Reports Of Meetings.

occasion a satisfactory one , his ambition and chief idea being to keep up the reputation of the old Domatic Lodge . The next toast was that of the Initiate , who was heartily welcomed by the W . BI ., who regretted that thc other gentleman that evening accepted had not been able to be present . He trusted that the member admitted that day

would , in time to come , fully appreciate the work of Freemasonry . In reply , the Initiate said it had long been his ambition to belong to the Craft , and he thanked the Brethren for the reception accorded him that night . Nothing should be wanting ou his part to ensure his becoming an ornament to the Domatic Lodge .

The next toast the W . M . considered the chief toast of the evening . All must remember the time of their initiation and the lesson taught in the matter of Charity . This year it was the turn of the Boys School to receive the support of the Lodge , and right pleased was he to undertake the Stewardship on its behalf .- Each of the three Institutions was in turn doing a good work , the two Schools turning out those fortunate enough to be elected . to their benefits as respectable members of society , and the Old Peoples ' Institution doing much for the aged members of the Order in their hour of need .

Bro . J . M . McLeod replied . In this Lodge , of all the Lodges of the kingdom , there was very little need for anyone to take up the time of the Brethren in dilating on the needs of the Institutions , for the Domatic Lodge was so consistent in supporting the three funds . There was a very large number of recipients of the bounty the Craft bestowed—some 450 dear old Brethren or their widows receiving annuities , at a cost of some £ 16 , 000 a year ; 260 girls receiving education and being cared for in a manner that was

second to none among the Charitable Institutions of the day , while similar good work was being done on behalf of the Boys . He must first thank the Worshipful Blaster for what he had promised in the way of Stewardship ; he was no novice in the work of supporting the Charities , for he had done similar work in the past to that he had now undertaken , and which he had also promised to repeat at the time of the Centenary of tho Boys Institution . During the last five or six years not only had the education and training been

improved , but there were now nineteen more boys in the School than was the case five years ago . There was no question they were living in times when much more had to be done for Boys to give them an opportunity to take part in the work of the world than was the case formerly . Great changes had been made in the Boys School in recent years . One particular point was that of the clothing of the pupils , it formerly being the custom to dress all alike , so as to stamp their ' s as the garb of charity—now they were

dressed as the Brethren would dress their own children , and there was no doubt the change was appreciated . The educational results at fche School were very good , the different examinations of the pupils really producing grand results , and that notwithstanding the fact that they entered large numbers for the different competitions , rather than a few picked lads . The physical training was also studied , and altogether every care was taken of the boys . For the next election there were fifty-one approved candidates ,

with only twenty-eight vacancies , but this did not mean that the excess would be permanently rejected , as in recent years the Institution had been able to admit every boy who had been really deserving , although , it was true , in some cases the election had been delayed until the age limit was reached . Bro . BIcLeod next referred to the arrangement now in force by which clever lads were kept longer in the School than was formerly the rule , and concluded a forcible appeal on behalf of the Institutions with the remark that the

Committee had very liberal and broad-minded views of their responsibilities . The toast of the Installing and Past Blasters was next on the list . The Brethren all knew how well Bro . Wigrnore had carried out his duties in the Lodge during the past year , and they had seen how ably and efficiently he had carried out the installation that evening . The Past Masters generally were a body of whom they had every reason to be proud . Really they were the foundation on which the Lodge rested . He hoped they would each in turn respond to the toast .

Brother Wigrnore tendered his thanks for the cordial way in which the toast had been proposed and received . Although he had left the office of Blaster he should continue his former efforts to keep up the reputation and the prestige of the Domatic Lodge . He hoped , should the Blaster require any assistance , that he would be found ready in his place to give it .

Bro . White said the Past Blasters recognised the kindness shown them . Blany of the Brethren did not probably remember them when they occupied the chair of the Lodge and their enthusiasm was therefore all the more commendable . He hoped the year commenced that night would prove a happy and prosperous one for the Lodge .

Bro . Simner followed . After an absence of eight years he returned to tbe Lodge for a special reason . It was exactly twenty-one years since he was received there as an initiate of the Lodge , and he came that night to celebrate his majority . He regretted being unable to attend on Friday nights as a rule , but as it was only once in a Masonic lifetime the possibility occurred of celebrating a majority he had taken the opportunity of attending and marking the event .

Bro . Ferguson spoke of the way in which the harmony of the evening had been sustained . There was a time when the Domatic Lodge was self contained in this respect—did not have to go into the outer world to provide entertainment for its meetings , but found it among the members just as had been done that night . He really felt carried back to the time when he filled the different Offices , mauy years ago , when it was the rule for the entertainment to be provided by themselves . It was most satisfactory , to his mind , that fchey were happy and . contended among themselves , and had not necessarily to go outside the Lodge to provide their pleasure .

The toast of the Visitors was next submitted from , the chair , the Blaster hoping all the guests had been so well entertained as to desire fco come again . The members of the Lodge at all times endeavoured to carry out the ritual to its utmost capacity , and they hoped that all who had been present that day had received some benefit from their attendance . The toast was heartily received and responded to by several of the guests , after which the toasts of the Treasurer and Secretary and the Officers of the Lodge were honoured and the Tyler brought the proceedings to a conclusion .

The musical programme of the evening was provided by members of the Lodge , and was a great success as pointed out by Bro . P . M . Ferguson . With a little more practise the musical members would leave little to he desired .

ST . MICHAEL'S LODGE , No . 211 . AT a regular meeting of this Lodge , held on Tuesday , at the Albion , Aldergate Street , E . G ., Brother A . B . Spawforth J . W . was elected as Master for the ensuing year , Bro . Alfred Green P . M . was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . W . Barnes Tyler . A Pasfc Blaster ' s jewel was unanimously voted to Bro . George Cockerell for his valuable services rendered during the Centenary year of the Lodge . The installation meeting will take place on 11 th February .

Reports Of Meetings.

INSTEUCTION .

WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 . TI 1 HE weekly meeting of this flourishing Lodgo of Instruction was held on I Tuesday , 7 th inst ., at Brother Butcher ' s , Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace N ., Harrow Road . Bros . Robert John Roger P . BI . W . M ., Hearndon S . W ., Major Reed J . W ., J . W . Blogford S . D ., Bagnall J . D ., Weaver I . G ., Busby S ., H . Dehane P . M . Preceptor D . C , Wortham Sec , Faircloth P . M . 733 , Roberts , 'Armstrong , Butters , G . D . Blogford , Manne , Jacques Wynman , Allen P . M ., & c

The Lodge was opened to the second degree , and the ceremony of installation was rehearsed , Bro . G . D . Mogford candidate ; the W . M . Jgiving further proof of his great skill , study and love for Blasonry . The Lodge was opened in the third degree , Bro . Mogford invested the Officers , after which Bro . Roger P . BI . gave the addresses . The Lodge was resumed and the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed by Bro . Blogford , Bro . Busby candidate .

Great credit is due for tho excellence of the work , and to the Officers for their able assistance . Brother Roger P . BI . proposed that Bro . Wynman should be elected an Honorary Blember of the Lodge , he being a representative of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , and the Brethren being always very pleased to see anyone belonging to the press . This was seconded by Brother Dehane P . M . Preceptor and agreed to .

The Preceptor then proposed , and Major Reed seconded , that Brother Hearndon be VV . M . for next meeting . Bro . G . D . Blogford proposed a vote of thanks to Brother Roger for the delightful evening he had given the Brethren , and for the perfect manner in which he rendered the ceremonv of installation .

Bro . Roger thanked the W . M . and Brethren in a few suitable words , and then proposed that the Lodge should send a letter of condolence to the widow of the late Bro . Shaw , who used to be a member of the Westbourne Lodge .

UPTON LODGE , No . 1227 . ON the ISfch inst ., at the Great Eastern Hotel , Bro . Peters W . M ., Hyde S . W ., Levy J . W ., Free P . BI ., Carroll Assistant Sec , and some fifteen others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed . Bro . Isaac answered the questions leading to the third degree , and was entrusted . The ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Isaac candidate . Lodge was resumed . Bro . Hyde was elected W . M . for next meeting .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE , No . 1524 . AT the Lord Napier , West Side , London Fields , on Saturday , 11 th inst . Bros . Crisp W . M ., Eusby S . W ., Frost J . W ., G . Kebbell S . D ., F . Islip J . D ., Worthington I . G ., R . Fairclough Preceptor , G . Edwards Assistant Preceptor , F . Kebbel ! Assistant Secretary , P . Felthensal Organist , also Bros . Capt . Schlosshauer , Punter , Friedlander , J . Hands , C Bestow , J . Ives , W . H . Caton , J . Bunker Treasurer .

The ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bros . J . Hands and Friedlander being the candidates . The 1 st section of the 2 nd lecture was worked by Bro . Caton P . M ., the 2 nd by Bro . E . E . Fairclough P . M ., and the 3 rd by Brother A . Eusby . Brother W . H . Nolloth was proposed as a member , and unanimously elected .

BROMLEY ST . LEONARD LODGE , No . 1805 . AT the Bromley Vestry Hall , Bow Road , E ., on Wednesday , 15 th inst ., Bros . E . Hambridge W . BI ., J . Fennell S . W ., J . Holland J . W ., S . Bird S . D ., F . A . Slater J . D ., W . Holland I . G ., De Casseres P . BI . Preceptor , F . Thornton Sec , Ben Johnson P . BI ., Joss , Absolam , Leapman , Marks , and Alberg .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed by the W . M ., Bro . Leapman candidate . The W . BI . rehearsed tho investiture of officers , Bro . P . M . Ben Johnson acting as D . C Bro . Thornton was re-elected Secretary , De Casseres P . M . Preceptor ,

and J . Gibbs P . BI . Treasurer , thc members expressing their appreciation of the work each had performed on behalf of the Lodge . A vote of thanks was also passed to Bro . Ben Johnson P . BI . for the interest ho had displayed . The Lodge was closed and adjourned to Wednesday , the 22 nd , on which date Bro . Blarks will occupy the chair .

GALLERY CHAPTER , No . 1928 . THE regular convocation took place on Saturday , at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., when Comp . J . C . Blanning presided , and was assisted by Comps . J . Hurdell H ., Home J ., H . Bussey I . P . Z ., H . Wright S . E ., H . Blassoy P . Z ., E . E . Peacock P . Z ., J . Gowing P . S ., T . G . Scott , Bell , Bead , Fretwell , Irvine , Orlton Cooper .

EOYAL AECH .

After the minutes had been confirmed , the ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Bros . Timothy O'Neill Lane , and A . E . Baines , who were subsequently exalted as Companions of the Chapter . Tho chair of tho Third Principal being vacant , Comp . John Read Grand Organist was elected and installed therein . Comp . H . Bussey I . P . Z . was presented with a handsome P . Z's . jewel of tho Chapter . A . sub-committee was appointed to consider thc existing bye-laws of the Chapter , and to report thereon to the next meeting . Tlie Chanter was then closed .

During the pleasant evening that followed the business ofthe Lodge , Bro . Percy White announced that the Benevolent Fund , which was only established in November 1894 , had sent a hundred guineas to the Blasonic Charities , and he hoj ) ed that sum would be largely increased during the present year .

A Masonic ball was held in the Victoria Hall , Wimborne , on the 9 th , and was well attended by local Masons and friends .