Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings .

of some new Officers to fill exceptional vacancies ; but beyond all this there was an event of even greater interest and importance—the presentation of a testimonial to the respected and beloved Brother who has long discharged the duties of Secretary , Bro . C . Lorkin , who filled the chair of the Lodge as far back aS 1883 , and has always taken a prominent and active interest in the welfare of the Lodge , since the day of his admission as one of its members .

CEAET : METEOPOLITAN . — : o : — DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE , No . 1524 . Presentation to the Secretary .

THE meeting of this Lodge , held on the 25 th ult ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , was one of the most successful in the records of this very flourishing body . There was a full agenda of business—enough to satisfy the most exacting of Masonic gourmands—there being no less than seven candidates for raising , seven for passing , and two for ballot and initiation , besides the appointment

We very much regret that a previous engagement prevented our personal attendance at the meeting , as we should have taken special pleasure in witnessing the well deserved compliment paid to our old friend ; while the indisposition of our representative also kept him away , and as a consequence we are unable to fully report the proceedings , but we are pleased to know that the Worshipful Master of the Lodge Bro . Edmund Frisby addressed the Brethren in the following terms : —

During my year of office I have had a few pleasant duties fco perform , but to-night it falls to my lot to carry out on your behalf the most pleasant of all . No Secretary , I feel certain has , or could , carry out his duties , in such an important Lodge as the Duke of Connaught , with more gratification to himself and pleasure to the Brethren than Past Master Lorkin . This being a busy year I have had many experiences of his many duties , and am in a position to say that everything has been done to our entire satisfaction , with

his usual kindness and courteousness . The W . M . then , addressing Bro . Lorkin , said : Bro . Lorkin , it gives me the utmost pleasure to ask your acceptance of these tributes oi our affection and esteem ( meanwhile pinning the handsome jewel to his left breast , and placing the gold Masonic ring on his finger ) , and also to carry home to your dear wife this gold watch , all of

which may you and yours be long spared to wear and enjoy , and when the time shall come that you will be summoned from this sublunary abode , may they be passed on to some member or members of your family , with the full knowledge that they were well earned , and presented to you by the members of the Duke of Connaught Lodge for the very efficient manner in which , as our Secretary , you always did your duty .

Previous to these remarks of the Worshipful Master Bro . Turnbull P . M ., who had taken a leading part in getting up the testimonial , made a lengthy speech , in which he also spoke of the great amount of work which Bro . Lorkin performed in the interests of the Lodge , and the indebtedness of its members to him .

Bro . Lorkin made suitable response , and tendered his sincercst thanks for the presents made to his wife and himself . Bro . Pearce P . M . acknowled ged the presentation of the Brethren on behalf of Mrs . Lorkin , who will , we are sure , fully appreciate the kindness of the Lodge members on her behalf , and regard it as an additional evidence of their respect for her husband .

Both the Secretary ' s jewel and the gold signet ring presented to Bro . Lorkin were suitably inscribed , as was also the gold watch intended for tha t Brother ' s wife .

ECCENTRIC LODGE , No . 2488 . THE annual festival of this popular Lodge is one of those Masonic events that are always anticipated with pleasure , and enjoyed with satisfaction , because it is well known that everything is done to deli ght the most ardent Freemason , and the Fraternal gathering generally embraces many of the most distinguished members of the Craft . The installation meeting , which was held at the Cafe Boyal , Begent Street , W ., on Friday of last week

, proved no exception to the rule , and the occasion was graced by the attendance of a larger number of Brethren than had previously been the case , The popularity of the outgoing Master Bro . Lionel W . Harris , and of his elected successor Bro . Sergeant Lee , had doubtless much to do with the success of the meeting , aud such an array of Grand Officers as was seen in the Lodge Boom is seldom witnessed in a private Lodge .

The proceedings commenced with praiseworthy punctuality afc six o ' clock , when Bro . Lionel Harris opened fche Lodge in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee , which was presented and adopted , showed that the cause of Charity is fully maintained by the Eccentrics , each of the Masonic Institutions , besides outside bodies , having been assisted during the past year .

Bros . Benjamin Phillips , of the Tranquillity Lodge , No . 185 , and John Sefton Mayors , of tho Empire Lodge , No . 2108 , were balloted for as joining members and duly accepted . The principal business of the evening was then proceeded with . The Worshipful Master first declared all Offices vacant , and requested Bros 3 H . Hawkins P . Prov . G . D . C . Surrey and F . Dangerfield P . M . to assist him as Wardens pro tem . The Lodge was then opened in the second degreewhen

, Bro . William Sergeant Lee W . M .-elect was presented by Bro . J . R . Cleave P . M . and duly signified his assent to the ancient Charges and Regulations . After the obligation Bro . W . R . Maxwell sang the beautiful anthem , "Be thou faithful unto death , " in a most impressive manner , which considerably enhanced the solemnity of the proceedings . The Bre thren having retired , a Board of thirt

y-five Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Lee was formally inducted into the Chair of King Solomon for the ensuing twelve months . As he is endowed with a considerable portion of that monarch ' s wisdom , and hag already served the office of Master in two other Lodges ( Nos . 1201 and 1768 ) there can bo but little doubt that a happy and successful year awaits him . The ceremony was admirably performed by Bro . Lionel Harris , whose

Reports Of Meetings.

subsequent delivery of the Addresses elicited the hearty appreciatio of those present . Additional satisfaction was given by the fact that Bro . Harris was the first initiate of the Lodgo to pass through the Chair , andwho has thus successfully demonstrated what may be achieved by an ardenl and intelligent Mason . Surely neveir was the Past Master ' s jewel more wothily earned ; and the Lodge thoroughly endorsed the remarks of Bro . Le , in making the presentation , that it was anything but an empty complfaent , for the work had been conducted in such a manner as to ensue the

admiration and praise of all his fellows . Bro . Harris briefly returned thanks for the handsome present ani kind remarks of Bro . Lee . The customary salutations were given by the Brethren , after wbch the following Officers were invested : Bros . Tom Fraser S . W ., 3 . R . Cleae J . W ., W . 3 . W . Beard Treasurer , W . Singleton Hooper Secretary , W . E Garstin S . D ... R . S . King 3 . D ., H . J . Homer I . G ., Claud A . Hooper D . C , Artiur Tite , Willie Drew , F . H . E . R . Pugh and H . S . Simmons Stewards , Junes Kift Organist , and Samuel Ellis Tyler .

Several names for initiation and joining were submitted for a'Ceptance at the next meeting , and four members resigned in consequence 'f removal from London . Many letters and telegrams of regret for absencewere read by the Secretary , and the new Master having received the congratilations of the visiting Brethren , the closing hymn was sung , and fche Lodge wai adjourned . Everything was worked well and smoothly , without haste a" delay , and terminated exactly afc the time specified .

The banquet was held in the large hall , which presentid a brilliant appearance , " blazing with light and breathing with perfume . " Bro . Oddenino had surpassed himself with the beautiful floral decorations , wlile the dinner was of the highest class , and reflected great credit upon the cuisine of the establishment .

Although , as we have previously affirmed , there is nothng eccentric in the manner in which the ritual is performed in this Ledge , eccentricity certainly presides at the festive board . Even the Grac « , though perfectly reverential , was out of the usual course . The menu csrds were specially designed , and contained the portrait of the W . M . and the Eccentric Club badge . Originality graced the speeches , though in ccmpliance with the

Master's request they were brief and to the point . Thorough enthusiasm ( pronounced enfchoosm b y thi Eccentrics ) greeted the toast of the Queen and fche Craft . Thia was fol ' owed by that of the Grand Master , and the Grand Officers , past , present , and " to come , " an idea that evoked much laughter . Bro . J . D . Langton ackiowledged the toast on behalf of Grand Lodge .

Bro . Lionel Harris I . P . M . in feeling terms proposed the health of the Worshipful Master , referring to his talents , experierce and eloquence , which would ensure the duties of the chair being discharged in accordance with the Eccentric Lodge ideas . Bro . Sergeant Lee gave an example of his e . ' oquence in his reply , "For tbe kind manner , tbe cordial way , in which yju have received me , I will merely say thanks , thanks , and ever thanks . "

In submitting the toast of the Installing Mister Bro . Lee referred to the brilliant Masonic career of his predecessor . He had performed his work in a manner that had elicited the admiration of those who had listened to him ; he was a Principal in two Chapters , and was working his way up in Mark Masonry . As a Steward for the last Festival of the Boys School he had

succeeded in getting the second highest placo on the list of subscriptions , and it was a matter for congratulation that the Eccentric Lodge had such a member . Finally , he had to announce tliat Bro . Harris had presented fche Lodge with a beautiful solid silver Charity Box , bearing the Owl and the peculiar Clock face of the Eccentric Club , in commemoration of his being fche first initiate of the Lodge to pass the chair .

In response , Bro . Harris said thafc he must for a moment adopt a serious tone , while he thanked all the Brethren for their great kindness and forbearance towards him during his year of office . He should always regard fche handsome jewel as the greatest compliment he had ever received . He also thanked them for the generous support they had given him as a Steward last June , and concluded by asking the company to drink success to the Masonio Charities .

Bro . Morrison McLeod replied with one of his vigorous speeches , that worked upon the feelings of the Brethren to such an extent that nothing was more suitable nor propitious than to send round the above mentioned Charity Box . This met with a ready response , and then , according to the Eccentric tradition , the contents were sold . After a keen competition Bro . A . J .

Thomas secured it for twenty guineas , but when it was explained to him that the Box was not included , he pretended to be very indignant , and declared that if he could not have the Box ( which by the way cost a much larger sum ) he would not have the contents either , so the Benevolent Fund must have been benefited to a considerable extent .

Bros . Rolands , Simpson , Grover , and Stearns responded for the visiting Brethren , congratulating the Eccentrics upon their magnificent working and thanking them for their grand hospitality . The customary compliments were paid to the Past Masters and Officers , and were suitably acknowledged . The proceedings concluded at a late hour with the Tyler's toast , which brought the Festival to a happy termination .

This pleasant evening was rendered still more enjoyable by an admirable musical programme provided by Bro . James Kift , who was assisted by Bros . A . H . Gee , S . Masters , Harold Garstin , E . J . Wood , and Mr . Walter Tilbury . Among the numerous Brethren present on the occasion were Brothers Richard Clowes P . G . S . B ., J . D . Langton P . G . D . C , Imre Kiralfy P . G . D . C , 0 . F . Matier P . G . D . C , J . Morrison McLeod P . G . S . B ., J . H . Hawkins P . Prov . D . C Surrey , G . E . Lewis P . Prov . G . R ., A . W . Oxford P . G . S ., C . G .

Archer P . Prov . G . W . Cornwall , W . W . Lee P . Prov . G . D . Middx ., 0 . Carson P . Prov . G . D . Surrey , Walter Clifford P . M ., W . Singleton Hooper P . M ., J . A . Harrison P . M ., Arthur Tite , G . P . Hadley , W . H . Baylis P . M ., Claud A . Hooper P . M ., A . J . Thomas P . M ., J . R . Cleave P . M ., Dr . E . J . Lang , H . T . Brickwell P . M ., F . Dangerfield P . M ., A . H . Coliings P . M . 211 , C . J . Smith P . M . 2648 , B . Grover W . M . 1613 , J . Easfcerbrook P . M . 1820 , Major H . Bolina 29 , W . Oxford P . M . 4 , W . A . Colyer P . M . 193 , Guy Rapton W . M . ( Drury

Lane ) , C Pullen P . M . 98 , Lugi Lablache W . M . 1319 , Joseph Harrison P . M . 189 , H . Saundon P . M . 1423 , J . Simpson W . M . 2648 , T . M . E . Armstrong W . M . 2545 , H . T . Culliford W . M . 1563 , W . H . White W . M . 55 , Ernest W . Harris P . M . 158 ( I . C ) , L . W . Thomas P . M . 91 , 0 . J . Pitcher P . M . 1216 , H . Garstin 58 , W . Lee 2381 , F . G . Filies 97 , A . W . Sfcearn P . M . 69 and 2739 , H . Bateman P . M . 95 , H . W . Woodhouse S . W . 96 , Dr . Maitland Coffin W . M . 2581 , Hy . Watt S . W . 108 , H . Paul Monckton S . W . 1150 , J . Denby Hare , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , & c . o o o STREATHAM LODGE , No . 2729 . THIS Lodge , which was consecrated a year ago with Bro . H . B . Marshall , CO ., J . P ., as its first Worshipful Master , started a new year on