The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.

improving . Bro . G . Thistle Thome also responded to the toast . The W . M . next proposed the health of the Immediate Past Master , tho Installing Master , and the Past Masters . Their Installing Master , who had that day so ably worked the ceremony of Installation , was entitled to his personal thanks for the very creditable way in which he had inducted him into the chair . Ho had never heard the

ceremony better performed or more impresively than he had that day . Bro . Jas . Stevens—who was termed tho Father of tho Lodge , not only on account of having been its tirst Master , but also by reason of tho number of candidates he had initiated during his term of office—as well as all tho others , were deserving of their best wishes and heartiest support of the members . Witb regard to the Immediate Past

Master , Bro . Freeman , he had worked zealously for the interests of the Lodgo from tho time of its consecration , having faithfully fulfilled the duties of Treasurer , Warden , and later on tho important post of Master . Tho brethren , recognising his great services , had unanimously voted him a Past Master's jewel , and tho W . M . now had

pleasure in being the means of investing Bro . Freeman with it . He presented it in the name of The Great City Lodgo , as a mark of the appreciation by tho members of tho way in which tho duties of Master had been carried out during tho past year . Bro . Freeman thanked the members for the kindness that had been shown him

during his year of office . Ho had been amply repaid for any exertion he had made in having had so successful a term of Mastership . As tho brethren wore aware , ho had , not long since , taken nnto himself a wife . On his return from tho country , after his wedding , ho had found a very handsome tea and coffee service , tho gift of the members of The Great City Lodge . He and his wife esteemed it greatly , as

the gift of tho brethren of tho Lodge . In conclusion , he could bnt again express his thanks for all their kindness during tho year of his Mastership . Bros . N . B . Headon and James Stevens followed . Tho latter considered the position of Master of The Great City Lodgo was a position of which any brother might be proud . Bro . Stanway considered that he had but done his duty .

_ ho small services he had rendered to tho Lodge were nothing more than should bo done by every Mason . Bro . Scox concluded the list of Past Masters . Tho health of the Treasurer and Secretary was next given from tho chair . Bro . Headon , tho Treasurer , thanked the brethen for the confidence thoy had reposed in him dnring the past year , a confidence that , he trusted , in the interest of the Lodge wonld

in one important item bo omitted for the future . Bro . Mood y followed . If anything conld repay him for the time he devoted tr performing the duties of Secretary it was the kind reception ho always met when his health was proposed . Ho was greatly indebted to Bro . Treasurer for tho assistance ho had accorded during his ( Bro . Moody ' s ) absence

from England . Had it not been that Bro . I-Teadon had looked after the affairs of tho Lodgo as ho had done , the accounts and other matters could not have been presented to tho Auditors as they had been . Ho pointed out that the thanks of the Lodgo wero due to the Auditors for tho work they had undertaken , and , as ho could vouch , so faithfully carried out . Ho was gratified to witness the prosperity

of The Groat City Lodge , and hoped that its condition would continue to improve year by year . He expressed tho pleasure he felt in seeing Bro . Blackie in the chair ; it was in consequence of tho way in which the duties of Deacon were performed by that brother that The Great City Lodgo so early attained a first place in the Craft . Bro . Blackie was universallv recognised as ono of the

best Deacons ever found in the Craft . Bro . Blackie next proposed the health of the Officers of the Lodge , to which Bro . S . W . responded , followed by the J . W . The latter considered it a great honour to be an Officer of Tho Great City Lodgo . He felt sure it was the desire of his brother Officers to do their duty , and as he felt that any Officer who had not satisfactorily discharged his duties shonld be passed

over , he thought his own promotion was proof that he had satisfied the members . The Tyler was now summoned , and he gave the coneluding toast of the evening . Among tho Visitors wero Bros . G . Bisset 405 , G . W . Gonlden 854 , XV . A . Frost 1728 , T . Gittins 1056 , W . Earl 1695 , T . Poorc P . M . 720 , G . Thistle Thorne W . M . 1632 , G . AV " . Saul 1201 , C . J . Perceval W . M . 1607 , J . Panton P . M . 749 , 1365 , F . Gleeark 1365 , T . Eastgate 1563 , H . T . Tiddeman 813 , G . Black 859

XV . L . Partridge 1445 , A . Jamieson 1297 , W . XV . Morgan jnn . 1385 , C . Lawrence 1804 , J . Chapman 194 , R . II . Pearson P . M . 1196 , T . XV Hanson 1706 , and F . Green 275 . The musical arrangements of the evening were under the direction of Bro . H . Bertram , who on this occasion was assisted by Bros . W . Frost , Hanson , Kempton , and H . Frost ( piano ) , with Mr . T . Harper ( trumpet ) . Tho latter gentleman ' s performance was enthusiastically applauded , and on his second appearance an encore was demanded .

Royal Military Lodge, No. 1449.

ROYAL MILITARY LODGE , No . 1449 .

rnHE brethren of this Lodge held their annual meeting on Monday , -L 13 fh inst ., at the Guildhall Hotel , Canterbury . Tho Lodge was opened by Bro . Edwin Beer , tho W . M ., who was supported by his Officers , several visiting brethren , and a good attendance of tho members of the Lodgo . After the transaction of the usual formal business , the W . M . elect , Bro . U . Miskin , was formally presented for the

benefit of installation , and the ceremony was performed on his behalf by the W . M . of the past year , Bro . E . Beer , who by this last act has again proved his aptitude for the office to which ho was appointed twelve months since . In due course the newly appointed Worshipful Master invested the following brethren to assist him in

governing the Lodge for the next year , viz .: —Bros . T . Blauiiers S . W ., G . 11 . Coatcs J . W ., If . T . Naylor F . M . Prov . G . Sw . B . ( re-elected ) Treas ., W . Price Sec , J . Vanticr S . D ., J . S . Evison J . D ., W . Tyler I . G ., Carter D . C .,, / cilery and Ifowarth Stewards , Harnett ( re-elected ) Tyler . In investing each officer the W . M . explained their various duties , and gave a few words of encouragement , his remarks unci

Royal Military Lodge, No. 1449.

tho several appointments receiving general approval . During the ceremony Bro . P . M . Naylor greatly assisted by acting as Director of the Ceremonies , while Bro . Plant P . M . 31 , who presided at the hai * - monium , materially added to the impressiveness of the ceremony . The report of the Building Committee in connection with the Masonic Hall being provided by the brethren of Canterbury

was next presented , and a proposition made therein was brought formally under the notice of tho brethren by Bro . Naylor . After some little discussion it was decided to let tho matter stand over until tho next meeting , in order that the brethren might have an opportunity of making further inquiry into tho subject . Bro . Beer , the Immediate Past Master , was appointed

to act on behalf of this Lodge as auditor of the building committee ' s accounts , and briefly thanked tho brethren for so appointing him . The thanks of the Lodge wore voted to Bro . Dr . C . Holttum , who had acted as Almoner for the Lodge during the past year , and on motion he was duly appointed to that office for tho following term . The thanks of the Lodge wero also ordered to bo recorded to Bro .

Anderson , who has fulfilled the duties of Secretary dnring the past few years . This ending the business of the day , the W . M . proceeded to close his Lodge , the brethren afterwards sitting down to a banquet provided by Bros . Shaxby , in a manner that reflected great credit on them . Tho varions viands provided having boon partaken of by thoso assembled , grace was sung by tho musical party , which

comprised Bros . Plant , Moulding , and Higgins , and then tho W . M . proceeded with the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts . The first on the list , as usual , was that of tho Queen , coupled with success to the Craft . This was followed by tho National Anthem , nnd thon was given the toast of the M . W . tho Grand Master of England H . R . H . tho Prince of Wales . In quick succession followed the

toasts proposed in honour of the Pro Grand Master , tho Deputy Grand Master , and other Officers of the Grand Lodge of England ; Viscount Holmesdale the Provincial Grand Master , and Bro . Eastes tho Deputy of the Province : with tho latter was coupled the rest of the Provincial Officers past and present . Each of these toasts having met a hearty reception from those assembled , the I . P . M .

Bro . Beer rose , and proposed the health of tho W . M . In doing ' so Bro . Beer referred to the great services rendered by Bro . Miskin to the Lodge , and concluded by expressing a hope that he might be spared to preside over the brethren , tho interests of whom , ho felt , Bro . Miskin would ever strive to advance . After a song , the W . M . rose to reply . Ho first thanked Bro . Beer for proposing

the toast in the hearty way he had done , and tho brethren for having received it with such kind sentiments ; and then expressed the pleasure it always afforded him to attend a Masonic meeting . His earnest wish was to see 1419 prosper , and stand on an equal footing with tho other Lodges of Canterbury , with whom ho trusted thoy would continue to work with that

love and harmony which should ntall times characterise Freemasons . The W . M . now proposed the health of his immediate predecessor in tho office of ruler of tho Lodge—Bro . Beer . In doing so the W . M . referred to the zeal with which the work of tho past year had been performed , and with a result which was gratifying to every member of the Lodge . Ho and the brethren generally felt that Bro . Beer

had performed his duty most efficiently , and to show their esteem they had subscribed among themselves for a testimonial , in the form of a Past Master ' s jewel , which ho now bad tho pleasure , on their behalf , of presenting to Bro . Beer , with tho sincere wish of tho brethren that ho might live long to wear it , and assist the Royal Military Lodgo with his advice and support . Bro . Edwin Beer , on

rising to respond , was received with applause , ho briefly thanked the W . M . and brethren for their expressions of good feeling . Throughout his year of office he had endeavoured to carry out his duties to tho best of his ability , and when ho was convinced that he had done so to tho satisfaction of the members generally , he was extremely gratified . Ho hoped that if any of the members of tho Lod ^ e

shonld , by reason of their professional duties , be called away from the district , that success would attend them , and wherever they might be , thoy would enjoy long life and prosperity . In conclusion , he trusted that all who , in years to come , might attain to tho nosition of ruler of tho Lodge , would have as successful a year as " his had been , and at the conclusion of their term meet as hearty

reception as was now accorded him . In proposing the health of tho Past Masters of the Lodge , tho Chairman recounted the acts each had performed dnring their respective years of office , and pointed ont that the present prosperous condition of the Lodgo was in a great measure due to their exertions ; brethren who had been initiated by one or other of the Past Masters of the Lodge were dispersed over all

parts of the world , and he felt assured that their names , as well as that of their Lodge , would be appreciated for many years to come , and , it might bo said , iu every part of the civilized " world . The toast of the Visitors was next proposed , and then that of the Masonic Charities was given by Bro . P . M . Greenwood , who briefly referred to the duty inenmbent on every Mason to support , as far as lay in his

power , those who , from unforeseen calamity , wero forced to appeal to the bounty of their more fortunate brethren . Bro . \ V . W . Morgan jnn ., tho joint Secretary of the Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund , replied . He pointed out tho praiseworthy manner in which the brethren of Kent supported the Schools belonging to the Order , and also tho Institution by which the Craft provided for the aged who

might fall into need , and then proceeded to explain tho objects for which the Pupils'Assistance Fund had been started He urged on the brethren of Canterbury to lend their aid in the furtherance of the objects contemplated , pointing out that each and all of tho members conld materially assist the fund

by forwarding contributions , either of money or goods , in aid of a Fancy Bazaar to he held in London in June or July next , on behalf of the Fund . As a , result of his appeal ISro . P . M . Naylor promised his services as Steward for the occasion , arid other members offered to contribute , or in other ways work for tho benefit of tho cause . Bro . Beer , by permission of tho W . M . now proposed the health of tho Treasurer , pointing out the benefit that must always accrue to any