitations , & c , contributed by Bros . Nail , Beever , Holland , Rushton , Moult , and Roberts . The following is a list of fcnose present : —Bros . Alfred Pickford P . M ., W . T . Hesketh I . P . M ., Chas . Rawlo S . W ., Thos . A . Holland J . W ., W . Dyson Fryer P . M . Treas ., Homy Nail P . M . Sec , J . Coupland S . D ., A . Redfearn J . D .,

Arthur A . Moss P . M . D . C , J . R . E . Birkett I . G ., Wm . Rushton Org ., Ed . M . Beebee , John M . Crone , Baron E . de Minciaky , and Hugh W . Bloomer Stds ., Councl . John Bradshaw P . M . Prov . G . S . D ., Jas . Laidlow P . M . P . P . G . D ., Cyril H . Beever P . M ., Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , Wm . Lea , Wm . C . Flint , and Wm . Moult .

Visitors : —Bros . Robert Wylie P . G . D . Dep . Prov . G . M . 155 , W . Goodacre P . G . St . B . Prov . G . Sec , Walter Simpson P . P . S . G . W ., Nowal W . Helme P . J . G . W . 1051 , W . Savage P . P . G . Tr . 1609 , G . A . Harradon P . P . G . Tr . 231 G , J . J . Lambert P . P . G . R . 1387 , R . Armitage P . P . G . R . 2316 , T . Brayshaw P . P . G . R . 2091 West Yorks ., H . W . Johnston P . P . G . D . 113 2229 , J . H . Wells P . P . G . D . 2109 , Alfd . Cross P . P . G . D . 1713 2310 , J . Slyman P . P . G . D . 1730 , W . Toombs W . M . 1588 , Rov . C . 0 . Bluett W . M . 2326 , R . V . Critchley J . W . 1140 , JohnTravers I . P . M . 1387 , Rev . F . G . Thomas Chaplain 1337 , and others .

We must not omit to state that an agreeable break had been made in the business of the Lodgo , during which the Brethren , availing themselves of the opportunity , adjourned to a sumptuous dinner , provided in Mrs . Laugford's best style .

ETHELBERT LODGE , No . 2099 . TI 1 HE first supper in connection with fche Lodge of Instruction attached to 1 this Lodge was hold at the New Dolphin Hotol , Herno Bay , on fche 30 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . Seaman , when tho customary toast list was honoured .

MANCHESTER DRAMATIC LODGE , No . 2387 . rn HE festival of this popular Lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , JL Cooper Streot , Manchester , on Thursday , 25 th ult ., on which occasion Brother Charles Swinn P . M . S . W . was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year . Tho election , judging from the large attendance , was an extremely popular one , says tho " South Manchester Chronicle , " and there is no doubt that in the Masonic world , of Manchester afc all events , Bro . Swinn ' s popularity is undoubted .

The routine business having been disposed of , the installation of Brother Swinn and the investiture of Officers proceeded . The presentation was made by Bio . Richardson P . M ., and the ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . Thomas Ramsay P . M . andProv . G . J . D . elect of East Lancashire , assisted by Bros . J . M . Simpson , E . G . Simpson , and other Past Masters of the . Lodge . Brother Thomas Ramsay was unanimously elected Charity Representative .

Tho banquet which followed was worthy of the best traditions of the Lodge , and was exceedingly well served under the direction of Mr . Phillips , The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts wore honoured , that of Bro . George Mellor D . P . G . M . of East Lancashire and tho P . G . Officers present and past being coupled with the name of Bro . J . Richardson , the esteemed and revered Secretary of the Dramatic Lodge , who ably responded .

Bro . J . Massey Simpson I P . M . said he had great pleasure in proposing the toast of the evening , —tho health of tho Worshipful Master Bro . Swinn . When the Dramatic Lodge was formed some five years ago , Bro . Swinn came in as one of tho first members . In him they had a first rate man and a good worker , and none could excel him ; he was a tower of strength to that Lodge , and he hoped he would continue to do what he could for it in the future . Bro . Swinn , in response , thanked them for their kindness . - As they