Paxton Lodge, No. 1686.

the proceedings were enlivened was a quartette , consisting of Misses E . Kingsford and E . Bushell , Bros . G . W . Turner and John Josey , who were deservedly applauded . Miss Edith Kingsford sang " Sweethearts" and " Love the Pedlar , " Miss Edith Bushell gave " Genevieve" and "Annie Laurie" whilst . Bros . Turner and Josey were hiehly praised for their excellent songs . The accompaniments were ably played bi- our old friend and entertainer Bro . Willie Wright P . P . G . Organist Middlesex .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

— : o : — Gallery Chapter , No . 19 28 . AN emergency convocation was held last Saturday , at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., for the purpose of disposing of some

pressing business . The Chapter was formally opened by the three Principals , Comps . Orlton Cooper Z ., Ernest A . Peachey H ., and George Tarran J ., after which the ballot was taken for Bros . John Buchanan P . M . Caxton Lodge , No . 1853 , and John Reginald Thomas , son of Comp . J . Henwood Thomas the first Z . of the Chapter , of the Gallery Lodge , which proved unanimous .

Bro . Buchanan being in attendance was admitted and regularly exalted to the supreme degree , was invested , and took his seat in the Chapter , as a Companion of the Order . The following is a list of the Officers elected for the ensuing year : Comps . E . A . Peachey Z ., George Tarran H ., Lionel F .

Gowing J ., Herbert Wnght Scribe E ., A . 1 . Robbins Scribe N ., Cornwallis H . F . Smith Treasurer , George Ribbons P . S .,. E . C . Froom , and Frank Pattison Assistants , J . J . Fretwell D . C , and I . Shepperd Janitor .

Notice having been given to change the place of meeting to the Criterion Restaurant , Piccadilly , W ., the members decided upon that course , and the Installation of Principals will therefore be held at that popular western resort . The Chapter was closed and adjourned till the fourth Saturday in October .

. The Companions subsequently dined together and a pleasant evening was spent . yt A IS IS IP IS ft II n Jl

Duke of Fife Chapter , No . 2345 . INSTALLATION OF COMP . CHARLIE WOODS

THE annual installation meeting of tins flourishing Chapter was held at Anderton's Hotel , on Wednesday , 15 th inst ., and proved most interesting and successful . Through the fact that the second Principal was not able to proceed to the chair of M . E . Z . a dispensation from the late First Grand Principal of the Degree ( H . R . H .

the Prince of Wales ) was read permitting Comp . Charlie Woods J . to be passed through the second chair and into the first . The ceremonies of installation were beautifully performed by Comp . R . J . Voisey P . A . G . DiC . England , who placed into the respective chairs Comps . Charlie Woods M . E . Z ., James Smith H ., and E . Brindley J .

After the installations , the M . E . Z . invested the Officers , who were elected at the previous meeting , appropriately addressing each one , viz . : Comps . A . Robertson Treas ., Fred . Wilks Sinclair S . E ., W . Greatorex S . N ., Geo . Taylor P . Soj ., Chas . Patrick P . Z . Janitor . Certain matters connected with the Chapter were discussed , and apologies for absence from a number of distinguished Companions were made .

A letter from the Home Secretary , in answer to the letter of sympathy to His Majesty the King on the death of Queen Victoria was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes , as was one from the Duke of Fife and the Princess his wife . All business being ended the Companions discussed an excellent banquet under the presidency of the M . E . Z . Comp . Charlie Woods ,

who afterwards proposed the toasts . In proposing His Majesty the King , Protector of R . A . Masonry , he pointed out that this was the first time the toast had been proposed in the Chapter . The King was an excellent Mason , he had done long and faithful service to the Order , as was shown even

by the detail of the dispensation they had read that day . They hoped he might have a long and happy reign . The M . E . Z . proposed H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , K . G ., M . E . G . Z ., who had so 'recently been proclaimed . He had already done yeoman service as Prov . G-. and D'ist . G . ruler , and the success of Masonry was assured by his accepting Office .

In submitting the Grand Officers , the M . E . Z . said that the Chapter had a personal interest in the Grand . Officers . It was founded for a most distinguished one , Comp . Sam . Cochrane P . G . Treas ., and also included among its members Comp . R . J . Voisey P . A . G . D . C , one of the most zealous and industrious of Masons ,

an excellent man , a dear friend , and one who was respected wherever he was known . They missed Comp . Cochrane , who was at another meeting where he was required , but Comp . Voisey had , at great trouble and with some physical pain , come to spend a short time with them .

Comp . Voisey responded , saying that many Grand Officers were 'real workers , and that he had been to various parts of the country to carry out Masonic duties . He held Grand Office , and was very proud of the fact , as ail others were who were equally fortunate . He was glad to come to their meetings , and always felt happy with them . Comp . John Mitchell I . P . Z . proposed the M . E . Z . Comp . Charlie

Woods , who was a zealous worker . and took for his motto the plan of doing the best he could in everything . He understood without Comp . Woods there would probably have been neither a Duke of Fife Lodge nor a Duke of Fife Chapter . He had been most careful of the interests of those bodies , of which he had-been so energetic a founder , He loved the Order and its beautiful ceremonies , and all wished him a successful year of Office .

Royal Arch.

Comp . Woods replied . When he was exalted , over fourteen years ago , he looked forward to reaching the position he occupied that night . Progress had been slow , but he felt even now , after so long an apprenticeship , how difficult his task would be . He appealed for plentv of work to be given him to do .

The M . E . Z . proposed the H . and J . Comp . James Smith was now first Principal in another Chapter , and was a credit to everything he undertook . Comp . Brindley J . was young as an Arch Mason , but on " the island '' he was well known as a distinguished and energetic worker . Both would act as strong pillars of support to the First Principal . Comps . Smith and Brindley suitably responded .

'ine M . E . Z . proposed the Installing Principal , saying how grateful the members were to Comp . Voisey for what he had done so manv times for them , .-uthough really not well enough to be with them , he had carefully and most impressively performed the three ceremonies . Perfect in word , clear in diction , impressive

in manner , everything had gone smoothly and well . The work had been given in a way that was a treat to those present . Comp . Voisey had been a very dear friend of his for very many years . They had worked side by side for the advancement of the Order . Each had done his best , but of course Comp . Voisey ' s best was much better than the speaker's .

Comp . Voisey gave an interesting reply , praising the zeal shown by the M . E . Z ., who should many years before have accepted preferment in the Order . The M . E . Z . proposed the Visitor . It was strange to have only one Visitor at an installation meeting . Comp . Latham had worked side by side with the M . E . Z . in the past . Each had known and helped the other—each knew the other as a friend , as well as a Mason . They all welcomed him most heartily .

Comp . J . Latham said he had spent a most happy evening , enjoying everything that had taken place . In proposing the Past Principals the M . E . Z . reviewed the work each had done . The latest addition to the number was endeared to all . In presenting him with the P . Z . jewel voted by the Chapter he expressed a hope that for many , many years he would wear it among them .

Comp . John Mitchell responded , and m a touching speech said he appreciated the gift for cue kind sentiments that actuated the givers . The other P . Zs . also replied .

The toast of the Officers and the Janitor ' s toast were given . The harmony of the evening was much increased by songs and recitations from Comps . Brindley , Caink , Barrow , Fitch , Basset , and Greatorex . Comps . Wyer , Harvey , and Folkard acted as D . C at different parts of the meeting . [ For other 'reports see p . 237 . ]

Ad00503

SPIERS*PONDs STORES ( No Tickets Required ) QUEEN VICTORIA STREET , E . G ., Opposite Blackfriars Station ( District Rly . ) AND St . Paul ' s Station ( L . C . & D . Rly . ) . PRICE BOOK ( 1 , 000 pages ) , illustrated , free on application , FREE DELIVERY IN SUBURBS bj / our pvPn Vans . Liberal terms for Country Orders . FOR FULL DETAILS SEE PRICE BOOK .