Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings .

CRAFT : METROPOLITAN

BLOOMSBURY RIFLES LODGE , No . 2362 . A MEETING was held at the head quarters of the Corps , Chenies Street , W . C , on Wednesday , under the presidency of Bro . T . W . Mogford W . M ., who was supported by Bros . G . W . Mogford I . P . M ., J . L . Miller S . W ., G . W . Barker J . W ., H . B . Myers Treas ., G . Jackson Crow Sec , Harry Sillis P . M ., M . H . Hale P . M ., G . Grimes P . M ., G . C . Chandler J . D ., G . Groome I . G ., A . Marshall D . C , G . Stevenson Std ., W . S . Hall , H . Fowler , J . GreenfieldR . Lawrie , W . J . Lewis , C W . Patter , H . J . Peck , J . T . Balls , & o .

, The Visitors included Bros . E . Beynolds 215 , F . Beesley 723 , W . Puller 2601 , W . Trimm 215 , H . Dehane P . M . 1543 P . P . G . S . D . Essex , B . J . Bogers P . M . 733 , J . Wynman , and others . The Lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Messrs . H . Milner and H . J . Hagon , and proved unanimous in their favour . After the usual preliminaries those gentlemen were duly initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry .

Several communications regretting inability to be present were read ; hearty good wishes were accorded ; the Lodge was closed ; and the Brethren adjourned to the Mess Boom , were an excellent supper was provided , under the personal supervision of Bro . Stickland , the caterer of the Mess . Afterwards the usual Loyal toasts were given by the W . M . in an eloquent manner , and duly honoured .

The I . P . M ., in proposing the health of the W . M ., eulogised his many good qualities as a Mason . The way in which he had instructed the newly made Brothers was a great credit to him and the Lodge . The toast was received with considerable enthusiasm , as was Brother Mogford who , in reply , said he should but briefly acknowledge the kind words spoken of him . The Brethren could rest assured that his heart and soul were with the Lodge and regiment .

The Visitors ' . toast was responded to by Bro . Dehane , who thanked the W . M . for their genial hospitality , and complimented him on his excellent working . Bro . Bogers said it gave him double pleasure to respond , not alone as a Brother , but as an old soldier , as he had the pleasure of marching in the same regiment . The excellent reputation of the W . M . was fully borne out by what he had witnessed that evening ; his working was perfection—he could speak from experience , being a P . M . of the Westbourne Lodge . Other Visitors also suitably responded .

The toast of the Past Masters was given by Bro . G . W . Barter J . W ., in a most complimentary manner , and duly acknowledged . The Officers' toast was given and responded to by Bro . Myers P . M . Treasurer , Crow Sec , J . L . Miller S . W , and Barker J . W . The Tyler's toast concluded a very pleasant meeting .

DUKE OF CORNWALL LODGE , No . 1839 . SATURDAY last witnessed the completion of one of the most successful periods in the history of this Lodge ( which has been under the direction of Bro . Charles Heinekey W . M . for the year ) and the commencement of a new era which gives every promise of adding to its reputation for excellent working and jovial good fellowship . The meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , and was attended by between eighty and ninety Brethren , amongst whom were several visitors , who were entertained in that hearty manner for which the Duke of Cornwall Lodge has such a high repute .

The Brethren were offered a Masonic treat in Lodge , the work of Brc . Henekey being such as to afford enjoyment to all who appreciate a perfect rendering of our ritual and ceremonies . He was ably assisted by the following : C . H . Knuth S . W . W . M .-elect , W . Wright J . W ., J . Culver P . M . Treasurer , J . W . Dewsnap P . M . Secretary , T . J . Jackson Assist . Secretary , F . H . Stollery S . D ., J . F . Perrins J . D ., A . E . Turner I . G ., Fred . Smallbones

and A . J . Blake Stewards , Thomas Bowler Tyler , H . Cattermole P . M ., W . H . Foot P . M ., W . H . Lowry P . M ., J . Bladon P . M ., 0 . H . Cox P . M ., Walter Martin P . M . Grand Pursuivant , several other Past Masters , together with Bros . Watson , C W . Payne , G . Moore , F . Corbett , C . Day , A . Perkins , W . Mackley , J . King , Boyton , 0 . W . Davies , A . J . Brown , C . T . Cowley , H . King , N . N . Stansbury , H . E . Toon , H . Griggs , G . F . Broad , John Tucker , Robert Jay , James C Jay , & c

Amongst the Visitors were Bros . W . G . Howes P . M . 1321 , Mead 1400 , Fuller 198 , Gedge P . M ., Munday , L . Meyer 1622 , Stone 1287 , Thompson P . M ., Humphrey S . D . 1677 , Davison P . M . 1897 , Lawson P . M ., McQueen S . D . 11 , J . H . Thompson P . P . G . S . B . Middlesex , J . Wynman , and several others . The Lodge was regularly opened and the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed , after which the W . M . opened the Lodge in the second

degree , and Bro . J . Watson was examined and entrusted . That Brother retired and the Lodge was advanced to the third , when he was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason . After this ceremony the Lodge was resumed to the first degree . The report of the Auditors was postponed until next meeting . Lodge was resumed in the second degree , the annual installation being the next ceremony .

Bro . C . H . Knuth was presented to the presiding Officer by Bro . Walter Martin P . M . Asst . Grand Pursuivant , and the ceremony was ably performed in the presence of a large Board of Installed Masters . The other Brethren having been admitted had the pleasure of saluting Bro . Knuth as occupant of the chair of K . S . for the ensuing twelve months . The new W . M . was duly presented with the working tools . Bro . Walter Martin was an able Director of Ceremonies throughout .

Bro . Knuth invested his assistant Officers as follow : —Bros . W . Wright S . W ., Fred H . Stollery J . W ., J . Culver P . M . ( re-elected ) Treasurer , J . W . Dewsnap P . M . Secretary , J . Perrins S . D ., A . E . Turner J . D ., F . Smallbones

Reports Of Meetings.

I . G ., A . Blake D . C , A . J . Brown and 0 . W . Davies Stewards , Thomas Bowler ( re-elected ) Tyler . The appointments over , the Installing Master delivered the different addresses , to Worshipful Master , Wardens , and Brethren , and thereby brought a very successful year ' s work to a close in a manner that called for a hearty outburst of applause .

The ballot was now taken for Messrs . James Charles Jay , Robert Jay , and John Tucker as Initiates , and this pioving unanimous in their favour those gentlemen were duly admitted into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry , the new W . M . showing his ability by rendering this ceremony , as he had previously done that of the investment of his Officers , in a very

impressive manner . The W . M . rose for the first time , and a gentleman was proposed as a candidate for initiation at the next meeting . The Secretary read several letters from Brethren regretting their non-attendance , and alter a few more communications , and well earned hearty greetings from the Brethren and visitors alike , the Lodge was closed in harmony .

The Brethren then adjourned to the banqueting room of Freemasons ' Tavern , where an excellent banquet was provided under the able direction of Bro . W . G . Blanchette , the manager of the establishment . The cloth removed , the W . M . gave the toast of the Queen and the Craft , which was heartily responded to . The health of the M . W . G . M . the Prince of Wales was next presented by

the W . M ., who said all knew the deep interest His Royal Highness took in Freemasonry and charity work in general . He also spoke of the other Grand Officers , and had very much pleasure in coupling with their toast the name of Bro . Walter Martin Asst . Grand Pursuivant . The Grand Officers were really the pioneers of Freemasonry , and for their splendid services a deep debt of gratitude was due from the general body of the Craft .

Bro . Walter Martin , on rising , was received with enthusiasm . He said it was not difficult to answer for the Grand Officers , as all knew hy the regular reports of their performances what hard working Masons they were . They did everything calculated to promote the welfare of Freemasonry . Many years ago he had the pleasure of being elected an Honorary Member of their Lodge , and saw with delight that the Duke of Cornwall was prosperous . He most sincerely congratulated the W . M . on occupying the honourable chair of

its Master , and wished him a prosperous year of office ; he also congratulated the I . P . M . Bro . Heinekey , on having vacated the chair with such glorious honours . He strongly , advised the Brethren to attend the Lodge of Instruction , of which he was the Preceptor , and which was held every Monday , at Bro . G . Stevenson's , the Whittington Hotel , Moor Lane , near Moorgate Street Station . The able manner in which the W . M . fulfilled the duties of Master of the Lodge on the first occasion of his presidency showed that practice at the Instruction Lodge , in his case , had made him perfect .

• The I . P . M . in most eloquent terms proposed the health of the W . M ., wishing him every success , and to this sentiment the Brethren attended with a good Masonic fire . Bro . C . H . Knuth W . M ., who received quite an ovation , thanked the Brethren most heartily for their reception and Bro . Heinekey for his flattering

remarks . He hoped the Brethren would not expect too much from him . He would , however , most conscientiously carry out his duties , to the benefit of the Duke of Cornwall Lodge , he hoped . He felt he was sure to get all the support he required from the Past Masters , and from the Officers he had had the pleasure of investing that evening .

The next toast the W . M . had very much pleasure to propose was that of the I . P . M . Bro . Heinekey . The members know of the very excellent way in which he had fulfilled the duties of his year of office , while the skill he had exhibited in installing his successor that evening and rendering the addresses was especially "worthy of commendation . It was indeed a pleasant duty to him to have to invest Bro . Heinekey with the Past Master's jewel of the Lodge , and he hoped he might wear it in good health for many years to come . The jewel bore the following inscription :

Presented By the Brethren of the Duke of Cornwall Lodge , No . 1839 , to BBO . CHABLES HEINEKEY , for his able services as W . M . October 1896-97 . The I . P . M . replied , thanking the Worshipful Master most sincerely for proposing his health in such kind terms , and the Brethren for receiving it in

so cordial a manner . He also thanked all the members most heartily for the handsome jewel the Lodge had presented him that evening . Whatever he could do for the welfare of the Lodge he should be most happy to undertake , and if the Brethren should require his services at any time they had only to call upon him , and he would do everything in his power to give them the assistance they desired . He finished by again thanking the W . M .

and Brethren . The W . M . next presented the toast of the Initiates , in befitting terms , and the same was received most cordially . Bro . John Tucker , in reply , thanked the W . M . for having initiated him , and the Brethren for having accepted him as a Brother amongst them . In time he hoped to show the Brethren he was worthy of their confidence .

Bro . John Charles Jay also thanked the W . M . for proposing his health , and assured him and the Brethren he would do everything in his power to become a credit to the Duke of Cornwall Lodge . The last , but not the least , initiate—Bro . Robert Jay—also heartily thanked the W . M . and Brethren for having admitted him as a member of the Lodge . He was sure that in time to come the Brethren would be pleased to have shown him that confidence .

The next toast on the programme was that of the Officers , the W . M . saying he was sure that the Lodge would prosper with such an able body of assistants , every one of whom knew his duties . The compliment was duly acknowledged , and then followed the toast of the visitors .

Replying , Bro . Gedge P . M . said that ten years ago he had the pleasure of being initiated in that Lodge , but going abroad he was compelled to resign ; his heart , however , was always with his Mother Lodge , and he wished it and its members every prosperity . Our Brother concluded by referring to some special points in the working of Freemasonry in the colonies .

Bro . Howes P . M . of the Emblematic Lodge was next called upon , and in reply said he was very pleased to have witnessed the excellent working of the I . P . M . and the perfect manner in which the W . M . had initiated the newly made Brethren , as also the excellent style he displayed in investing his Officers . He wished the Lodge every success , and thanked the W . M . for his kind reception . Bro . Thompson and other visitors also acknowledged the compliment shown to them .