Reports Of Meetings.

SKIDDAW LODGE , No . 1002 . THE installation meeting was held on Wednesday , 2 nd inst ., when Bro . A . Entwistle S . W . was installed in the chair by Bros . G . Dalrymple P . M . P . G . Sec , Paterson P . M . P . P . G . J . W ., T . Mason P . M . P . P . G . A . P . During the proceedings the W . M . presented the I . P . M . Bro . Forsyth with a Past Master's jewel , bearing a suitable inscription , as a token of the respect and esteem in which ho was held by the Brethren .

Tho Festival oi St . John was then held , when the W . M . was in the chair , at which Bro . Moordaff presented to tho W . M . a handsome silver ladle for uso at the Lodge banquets .

A GOODLY company assembled on the 8 th inst ., at tho White Hart Hotel , Wymondham . The working , which consisted of two raisings , was eflectively carried out by W . M . Charles Payne and his Officers . A most pleasing feature of the evening was a presentation to W . M . Payne to mark the recent celebration of his silver wedding and also his fiftieth birthday . The idea of thus signalising these happy events originated

DORIC LODGE , No . 1193

with Bro . F . Lacey P . M . who in asking Bro . Payne ' s acceptance of the gifta handsome silver tea urn , fluted in the Queen Anne style—referred with p leasure to tho ready way in which the Brethren of Doric had subscribed . He said the occasion was a peculiarly fitting one for acknowledging in a small way the unvarying kindness and hospitality displayed in so especial a manner by Bro . Payne .

Eesponding later on to the toast of his health , proposed in felicitious terms by Bro . Johnson I . P . M ., and received with enthusiasm and musical honours , Bro . Payne tendered his sincere thanks for the good feeling the Brethren had at all times shown towards him . It was a matter of

impossibility adequately to express his sense of gratitude , but he could assure them ho should over and most fondly treasure the present that had been given him . Tho urn bears tho following inscription :

Presented to The Worshipful Master BRO . CHARLES PAYNE , on the occasion of his Silver Wedding , 26 th December 1894 , with the hearty good wishes of the Brethren of his Lodge—Doric , 1193 ; also on his fiftieth birthday , 8 th January 1895 .

In replying to fche toast of tho Visitors , Bro . Bracey and Theobald united in congratulating Brother Payne , speaking of the regard in which he was generally held as a friend , a man , and a Brother . Bro . Leghorn , as a stranger , gratefully spoke of the cordial reception extended the Visitors . The singing of Bros . Brummage , Francis , and Woodward , & c , contributed in no small measure to the evening ' s delight . o o o

ANCHOR LODGE , No . 1337

ON the 8 th inst ., tho annual festival was hold at the Masonic Hall , Northallerton , when the Worshipful Master , elect Bro . C . Eowland Waistell was installed . The ceremony was ably performed by Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett Past Grand Warden of England and Deputy Prov . Grand Master of North and East Yorkshire . The annual banquet was subsequently held at tho Golden Lion Hotel . Bro . C . E . Waistell presided , and Bro . J . T . Naylor I . P . M . was vice-chairman . The Masonic toasts wero honoured .

PRUDENCE LODGE , No . 1550

THE members held their annual banquet at the Freemasons' Hall , Princess Square , Plymouth , on Saturday , 5 th inst . The W . M . Bro . H . T . Eobins presided over a large attendance , and the proceedings throughout were of the most cordial and interesting character . The Brethren were favoured with the company of Bro . J . B . James the Mayor of Devonport , who is one of the oldest members of the Lodge , and occasion was taken during the evening , says the " Western Morning News , "

to congratulate him on the honourable position to which he has been elected by the unanimous vote of the Devonport Town Council . The dinner , provided by Brother and Mrs . Harvey , the Steward and Stewardess of the Club , was admirably served , and received special recognition at the close of the formal proceedings—their joint healths being drunk amidst cheers .

The S . W . Bro . Penwarn , in eulogistic terms , proposed the health of the W . M ., who , he said , had during his connection with the Lodge won the esteem and affection of the whole of the members , and was one of the most popular Masters the Lodge had ever had .

Bro . Eobins , in reply , said he had always been greatly impressed by the kindly and courteous feeling that existed among Masons as well as by tho desire shown by them to contribute to the well-being and happiness of others . He believed that in no Lodge in the Province was this feeling cultivated to a greater extent than in Prudence , and for that reason he was proud of his connection with it .

Bro . C . Mutten next proposed the health of Bro . J . Bright James Mayor of Devonport , the mention of whoso name was received with enthusiastic cheers . Brother Mutten remarked that the true Masonic spirit was ever displayed by Bro . James both in his private and public life , and he had won the esteem and confidence not only of the people of Devonport , in whose progress he was so largely interested , but of hundreds of personal friends in the Three Towns .

Bro . James , in replying , said he was a great believer in the principles of Freemasonry , and had always had a great admiration of the excellent work it was doing ; and although he was unable to take an active part in the affairs of the Lodge , he heartily sympathised with what thoy were doing , and hoped tbey would never find him wanting in a desire to give what help he could to the various Masonic institutions which were doing so grand a work over every part of the country .

Other toasts followed , including that of the Secretary and Treasurer •Bros . Selleck and Philp , who were specially thanked for their valuable services to the Lodge , and the W . M . asked Bro . Selleck ' s acceptance from mm of a silver-mounted pipe as a mark of his appreciation of personal assistance rendered to him during bis term of office . Bro . Eobins pointed out that , residing as be did several miles from Plymouth , there were certain matters to which he was not always able to give bis personal attention , and on cnese occasions he had always been greatly assisted b y Bro . Selleck .

Reports Of Meetings.

MARLBOROUGH LODGE , No . 1620

THE members met on the 2 nd instant , to celebrate the nineteenth anniversary of the Lodge Consecration , at the Derby Hall , Tuebrook , Liverpool , where there was a large attendance . The chair was taken by Bro . W . Naylor W . M .

The W . M .-elect Bro . F . Parry , well-known in atheletio circles , was installed by Bro . Naylor , in tho presence of a large number of members of various Cycling and other Clubs . During the evening a handsome P . M . jewel was presented to tho I . P . M . on behalf of tho Lodge , accompanied by a valuable gold watch and albert chain from the individual members .

ROYAL CLARENCE LODGE , No . 1823

THE festival of this Lodge was held at tho Masonio Hall , Clare , by dispensation , on Monday , 7 th inst ., when Bro . Charles Cooper Vincent son of an esteemed P . M . of tho Lodge , was installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . The ceremony of installation was impressively performed by Bro . Evan Humphreys assisted by Bros . C . H . Vincent and N . Tracy . The Officers for tho year were appointed and invested .

After investing the Tyler , the W . M . presented to him a M . M . jewel in recognition of his long and regular services to the Lodge , and , at a later period , the W . M . presented to the I . P . M . a Past Master's jewel , subscribed for by the Officers and members as a token of their appreciation of hia services during the past year .

Bro . Tracy drew attention to and explained a circular recently issued by the P . G . M . of Suffolk with reference to the position of the Province as respects tho Masonio charities . The installation banquet was subsequently hold at the Half Moon Hotel , under the presidency of Bro . C S . Vincent , when the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and honoured .

SINCERITY LODGE , No . 35

THE election meeting was held on Monday , 7 th inst ., at the Town Hall , Stonehouse , Brother John Parker P . G . Assistant Secretary in the chair . Bro . H . W . Mayne S . W . was elected W . M ., and Bro ; J . Parker Treas . for the ensuing year . Tho installation ceremony was fixed for Monday , 4 th March next , after which an adjournment will be made to the Masonic Club , Plymouth , for the annual supper .

SINCERITY LODGE , ROYAL ARK MARINERS

THE installation meeting was held on the 7 th inst ., at the Town Hall , Stonehouse , when Bro . George Dunsterville was placed in the chair by bis predecessor in office Bro . F . M . H . Somerville , During the evening Bro . 0 . Sergeant was advanced to the degree of Ark Mariner , and at the conclusion of the business the Brethren adjourned for refreshments .

Devon Masonic Educational Fund.

DEVON MASONIC EDUCATIONAL FUND .

A MEETING of the Concert Committee appointed in connection with this Fund was held on the 8 th , at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , to receive the report of the Treasurer Bro . J . B . Lord on the concert held on 28 th November . Bro . G . F . Bromley Chairman of the Committee presided .

Bro . Lord read the balance sheet , which showed receipts £ 121 2 s , and after deducting expenses a profit of £ 87 6 s 6 d . This is the highest amount ever realised in connection with concerts given for this object .

Bro . Bromley , on behalf of Lodge Fidelity , 230 , under whose banner the concert was held , and Bro . J . Hele , Mus . Bac . Oxon ., were awarded life governorships on the fund in consideration of their services . Votes of thanks were passed to all who had taken part in the concert or assisted in its success .

Can women be Freemasons ? asks our contemporary , " The Queen , " and then continues : There is nothing to prevent their joining , said Sir Benjamin Ward Bichardson , in his lecture at St . George ' s Hall , on 16 th ult ., on " The Past , Present , and

Future of Freemasonry . " In 1775 there was a ladies' Lodge at St . Petersburg , and it was carried on with all true Masonic dignity for several years . " The Queen " next refers to the

wellknown case of Miss St . Leger and concludes : "It numbers a million members in all parts of the world , but its claim to universalism is curiously incomplete with half the human race excluded . "

The first number of tho " Windsor Magazine , " just published by Messrs . Ward , Lock and Bowden Limited , gives great promise for thc future . It may fairly be described as providing another most interesting serial to meet the

ever increasing demand of the public , with every prospect of winning a high position in the world of literature . Tho contents are of a varied and meritorious character , with many good illustrations , the whole being a marvel of cheapness—sixpence .

The Interim Interest on tho paid capital of the Accident Insurance Company , Limited , at the rate of five per cent , per annum , for the half year ending 31 st December last is now payable .