Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

CEAET : METROPOLITAN .

SAMSON LODGE , No . 1668 . TIE annual installation festival of this popular Lodge was held at the Cafe Royal , Regent Street , W ., on Tuesday , when a large number of thet rateruity assembled to take part in the interesting ceremony . Bro . A . Clark W . M . presided , assisted by his Officers and the following Br ethren : C . F . Hogard P . G . S . B ., Ernest St . Clair G . Assist . D . C , Baron D .

barnett P . M ., A . F . Casperd P . M ., J . W . Nash P . M ., Emil Hahn P . M ., B . Fuld P . M ., 0 . W . Austin P . M . lti , J . W . Wnitworth P . M . 1280 , J . W . Cuff P . M . 511 , F . W . Hancock P . M . 548 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , S . A . Rathschild W . M . 1017 , 0 . Vandyke W . M . 2268 , E . Levy W . M . 205 , Hy . Crocker 1007 , A . H . Marks 156 a , J . Rosenthal 1017 , H . Sacke 2313 ( Johannesburg ) , S . Fonseca 1563 , Marcus Fischer 185 , J . R . Morford W . M . 569 , Edward Lewis

P . M . 1425 . The Lodge being opened , the minutes of the last meeting was read and confirmed . Bros . Kahn , Harrison Brockbank , Sandon , and Isaacs having proved their proficiency as Craftsmen , were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason , the ceremony being excellently performed by the W . M .

Bro . Clark then resigned the chair in favour of Bro . Baron D . Barnett P . M ., who was deputed to perform the installation ceremony . Bro . Nersessian -was introduced by Bro . J . W . Nash P . M ., and gave his assent to the ancient charges and regulations . A Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Nersessian was regularly installed into the chair of King Solomon according

to ancient custom , and afterwards invested the I . P . M . Upon the return of the Brethren the new Master was saluted in the various degrees , and then proceeded to invest his Officers as follow : Bros . G . Levin S . W ., J . D . Hood J . W ., M . J . Heilbron Chaplain , E . Hahn P . M . Treasurer , B . D . Barnett P . M . Secretary , T . M . Lamble S . D ., S . J . Heilbron J . D ., T . D . Corthine I . G ., J . Bayne Organist , J . Cohn D . C , I . Heilbron Steward , and Beinhardt Tyler .

When investing the Tyler , Bro . Nersessian gave the ancient charge to the Brethren , thus giving early proof of his knowledge of the ritual . The addresses to the W . M ., Officers , and the Brethren were admirably delivered by Bro . Barnett , and elicited the hearty appreciation of the Brethren . The Lodge accounts , showing a satisfactory balance , were presente e'er d adopted , and a vote of thanks was accorded to the Auditors .

The new Master having received the congratulations of the visiting Brethren , then presented his predecessor with a handsome Past Master's jewel , in the name of the Lodge . The I . P . M . brierly returned thanks , saying that he fully appreciated the honour that was done him , and that his services would always be at

the disposal of the Lodge . He valued the jewel all the more because it could not be bought , and would always remind him of the happy time he spent in the chair . This concluding the business of the evening , the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren adjourned to the banquet room . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were afterwards honoured .

Bro . Ernest St . Clair G . A . D . C , and C . F . Hogard P . G . S . B . responded for the Grand Officers . The former stated that it was the first time he had had the honour to reply for the Grand Lodge , and it was rather appropriate that he should do so m that place , because twelve years ago he was initiated in that very house , in La France Lodge , No . 2060 . In Bro . Nersessian the Samson Lodge had a real good fellow , and one who would never disgrace either the Lodge or the Craft .

Bro . Hogard congratulated Bro . Barnett upon the manner in which the ceremony of installation was conducted . He remembered the time the Lodge was contecrated , was glad to find it bad gone on prospering , and wished the Brethren every success . Bro . A . Clark , in eulogistic terms , proposed the health of the new W . M ., which was modestly aeknowltdged by Brother Nersessian , who thanked the Brethren for their reception . He hoped so to conduct the Lodge as to meet with thdir sutislaction when his year of office had expired .

Bros . C . Vandyke , M . Fischer and E . Levy , Masters respectively of the Montefiore , Tranquillity , and Israel Lodges , responded for the Visitors . Bro . Clark , in acknowledging the toast of the Past Masters , took occasion to thank Brother Barnett for so kindly performing the installation ceremony at such short notice . Everyone would agree that he had done the work in a most perfect manner , and he heartily congratulated him upon a great success .

Bro . Barnett replied to this compliment when responding for the Treasurer and Secretary , and said that it his work had afforded the Brethren any pleasuie , it was a greater pleasure for him to do it , and he was more than gratified . He was specially glad to instal Bro . Nersessian , and he hoped that those Brethren who had been " raised " tbat evening would reach the same proud position . He had been Secretary of the Lodge since its foundationnow some twenty years , and it was a great delight to him to witness its success .

The Officers of the Lodge having been complimented , the Tyler ' s toast brought the meeting to a pleasant teimination . During the evening a capital selection of vocal and instrumental music was provided , the principal artistes being Miss Ethel Winn , Bro . W . H . Noel , James Bayn , Robt . Endie and Mr . Fred Casano . Bro . Harrison Brockbank ran across from the Avenue Theatre to favour the company with a fine rendering of Kellie's " Winter Love Song . " Altogether a very pleasant festival .

Bro . Nersess Nersessian was born in 1861 , at Teheran , the capital city of Persia , and is the sen of Armenian parents . He was educated in France , and came to this country some fifteen years ago . He was initiated into Freemasonry in May 1888 , and has filled most of the offices in the Samson Lodge . He has taken great interest in the political affairs of his countrymen , by whom he is highly esteemed , and his reception in the Lodge on Tuesday proves that he has also secured the goodwill of his Brethren .

BROMLEY ST . LEONARD LODGE , No . 1805 ( INSTRUCTION ) . AT tbe Bow Bells , Bow Boad , on Wednesday , 13 th inst ., Brother E . Hfimbiidgf Vv . M . G . "B . nrell S . W ., Whitlock J . W ., F . A . Slater K . J . , -. Ln . tui . i- L ., i-, A . "VU . b . t J . O ., j . Li Cutbilet l-. "Vi . I-ieetpur , 1 * . J . hoii . tcn jatc , boyce P . M ., Oxiey P . M ., Towner , Kinney , Marks , Joss , Martindale .

Reports Of Meetings.

The Lodge was opened to the second degree . Bro . Boyce answered the questions leading to the third , and the W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of raising , Bro . Boyce candidate . The Lodge was closed in the third and second degrees and the Brethren assisted Brother Oxley P . M . to work the second section of the lecture . Bro . Joss was elected to the chair for Wednesday , 20 th , to which date the Lodge was adjourned .

RELIEF LODGE , No . 42 . i riHE annual social gathering of this old and distinguished Lodge was held I at the Grey Mare Hotel , Bury , on Tuesday evening , 28 th ult ., and was attended by about sixty persons , including Brethren , their wives , and lady friends , who sat down to an excellent knife and fork tea , catered for by Bro . L . R . Duckworth and Mrs . Duckworth , in their usual style ; after which a lengthy programme was gone through .

PROVINCIAL

Bro . V . Brown W . M . presided , Bros . O . Wild S . W . and J . Booth J . W . acting as Deputy Chairmen , and T . Rigby P . M . P . G . S . B . E . L . as Director of Ceremonies . The toast of the Queen , proposed by the W . M ., was honoured by the singing of the National Anthem , the solo being taken by Bro . H . Matthews .

The W . M . next proposed the Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , which was responded to by Bro . E . Royles , who sang " God bless the Prince of Wales . " The Worshipful Master , coupled with prosperity to Lodge Relief , No . 42 , was proposed by Bro . R . W . Buxton ( who sang ' - Here's to his health " ) , to which the W . M . duly responded , by giving the guests a hearty welcome , and thanking them for the kind and enthusiastic manner in which they had received and honoured the toast .

The Masonic Charities , proposed by Brother J . Chadwick P . M . Charity Representative , was responded to by Bro . T . H . Sleigh P . M . P . P . G . Std . E . L . Treasurer . Our entertainers , proposed by Bro . T . S . Collinge , was responded to by Bro . W . Dickson .

The ladies , proposed by Bro . J . W . Kenyon P . M . P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . E . L . ( the oldest Freemason present ) , was responded to , on their behalf , by Bro . Jas . Wild ( the youngest member of the Lodge ) . The Host and Hostess , proposed by Brother S . Cox P . M . ( Almoner ) , was responded to by Bro . L . B . Duckworth and Mrs . Duckworth . The following programme of songs , recitations , & c , was . also gone

through : —Glee , " Allan Water , " by Glee Party , Bros . H . Matthews , E Royles , and W . Dickson , and Messrs . F . Savin and Ingham ; humourous song "A thing he had never done before , " Bro . R . Gregson ; song "The Charmed Cup , " Mr . F . Savin ; recitation " Tantler's Sister , " Mr . H . Riley ; song "It ' s such a dainty dame , " Brother E . Royles ; song " I'm off to Philadelphia , " Broi W . Dickson ; song " I seek for thee in every flower , ' Bro . H . Matthews ; duet " The moon hath raised her lamp , " Bro . E . Royles

and Mr . F . Savin ; song ' The Postillion , " Bro . W . Dickson ; humourous song " I ' ve worked eight hours this day , " Bro . R . Gregson ; glee ' The pretty little flower and the great oak tree , " Glee Party ( as above ); recitation " The old man out of Town , " Mr . H . Riley ; song " Mary , " Bro . E . Royles ; song " "Unrequited -Love , " Mr . F . Savin ; glee ' ¦ Sleep , gentle lady , " Glee Party ( as above ) ; song " I dream of thee sweet Madeline , " Mr . Ingham ; recitation " Mark Twain on the guides oi Home , " Mr . H . Riley .

The proceedings were concluded with the Tyler ' s toast , and the National Anthem . Bro . J . W . Wolstencroft played the accompaniments during the evening in a most efficient manner . The gathering was one of the most successful ever held in connection with the Lodge , everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves , and expressing their delight on being present at such an evening's entertainment .

ST . GEORGE LODGE , No . 242 . THE regular meeting was held on Friday , 1 st inst ., at . Doncaster , when Bro . R . Bridge was installed Worshipful Master , and regularly appointed the Assistant Officers for the year .

TRAFFORD LODGE , No . 1496 . THE regular meeting was held at the Western Hotel , Moss Side , Manchester , on the 11 th inst ., Bro . Ramsey Knight W . M . There were also present : Brothers 0 . Preston S . W ., Wm . Yeadon J . W ., George

Burslem P . M . Treas ., J . 0 . Gillman P . P . S . G . D . P . M . Secretary , William Russell J . D ., Walter Lees I . G ., D . Johnson P . M . D . C , Fras . Long P . M . Org ., H . P . Jones P . P . G . R . P . M ., Josh . Kershaw P . M ., Jno . Rathbone P . M ., 0 . H . Moss , E . H . Seddon , A . H . Nojbury , H . Preston , T . Turnbull , 0 . F . Davies , J . Kennerley , Thomas Jackson .

Visitors : C . J . Vickers 2231 , G . Robinson 1459 , H . Goldman S . W . 323 , Wm . Findlay 1459 , J . Dawson P . M . 317 , W . H . Moss J . D . 2359 , William Chesshyre Tyler . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , the ballot was taken for a gentleman for initiation , -which was unanimous , but who was unavoidably absent and his initiation was postponed .

The Lodge was opened in the second degree , when Brothers Turnbull and Seddon , having answered the necessary questions , retired with the test of merit , when the Brethren adjourned for tea . On re-assembling , the Lodge was opened in the third degeee , when Bro . Turnbull was raised to the sublime degree of a M . M . by the W . M . and Bro . Seddon by Brother Gillman P . P . S . G . D ., the working tools being presented by the S . W . The Lodge was resumed .

A vote of condolence and sympathy was proposed and seconded , with a request that the Secretary be asked to forward a letter of sympathy , to thc relatives of the late Bro . Frith , and expressing the regret the Brethren felt at his death .

A vote of thanks was proposed and seconded to Brothers Lees and Russell , for the able manner in which they had managed the soiree held in January , and were able to hand over to the charity fund a surplus derived therefrom .

Hearty good wishes having been tendered the Lodge was closed . The Brethren then adjourned to the festive board , the toast ot the newlj -raised Brethren been drunk , also th at of the visitors and others , and very suitably responded to . The intervals were enlivened with songs and recitations .