Reports Of Meetings.

was regularly initiated into fche mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry . Both the ceremonies were rendered in a perfect and impressive manner . The next item on the programme was the election of Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , and this not only resulted in the unanimous selection of Bro . Wilkinson S . W ., but his very hearty congratulation on rising to the dignity of W . M .-elect . Bro . F . Purkiss P . M . was re-elected to the office of Treasurer .

Bro . Wilkinson thanked the Brethren for their unanimous vote in electing him to the dignity of Worshipful Master of the Crystal Palace Lodge . He was fully conscious of what was required of him to fulfil the duties of the position , and hoped to conduct the _ affairs of the Lodge to the entire satisfaction of the Brethren . Bro . Purkiss ' also acknowledged his re-election , in a few well-chosen words .

It was proposed that in recognition of tho excellent working of the W . M . during his year of office , a Past Master ' s jewel be provided from the funds of the Lodge , to be presented fco him on his retirement from the chair . This concluded the business of the evening , and the Lodge was thereupon closed , the company adjourning to the banquet room , where , later on , the customary toasts were honoured , the speeches being interspersed with an excellent musical entertainment , under the direction of the popular Organist of the Lodge Bro . S . Smith .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

RANELAGH LODGE , No . 834 . ON Fridav , 7 th inst ., at the Six Bells Hotel , Hammersmith , W ., Bros . J . WorthW . M ., Robert Reid S . W ., H . J . Cousens J . W ., A . Williams P . M . Prec , W . Hinds P . M . Treas ., F . Craggs P . M . Sec , H . Stokes S . D ., M . F , Wilkins J . D ., G . White I . G ., S . J . Parker P . 1 * 1 ., K . M . Ross , J . King , A . King , J . H . Gumming P . M ., G . T . Meek , J . R . Ingram , J . Stewart , W . P . Cockburn

P . M . The W . M . went through the ceremony of investiture ol Officers . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . J . King acting as candidate . Lodge was opened in the second degree and resumed to the first , when Bro . J . H . King answered the necessary questions , was entrusted , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . Lodge was resumed to the first degree .

Bro . W . Hinds P . M . of . the Tranquillity Lodge , No . 185 , presented his portrait to the Lodge of Instruction , and it was gratefully accepted and ordered to be hung in the Portrait Gallery , which is one of the largest and best in the West End of London .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

LODGE OF SYMPATHY , No . 483 . A MEETING of this Lodge was held on Wednesday , at the Royal . Clarendon Hotol , Gravesend , when Bro . Alfred J . Walklin W . M . presided . In the unavoidable absence of the Wardens Bro . Henry Forss P . M . acted as S . W ., and Bro . Orlton Cooper P . M . as J . W . There were also present Bros . T . T . Hogg PastProv . G . S . Bearer Treasurer , Arthur Ronaldson P . Prov . A . G . S .

Secretary , Robert J . Beamish P . Prov . A . G . D . C . acting as I . P . M ., E . Ingman S . D ., J . A . Gillett J . D ., Thomas Smith I . G ., L . J . Axcell D . C , 0 . P . Bowen , T . A . Mummery , G . A . Grant and J . Heweson Stewards . There was a large attendance of the members , and the i-ollowing visitors : W . C Barnes , of the Royal Athelstan Lodge ; and William Thornton , of the Lodge of Freedom .

The Lodge was formally opened by the W . M . Bro . Walklin , the opening hymn and the rest of the music being sung by the Brethren , unaccompanied by the organ , under the leadership of Bro . Beamish , who made an admirable precentor . After the minutes of the preceding meeting had been read and confirmed , the Lodge was advanced to the second degree , when Bros . J . A . Smith and A . Tulk answered the usual questions and were subsequently raised to the rank

of Master Mason , were invested , and took their seats in the Lodge . After tho traditional history had been given by the W . M . the Lodge was called , off for a short timej and , upon the return of the Brethren , was resumed to the first degree . Bro . Alfred Watkins , having proved his proficiency , was passed as a Gr . aftc-. m . au . Both the ceremonies were perfectly performed by Bro . Walklin , who was ably assisted by the Officers , especially the Deacons , Bros . Ingman and Gillett .

Upon the W . M . rising to inquire whether any Brother had aught to propose for the good of Freemasonry , Bro . Hogg said he desired to protest against the large number o £ votes that were now required to obtain the admission of a child into either of the Masonio Schools . He was informed that between 4 , 000 and 5 , 000 votes were now necessary , and it became almost

impossible for any ordinary person to obtain the privilege . He also considered that tlio education given at thc Schools was far superior to that which the Masons of the middle chiss were able to give their own children , and tho Brethren would have to take the subject into their serious deliberation in the future .

Other brethren expressed their opinions in a similar strain , but a Past Master thought that it was inexpedient to pursue the matter further at the present time , and the subject dropped . The Lodgo was then closed in perfect harmony , and the Brethren afterwards partook of supper .

ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 . rjIHE regular meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , _ S _ on Friday , 7 th inst ., Bro . Johu Mann Crone Worshipful Master . After ihe reading and confirmation of minutes , Bro . G . Hy . Smith was raised to the sublime degreo of M . M . by the W . M ., assisted by Bros . Hugh W . Bloomer S . Vv ., r . nd William Rushton J . W .

This was Bro . Crone's initial effort in the chair , and he is to be congratulated upon tho excellent way in which he acquitted himself . The usual festive board followed . Besides those already mentioned , there were present Bros . A . Bedfearn Treasurer , Wm . Thos . Hesketh P . M . Secretary , Henry Nail P . M . P . P . G . Tr , Cyril H . Beever P . M . Dir . oi Cers ., Alfred Pickford P . M . Char . Rep ., I . R . E .

Provincial.

Birkett I . P . M ., Wm . Lea S . D ., Dr . Andrew Denholm J . D ., T . C . Tallent-Bateman Org & nist , A . V . Sharratt Std ., Wm . O . Flint , J . Webster , and others . Visitor : Bro . J . W . Gomersall Organist Mellor Lodge , No . 1774 . ¦

URMSTON LODGE , No . 1730 . r * pHE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Urmston , on Monday , i 10 th inst ., Bro . Jas . Shaw Whitley W . M ., there being an attendance of over 30 members and visitors .

After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bros . Robt . Lund Hattersley and John Charles Ratcliffe wero raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the former by the W . M ., and the latter by Bro . J . H . Marsh P . M . P . P . S . G . D ., the working tools of tho degree being presented and explained by Bro . H . Jones S . VV .

At the festive board which followed , tho usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were varied by songs , recitations , & c , given by Bros . Marsh , John Goodwin , B . Cochrane , Edwd . Roberts P . M . 1459 , & c . Among the visitors were Bros . A . E . Wilson P . M . Sec . 633 , Wm . Moslev P . M . 1733 , R . J . Brew W . M . 222 , Siu-g .-Lieut . John Turville Smith I . G . 2322 , Chas A . Toyn 581 , and R . M . Roberts 606 .

ZION LODGE , No . 1798 . A MEETING of this Lodge was held at the Grand Hotel , Manchester , on Wednesday , 12 th inst ., Bro . Mark Steel W . M . Four ceremonies confronted the Officers , viz ., two passings and two raisings , all of which were performed . In the first instance , Bro . W . G . Lamb was passed to the degree of F . C . by the W . M ., Bro . Bernhard Steel

I . P . M . undertaking a similar duty with respect to Bro . Arthur Eppinger , the working tools being presented and explained by Bro . W . Dagnall J . W . Bros . Henry Jacobson and Wm . Chas . Benson were afterwards raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the first by the W . M ., and tho second by Bro . Simon Mamelok P . M . ; Prov . G . J . D ., who also presented the working tools of the degree . The usual festive board followed .

Besides those already mentioned , there were present Bros . Philip Joseph S . W ., J . H . Phillips Sec , Hy . Norris S . D ., L . Mistovski I . G ., George Rideal P . M ., Nathan Robinson , J . B . Levey , and others . Visitors : —Bros . J . W . Whitworth 2701 , and M . Goldman 815 .

CENTURION LODGE , No . 2322 . THE regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Tuesday , 4 th inst ., Brother Surg-Capt . J . J . Kent Fairclough Worshipful Master . After the reading and confirmation of minutes Bros . Alic Phillips ( Surg . Lieut . ) , and Ernest Alfred Simmons ( Capt . ) were raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by Brother Fairclough , assisted by Brother Rev . John W . Challoner P . P . G . C . S . W ., and Capt . Peter Nightingale J . W .

There were also present Bros . Major Fred Pratt P . M . Sec , Lieut . Geo . Heys S . D ., Surg .-Lieut . J . Turville Smith I . G ., Capt . F . J . Bentley , and others .

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . A REGULAR meeting was held at the Albion Hotel , Piccadilly , Manchester , on Thursday , 13 th inst ., Bro . A . G . Bryce Worshipful Master , there being a good attendance . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bros . A . Yates , Worsley Lodge , No . 1814 , and Wm . Moreeroft P . M . Fermor Lodge , No . 1313 , were successfully balloted for as joining members , and were heartily congratulated upon entering the Lodge .

The usual festive board followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts being interspersed with songs , recitations , & c , the contributaries being Bros . Roland H . Whatham Treasurer , Saml . Kew S . D ., A . Sutcliffe J . D ., A . Yates , W . Moreeroft P . M ., Edwd . Roberts P . M . 1459 ; accompanist Bro . Bridge Hopkinson P . M . 993 .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . THE regular meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Friday , tho 14 th inst ., Bro . William Alderley Boyer W . M . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , a successful ballot was taken for Bro . Albert Francis Thomas , Commercial Traveller , Ardwick , Manchester , late of St . George's Lodge , No . 440 ( E . C . ) Montreal , now of the Doric Lo-Jge , No . 58 , Ottawa , Canada , who was desirous of becoming a joining member .

Tho festive board followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts being introduced , and heartily acknowledged . A very excellent musical quintette , comprising Bros . Wm . Booth P . M . 104 2156 P . P . G . D . C , Nathaniel Dumville P . M . 2156 P . P . G . S ., William Dumville P . M . 2156 , Mark Stafford * P . M . 2156 P . P . G . S ., and \ V . " D . Booth Org . 104 , rendered several glees and other enjoyable numbers , Bros . Samuel Moore P . M . 992 P . P . G . S . of W ., and Edwd . Roberts P . M . ^ 1459 also adding their quota to the evening's entertainment by songs and recitations . Nearly all the Officers wero present , as also Bros . A . W . Bentham , F . Eastwood , and W . H . Crawford .

INTEREST during tho past week has largely centred in the Rhodesian share market . The declaration of substantial dividends by threo of tho companies carrying on gold mining operations in Rhodesia , and the rise in the prico of Chartered shares to over £ 4 , has drawn considerable attention to everthing Rhodesian . The leading Berlin bankers are already largely interested in the success of many of the Rhodesian sold mines . It is said

RHODESIAN GOLD TRUST .

that Mr . Cecil Rhodes has had substantial assurances from the German Emperor and the English Colonial Office that his scheme for the continuation of the Railway from Bulawayo northward , to connect with the direct line to Cairo , will be assisted by the guarantees of tho German and British Governments . Mr . Cecil Rhodes has said , however , that he is determined that the Railway shall go on in any case . With cheap transportation thus assured in

Rhodesia there is every probability of the shores of the Rhodesian Gold Trust going to a very considerable premium . The Rhodesian Gold Trust owns 2 , 157 claims in the best known and most important parts of Matabeleland and Rhodesia . There have been large dealings in these shares during the lasfc account , and at about thc price of 8 / - per share , at which thc £ 1 shares are now dealt in on the London Stock Exchange , they are certainly worth the attention of the speculative investor .