West Lancashire Alpass Fund.

sorry to say their expenditure that year was over £ 170 in excess of their income . He trusted before the close of the evening , and before the year was out that their income would very much exceed their expenditure . He expected also to see that they had a large number of applicants for relief from their Institution . They had

had many calls upon them during the past year and business was not very good in the Province of West Lancashire , but they were always willing to help when

there was necessity , and no call had been made on the Province to support any charity that had not always been ably and fully responded to .

. Bro . James Pittaway and Bro . E . Kite responded . Other toasts followed , the proceedings being enlivened by songs given by a number of the Brethren .

Cheshire Benevolence.

CHESHIRE BENEVOLENCE .

A SPECIAL Court of Governors of the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution was held at Crewe , on the 17 th inst ., to consider the advisability of

vesting the management of that Institution in the Committee of Benevolence of the Province of Cheshire . Lord Egerton of Tatton Provincial Grand Master

presided . He said since the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution was first started the education of the country had entered upon a new phase , and practically every child now was entitled to be educated at the expense of the public . Before the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution was brought into existence

that was not the case , and there was very great difficulty in getting an education for the sons and daughters of Masons who had not been able to make provision for their children . To a certain extent , of course , that want was

still felt , and so far as it was felt they must endeavour to meet it , and to maintain and extend the advantages which they were able to give to the children of Masons who obtained assistance from that charity . Bro . Salmon P . M . ( Cheshire ) moved , " That , in the opinion of this special court of governors of the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution , it is advisable that the management of the Institution be vested in the Committee of Benevolence of the Province of Cheshire in lieu of the present general Committee , but so as in no wise to interfere with the rights and privileges of any patrons , vice-presidents , governors for life , or otherwise of either institution . " Bro . John Clayton P . M . seconded . A long

discussion followed . Bro . Ellis moved an amendment against any amalgamation , and this was seconded . The motion was carried by 36 to 8 . A Committee was formed to confer as to the means to be taken to carry out the motion .

Devon Charity Fund.

DEVON CHARITY FUND .

A MEETING of the Devon Masonic Educational and General Pnrposes Committee was held on the 12 th instant , at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , Bro . W . Powell presiding . It was announced that three

applications had been received for the two vacancies on the fund which are to be filled at the election on Monday , the 29 th inst . One of the petitions was received from Metham Lodge , Stonehouse , the second from Charity

Lodge , Plymouth , and the third from Harmony Lodge , Budleigh Salterton . All these were stated to be deserving cases and worthy of support , and ifc was decided to place them on the list of candidates . In addition to these there are two candidates brought forward from the last election , making in all five for the two vacancies .

Bro . McLeod , the Secretary of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys , is desirous of securing a set of the Stewards' badges of the Annual Festivals , particularly those of his own Institution , and will be pleased to receive any old specimens from Brethren who may have them . We might also suggest a collection of the illuminated expressions of thanks voted year by year to the Stewards , as a pleasing memento of a long series of successes on behalf of the Charities of the Order .

Reports Of Meetings.

BEPOBTS . OE MEETINGS .

— : o : — PEOVINCIAL . — : o : — UNITED INDUSTRIOUS LODGE , No . 31 . THE Installation of Bro . H . H . Mount S . W . took place on Thursday , 5 th inst ., at the Masonic Temple , Canterbury . The ceremony was performed in a very efficient manner by Bro * J . Plant P . P . G . 0 ., in the presence of a large attendance of members and visitors .

After the ceremony about sixty Brethren partook of a sumptuous banquet at the Royal Fountain Hotel . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts -were given by the W . M ., and the enjoyment of the proceedings greatly enhanced by the vocal efforts of Bros . Plant , Dewhurst , Pearson , and Halward . o o o

UNITY LODGE , No . 71 . THE Installation of Bro . F . Spashett as W . M . took place at the Public Hall , Lowestoft , on Thursday , 11 th inst ., in the presence of a large gatheiing of Biethren . The ceremony was impressively performed by Bio . T . Hodgson P . M . P . P . G . Treasurer . The Installation banquet was served in the large hall of the Suffolk Hotel , which was exquisitely decked and brilliantly lighted

for the occasion , Bro . F . S . Smith ( the host ) having spared no pains to make everything worthy of the event . A feature of tho decorations was a magnificent floral group iu front of the W . M . 's

chair , the slope of a veritable bank of flowers being formed of the Masonic emblem , worked in dahlias on a bed of greenery . The menu was an elaborate one , the cuisine was excellent , and tho serving all that could be desired . o o o

LODGE OF FREEDOM , No . 77 . THE usual monthly meeting of this old and popular Lodge was held at tho New Falcon Hotel , Gravesend , on Monday , under the presidency of the W . M . Bro Thomas Nettleingham , when Bros , G . R . Ceiley , Hy . Austen , and Dr . H . T . Sells were raised to the sublime degree . o o o

TYRIAN LODGE , No . 253 . ON Tuesday , 25 th ult ., tho anniversary of this Lodge , which is the oldest in the Province of Derbyshire , was celebrated at the Masonic Hall , Derby , when there was a representative gathering of Members and Visitors .

Bro . H . Litherland was Installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being impressively performed by his immediate predecessor in the chair , Bro . E . Mclnnes . The newly appointed W . M . afterwards invested his Officers .

At the close of the business the annual banquet was served in the lower hall . o o o

LODGE OF HOPE , No . 433 . THE Installation meeting was held on Monday , 8 th inst ., at the Forester ' s Hall , Brightlingsea , a special dispensation having been granted for the purpose by the Provincial Grand Master , the regular Lodge Room not affording sufficient accommodation . Unfortunately , owing to the day of meeting falling so early in the month , several of the members are still at sea , but there was a good attendance , including many Visitors .

The principal business of the meeting was the Installation of Bro . Robert Pitt as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , the ceremony attendant on which was ably performed by Bro . Claude E . Egerton-Green Prov . G . Treas . At the close of the ceremony a very hearty vote of thanks was passed to Brother Egerton-Green , for his kindness in attending and performing the ceremony of Installation , which that Brother suitably acknowledged .

Bro . R . D . Poppleton was unanimously re-elected to represent the Lodge on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee , and much regret expressed that he was unable to be present at this meeting , ' owing to indisposition . Between forty and fifty Brethren afterwards dined together at

the Swan Hotel , a capital dinner being as usual provided by the Host ( Bro . Harmer ) . The usual Masonic toasts were honoured , and several Brethren contributed to the evening ' s enjoyment , some recitations by a visitor ( Brother J . Wilson ) being especially appreciated . o o o

PORTLAND LODGE , No . 637 . ON Thursday , 4 th inst ., the Annual Installation took place at the Lodge Room at the Stoke Town Hall . Bro . R . Williams was the outgoing W . M ., and Bro . T . F . Yoxall was installed as his successor .

o o o STAR IN THE EAST LODGE , No . ' 650 . THE Anniversary meeting was held at the Great Eastern Hotel , Harwich , on Tuesday , 9 th inst ., when Brother W . Ellis was installed Worshipful Mastor for the ensuing year . The Lodge Room was effectively decorated for the occasion by