Reports Of Meetings.

Bro . T . M . Johnson W . M ., replying to the toast of the new W . M . of St . Thomas Lodge , said it had been a great and unspeakable privilege to ascend that day the chair which had been so ably filled by the sixteen Brethren who represented all the Past Masters of tho Lodgo , supporting him on that occasion . He hoped to maintain fully the traditions and honours of his office , so that it should be passed to his successor when the time came round as unsullied and as honourable as he now received it .

Bro . Meakm next presented the retiring Master with a jewel on behalf of the Lodge , in acknowledging which Bro . McGill spoke in marked terms of the evident good feeling which had always been exhibited towards himself by every Brother of the Lodge during his year of office . He hoped to see the Lodge continue its prosperous career , and that good fellowship might increase with it for a long time to come .

Tho whole of the toasts were received with much enthusiasm and a most successful meeting closed at the usual hour . During the evening Bros . C . Turner , P . Heaton and J . Taylor sang several songs , and recitations were contributed by Bros . A . G . Thompson and K . Taylor , all of which were greatly enjoyed . o o o

THE regular meeting was held at the Western Hotel , Moss Side , Manchester , on the 10 th inst . Bro . Percy E . Lard W . M . There were also present Bros . Francis Long I . P . M ., R . Knight S . ; W ., Chris . Preston J . W ., Geo . Burslem P . M . Treas ., J . C . Gillman P . P . S . G . D . Secretary , W . Yeadon S . D ., J . S . Done J . D .,

TRAFFORD LODGE , No . 1496 .

H . Russell I . G ., D . Johnson P . M . B . C ., H . P . Jones P . P . G . R P . M ., J . Kershaw P . M ., J . W . Rathbone P . M ., T . L . Frith , M Seanor , J . Yule-Deeley , C . F . Davies , A . J . Tarr , H . Mogridge , E Dewsbury , J . H . Rowse , Walter Lees . Visitors : W . Rushton Org 1375 , W . Bull 1375 , E . H . Flower P . G . Tyler ( E . L . ) Tyler .

The Lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed , when the Brethren adjourned for tea . On re-assembling , Bro . J . H . Rowse was passed to the second degree by the W . M ., the Working Tools being given by Bro . Knight S . W . and an explanation of tho second Tracing Board b > Bro . Burslem P . M .

It was proposed by the W . M . and seconded by Bro . Burslem that the sum of six guineas be given to the West Lancashire Hamer Benevolent Fund , and a unanimous vote was given by the Brethreu . After hearty good wishes had been expressed by the Visiting Brethren the Lodge was closed .

At the social board the health of Bro . Rowse was proposed by the W . M . and replied to by the newly-passed Brother . Bro . Burslem P . M . proposed the health of the Visitors , which was heartily responded to . Bro . Long P . M . proposed the health of tho W . M ., who , in reply , thanked them all for their kind expressions .

Other toasts followed . Bros . Lane , Lees , Rushton , Long , Mogridge and Rowso enlivened the evening's enjoyment by songs , and recitations , Bro . Rushton presiding at the pianoforte .

o o o KIRKDALE LODGE , No . 1756 . SOME 160 members and visitors met at the Skelmersdale Masonic HaU , Westminster Road , Liverpool , on the 28 th ult .,

on tne occasion ol tne annual installation . Bro . Dr . Joseph Rieketts was installed as Master by his predecessor , Bro . John Macaulay , who perfoimed his duties with great efficiency .

At the banquet which took place after the installation , the retiring Master was presented with a box of cutlery , a splendid cruet , silver-mounted Masonic clothing , and a Past Master ' s jewel , in recognition of his valuable services to the Lodge . o o- o

PETROC LODGE , No . 1785 . THE annual festival was celebrated at Padstow , on Tuesday , 4 th inst . There was a good muster of members , and Bro . W . A . Sandoe S . W . of One and All Lodge , No . 330 was present as a visitor . A large number of apologies were read from members of

neighbouring Lodges , who were unable to attend in consequence of the parish meetings . The ceremony of installing tbe W . M . Bro . W . Philp was efficiently performed by Bro . J . B . Williams P . M . assisted by Bros . F . Bray Prov . G . D . C , and W . H . Pope P . Prov . A . G . Sec .

An excellent dinner was served at Bro . R . Lobb ' s Commercial Hotel . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , and the evening ' s proceedings were enlivened with songs by several of the Brethren . o o o

CROOK LODGE , No . 2019 . ON Wednesday , 28 th ult ., one of the largest and most enthusiastic gatherings of Freemasons ever held in connection with this Lodge took place under the presidency of Brother Myles Tavlor W . M . J

The special feature was a fraternal visit of the Whitworth Lodge , No . 1932 , of Spennymoor , who , with Bro . Black the W . M . and a veiy large contingeiit oi his Officers and Brethren , embraced the cppoitunity of the social invitation . Not only was the Whitworth Ledge well represented , but ' visitors wete present from Tristram , Marquess of Granby , St . Helens , St . Hilca , Haimony , Barnard Castle , and Newcastle-cn-Qyne Lodges .

After the oidinary business was concluded the Brethren retired to the spacious dining hall , where a sumptuous banquet was

Reports Of Meetings.

provided by the efficient Stewards Bros . Wilson and Brown , and about eighty sat down . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , and the meeting was spent in harmony and fraternal greetings .

O O 0 CENTURION LODGE , No . 2322 . rpHE Annual meeting and Festival of St . John took plaee at the JL Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , the 3 rd inst ., when there were present :

Bros . D . P . Schloss W . M ., Major John Heap I . P . M ., Capt . Fred Pratt S . W ., Surgeon-Capt . Arthur H . Smith J . W ., Coi . J . Howarth Clarke , J . P ., Treas . P . P . G . D ., Capt . Geo . Kershaw Secy ., Capt . T . W . Ashwoith S . D ., Capt . S . Brown J . D ., Rev . John W . ( . hallenor Chaplain 2 nd V . B . M . R ., Major W . H . Hopkins P . M . D . C ,

Surgeon-Capt . J . J . Kent Faiiclough I . G ., Capt . John Seiby Steward , Col Henry L . Rocca P . P . G . J . D ., Capt . Henry Thomas P . P . G . J . D ., Capt . Jas . Andrew P . P . S . G . W ., Rev . E . Bigoe Bagot P . P . G . C , Major Joseph W . Allison P . P . G . T ., Col . John Eaton P . P . G . T . ( E . L . ) P . Prov . G . S . W . ( Cheshire ) , Col . Henry J . Robinson P . P . G . Reg .,

Major W . Compton Hall , Lieut . J . L . Sidebotham , Major G . H . Bates , Capt . J . P . Peacock , Capt . Arthur Galloway , Lieut . Ralph Dunn , Edward Roberts P . M . ( FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ) . Visitors Brothers Captain G . W . Sidebotham P . M . P . P . J . G . D . £ 61 , J . W .

Hamilton P . P . G . R . 1253 , W . H . Bibby W . M . 993 , Cyril H . Beever W . M . £ 363 I . P . M . " 1375 , Jno . M . Simpson W . M . ^ 367 , H . J . Cutter P . M . 44 , W . T . Allitt P . M . 993 , Captain A . J . Sykes 357 , J . M . R . Woodhead 633 , J . BindJoss 859 , Geo . Cranston 999 , G . 0 . Brookes 1 C 09 , Fred . 0 . Morgan 1357 , J . Hy . Greenwood 2387 .

Alter the minutes of ihe meeting held 1 st October had been confirmed , and the ordinary business of the Ledge disposed of , a Board of Installed Masters was formed as follows : —Bros . Captain Hy . Thomas W . M ., Col . Rocca S . W ., Major Allison J . W ., Major Hopkins Deaci n , Col . Robinson I . G .

Bro . Capt . Pratt S . W . was presented to receive the benefits of Installation , by Bro . Major Hopkins , and was regularly installed into the chair of K . S . by Bro . Capt . Thomas , who perioimed tho ceremony in that characteristically easy and finished manner which usually aecempanies his work . The addresses to tho Master , Wardens , and Brethren were given by Brother Colonel Rocca .

Subjoined is a list of Officers for 1894-5 , all who were present at the ceremony being invested and addressed by Brother Capt . Andrew : —Bros . Surgeon-Captain Smith S . W ., Captain George KerslawJ . W ., Rev . E . Bigoe Bagot P . M . P . P . G . C . Chaplain , Col .

J . H . Clark P . M . P . P . G . D . Treasurer , Captain T . Ashworth Sec , Surgeon-Captain Faiiclough S . D ., Rev . J . W . Challenor J . D ., Major Hopkins P . M . P . P . G . D . C . D . C , Captain Selly I . G ., Major Peacock , and Captain Nightingale Stewaids .

Before the Lodge was clcsed , Bro . Major Heap was unanimously re-elected Chaiity Representative . A very excellent banquet followed these proceedings , it being served in Bro . Donald's best style , and giving every satisfaction to the Brethren . This in turn was succeeded by the festive board , Loyal and Masonic toasts being submitted and honoured in the usual manner .

The health of the W . Master was proposed by Col . J . Howarth Clark , who congratulated him upon being elected by the unanimous vote of the Lodge . He also assured the ruler of the kindly feeling which all the Brethren entertained for him , promising earnest support during his term of office .

Capt . Pratt replied , thanking them for the honour conferred , and hoping to prove by his cenduct not only during his year of office , but thrcughout his life , that his attachment to Masonry would continue to exercise the influence over his actions which would cause the Craft never to regiet the trust reposed in him as an Officer of their ancient Order .

The health of the Visitors was proposed by Bro . Capt . Andrew , who gave them a very hearty greeting in the name ofthe Centurion Lodge . This was replied to by Bros . J . W . Hamilton , Capt . Sykes , C . H . Beever , and W . H . Bibby .

The toast of the I . P . M . and the rest of the Past Masters was proposed by the W . M . who took this opportunity of expressing the sympathies of the Brethren with Bro . Schloss in the loss he had sustained during his year of office by the death of his father , who

twelve months ago was a guest at the festival . The W . M . also alluded to the strength of the Lodge , and the assistance it received in having such a list of Past Masters who were always so very willing to assist the young Officers in its working .

Brother Schloss I . P . M . replied in grateful terms to the kind allusions made upon the bereavement which he had unfortunately suffered . The Masonic Charities , very eloquently introduced by Brother Col . Rocca , received a fitting reply from Bro . Major Heap , and tbe toast of the Officers , proposed by Bro . Major Allison , was responded to by the several Officers present .

During the evening , Bro . J . H . Greenwood , who had acted as Organist throughout the ceremony of Installation , gave many of his delightful songs and sketches . Bros . Hamilton and Beever also contributed in this direction , being listened to with very much pleasure .

o o o THE First Number of a new series of " Little Folks" will be published on the 20 th inst ., containing the initial instalments of two new serial stories . A new design has been prepared for the

cover , and tbe number will contain the facsimile of a letter written by Her Majesty the Queen at the age of nine years . "Little Folks" will enter on its twenty-fifth year of publication with tbe number , with which will be presented a separate Book of Songs for young people , with music .