Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

CRAFT . — : o : — CONSECRATION OF THE MINERVA LODGE , No . 2433 .

THE ancient Craft of Freemasonry is making rapid strides in Birkenhead , and another step onward was taken on Wednesday , th « 7 th inst ., when Lord Egerton of Tattoo , the Provincial Grand Muster of Cheshire , consrrcrated the Minerva Lodgo , No . 2433 . This new Lodgo is the fifth in Birkenhead . Ib is formed on the lines of tbe Qoatuor Coronati Lodge in London , which is worked on literary

and scientific lines , and it is the first of its kind in tbe Provinces . Masonio history and arctfojlogy are specially studied , tbe Lodge joins the correspondence circle of 1500 members throughout the world , among whom printed correspondence is regularly circulated . As may well be imagined , great interest attached to the proceedings a " , the Masonio Chamber ? , Hamilton Street , Birkenhead , and there

was a large attendance of brethren to support the Provincial Grand Master and Bro . Squire Chapman the Worshipfnl Master designate . The majority of the thirty-six members of the Lodge already enrolled were present , while among those who bad responded to the invitation and attended were the following Present and Past Provincial OJBOM : —Bros . J . Salmon D . P . G . M ., J . Clayton P . P . G . S . W ., Bichard

Newhouse P . G . Secretary , H . E . Hayward P . P . G . S . B ., T . H . Annett P . G . Treisnrer , G . H . Browne P . G . Dir . of Cere , Henry Matthews P . G . S . W ., J . Morris P . G . S . B ., T . Litberland P . G . S ., C . W . Phillips P . G . S ., James Gamlin P . P . G . D ., Lilly Ellis P . P . G . S . D ., H . B . Browne P . P . G . D ., Alexander Phipps P . P . G . O ., T . W . Sturgesa P . G . C , T . Smith Burgess P . G . S , J . S . Jolly P . G . S ., and J . It ' . Simm P . P . G .

Treasurer . The petitioners for the charter for the Minerva Lodge were Bros . Squire Chapman P . P . G . D ., Arthur Samuels P . P . G . D ., Henry Buxton Brown P . P . G . D . C , Patrick Sword P . M . 1380 , W . F . Robinson W . M . 2132 , J . Armstrong P . M . 1250 , and Robert M'Gee W . M . 1675 ; while the other promoters of the proposition were Bros . Thomas A . Bellew , A . J . Mackay , Edward Cornish , Charles Ratcliffe ,

W . H . Edwardes , B . M . Bannatyne , Peter Blackburn , J . F . Von Gahlen , W . H . Tyerman , Edwin Kite , Dr . J . W . A . Napier , William Henry Starkey , Samuel King , Joseph H . Bates , Fred . K . Stevenson , George H . Brown , Samuel Jones , Jos . Roscoe Simm , Owen Jones , William Henry Hudson , Thomas Charles Thorburn , Edward W . Armstrong , Henry Hind , Edward G . Mason , Lilley Ellis , J . T .

Thompson , H . Hartje , John Fraser , and Thomas Cowley . His lord , ¦ hip having assisted in the dedication and consecration of the new Lodge according to ancient rites and ceremonies , Bro . Squire Chapman was duly installed as first Worshipful Master of the Minerva Lodge , the ceremony of installation being efficiently performed by Bro . George H . Browne . The new W . M . then invested

Bros . Dr . A . Samuels as Senior Warden , H-. B . Browne as Junior Warden , John Armstrong as Treasurer , aud Patrick Sword P . M . as Secretary . The other Officers of the Lodge will be Bros . Dr . J . W . A . Napier acting I . P . M ., Samuel Jones Director of Ceremonies , Jos . R . Simm P . P . G . Treasurer S . D ., Owen Jones J . D ., George H . Brown I . G ., Robert M'Gee Steward , and F . W . Holtoway Tyler . On the

conclusion of fche Lodge proceedings , the brethren adjourned to dinner , the consecration being then duly celebrated . An enjoyable evening was spent , an excellent programme of music being provided by Bros . S . Kirkham 1609 , E . Edwards 1609 , George Barton 897 , Eaton Batty 1609 , and A . Hamilton King 2375 , under the direction of Bro . A . J . Phipps 1576 fche Provincial Grand Organist , who had also directed the musical portion of the consecration ceremony .

LODGE OF AFFABILITY , No . 317 ( MANCHESTER )

THE first meeting since the vacation took place afc the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , on Thursday , 1 st insfc . Present—Bros . Staton W . M ., J . Read S . W ., F . Spencer J . W ., Wm . Garside Secretary , T . Bushell P . M . J . D ., A . Allen I . G ., J . Bladon P . P . G . A . D . C . Dir . of Cers . ; P . M . ' s H . Walmsley and J . Dawson ; Bros . W . A . Boyer , Plumpton , Brocklehurst , Rottmayer , Chenery , Field , Guest ,

and others . Visitors—Bros ., J . Atkinson 2144 , T . H . Hall P . M . Secretary 1458 . The Lodge was opened at 5 ' 30 aud the minntes of the June meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . W . A . Boyer being a candidate for passing was interrogated as to his proficiency in the first degree , received the test of merit and retired . He was

afterwards made a F . C . Mason by the W . M . Bro . James Chenery was subsequently raised to fche sublime degree of a M . M . by Bro . James Dawson , in a thoroughly efficient manner . The Lodge was lowered to the first degree , and Bro . Lisenden was elected Tyler . There being no further business the Lodge was formally closed .

TRUTH LODGE , No . 1458 ( MANCHESTER )

THE first meeting since the vacation was held on Saturday , the 3 rd inst ., at Bro . Tom Wood ' s , Wheatsheaf Hotel . Amongst those present were Brothers Fred Hilton AV . M ., Robert Caldwell P . P . G . S . B . acting S . W ., Jas . Archdale J . W ., T . H . Hall P . M . Seoretary , Needle P . M ., Parkin , Elliott , & o . Visitors—Bros . Rottmayer 317 , and Chenery 317 . The Lodge was opened in due form and tbe

minntes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . In the second degree Bro . Kingston , who was desirous of taking his third degree , was interrogated as to his proficiency in the second , and

having satisfactorily answered , withdrew . He was subsequently raised to the sublime degree of a M . M . by the W . M ., and there being no further business the Lodge WM duly lowered to the first degree . Great regret was exferienced by all the brethren on learning thafc a

Notices Of Meetings.

serious accident had befallen Bro . Past Master Davies , which caused his absence from the Lodge and his enforced retirement from business for a time . A letter of sympathy was ordered to be sent him by the Secretary , after whioh the Lodge was closed in peace and harmony .

SACKVILLE LODGE , No . 1619

ON the Gth inst ., the annual meeting was held at the Crown Hotel , East Grinstead , for the installation of Officers and the transaction of other business . There was a good attendance of members and visiting brethren , including Bro . Simpson , of the Mid-Sussex Lodge , and Visitors from the Ockenden , Southdown , Crystal Palace , Royal Navy , and other Lodges . Bro . F . J . Bodd-Badd the

Worshipful Master elect , was ably installed by Bro . G . Wilson , and the Worshipful Master afterwards invested his Officers , as follow : — Bros . R . G . Payne S . W ., J . Lnxford J . W ., E . A . Head P . M . P . P . G . S . D . Treasurer , A . M . Betohley P . M . P . P . G . S . B . Secretary , G . Wilson P . M . 1303 1619 I . P . M ., W . H . Brown P . M . P . G . S . B . Dir . of Cers .

D . Wood S . D ., C . W . F . Stannard J . D ., C . M . Wilson I . G ., S . R . Schofield Organist , P . Walder and F . W . Dixon Stewards . The brethren subsequently dined together . The posUprandial proceedings were of a hearty and enjoyable character , and were greatly enhanced by the vooal contributions of the Lewes Orpheus Glee Union , who sang between the toasts .

OBEDIENCE LODGE , No . 1753

THE annual installation was held at the White Hart Hotel , Okehampton , on tbe Gth inst . The following brethren were

present : —Bros . W . Gregory P . M . ! P . P . G . A . D . C . Treasurer 1254 , A . J . Truscott P . M . 1254 P . G . R ., F . R . Hearn P . M . 1254 , F . Suget P . M . 39 , G . Durrant P . M . 500 ( St Andrew ' s ) , W . Yoe P . M . 1753 P . P . G . A . S ., J . Wounacott P . M ., T . Symonds P . M ., J . C . Pierce S . W ..

W . Manuell J . W ., W . H . Rowe Secretary , Charles Piper S . D ., J . W . Reed I . G ., C . H . Sanders , J . Durant , W . P . Moon , W . E . Perkin , A . J . Verdi , J . Cuddeford , W . L . Palmer , Sellsby-Wilson , J . Coombe , Tyler , all of 1753 ; R . S . Pnrnell J . S . 390 , J . Wellington I . G . 1332 , FredNewoombe 39 , P . Hannaford S . D . 223 , G . Mackenzie 2399 , John Pittiok 1138 and 1817 . Brother W . Gregory again acted as

Installing Master , and Bro . J . C . Pierce S . W . was installed W . M ., in succession to Bro . J . Wonnacott . The Worshipful Master appointed tho following as bis Officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . J . Wonnncott I . P . M ., W . Manuell S . W ., W . Rowe J . W ., Charles Piper Sec , J . W . Raed S . D ., J . Powersland J . D ., W . E . Perkin I . G .,

C . H . Saunders Org ., W . P . Moon D . C , W . Palmer Steward . Bro . Gregory was elected representative on the Committee of Petitions . The brethren adjourned to fche dining-room of fche White Hart Hotel , where the annual banquet was held , Bro . Verdi providing a richerche " repast .

ELD 0 N LODGE , No . 1755

BEAUTIFUL weather prevailed on Saturday afternoon , the 10 th inst ., at Porbishead , when the installation meeting of the above Lodge was held at the Royal Hotel . There was a large attendance of members and visitors , and a goodly number of Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge . Those present included the following Officers and Members : —Bros . E . Davey W . M ., W . T . Shapland I . P . M ., F . G . Dimery P . M . S . W . pro tern , C . P . Billing J . W ., James

R . Thebridge P . M . Treasurer , C . L . Thomas P . M . Secretary , A . J . Tonkin S . D ., A . J . Jeffreys I . G ., H . M . Appleton P . M . D . C , J . H . Hall Organist , H . Stafford Steward , W . K . Thomas P . M ., George Dando P . M ., the Rev . A . W . M . Weatherley P . M . P . G . C , William Rice P . M ., Frank Simpkins Tyler , Fred . G . Moore , W . F . Spratt , John Southwood , T . Tumor , W . G . Smith , W . R . Maby P . G . H ., Theo .

Carrington , and George Daltry . Among the numerous visiting brethren were : —The Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Somerset , Bro . R . C . Else Past Grand Deacon of England , and Bros . E . J . Grubb P . M . 68 , Robert Gough P . M . 68 P . G . S . D ., James Stoate 610 P . G . Tyler , A . J . Mott 68 , Herbert Fielding 326 , Riohird Brock 326 , J . Amos 68 , J . J . Hornor 68 , E . Tedder 68 , R . H . Shrflpoell J . W .

1833 , A . H . Bate I . G . 1404 , J . S . Kelly 1756 , R . Skellorn 203 , Albert Dodge A . D . C . 1388 , Frederick Martin 1388 , H . 0 . Jarrett 68 P . P . G . Steward , Alfred G . Britt P . M . and D . C . 1388 , Sebaatin Selliok W . M . 1222 , H . W . Mackenzie 1750 , A . P . Wickenden S . W . 1750 , Thomas Webley I . P . M . 68 P . G . Standard Bearer , W . J . Hooper 68 , George Booth 68 , John Hill P . M . 68 . Visitors were present from Bristol ,

Clevedon , Weston . Super-Mare , Bridgwater , Leeds , Keynham , Oswestry , and Liverpool . After some preliminary business had been disposed of , Bro . W . Rice was re-elected as delegate to serve on the Provincial Charity Organisation Committee . Next followed the principal item in the afternoon ' s programme , viz ., tbe installation of Bro . Charles Peter Billing J . W . and Worshipful Master elect , who

was duly installed into tbe chair of W . M . by Bro . R . C . Else . Bro . Billing afc once proceeded to appoint and invest bis Officers , as follow -. —Bros . E . Davey I . P . M ., A . J . Tonkin S . W ., C . Hazell J . W ., J . R . Thebridge P . M . Treasurer ( re-elected ) , C L . Thomas P . M . Secretary ( re-appointed ) , E . W . Harvey S . D ., A . J . Jeffreys J . D ., F . G . Moore I . G ., H . M . Appleton P . M . D . C , T . Turner A . D . C ,

Captain Morgan and J . H . Hall Stewards , W . F . Spratt Organist , F . Simpkins Tyler ( re-elected ) . The collection of alms was voted to a local oharity which Bro . Rice is interested in . After the Lodge had been closed the nsual banquet was held , over which Bro . C . P . Billing W . M . presided , when the Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly

honoured . Tbe catering of Mrs . Boulter gave muoh satisfaction . After the Provincial Grand Chaplain had returned thanks and the cloth had been removed , the W . M . proposed the Queen and the Craft and the Most Worshipful Grand Master , in appropriate terms . The W . M . next proposed the Provincial Grand Master and Officers of Grand Lodge . The W . M . inbmitted the Provincial Grand Master of