Reports Of Meetings.

BAGSHAW LODGE , No . 1457 . AN Emergency meeting was held on Friday , 13 th ult ., at tho Public Hall , Loughton , under the presidency of Bro . Otto Steffen W . M . The business of the day consisted of the Passing of Bro . Stephen Alonzo Pidgeon , after which tho Brethren , twenty in number , partook of a supper , which was provided by tho W . M . o o o

ISLE OF AXHOLME LODGE , No . 1482 . THE Annual Festival was held at Crowle on Tuesday , 17 th ult ., when Bro . J . Faulkner was installed as W . M . Bro . T . Stainforth was the Installing Master , the ceremony being well performed , he being assisted by Bros . Peace , Heminbrough , Constable , Fretwel , Behrendt , Brunyee , Chamberlain . The now W . M . invested thc Officers for the year .

After the installation 'tho Brethren sat down to an excellent spread , Mr . and Mrs . Kent catering to their entire satisfaction . o o o

FRIENDSHIP AND HARMONY LODGE , No . 1616 . 11 HE Lodge held its Installation meeting at the Oatlands Park Hotel , Weybridge , on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., when there was a good attendance of members and visitors . The out-going Master Colonel G . Noel Money , C . B ., having

first of all performed two Raisings and a Passing , installed his successor ( Bro . B . de B . Lopez P . G . S . ) in the chair , all three ceremonies being conducted in the ablest and happiest manner by the Prov . Grand Master .

Bros . C . Swmfen Eady , Q . C , No . 21 , and Thomas Hewson , No . 77 , were unanimously elected Joining Members . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Colonel Noel Money I . P . M . in token of his eminent services to the Lodge . The business having been concluded , the Brethren adjourned to

refreshment , and partook of an excellent banquet , after which the toast list having been mercifully curtailed , they were enabled to spend a pleasant hour together in the beautiful grounds of the Hotel , before the timo arrived when it was necessary for them to disperse .

o o o ALBERT EDWARD LODGE , No . 1780 . THE usual monthly meeting of this Lodge took place at the Masonic Hall , Albion Place , Southampton , on Tuesday last , but owing to several members being away on their holidays the attendance was not so large as customary .

In the absence of the W . M . Bro . J . G . Jordan , the chair was taken by Bro . E . Warren P . M ., who opened the Lodge in due course . The minutes of the last meeting were read by Bro . T . Holmes Secretary and confirmed .

Bro . Dakm , being a candidate for the second degree , was introduced by Bro . J . Burrow S . D . and having proved his proficiency was entrusted and retired . Bro . G . Heathcote P . M . and Treasurer then took the chair and passed Bro . Dakin to the degree of a Fellow Craft .

The ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Adolphe F . Beauvent , Edward Creeden and John Amey . The two first gentlemen being in attendance were admitted , together with Mr . Warner , accepted at a previous meeting , and regularly initiated into Freemasonry by Bro . E . Warren .

Both the ceremonies were efficiently performed and proved that the Past Masters had lost none of their art . Thc actirrg W . M . having received the good wishes of the visiting Brethren the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony and the Brethren adjourned to the banquet room , when a very pleasant evening was spent . o o o

MINERVA LODGE , No . 1942 . THE members held their annual picnic at Treutham on the 26 th ult . Several of tho party made the journey in traps , & c , others took train . Arriving early , the interval before tea was enjoyably spent on the green by many , whilst a few drove round the park . About five o'clock tea was laid at the hotel , to which about 55 sat down , under the presidency of Bro . John Stevenson W . M .

Altogether it was certainly the largest and one of thepleasantest gatherings that has taken place in connection with the Lodge . After tea , bowls and tennis were indulged in , and at eight o ' clock dancing was commenced . Weather and everything weie in favour of the picnic , which was a thorough success .

o o o HUNDRED OF BOSMERE LODGE , No . 1958 . THERE was a large and representative gathering at the Masonic Hall , St . George ' s Square , Portsea , on Tuesday , 24 th ult ., when Bro . A . Manistree was installed as W . M ., in succession to Bro . R . W . G . Stokes P . M . P . A . G . P . The ceremony was conducted in an impressive manner by Bro . J . Digby P . M . to whom a hearty vote of thanks was passed .

At the conclusion of the Lodge business the Brethren adjourned to the Banquetting Room , where an excellent dinner was served by Mr . Maybour . The banquet was followed by the customary toasts . Bro . Stokes P . M . in proposing the health of the W . M . said he was perfectly sure the Brethren would find an excellent Master in Bro . Manistree , and ono who would fully maintain the honour and dignity of the Lodge .

The toast was enthusiastically received , and the W . M ., in responding , undertook to do his best to promote the welfare of the Lodge and of Freemasonry generally , and heartily thanked the

Reports Of Meetings.

many Brethren from other Lodges for attending to convey their good wishes upon tho occasion of his accession to the chair .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

— : o : — PYTHAGORAS CHAPTER , No . 88 . THE half-yearly convocation was held at the Lion Hotel , Cambridge , on Tuesday , 10 th ult ., and was attended by twenty-six Companions . Tho Principals chairs wero occupied by Comps . J . V . Pryor Z ., Frank Piggott H ., and W . P . Spalding J .

Two Brethren were exalted . The work of the P . S . was ably rendered by Comp . the Rev . L . R . Tuttiett . The lectures from the several chairs followed , and Comp . B , Chennell P . Z . also assisted . After five guineas had been voted to Charities , the Principals and Officers were elected . o o o

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

CHARITY LODGE , No . 76 . THE Annual meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on Thursday , 26 th ult ., to instal Bro . C . B . Gale as W . M . for the year . At the close of tho meeting the Brethren adjourned to the Club , when an excellent supper was prepared , and , under tho presidency of the W . M ., a very enjoyable evening was passed .

o o o LILFORD LODGE , No . 471 . ON Thursday , 19 th ult ., a special meeting was held under dispensation from tho Prov . Grand Mastor , at Lilford Hall , for the purpose of conferring the Mark degree on Bro . tho Right Hon . Lord Lilford .

Several Brethren travelled b y tram from Northampton , Bedford and Thrapston to Thorpe Station , whence they were conveyed in waggonettes to Lilford Hall . Here they found that the library had been arranged as a Lodge-room , and the Master of tho Lodge , Bro . the Hon . John Powys ready to receive them .

Tho Lodge being opened , the degree was conferred on Lord Lilford by his son—a fact probably unique in the annals of Mark Masonry for a father to receive the degree at the hands of his son , and that at a special Lodge held in his own house .

After the business had been transacted , the Brethren were very hospitably entertained by Bro . Lord Lilford , and afterwards shown round the grounds and magnificent aviary , the host himself accompanying the party and affording pleasure and amusement by his store of information and anecdotes concerning his feathered favourites .

Fruit Growing At The Antipodes.

FRUIT GROWING AT THE ANTIPODES .

NOT by any means the least interesting of the many attractive entertainments at the Earl ' s Court Exhibition on Bank Holiday were the instructive lectures delivered by Brother James Stevens , representative of the Australian Irrigation Colonies . These were illustrated by no less than 150 recently prepared Dissolving Views of the principal features of Australian Cities and Townships , with special reference to the Colonies of Victoria and South

Australia , and the local districts of the fruit-farming Settlements . The morning lecture bore the title of "Under the Southern Cross , " and was listened to by a large and appreciative audience . In the evening , under the title of " The Fruit Garden of the World , " the lecturer illustrated the River Murray and its characteristics , the formation of the marvellous Settlements of Mildura and Renmark .

the methods of irrigation and results , the extensive fruit farms in full bearing , and the large important town of Mildura which within the short period of six years now occupies a vast area , hitherto a wilderness and waste . The interesting details of the work done and the enterprising manner of its accomplishment drew frequent and gratifying testimonies of approval from those whom the

lecturer addressed ; and to such as desire to know more than they at present do of the capacity of the Australian Continent for development in thc direction of fruit production we strongly recommend a visit to hear these lectures when opportunity may offer . For tho next month or two thoy will be repeated at Eari ' s Court , and at the Crystal Palace , on alternate Thursdays .

The Shrievalty.

THE SHRIEVALTY .

THE Badge and Chain of Office to be presented to Mr . Alderman Marcus Samuels , Sheriff elect , is being made at Bro . Georgo Kennirrg's Manufactory , Little Britain and Aldersgate Street , E . C .

IN Cauada the ritual is plain , simple , and devoid of show , but the social element is made the leading feature of the Craft . In the United States great stress is laid upon ritual , and the work is done with accessories and appointments gorgeous and expensive , while the social element is over-shadowed or omitted . —" The Trestle Board . "