Reports Of Meetings.

( which is a splendidly fitted apartment ) was well filled at 4 p . m ., at which hour Bro . Thomas G . Hodgson W . M . took the chair , supported bv his Officers , as follow : Bros . Chas . Pascall I . P . M ., Harry Warren S . W ., Thos . Chamberlen J . W ., Hugh Mair S . D ., Albert Hunt J . D ., George A . Payne I . G ., F . Oliver P . M . Organist , R . Dare Stewd ., E . C . Rawlings Assist . Stewd ., A . Williams P . M . Secretary .

Among other members present were Bros . J . M . Levy P . M ., W . Hillier P . M ., W . Herring , W . T . Lea , G . Wimpey , W . H . Prior , Vincent , H . Broadway , W . Elliott P . M ., F . W . Chilton . The Visitors included Bros . H . J . Cousens P . M . Old Concord Lodge , J . H . Gumming P . M . 534 , and J . M . East .

The minutes having been confirmed , the Lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bros . Leslie Simpson and W . S . Wilson were duly examined and entrusted . These Brethren retired , the Lodge was opened in the third degree , and they were raised as Master Masons .

Lodge being resumed to the first degree , the ballot was taken for Bro . Harry Broadway , a member of the Blackheath Lodge , No . 1 3 , as a Joining Member . As this Brother is known throughout the length and breadth of the borough as " one of the best , ; it is almost needless to say that his election was xvnanimous , and when the W . M . announced the fact hearty congratulations were showered upon him .

Bro . Broadway replied in his well known style , and assured those present how pleased he was to be numbered amongst .. hem . The ballot was then taken for Messrs . F . J . Harden and John A . Barnett , and proving unanimous in their favour , they were introduced and initiated into the mysteries of the Craft . We must congratulate the W . M . on the excellent manner in which he rendered the ritual in both the ceremonies .

The next business was to receive the resignation ( with regret ) of Bro . W . P . Cockbum Treasurer , but owing to the lateness of the hour the election of a successor was left over till the March meeting . The name of a gentleman for initiation ( if approved ) at the next meeting was handed in by Bro . Thos . Chamberlen . Hearty good wishes from the visitors and Brethren were given , and the Lodge was closed in ancient form .

The reception of the Ladies and Brethren took place in the Audience Chamber by the W . M . and Mrs . Hodgson , and the sight was one to be remembered , the splendid dresses and jewels of the ladies being reflected in the mirrors bv the large supply of electric

light . The buzz of conversation and congratulation was interrupted bv the Steward announcing that dinner was served , and the guests at once bent their steps to the large Hall , which was most handsomely decorated for the occasion , the supply of plants and flowers being simply magnificent .

Dinner being finished the W . M . gave the toast of the Queen and H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and Bro . Oliver then introduced his artistes . Songs , Violin Solos , Orchestral Trios , & c , followed in quick succession , and were greatly appreciated by the large audience . Bro . E . W . Scolding , a member of the Lodge , was highly

complimented on his rendering of " Mary . " and " I'll sing the songs of Araby . " The accompanist , Mr . J . Hoyes McLean , was most attentive to the singer ' s requirements . The toast of the W . M . was given by Bro . Pascall and heartily responded to .

Bro . Leslie Simpson replied in a most humorous vein on behalf of the Ladies , and the reply to the visitors toast could not have been in better hands than that of Bro . H . J . Cousens . It was late before the initiate ' s toast was proposed , but Bro .

Harden gave a most effective reply , and if this Brother can speak ( when taken at a disadvantage as is usual on the night of one's initiation ) as he did on this occasion we feel bound to predict that he will be a most useful member of the Craft . Bro . Barnett also responded .

At the conclusion the Ladies night was voted a complete success , and more than one lady expressed a wish that she would be invited to the next Ladies banquet .

Derby Allcroft Lodge , No . 2168 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . NATHAN ROBINSON , L . C . C . OWING to a regrettable accident that befel the Master-elect , the installation festival of this excellent Lodge was postponed from November last until the 10 th instant , when the Brethren and their

friends , to the number of a hundred and thirty , assembled at the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Pancras , N . W ., to take part in the auspicious solemnity . The meeting was held in the handsome drawing room of the hotel , which made an ideal Lodge Room , there being plenty of accommodation for the unusually large company , with sufficient space in the centre for working the ceremonies .

Bro . Robert Gregory the retiring Master presided , and was duly supported by his Officers , while among those present were Bros . Alfred C . Spaull P . G . S . B .. John J . Thomas P . G . S . B ., J . Morrison McLeod P . G . S . B ., William Wilson P . G . P ., E . Barnes P . M . 1351 ( Mayor of St . Pancras ) , Frank Todman P . M . 2030 , J . D . Hood I . P . M . 1668 , George Procter W . M . 153 1 , H . E . Saunders

P . M . = ;•; , R . G . Robinson W . M . 55 , H . Bangs P . M . 16 93 , C . Dodd P . M . 1104 , G . P . Augspurg P . M . 538 , S . R . Lamble P . M . 27 , W . W . Lee P . M . 23 S 1 , S . J . Heilbron W . M . 166 S , G . S . Daunton P . M . 2255 , J . H . Barnes W . M .-elect 2127 , Orlton Cooper P . M ^> n Hy Jay 174 , A . P . Lye P . M . 2157 , A . T . Duck P . M . S 98 , W . T .

Farthing P . M . 55 , L . M . Myers P . M . iSS , W . Gimlett P . M . 169 ? Haswell J . Turner P . M . 1608 , Dr . Milson Rees W . M . 15 S 4 Robert Manuel P . M . 1196 . S . P . Elliott P . M . 1732 , J . G . W James P r G S . B . Bucks , C . F . Quicke P . P . G . S . W ., J . Percy Fitzgerald P . M . " , Robert J . Smerdon P . M ., and many others . The Lodge having been duly formed and opened , the minutes of tl } e last meeting were read , and upon their confirmation the

Reports Of Meetings.

Brethren proceeded to ballot for Mr . Charles R . Woolley , solicitor , which proved unanimous . This gentleman being in attendance was then admitted and regularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry by Bro . Gregory . The chair was next taken by Bro . Robert D . Cummings P . M ., who had kindly undertaken to perform the installation ceremony .

Bro . Nathan Robinson was presented by Bro . Samuel Garcia P . M ., as the Master elected by the Lodge , and signified his assent to the ancient charges and regulations . He subsequently repeated the obligation without dictation , at the conclusion of which Bro . Maidwyn Humphreys sang with fine effect , the anthem " Be thou faithful , " being accompanied on the organ and ' cello by Bros .

James Kift and J . C . Hambleton . A Board of Installed Masters was then formed , when Bro . Nathan Robinson was formally installed in the chair in accordance with ancient tradition . The ceremony was beautifully performed by Bro . Cummings , and his delivery of the Addresses met with the approbation of all who had the pleasuie of listening to him .

The new Master having been proclaimed and saluted proceeded to appoint and invest his Officers as follow : —Dr . Thomas Wholev P . M . S . W ., J . H . Mitchell J . W ., William Thomas P . M . . Treas . ' , Robert D . Cummings P . M . Sec , F . A . Baldwin S . D . 3 Wm . Short J . D ., E . F . James I . G ., Samuel Garcia P . M . D . C , Dr . J . F . Haskins Organist , J . R . Musto , J . H . Moggridge P . M ., Thos . Moore , and Chas . Duvall Stewards , and R . H . Goddard Tyler .

Bro . Cummings proposed that the sum of twenty-five guineas be voted from the Lodge funds , and placed on the list of the Worshipful Master , who will represent the Lodge at the forthcoming Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . This was agreed to , and Bro . Robinson , in thanking the- Brethren for their

liberality , stated that he had several promises of five guineas for his list , so that he hoped to take up an amount worth ) ' of the Lodge . There being no further business , the new Master was congratulated upon his preferment , the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren adjourned to the large hall , where the banquet was served .

Upon the termination of an excellent dinner Bro . Nathan Robinson rose and requested that the speeches might be brief , as they had a nice musical programme before them ; but , carried away by his loyalty and admiration of our Gracious Sovereign , he proceeded to dilate upon her virtues until he was reminded of his request . Needless to say the toast was drank with all enthusiasm , as was also that of the Prince of Wales .

Bros . A . C . Spaull and J . J . I nomas having responded for the Officers of Grand Lodge , Bro . Cummings said he had been asked to propose the health of the Worshipful Master , and in so doing referred to the cloud that had rested upon the Lodge last November , when they heard of the accident to Bro . Robinson ; but it had pleased the Great Architect to restore him , and he was again

among them . Bro . Cummings assured him he had a most successful year before him , because every Officer and member of the Lodge would help towards that desired end . In addition to their gratification at his recovery , the Brethren wished to tender their congratulations to Bro . Robinson upon the recent celebration of his Golden Wedding ; and it had occurred to the Lodge that it was a fitting oportunity to mark their esteem and

aispreciation . A Committee had been formed , and subscriptions were invited , with the result that they desired to ask Brother Nathan ' s acceptance of the silver salver which he now presented to him . Intrinsically it was not perhaps worth very much to such a favourite of fortune as Bro . Robinson , but it was intended to remind him that he occupied a warm corner in the hearts and affection of the Derbv Allcroft Lodge .

The salver bore the following inscription , which was surmounted by the Lodge crest beautifully engraved :

Presented to our WORSHIPFUL BRO . NATHAN ROUINSOX P . M . P . Z . bv the Brethren of the Derby Allcroft Lodge , in commemoration of his Golden Wedding , and as a mark of our fraternal regard on the occasion of his installation as Master of the Lodge . 10 th January 1901 .

Loud and long continued applause greeted the Worshi pful Master when he rose to respond , so that his first remarks were inaudible . He said he had been the happy recipient of many marks of approval from many different societies , but he was more than obliged to the members of the Lodge for their kindness . Brother Cummings was quite right when he said that the present would not

be prized for its intrinsic value , great though it was , but for the kind spirit that had prompted it . He also thanked them for electing him as Master of the Lodge , although this was the fourth time that the honour had been conferred upon him ; he hoped to be able to give them absolute satisfaction . He had three sons in

Freemasonry , all of whom were present that evening . One was a Past Master , another was now occupying the chair of . his Lodge , while the third was a junior Officer . He could say therefore that he had civen hostages to Masonrv . and he was proud of them . He concluded by assuring the members that he should do all in his power to promote the best interests of the Lodge .

The W . M . proposed the Initiate , to which Bro . Woolley suitably responded . Bros . Barnes , Manuel , Dr . Rees , and Elliott responded for the Visitors , all of whom expressed their pleasure at being present on so interesting an occasion .

Once again did Bro . McLeod , in response for the Masonic Charities deliver an earnest and impressive appeal on behalf of the three Institutions . Those present well knew the great work they were doing , 500 Widows and old Masons were being assisted annually , 265 girls were being educated , clothed and maintained , and 293 boys were being similarly provided for . The two latest additions to the School he represented were sons of deceased Brethren who had fallen in the war . With regard to the Derb y