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know he had admitted a number of young men to the Lodge whom he now regarded as most desirable acquisitions , and whom he hoped would long act in the spirit of the three addresses which had" been his last effort in the Lodge that night . The toast of the Initiate was next given , and in proposing it

the W . M . felt he could assure the Brethren they had just admitted a very worthy member . He was a personal friend of some years rcquaintance , and he felt sure the latest addition to their number would become a credit to the Upton Lodge . He desired to include with the toast the health of their newly admitted joining member .

Bro . Farrow cordially thanked the Brethren for electing him as a member of the Lodge that evening . He did not know much of the working of the Craft at present , but could truly promise to do his best to become a good Mason , and a worthy member of the Upton Lodge .

Bro . J . A . Keable did not know lie could add anything to what he had said in Lodge , in acknowledgment of his election as a member , but he could assure them that'if in the future he could do anything for their entertainment , or the prosperity of the Lodge , he should only be too pleased to undertake it .

In proposing the health of the Visitors the W . M . characterised the toast as a most important one , for the reason that the Upton Lodge took credit to itself for making a feature of according a hearty welcome to Visiting Brethren . He spoke of several of the guests personally and coupled the names of some of the more important visitors " with the toast , with the further invitation that any other of the guests who desired to do so would also express their

. Bro . Miles W . M . 1851 first responded . He had not expected to be called unon , being probably the youngest Master present . He had been looking forward to the auspicious events of that day , and while cordially greeting the new Master of the Lodge trusted the Great Architect of the Universe would give him health , strength and wisdom to so discharge the duties of his Office as to render the Upton Lodge more extensively useful than it had hitherto been .

Bro . Robinson followed , saying how much he had enjoyed himself . He had not hitherto seen the work of installation

performed , for , if he might say so , his eyes were really blinded by the excitement of the moment when he had himself been placed in the chair of his Lodge . He congratulated the Lodge on the performances of its members that day . Bro . Taylor followed , adding his congratulations . He was an

Australian Mason , and might say the Brethren out there prided themselves on the way in which they performed Lodge work , and this being so they would the better appreciate his feelings when he told them he was delighted with what he had seen in the Upton Lodge that day .

Bro . Cambden P . M . said he had been very much struck by the working of the present Master , and felt sure their initiate of that day would benefit by the ability displayed on the occasion of his admittance . He felt he was echoing the sentiment of every visiting Brother in wishing the Upton Lodge all success .

The I . P . M . again assumed command , this time to propose the Masonic Institutions . The toast was one that was received with enthusiasm at all Masonic gatherings , and he felt it was sure of a special welcome on 'that occasion , in view of the fact that their Worshipful Master—who had already qualified and acted as a

Steward for both the Boys and Girls Schools—had now accepted a Stewardship on behalf of the Benevolent Institution . Many of those present could testify to the fact that numerous orphan boys and girls of the Craft were well looked after , and would agree it was but right that the old people of both sexes among them should also be specially cared for .

The W . M . acknowledged the toast . He did not propose to say much on that occasion , except that he had accepted a Stewardship on behalf of the Old Peoples Institution , and should be asking them ere long for subscriptions in support of that Fund . He hoped to meet as hearty a response as he did when he similarly acted for the Boys and Girls Charities .

Now came the toast of the Treasurer and Secretary , and in submitting it the Master said it was a matter that requrcd' . 1 much better speaker than he was to do it justice . The two Brethren honoured in the toast were essentially a part of the Lodge , ever ready to do anything in their power for its welfare and prosperity . He was very pleased in having to make a little present to their

worthy Secretar- " Bro . Free . The members would remember that at the last meeting it was arranged to present him with a Past Master ' s jewel , but it had been decided to alter the form of the presentation , and the clock which was then displayed to their view had been selected instead . Bro . Free had worked hard for the Lodge , and

had done much to bring it up to its present high position of financial and numerical soundness , and it was but right his unceasing efforts in their behalf should be . recognised . He hoped Bro . Free would be spared for many years , and that whenever he had occasion to look at the clock he was now presented with he would remember the members of the Upton Lodge , and their appreciation of his services .

Bro . Treasurer Geiseke thanked the Brethren very much for the toast . He was now one of the oldest Past Masters and one of the oldest members of the Lodge . He was one of the few—with his Brother Secretary—who ' shifted the Lodge from the place of its foundation at Upton to London , and although they had had great difficulties to surmount at the time he felt they were well repaid in the present prosperous condition of the Lodge . He hoped to be spared for many years more to watch its further development .

Bro . tree was sure no one could entertain more heartfelt thankfulness than he did on the present occasion . He had been associated with the Lodge since 1880 , and with Bro . Gieseke held the distinction of being the oldest Past Masters . He hoped to have the same confidence reposed in him in the future as had been the case in the past . He considered the present condition of the Lodge

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redounded greatly to the credit of its members . He very much appreciated their kindness in presenting him with such a handsome clock . They would now be able to knock at his door at any time , should they desire to know " Upton " time , and he felt he might express equal thankfulness on behalf of " sister" Free , who would be as much delighted with the gift as he was .

The toast of the Past Masters was then given , followed by the health of the Officers and the closing sentiment by the Tyler—who concluded a most happy and enjoyable meeting . We give a portrait of the new Worshipful Master on page 121 of this issue . * * *

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

St . Bede Lodge , Mo . 1119 . rilHE installation of Bro . John Wood S . W ., who was unanimously J . elected as W . M . for the ensuing year at the July meeting , took place on Wednesday , 29 th ult ., at Jarrow . A large number of the Past Masters arid Brethren assembled to witness the ceremony , and there were also many influential Brethren present from the neighbouring Lodges in Newcastle , Sunderland , Hebburn , South ShieldsGateshead & c .

, , The installation ceremony was very ably performed by Bro . Henry Dancaster W . M ., assisted by Bro . J . F . Douglas P . M . r . P . G . Std . After Bro . Wood had been placed in the chair he appointed the Officers for the ensuing year . Many visiting Brethren offered their hearty congratulations to Bro . Wood on his having attained the high position of W . M . of St . Bede Lodgewishing him a happy and prosperous year of Office .

, The annual festival and banquet was held at Bro . A . Barrasford ' s , Ben Lomond Hotel , and was presided over by the newly installed W . M ., who was supported by a large company of Brethren . After dinner the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured and a very pleasant and harmonious evening was spent .

•* * * Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , 1 Mb . 1609 . AFTER the usual two months summer vacation , which has been in existence for many years , in connection with this Lodge , the members once more assembled in strong force at the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , on Tuesday afternoon , 28 th ult .,

for the transaction of business , which was of an important nature . This included the passing and raising of candidates , the election of W . M . and Treasurer , and the usual representatives on the various Lodge and other Committees . Bro . Dr . A . G . Goodwin W . M . was at his post , and was well supported .

After the two degrees had been conferred , Bro . W . H . Dutton S . W . was unanimously elected W . M . for the coming year ; and cordial recognition of almost invaluable services was given to Bro . William Savage P . P . G . Treas ., who was again selected with every evidence of enthusiasm to fill the important office of Treasurer

of the Dramatic—a position he has held for a considerable period with great distinction to himself and advantage to his Brethren . The other minor appointments were subsequently made , and after the banquet which followed business a capital musical programme was given .

St . Cuthbert Lodge , No . 1902 . ON Tuesday , 4 th inst ., the annual meeting was held in the new Masonic Hall , Bedlington , Bro . S . Hare W . M . presiding . There was a good attendance of Provincial Officers and others .

After tlie transaction of the preliminary business Bro . Edward W . Carr W . M .-elect was installed into the chair of Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , the impressive ceremony being ably given by Bro . G . R . Turner P . M .. who was assisted by Bros . J . Swann P . M ., and P . H . Gibson P . M .

Bro . Charlton , on behalf of Bro . Newsome lylcr , made an interesting presentation of useful articles to the Lodge , which were thankfully received by the Master on behalf of the members . The meeting shortly afterwards terminated , and adjourned to Bro . Metcalf's , the Turk's Head Hotel , where the annual banquet was held . After the removal of the cloth the usual toasts were given and enthusiastically received , songs and recitations being rendered at intervals by several Brethren .

* * * St . Albans Lodge , No . 2786 . ON Thursday , 6 th inst ., a meeting was held at the Red Lion Hotel , St . Albans , under the presidency of Brother C . O . Burgess W . M . P . M . P . P . S . G . Warclen Berks . P . Z ., & c , supported b- Bros . Frank Crocker S . W ., H . Watts P . M . J . W ., Wm . G . Coxen acting Secretary , Francis Fisher P . M . P . P . G . Std . Br . Treasurer , W . Sergeant Lee P . M . S . D ., J . T . Matthews Steward , Harry Willsmer ( visitor ) acting I . G ., ' R . H . 'Balderson , Harry Burkett , C . E . Griffin , G . Rolls , J . Wheelhouse , and Geo . Everett Tvler .

The other Visitors were Bros . J . Parry-Cole P . M . P . P . Grand Chaplain Sussex ( who kindly acted as Organist during the meeting , and afterwards presided at the piano during the evening ) , Arthur Spicer P . M . 2218 P . P . G . Std . Br ., and F . J . Mackadam . The Lodge being opened in due form , and the minutes read and confirmed , of the meeting held on 5 th July , the ballot was taken for Bro . Councillor Thos . Oakley 1470 as a joining member and proved unanimous in his favour .

Bro . Frank Crocker S . W . was unanimously elected the second Master of the Lodge , Bro . F . Fisher P . M . Treasurer , Brothers Balderson , Griffin , and Wheelhouse Auditors , Brother F . Crocker Charity Representative and Finance Committee Representative ,