Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — ROYAL ATHELSTAN LODGE , No . 19 . THE ordinary meeting was held on Thursday , 10 th inst ., at tho Cannon Street Hotol , under the presidency of the WM . Bro . John Henry Whadcoat , who was supported by Bros . A . D . Green I . P . M ., M . Smith S . W ., E . G . Young J . W ., H . Glenn P . M . Treas ., — : o : — METROPOLITAN .

C . B . Barnes P . M . Secretary , W . F . Stauifer S . D ., G . R . Carsberg J . D ., W . Stacey I . G ., W . M . Bywater P . M . P . G . S . B . D . C , W . Pound P . M . Sfcewd ., W . P . Campbell-Everden Org ., G . Gilbert Tyler .

Bro . T . A . Williams having been passed to the second degree , says tho " City Press , " the Lodge proceeded to consider the lines on which they should form a permanent benevolent fund , towards which the W . M . had contributed tho handsome sum of 250 guineas ,

while several other Brethren had made the total up to over £ 500 . Tho W . M . was warmly thanked for his noble gift , and for his labour in connection with the settlement of tho preliminaries incidental to tho establishment of such a fund . Afc the close of the business tho Brethren adjourned to banquet . o o o

SIR HUGH MYDDELTON LODGE , No . 1602 . THE local Freemasons have been recently entering into a fraternal competition , says the manipulator of the " Bells" in tho "Islington Gazette , " to seo who can give the largest and most brilliant Installation ceremony . First , Herbert Sprake at Highbury , then Brother Glass at Anderton ' s , and now Brother A . J . Cave jun .,

at the Agricultural Hall , have vied with each other , with the result that I must award the Installation cake to the last named , for both in numbers , in length of ceremonies , ancl in the profusion of good things of this earth , tho Sir Hugh Myddelton Lodge , on Friday , fairly beat all records .

Somo people imagine that Masons do no work ; and we hear of " knife and fork" Lodges , but this could nofc be justly charged to the Sir Hugh Myddelton , for four and a half solid hours were devoted to Lodge business before any ono was allowed to go from labour to refreshment , and so enthusiastic was the new Master that the dinner was ono hour and a half late . Don't call tho " Myddelton " a knife and fork Lodge after thafc .

The " Myddelton" used to bo tho worst housed Lodgo in Islington . Sometimes it met in a passage in Barford Street , sometimes in the Hall Company ' s office , sometimes in the cloak-room , and I won't be certain that a Lodge of Emergency has not been called on the roof . Let that be as ifc may , a glorious change has now come over the scene , for the Agricultural Hall can boast a charming

suite of rooms , designed by Bro . Probyn , I believe , that offers all that the most fastidious could demand in the way of Lodgo Room , dining-room , and luxurious ante-rooms . " Tho Ancient Bird " will have to look to its laurels in the face of such a vigorous competitor . The new dining-room is a thing of beauty and a joy for ever , and hung as it was with the emblazoned banners of the

noble army of Past Masters , presented on Friday a brilliant appearance . The Lodge Room is spacious , accommodating over a hundred Brethren , I should think , and has every requisite for the ancient and mystic ceremonies . The adjacent lounge , with its soft-cushioned couches , and its very easy chairs , where the weary Brother may retire to smoke and meditate , is another exceptional advantage .

Bro . Gavo was installed by his predecessor , Bro . F . 0 . Everitt , and very impressive was the ceremony , for the Myddelfcons are celebrated for tho excellence of their Craft masonry . When the new Master took his seat , he went to work at once , and initiated three aspirants , these being Messrs . Ernest Andress , R . C . Beaumont , and Saliba Hashan . These wero the gentlemen responsible for cooling the soup—but no matter .

The Lodgo was full of local celebrities . Bro . Doublo-dyed Narrow-majority M . P . for India and Clerkenwell , was there , and Bro Charles Dearing the younger , Bro . Nibletfc , Bro . Dr . G . Brown , Bro , Glass of fashion and mould of form , Bro . Preceptor Weedon , the veteran Bro . John Osborne , and others , as tho nigger says , too humorous to mention .

The after-dinner speeches wero restricted to about six words each , there being an excellent supply of music soft and sweet , such warblers as Egbert Roberts , James Bayne , R . Evans , Bishop , and Goldsmidfc , being turned on in rapid succession to charm our ears . Altogether , the gathering was a hugh success , and Masons went away murmuring thafc Bro . A . J . Cave jun . had made some of them sit up—and their wives too , I fear , judging by lateness of the hour , when feast was done and " the Banquet Hall deserted . " o o o

CREATON LODGE , No . 1791 . THE annual ladies' banquet was held on the 3 rd insfc ., in tho Venetian Saloon o £ thc Holborn Restaurant , Bro . G . Bruce-Johnston W . M . presiding . Bro . Geo . Higginson I . P . M . proposed the health of the W . M ., and congratulated him upon the efficient manner in which he had carried out the duties of his office . The W . M ., in reply , said he nofc only thanked Bro . Higginson

for the kind way he had proposed his health , but also for the guidance and instruction he had afforded him in his Masonic duties ; he felt it to be a great honour to be W . M . of the Creaton Lodge , and to preside over that festive gathering , and thafc honour had been enhanced by the cordial way in which the toast had been received .

Reports Of Meetings.

The W . M . next proposed the continued success of the Creaton Lodge , coupling with it the name of the energetic Secretary , Bro . J . J . Cantle P . M ., who during his reply stated that the Lodge , through its respective stewards , had contributed over two thousand pounds to the Masonic Charities .

Tho toasfc of tho Ladles was proposed by the W . M . m felicitous language , and Bro . Wedmore made a suitable response on their behalf . Tho Visitors and Officers of the Lodge followed , and the

company separated shortly before midnight , after spending an evening which was rendered fche more enjoyable by the excellent programme of music furnished by Miss Florence Bethell , Mr . Albert Cox , and Bros . Bartlett , Cantle , Lovett-King , and Noel ; the recitation of Bro . Reynolds , and the ventriloquism of Bro . Russell . o o o

PRIORY LODGE OF ACTON , No . 1996 . THE Installation meeting took place on Monday , 7 th inst ., at Acton , when Bro . C . S . Sutton P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Kent , was placed in Office as Worshipful Master . After the ceremony , at a banquet held in theBerrymead Priory , Acton , a handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented by the Brethren to the Immediate Past Master , Bro . William Hirst 15 , P . Z . 1602 , tho inscription ifc bore being as follows :

Presented to Bro . William Hirst P . M ., on passing the chair , as a mark of esteem from the Brethren . 1894 .

The Lodge previously unanimously voted him five guineas on hia Steward's list . O O O PERSEVERANCE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1743 .

rpHE fourth Annual Dinner of this Lodge took place on the J _ 30 th ulfc ., at the Old Parrs Head , Knightrider Street , E . C . Covers were laid for some thirty-six Brethren , amongst whom were such well known Masons as Bros . Talbot P . M ., W . Packer P . M ., A . Deans W . M . 13 , J . J . Nevvland W . M . 1949 . Bro . R . Poore P . M . occupied the chair , and was faced by Bro . G . S . Daunton in the

Vice . After a capitally served and much appreciated repast , which did ample credit to tho host and - landlord , Bro . Martin , and fully supported his reputation as a caterer of no moan order , the Queen and tho Craft was proposed by tho Chairman , and received with the usual honours . The toast of the Visitors was given and

replied toby Bros . Talbot P . M ., Captain Marshall ( of Australia ) and J . W . Stevens . A musical treat followed , Bro . Hopkins giving an exhibition in campanology , and as an encore by special desire executed in his inimitable manner " The Lost Chord , " the skilful handling of the bells evoking much applause .

Bro . Pooro P . M . proposed success to the Perseverance Lodge of Instruction , and in doing so urged the members to emulate the example of somo of fche Officers , by attending more frequently and introducing new members . Bro . Packer P . M . having sung "My sweetheart when a boy , " and " My pretty Jane " and " Sally in our Alley " as encores , which were enthusiastically received , Bro . G . T . Daunton , the Secretary , replied for the Lodge , endorsing the Chairman ' s remarks .

The Officers of the Lodgo were then toasted . Bro . J . W . Martindale the Treasurer and Bro . Daunton responding . The Benevolent Association was tho next toasfc , coupled wifch tho name of Bro . F . W . Robinson , who in his reply made a very earnest appeal for subscriptions to the Institutions .

Tho Committee and Stewards , Bros . Bedell , Fells , Daunton , Haines , Newland , Robinson , Sims and Wade received a hearty recognition ; acknowledged by Bros . Bedell and Wade . Bro . A . Chevalier sang the " Message . " Bro . A . Wells also obliged , and Chas . Norman with " The Smile no longer there , " Whistling Slavey , " etc ., supplied plenty of merriment . Bro . T . F . Noakes ably presided at the Piano . The evening's pleasant proceedings terminated close upon midnight . O O O

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

— : o : — HUMBER LODGE , No . 57 . THE celebration of the sixty-seventh anniversary of the laying of the foundation-stono of the home of this Lodge was duly recognised on the 7 th inst ., in the Freemasons' Hall , Osborno Street , Hull .

The opening proceedings were of a more than ordinarily interesting nature , taking , as they did , the shape of two presentations . The first of those was to Immediate Past Master William Clark Bradley of a handsome silver tea service , as a mark of esteem and respect for his services during his year of office . At the request of the Worshipful Master Bro . James Wildbore , Bro . Henderson P . M . handed over the souvenir , which was suitably recognised .

Bro . Tesseyman P . M . then presented to Bro . W . D . Keyworth P . M . P . P . G . S . Wks ., a purse of money , subscribed for by tho members of the Hull Lodges , for his long and arduous duties as almoner . Tho recipients having returned thanks , the Brethren adjourned to the Banqueting Hall fco do honour to the annual celebration

already referred to . The Worshipful Master presided , and , in addition to the Officers of the Lodge , also received the support of the following members of sister Lodges : —Bros . J . Y . Torr W . M . Minerva Lodge , William Thirk S . W . Alexandra Lodge , J . C . Savill Sec . Kingston Lodge , W . J . Close J . W . Kingston Lodge , & c . A lengthy toast list ; was honoured .