Instruction.

the candidato for the former , and Bro . Rudderforth P . M . for the latter . Bro . W . West was elected W . M . for the next meeting . ON Monday afternoon , 13 th inst ., Bros . W . West W . M ., J . Culverhouse S . W ., F . Walker J . W ., 0 . Wetton P . M . Dep . Prec , J . W . Simeons Sec , H . J . Rose S . D ., S . Firminger J . D ., W . Davis I . G ., Rudderforth P . M ., C H . Perry , W . Cawley , F . Westcott , H . Cousens , F . Louis , W . Simms , T . Detrez , P . Ainato , J . Wynman , & c .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Makings candidate . Bro . Williamson answered the questions leading to the second degree , was entrusted , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . Bro . Culverhouse was chosen W . M . for the next meeting , and Bro . Perry was elected a member .

Provincial .

PROVINCIAL .

WIRRAL LODGE , No . 2496 . THE annual meeting and festival of St . John took place at the Masonio Hall , Ciaughton Road , Birkenhead , on Thursday , 2 nd inst ., Bro . George Proudman P . M . P . G . Std . Bearer being the installing Master , supported by Bros . Alderman Thomas Shaw P . M . P . P . G . W ., Councillors E . G . Mason P . M . P . P . G . D . ( Deputy Mayor ) who presented the W . M .-elect , Bro . James T . Thompson P . M . P . P . G . R . ( Mayor of Birkenhead ) for installation , and James Gamlin P . M . P . P . G . D ., who acted respectively as Senior and Junior Wardens and Inner Guard .

The following Past Masters also assisted in the ceremony : Bros . A . E . Coveney P . P . G . D ., and Councillor A . H . Rigmaiden the retiring Master . The newly installed Master appointed and invested his Officers , as follow : Bros . Rigmaiden I . P . M ., Alderman James Woodstock S . W ., James Smith J . W ., J . Millward Hughes P . P . G . O . Secretary , Richard Powell P . P . G . Stwd . Treasurer , John Carter S . D ., J . J . Elliott J . D ., Councillor R . Rowland Hughes I . G ., W . Cannon , H . G . Baty , J . T . Morgan , G . Wilson Stewards , W . A . Weston Org ., and H . M . Holtaway Tyler .

Among the Visitors were Bros . George Brown P . M . P . P . G . S . W ., John Armstrong P . M . P . P . G . Supt . Works , Lilley Ellis P . M . P . P . G . D ., Joseph Clarke P . M . P . P . G . Assist . Sec , A . Saunders P . M . 477 , R . Robinson P . M . 477 P . P . G . Supt . Works , J . McLeary P . M . 477 , W . H . Jones P . M . 605 , J . E . Tomlinson W . M . 605 , Owen Jones P . M . P . P . G . S . B ., J . Pruddah P . M . 241 , R . C Davies W . M ., J . E . Gabbutt P . M .

Bro . Thompson presided at the festival of St . John , when Loyal and Masonic toasts were pleasantly varied by songs , & c , the contributaries being as follow : Solos " National Anthem , " " Simon the Cellarer , " " The Worshipful Master ' s Song , " by Bro . Proudman . Solos "An E"ening Song , " and " Mary , " by Bros . Thomas Barlow and E . G . Mason . After the banquet , which was of a most recherche character ( admirably served by Bro . Dan Baker ) , the health of the W . M . was proposed by Bro . Rigmaiden , who said ho was proud to welcome Bro . Thompson to the chair

he had just vacated , not only for the high position he held as Chief Magistrate of no mean City , but also for his great personal qualities , his kindness of heart and genial nature . Not the least of his many admirable qualifications for the honourable position he had just assumed was the innate modesty with which he bore the blushing honours that had lately been showered upon him , and which appeared to be an attribute only possessed by noble minds , and one that endeared him to all with whom he came in contact . He concluded by wishing him a year of happiness equal in every respect to the one just passed .

The W . M ., who , on rising to respond , was enthusiastically received , said he thanked most heartily and sincerely the I . P . M . for the pleasing terms in which he had proposed the toast of his health , and for the good wishes he had expressed , and the Brethren for the great honour they had that day conferred upon him in placing him in the highest position the Lodge had in its power to bestow upon any of its members . He was not unmindful of the self abnegation of Bro . Woodstock S . W ., and also the other Officers of the Lodge , for having so generously given way in order that he might occupy the exalted position in which he then stood .

During the evening a Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Rigmaiden , together with a beautiful bracelet set with diamonds for Mrs . Rigmaiden , subscribed for by the Brethren of the Lodge , and in proposing the health of Bro . Rigmaiden and his wife , the W . M . in an eloquent speech said he congratulated him on having completed a very successful year in the chair , and wished both he and his wife health and prosperity for many years to come .

The retiring Master said he accepted with pleasure the delicate tribute to a wife's sympathy for Freemasonry and acknowledgment of ber self abnegation of the society of her husband while away from the domestic hearth on Masonic duties , and assured the Brethren that the valuable and chase ornament would ever be worn by his wife with pride and kindly recollection of her husband ' s connection with the Wirral Lodge .

The W . M ., in proposing the health of the Installing Master Bro . Proudman , referred in eulogistic terms to the excellent work performed by him , and said he was delighted to have been placed in the chair of tho Lodge by such a worthy and distinguished Brother . He highly complimented him on the very efficient and conscientious manner in which the ceremony had been performed , and had much pleasure in presenting him with a souvenir , which would enable him to look back with pleasure on that day ' s proceedings . He ( the Mayor ) had also much pleasure in banding a small present to each of the Officers who had assisted in the ceremony .

Bro . Proudman , in responding , said the work he had performed had been a labour of love , and he considered it both a pleasure and a privilege ; further , that an honour had been conferred upon him in selecting him for the duty . The other recipients of the Worshipful Master ' s favour suitably acknowledged the gifts . The proceedings on this occasion were unique . The W . M . was presented by two Ex-Mayors , and he , the present Mayor of the Borough , to mark the occasion , as already stated , presented the Installing Master and his assistants each with a handsome and valuable present .

During the evening the Secretary read letters of apology from Bros . Sir Horatio Lloyd , and W . R . Brewster , Mayor of Bootle , regretting their inability to bo present , at the same time congratulating the W . M ., and wishing him a pleasai . t ytar of office .

The Worshipful Master Bro . J . T . Thompson is the present Mayor of Birkenhead , a Past Master of No . 477 , and P . P . G . Reg . He is the leading Solicitor in the town , head of the firm of Messrs . Thompson , Hughes and Matthison ; and has been a prominent member of the Town Council for a number of years . He was one of the Founders of the Wirral Lodge , and has filled the office of Treasurer since its Consecration .

Provincial .

Bro . Goo . Proudman the Installing Master is Past Master of the Royal Victoria Lodge , No . 1013 , West Lancashire , and the Wirral Lodge , No . 2496 , Birkenhead , of which he was one of the founders , and is at present Charity Representative . He was appointed by Earl Egerton and Viscount Salford Prov . G . Standard Bearer for the current year . He is a Royal Arch Mason , a member of the Masonic Order of Knights of Rome , and the Red Cross of

Constantine , also a K . H . S ., and Knight of St . John the Evangelist , and Divisional Grand Chamberlain of those Orders ; Principal Steward of the Cestrian Conclave ; Life Governor , Chester Benevolent Institution , and Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . He is a very prominent and expert Freemason , popular , and highly respected in Cheshire and West Lancashire , and beloved by all who have the pleasure of knowing him .

DE TATTON LODGE , No . 2144 . ON Wednesday , 8 th inst ., the Lodge was opened at the Town Hall , Altrincham , Cheshire , by Bro . J . A . Lord W . M ., at 5-50 pm . The minutes of previous meetings were read and confirmed , aud all business being ended the Lodge was closed in peace and harmony at 6-10 p . m . The Brethren , with their wives and friends , afterwards sat down to a banquet , which reflected great credit on the Committee of Management , especially on Bro . O . P . Hill Steward , who was principally responsible for the arrangements .

On the removal of the cloth tho company were entertained with song and recitation by Mrs . Newman ( Halle ' s Concerts ) , Bro . J . H . Greenwood ( the popular humorist ) , Bro . Piston , Bro . W . Booth , Mr . Perrin , Bro . H . O . Lord J . W ., and Bro . Green . The usual Loyal and patriotic toa 3 ts were proposed and duly honoured .

The toast of the Worshipful Master was proposed by Bro . Simpson P . M . P . P . G . D . who expressed , on behalf of the Brethren , their regard and esteem for the W . M ., pointing out the zeal with which he entered into everything oonnected with Freemasonry . He coupled with the toast the health of Mrs . Lord .

The Worshipful Master suitably responded , and Mrs . Lord expressed her thanks for the kindly way in which the toast was received . The Worshipful Master next proposed the toast of the I . P . M . Bro . C . Kenworthy , which was suitably acknowledged . The remainder of the evening was devoted to dancing , and altogether a most enjoyable time was spent .

Annual Banquet At The Spaten Restaurant.

ANNUAL BANQUET AT THE SPATEN RESTAURANT .

rriHB second annual banquet at Bro . Charles Riemann ' s Spaten Restaurant , I 33 Newgate Street , E . C , took place on Monday , when there were about 100 guests present . Among others we had the pleasure of seeing Bro . R . J . Rogers P . M . Westbourne Lodge , Bros . John Gale , C . Strohalm and his father , J . Beynon , Henry Kohler , J . Wynman , and several others .

The chair was taken by J . W . Thomas , Esq ., member of the Board of Guardians of the City of London , with Lieut . 0 . C . Miller as Vice-Chairman , in the unavoidable absence of C . Val Hunter , Esq . After an excellent banquet , which was served in such perfect style as would not have disgraced any of the best Hotels of the metropolis , the

chairman gave the toast of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , and the other members of the Royal Family , and in doing so specially spoke of the harmony that existed between England and Germany , fostered as it was in no small measure by the cordial relations between the Royal families of the two countries .

The next toast the ohairman had very much pleasure in giving was that of His Majesty the Emperor of Germany , Father of their Fatherland , which toast was most enthusiastically received , also with musical honours . The chairman next submitted what he considered was the toast of the evening , the health of their genial friend Herr Charles Riemann . The banquet he had provided . was most excellent , and it would be very difficult to find a better caterer than he in the City of London , especially in that part

of the city where they were then assembled . He could say with confidence that the articles he sold were all that could be desired , while the house was conducted in so perfect a manner as to give him great credit . But it was not alone he , but Mrs . Riemann also , who deserved great praise . The ladylike manner in which she attended to the numerous customers led him to the conclusion that the only thing that remained was to wish Herr Riemann and

his better half every prosperity . The chairman felt sure the company would join him most heartily in the toast . Bro . Riemann , in a few but appreciative words , thanked the chairman and company for their very good wishes , both on behalf of his dear wife and for himself . He assured them that he would endeavour to give still more satisfaction in the future , than he had given in the previons year .

Bro . Henry Kohler said that Herr Riemann and his wife deserved the fullest support . They always attended to their customers with the greatest courtesy , and their wines and viands were perfection . The bountiful supper he had provided that evening was a fair sample of what the house was capable of , and it would be very difficult to find anyone to improve upon it .. Several other toasts followed , and some excellent songs were provided , amongst others who contributed to the harmony being Miss Annie Patrick , who was deservedly encored , Mr . Jul . Shilling presiding at the piano . During the evening a flashlight photo of the company was taken . •- ' . •"

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

Avenue . —The last performances of "Lord and Lady Algy" at this Theatre are announced , and those who have not yet seen this really delightful comedy are recommended to do so . It is one of the very few pieces that can be seen more than once with equal pleasure . Globe . —Bro . John Hare will this evening revive Robertson's favourite comedy "Ours" here , and will sustain his original character of Prince Perovsky .

Arrangements have been completed for the National Sunday League ' s series of oratorio performances and concerts at the Alhambra , Leicester Square . " The Messiah" will be given on Sunday , 19 th inst ., at seven o'clock .