Reports Of Meetings.

Jas . J . Lambert P . M . 1387 P . P . G . Reg . West Lanes , and H . G . Small P . M . 2368 P . G . D . C . Cheshire . Bro . Nail I . P . M . proposed the health of the Worshipful Master , saying it had often occurred to him that amongst the ancient rules , regulations , and landmarks which had been made to perpetuate Freemasonry , there was none so important as that which provided the Lodge with a new Master annually . It is the hope of reward which sweetens labour , and it is a justifiable and praiseworthy object , that of aspiring to get to the principal chair . When a

Brother is put into office , the knowledge of this fact adds a stimulus to his efforts , and he works with far greater eclat than if something blocked the way . No member of the Lodge had worked more enthusiastically than had Bro . Hilton ; he was capable of increasing and maintaining its prestige , and of tendering the ceremonies in a perfect manner , with that solemnity , decorum , and impressiveness which are their due . Therefore his election to the chair of K . S . by them was the fulfilment o £ a very obvious duty which would not only honour him , but would also redound to their own credit , for he would set them an example which they need not fear to imitate .

Bro . Hilton W . M . responded . He said it was customary for a W . M . under similar circumstances to confess that he hardly knew what to utter , and he gave them credit for speaking the truth , for it was indeed difficult to collect one's thoughts . Several Brethren had sent letters and telegrams of apology for non-attendance that evening , but he had just received a telegram of a totally different nature from his dear wife who was then away from home , lt was worded as follows : — "Love to you , and

greetings to all the assembled company , a message which indicated at least that her sympathies were with him in the proceedings then taking place . His utterances as W . M . ought to be those of sincere thanks to them for electing him to preside over them , as also for the various tokens of good will on their part , and he hoped he might not disappoint their expectations . In the first place he must try to discharge his obligation towards Bro . Nail , trusting that he would be able to live up to his prophecies as to what he was

capable of accomplishing . The heartiness with which his health had been drunk indicated to him that on the part of the Officers they meant to support him , while he , ou the other hand , would do all he could to maintain the reputation which the Lodge had gained during the various terms of his predecessors . When placed in a similar position by the members of the Truth Lodge , he had found that the W . M . possessed a great amount of power , but he also found that the members themselves possessed a corresponding power , and if in the Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge these two powers were

combined , then there would be something like order . Bro . Hilton spoke of forthcoming work which he expected would very shortly confront the Officers , and also reverted to the anticipated presence of their lady friends at a soiree and picnic , at the same time advising his auditors to look up their sweethearts if they had not wives to accompany them . He sincerely hoped that during his year of Mastership nothing would occur to mar the Lodge proceedings , but that peace , order , and harmony would reign , and the best traditions of the Craft be upheld .

In subsequently proposing the health of the I . P . M . Bro . Hilton mentioned the fact that Bro . Nail had not only been a Provincial Officer in the Craft , but in Royal Arch Masonry also . He had furthermore celebrated his occupancy of the chair , by making himself a Life Governor of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . They were all attached to their late Worshipful Master , and he hoped that nothing would occur to sever his connection with them .

Bro . Nail I . P . M . said , in response , that he thanked them for the kindness with which they had always treated him , and also for the very handsome jewel which they had presented him . It would be a memento of a happy year of office . He had tried so to conduct the affairs of the Lodge as to gain the respect of all , for he believed that it was better to

earn the loyalty of love than the loyalty of fear . He would take that opportunity of stating that no W . M . had been surrounded by a more devoted and efficient staff of Officers from the highest to the lowest than those elected to support him , and he tendered them his sincere thanks for their loyalty towards him .

Other toasts followed , these being very agreeably relieved by the efforts of Bros . Nail , Thomas , Toad , Luke and Chas . Harrop , who sang several numbers . Bro . Wrigley played a solo on the autoharp ; Bro . G . R . Ward , who is an artist in this particular line , treated the company to a bones 10 I 0 ; while Bro . Thos . Black P . M . P . P . G . D . gave an admirable recitation in a masterly style .

Josh Billings says , " There is not much fun in physic , but there is a good deal of physic in fun , " and those who had the good fortune to hear a concerted piece entitled "Minnehaha Minstrelsy , " which was rendered by members of the Minnehaha troupe who belong to the Lodge , would admit that there was much truth in the words of the celebrated

American writer just quoted . Bro . Cyril H . Beever P . M . especially provoked the risible faculties of his audience by actions , which , to say that they were essentially Beeveresque implies a good deal to those who have seen him , but all the laughter of the audience failed to disturb the entertainer , whose features were imobile as those of the great Mikado himself .

Besides those already mentioned , we noticed the presence of Bros . C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds D . Prov . G . M ., W . Goodacre P . G . S . B . Eng . Prov . G Sec ' W . L ., W . H . Norton P . M . 1534 P . P . G . Reg ., P . LawtonP . M . 78 P . P . J G W ' T . W . Rice P . P . G . W . W . L ., W . T . Rylance I . P . M . 1357 , T . W . Start P M ' 1052 , W . Groves P . M . 1134 , T . W . Rostron P . M . 1140 , Jas . Burgess P M ' 1161 , J . G . Batty P . M . 1387 , Chas . Rawle W . M . 1375 , G . Garnett W . M . 2109 ! Arthur H . Smith W . M . 2322 , C H . Hardman W . M . 2349 S . W . 1055 , T . A . Lever W . M . 2482 , and others , to the number of nearly sixty .

WHITE ROSE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2491 . THERE was an exceptionally large attendance at the Masonic Hall , Sheffield , on Friday , 6 th inst ., when Bro . W . Gunstone was installed in due and ancient form by his predecessor in office , Bro . C . F . Brindley . Special music was written for the occasion b y Bro . T . W . Hanforth ' Muc Bac , P . G . O ., and was admirably rendered by Bro . J . Hunt P . P . G . D . ' Bro . W . Gadsby P . P . G . C , and Bro . William Foxon . The W . M . afterwards invested his Officers .

A banquet was subsequently served by Bro . Turner , and the usual Masonic toasts were agreeably interspersed with an admirable musical programme , to which Bro . H . Rose Grand Organist of England and others contributed , whilst Brother Ernest Moore was responsible for an effective recitation . o o o GLYN EBBW LODGE , No . 2556 . rilHE first installation since the consecration of the Lod ge took place at J _ the Central Hall , Ebbw Vale , on Wednesday , 4 th inst ., when Bro .

Reports Of Meetings.

Mark Joseph Samuel Lyons P . G . A . S . S . W . was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremony was performed by the retiring W . M . Bro . Nestor Louis Wilputte Prov . G . D . C , in a most efficient manner .

ST . TRILLO LODGE , No . 2569 . THE annual installation meeting was held on Friday , 6 th inst ., at Colwyn Bay , when Bro . J . G . Tuxford Prov . G . Treas . North Wales was placed in the chair as ruler for the ensuing year , and regularly appointed the assistant Officers . The annual banquet followed , at the Colwyn Bay Hotel .

ROYAL ARCH .

ROYAL PAVILION CHAPTER , No . 315 . THE annual meeting was held at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on the 20 th ult ., when the Chapter was honoured with the attendance of the Grand Superintendent of the Province Lieutenant-General 0 . W . Randolph . Comp . A . J . Carpenter was installed as M . E . Z . for the ensuing year , and appointed his Officers . The company afterwards sat down to an elegant banquet under the presidency of the newly-installed Z .

The customary Loyal and Arch toasts were honoured , and a programme of music was well sustained .

UNITY CHAPTER , No . 1247 . THE annual meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on Friday , 16 th ult ., when the Principals were installed : —Com ]? . G . F . Watson Z ., P . G . L . Pearce H ., A . Goodman J . The ceremony was very impressively and ably conducted by Comp . J . B . Lord P . Z . P . G . D . C , and J . Gidlev .

There was also an exaltation . After the formal business the Companions adjourned to the Club , where they partook of an excellent supper .

FRANCIS WHITE CHAPTER , No . 1437 . THE installation meeting took place at Romford , on Thursday , 15 th ult ., when Comp . R . K . Bull was installed as M . E . Z ., F . S . Guy as H ., and James Boulton as J . '' The ceremony of installation was performed by Comp . Thos . Griffiths P . Z . 907 , to whom a vote of thanks was passed for the able way in which he performed the installation ceremony , and he was unanimously elected an Honorary Member of the Chapter .

Comp . Griffiths , in acknowledgment , said he had been elected Honorary Member in one or two Chapters , but none should he be more proud of than this , which bore the honoured name of Francis White , with whom he had been associated in Masonry for many years . He was sorry that the state of Comp . Francis White ' s health had prevented his personally performing the ceremony , though he was glad that that worthy Companion was able to be present at the meeting .

The M . E . Z . mentioned that at the last meeting it had been decided to mark in some way the fact of Comp . Francis White serving the office of M . E . Z . for tbe second time , and Comp . White having expressed a desire that it should take the form of a grant to the Boys School , he moved that this be done , and it was unanimously agreed to .

The Companions afterwards dined together at the Golden Lion Hotel , Bro . Reynolds' catering as usual giving the greatest satisfaction . ' Amongst those present on the occasion was the Scribe E . of the Province Comp . T . J . Railing P . G . Sw . B . Eng .

The first Fancy Dress Ball of the season at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden , will take place on Wednesday next , dancing commencing , at 11 p . m . The same elaborate preparations have been made for the gathering as proved so successful under the management of the late Bro . Sir Augustus Harris , and it is hoped this season the meetings may prove as popular as their predecessors .

Next Week.

NEXT WEEK .

Monday . 8 British , Freemasons ' -hall 21 Emulation , Albion 185 Tranrrailitv . Gmldha . ll Ta . v « rn

720 Panmure , Balham 862 Whittington , Freemasons' -hall 901 City of London , Guildhall Tav . 907 Royal Albert , Freemasons ' -hall 1506 White H ' rse o'K't ., HlbrnV . Hl . 1537 St . Peter , Westminster , Crtrn . 1657 Aldersgate , Albion . 1694 Imperial , Westminster 1728 Temple BarAnderton ' s

, 2060 La France , Cafe Royal 2489 Willesden , Willesden Green 2545 Iris , Rainbow Tav ., Fleet Sfc . 2563 Justicia , Freemasons ' -hall 61 Probity , Halifax 77 Freedom , Gravesend

85 Faithful , Harleston 89 Unanimity , Dukinfield 148 Lights , Warrington 236 York , York 248 True Love & Unity , Brixham

Next Week.

264 Nelson of the Nile , Batley 312 Lion , Whitby 359 Peace & Harmony , South ' pton 377 Hope & Charity , Kidderminster 382 Royal Union , Uxbridge 408 Three Graces , Haworth 424 Borough , Gateshead 433 Hope , Brightlingsea

455 Perseverance , Ketering 466 Merit , Stamford Baron 467 Tudor , Oldham 613 Unity , Southport 840 Scientific , Wolverton 872 Lewis , Whitehaven 900 St . George , Tewkesbury 925 Bedford , Birmingham 949 Williamson , Monkwearmoufch

986 Hesketh , Croston 1030 Egerton , Heaton Norris 1113 Anglesea , Manai Bridge 1141 Mid-Sussex , Horsham 1146 De Moulham , Swanage 1199 Ariculture , Yatton 1208 Corinthian , Dover

1255 Dundas , Plymouth 1280 Walden , Saffron Walden . 1286 Bayon , Market Rasen 1312 St . Mary , Booking 1337 Anchor , Northallerton .