Hampshire And Isle Of Wight.

HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT .

BY the Masonic Calendar for the Province , just issued , we learn there are 48 Craft Lodges in the Province , with a total membership ou 31 st December 1895 of 3 , 614 . The initiates during the year number 247 . The oldest Lodge in the Province is the Medina , of Cowes , which dates its warrant from 17 th February 1732— -there are three others of the eighteenth

century , viz ., Economy , Winchester ; Royal Gloucester , Southampton ; and Unity , Ringwood ; whilst the Albany , Newport , is just outside , being dated 8 th May 1801—and the youngest , the Border , No . 2475 , Blackwater , which has already forty Brethren on its roll . There was originally even an older Lodge than the

Medina on the Provincial roll , known as the Lodge of Antiquity , and dating its warrant from 1724 . Its meeting place was the East India Arm ' s , Gosport , but it became extinct in September 1838 , its number at that time being 26 . Another old Lodge was that rheetiug at the -King ' s Head , Portsmouth , which had a

warrant dated 24 th April 1739 , but became extinct in February 1758 . Its humber was 106 . There were formerly fourteen other Lodges which possessed eighteenth century warrants , all of which have become extinct . There are twenty-four Royal Arch Chapters in the Province—three in the Isle of Wight—the oldest

of which is the Friendship , No . 257 , of Portsmouth , constituted llth August 1769 , the youngest the Asher Barfield , constituted 7 th August 1895 , though it is first in order of precedence , taking the number 35 , from the Medina Lodge . There are in the Province 344 Mark Masons , and 54 Ark Mariners , 93 Rose Croix , and 71 Knights Templar . — " Hampshire Independent . "

A presentation was made to Brother John Chapman P . M . Prov . G . D . Devon at the meeting of the St . John Lodge , No . 328 , held at Torquay , on Monday . We shall give fuller details in our next issue , and meanwhile congratulate our worthy Brother on the event .

We are very pleased to learn that Bro . J . S . Eastes Deputy Prov . Grand Master of Kent has recovered from the serious illness from which he has suffered for some months past , and we

feel sure all who know bim will join with us in the wish that he may be fully restored to his former strength , and long be spared to take his place in our midst .

" The Masonic Record " laments that " business—nothing else "—is the reason that notices of Masonic bodies are sent to members . It admits that business must be done , and that dues must be collected , but it suggests that notices also should seek

employment for the unemployed , and should notify the members that Brothers so-and-so are sick and would like to look into the friendly eye and receive the fraternal grip of their Brother

Craftsmen . In brief , ifc believes ifc would be far better for the Masonic Institution if some of the notices were aimed to elevate humanity , and not to promote business .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

rpHE remains of the late Bro . John Metcalfe were interred JL in Richmond Parish Churchyard on the 7 fch , in the presence of a large gathering of friends and the general public , including a number of his Masonic Brethren . / CONSIDERABLE regret has followed the announcement of

V _ y the death of Dr . A . B . Payne , second son of the Rev . Dr . Payne , Vicar of St . George ' s Church , Deal . He had been dangerously ill for some little time past , but hopes of his recovery were entertained on account of his comparative youth , but , in spite of the best medical attendance , he succumbed on Good

Friday . The deepest sympathy is felt for his widow , and also for the Rev . Dr . Payne and family . The funeral took place at Walmer , and was attended by the Mayor and Corporation of Deal , also many members of the Lord Warden Lodge , of which the deceased was P . M .

THE death took place on Friday , 10 th inst ., at his residence , Fernsholme , St . Helens , of Major John Lightfoot Wolfenden , a well-known member of the 2 nd V . B . South Lancashire Regimens , and a prominent Freemason , he having held a number of offices in tbe Craft . He was P . M . of the Lodge of Loyalty ,

No . 897 , a Founder and present Junior Warden of the Ionic Lodge , No . 2405 , and P . S . G . D . of West Lancashire . In addition , in Mark Masonry he was the Immediate Past Master of the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 466 , and the Provincial Grand Senior Overseer of Lancashire ; a P . Z . of the Chapter of Loyalty , No . 897 , and P . P . G . S . B . of West Lancashire .

Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

CRA . FT : METROPOLITAN .

SINCERITY LODGE , No . 174 .

A VEEY interesting meeting of the members was held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham Street , E . G ., on Wednesday . Bro . William Harvey W . M . presided , being assisted by Bros . Henry Jay P . M . acting as S . W ., j Bayley J . W ., Charles Lacey P . M . Treasurer , 0 . H . Webb P . M . Secretary , G . A . W . Griffiths S . D ., W . J . Derby J . D ., W . J . Jones I . G ., and Bros . John Newton G . P . P . M ., W . J . Higgs P . M ., Henry Magee P . M ., G . Jones P . M ., W . G . Norman I . P . M .

The visitors included Bros . C . V . Watts 2291 , H . T . Thompson 742 , G . Wilkinson 1607 , J . E . Waters 27 , and several other Brethren . The only regular business before the Iiodge was the passing of Brosi George Frederick Fennell and Francis Nicholas Fennell to the degree of Fellow Craft . The ceremony was rendered by Bro . Harvey in the usual admirable manner observed in this Lodge .

The next item on the agenda paper was a presentation to Bro . Charles Lacey P . M . Treasurer , of a handsome silver tea service and cigar case , which had been subscribed ior by the Brethren in recognition of his services to the Lodge for many years . The Worshipful Master , addressing Bro . Lacey , said that it was with great pleasure that he presented him , in the name of the Lodge , with this small token of their high esteem and regard . All the

members knew his earnestness in promoting the propperity of the Lodge , and they thought it a good opportunity of practically proving their appreciation by offering him this testimonial upon the completion of his fifteen yearsas Treasurer . The present had come spontaneously from the Brethren , and not from the Lodge funds , and they all trusted that he would live for many years to use it and remember the Old Sincerity Lodge .

Bro . Lacey , who appeared greatly moved , suitably acknowledged the presentation . He said he had been associated with the Lodge for thirty-tout years , and had seen it through some little difficulties , but it was now in a prosperous condition , and would rank with any other Lodge in the metropolis . They were not unmindful of the needs of the Masonic Charities , and had

contributed liberally to thern all . The present would remind him of the many happy years he had spent in the Lodge , and of the esteem so kindly evinced by the Brethren . He thanked them most earnestly for their kindness , and he must also add the thanks of his wife and family , to whom it would descend as a heir-loom when he had passed away .

Bro . John Newton added some happy remarks , saying there was no question as to the deserts of this presentation . Bro . Lacey had worked most zealously for the Lodge , though it was work not often seen , and he could testify to the able manner in which it was carried out . He trusted Brother Lacey would long live to enjoy his present , and hoped when he used it that

the sugar basin would remind him of the sweets of life , and the cream jug of the milk of human kindness ; he trusted that he would avoid getting into hotwater , as was suggested by the tea-pot , but the contents of the cigar case would soothe him in his troubles , and ever remind him of the Lodge , and the friends he had made in it . The teapot and cigar case both bore the following inscription :

Presented to BBO . CHARLES LACEY P . M . P . P . GJD . HERTS , by the Brethren of the Lodge of Sincerity , No . 174 , n appreciation of his valuable services as Treasurer for the last fifteen years 15 th April 1896 . The Lodge was then closed , and the Brethren adjourned ' to dinner . An excellent musical programme was provided by Bro . W . J . Derby , which was highly appreciated by the company .

WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 .

THE regular monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on Thursday , at the Holborn Restaurant , when there was a full programme of business to engage the attention of the members , who attended in force , and were supported by several visitors . The Lodge was held under the presidency of Brother William Morton Eoberts W . M . who was ably assisted by the following Officers : Bros . Charles Brown S . W ., F . Wortham J . W ., George Weaver S . D ., C . E . Lilly J . D ., R . A .

Bench I . G ., John Melford P . M . Treas ., S . R . Walker P . M . Sec , J . Ellis P . M . 1981 Tyler , W . Busby and G . Walker Stewards . Other members of the Lodge present included Bros . Thomas W . Allen P . M ., R . S . Rogers P . M ., C . A . Cottebrune P . M ., W . Drew P . M ., J . W . Curtis P . M ., A . Arrowsmith P . M ., G . Goddard , T . Ison , J . Thompson , J . White , J . Oates , John T . Sbapcott , Fred Beesley , C . Halston , S . Manne , W . Holies , ' Coulding , E . Stevens , G . C . Butcher , T . Stroud , W . B . West , T . Hennig , W . Bell , J . S . Kilvert , R . Armstrong , and T . Diamond .

The Visitors were Barry Lindon , Arthur Fowles 1668 , Henry Crooks 2087 , C . Milner 2187 , Witham Unvvin 1614 , H . Raphael 2265 , E . J . Green 865 , H . E . Dehane P . M . 1543 P . P . G . S . D . Essex , J . Hearsum P . M . 167 , J . Wynman ( FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE ) , and several others . Lodge having been regularly opened , the minutes were read and confirmed , and then the Lodge was advanced to the second degree , Brothers Coulding , Hennig and Holston being passed as Fellow Crafts , the ceremony being given in extremely good style by the Worshipful Master .

Before he closed the Lodge Bro . Roberts W . M . said he had a very pleasant duty to perform , in having to convey to their esteemed "Secretary Bro . Walker the expression of the esteem and affection of the Brethren , who had spontaneously subscribed for a testimonial to him , consisting of a handsome tea and coffee service , with silver salver ; a pair of diamond ear rings for Mrs . Walker , and a bracelet for his daughter . Of Bro . Walker it might

be said : Noble he is , condemning all things mean ; His truth unquestioned , and his work serene ; Of no man ' s presence he feels afraid , At no man ' s questions looks dismayed . Shame knows him not , he serves us with a grace ;

Honour and duty are written on his face . Yet while the serious thought his mind approves , To festive mirth , he his heart resigns . He is a Brother 1 Take him for all in all , We shall not look upon his like again . F . R . W . HEDGES , Secretary .