Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — METROPOLITAN . DALHOUSIE LODGE , No . 860 . AN emergency meeting was held on the 12 fch , under the presidency of Bro . Bond P . M ., who officiated in the absence of Bro . T . Glass W . M ., who was seriously indisposed . Bros . Hilliam and Humphries were raised and Bro . Murrell was passed .

After the closing of the Lodge many of the members joined the Companions of the Dalhousie Chapter , and spent a pleasant evening with them .

0 o o DUKE OF EDINBURGH LODGE , No . 1259 A LARGE number of members , with Ladies and other visitors , journeyed to Brighton on Wednesday of last week , and had a

most enjoyable day . The Cafe Royal , m East Street , was made tho head quarters , and Bro . Gallii-ia , the proprietor , did all in his power to secure the comfort of the party , tho banquet ho supplied being much appreciated .

0 o o HIGHGATE LODGE , No . 1366 . AT the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Pancras , on Monday , 9 th inst ., there were present : —Bros . Hillier W . M ., E . Pain Walkdon S . W ., Lugg P . M . acting J . W ., J . Terry P . G . S . B . Treas ., C . Sheppard Sec , T . Goodman S . D ., H . Haslop J . D ., R . J . Thomas

Org ., P . Ms . R . W . Galer , Wareham , Lugg , Yates , Cook , "Underwood and Shelton . Bros . Harrisson , Cleghorn , Lewis , Chinnery , Cross , Guenigault , Coxon , Culverwell , Millis , Maynard , Symonds , Campbell , Burch , E . Symonds . Visitors : —F . Drury 2101 , Jackson

1287 , Camp 250 , Gates 206 ( Dublin ) , Jefferies 1963 , Emerson 45 , Grice 1399 , J . Rae , and many others . Lodge was opened and the minutes confirmed . Lodge was advanced and Bros . J . Chinnery and J . S . Harrison were raised . Bro . W . G . Coxon and F . G . Guenigault were passed .

Needless to say , tbe W . M . discharged the duties in the most perfect and painstaking manner , affording pleasure and instruction to tlie Brethren and gratification to the Visitors . The election of W . M . was then proceeded with and Bro . R . P . Walkden S . W . was unanimously chosen .

Bro . Terry Treasurer proposed tbat a P . M . 's jewel bo voted to the W . M . Bro . Hillier for his valued services during his year of office , which was agreed to most heartily . Other business having been transacted the Lodge was closed . A splendid banquet followed , the Loyal toasts being afterwards given in quick succession .

Tlie toast of the W . M ., proposed by Bro . Terry , was enthusiastically received . He said Bro . Hillier had certainly done a great deal to make tho Lodge prosperous ; the large subscription he took up as Steward for the R . M . B . I . and for the Girls Institution , and his endeavours to add to the comfort of the Brethren and his rare

and perfect working had all tended to make his year of office a prosperous and successful one . The W . M ., in reply , thanked P . M . Terry for the kind way lie proposed his health . He had carried out the duties of W . M . his

own way . He had his own ideas , and he hoped he had worked them out successfully . He did not like to do anything in a hurry . He was sorry his office would soon bo over ; if his efforts had met the approbation of tho Brethren he was amply repaid . He was very proud a jewel had been voted , and trusted to be with them

many years . The health of the W . M .-elect was proposed by Bro . Hillier in very glowing terms . The coming ruler had gone through all the offices with great credit , and his thorough knowledge of the work before him rendered him a Brother eminently suited to be their Master .

Bro . Walkden S . W . and W . M .-elect returned thanks in very earnest and choice terms , expressing his thanks to the Brethren for the honour they had conferred on him . He would do his utmost to deserve their kindness and support .

The toasts of the Treasurer , the Secretary , the Visitors , and Officers were all heartily received and responded to . By thc thoughtful kindness of the W . M . the evening was enlivened with the beautiful singing of Miss Greta Williams , whose rendering of some old Scotch songs was greatly appreciated by the Brethren and most deservedly so . Miss Williams was accompanied by Bro . Gricc , a most accomplished musician . Bro . Campbell and Emerson also added to the harmony of the evoning .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

— . u . LODGE OF FREEDOM , No . 77 . THE Annual Festival of this ancient Lodge , now entering upon the 144 th year of its existence , took place on Monday , at the Town Hall , Gravesend , kindly placed at thc disposal of thc Brethren

by the Corporation . The W . M . Bro . George Eaekstraw presided , being supported by his Officers and the following Brethren : —James Terry P . G . S . B ., William Russell P . G . Treasurer Kent , George B . Cobham G . S . of

Provincial.

W . Essex , Chas . Cobham G . S . of W . Durham , W . Hills P . P . G . S . W ., G . T . King P . P . G . P ., Thos . Deane P . P . G . S . B ., W . Barlow P . P . G . Organist , J . C . Biggs P . P . G . D . C . Secretary , Rev . A . Jackson Prov . G . C ., John Russell Prov . G . D ., R . J . Beamish P . A . G . D . C ., Arthur Ronaldson Assist . P . G . Secretary , J . Montgomery I . P . M . 2444 , C .

W . Duggan P . M . Hong Kong , H . Hewell W . M . 1967 , William Lawrence W . M . 1089 , Geo . H . Russell W . M . 1050 , Vincent H . Stallon W . M . 158 , C . J . D'O . Mears P . M . 299 , C . B . WasserW . M . 1424 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , Thos . Cafferon W . M ., C . R . Gramshaw P . M . 483 , A . Congliato P . M . ( Italy ) , and a large number of visitors from the neighbouring districts .

The Lodgo havmg been duly opened , the minutes were read and confirmed , after which the Auditors' report , showing the satisfactory financial position of the Lodge , was presented and received . The W . M . then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . William

Russell , who kindly undertook the Installation ceremony at the request of Bro . Eaekstraw . Bro . Thomas Nettleingham having been unanimously elected at the previous meeting was presented by Bro . R . J . Beamish and signified his adherence to the Ancient Charges and Regulations .

The Brethren having temporarily retired , a Board of Installed Masters , consisting of thirty-two members , was then formed , when Bro . Nettleingbam was placed in the chair of King Solomon according to ancient custom , the whole ceremony , as well as the delivery of tho subsequent addresses , being conducted in a manner that elicited the hearty appreciation of the assemblage .

On the re-entry of the Brethren the new Master was saluted in the various degrees , and then proceeded to invest the following Officers for the year : —George Rackstraw I . P . M ., Jas . A . Whitfield S . W ., R . C . Fowle J . W ., T . R . S . Champion ( by proxy ) Treasurer

J . C . Biggs Secretary , Rev . A . Jackson Chaplain , W . Gunn S . D ., George Masters J . D ., Joseph Davis I . G ., F . Hitchens D . C , John Solomon A . D . C , F . W . Martin Organist , H . E . Buckle and E . B . Wilks Stewards , George Martin ( for the forty-ninth time ) Tyler . Bro . Frank Hitchens P . M . was appointed Charity Steward for the ensuing year .

_ The first official act of the W . M . was to invest his predecessor with the handsome Past Master ' s jewel voted by the Lodge , and this was accomplished with a neat eulogium of Bro . Eackstraw ' s many virtues , which have so thoroughly endeared him to the Brethren . This was further acknowledged by the following

testimonial , illuminated on vellum and beautifully framed , which was presented by his Officers of the year . This latter gift was entirely unexpected , and Bro . Rackstraw was so overcome by emotion that it was with difficulty ho could respond . Ho , however , thanked thc Brethren most sincerely for thoir kindly thoughts . The addiess was as follows :

To BRO . GEORGE RACKSTRAW W . M . 1893-94 . Lodge of Freedom , No . 77 . We , thc undersigned Officers of thc above Lodge , on this , tho expiration of your year of office as Worshipful Master , desire cordially to express our high and sincere admiration and appreciation for the kind consideration and support you have granted to us during that period .

We also desire to convey to you our great esteem of the fraternal and liberal spirit in which you have directed your Lodge , and which at all times has proved your distinguishing characteristic . That the Great Architect of the Universe may grant you health and strength to be spared to us for many years is our fervent wish . Augustus Jackson I . P . M . Thomas Ncttleingham S . W .

J . A . Whitfield J . W . T . R . S . Champion Treasure ! J . C . Biggs Secretary R . C Fowle S . D .

W . Gunn J . D . John Solomon I . G . F . Hitchens D . C . George Masters A . D . C . Joseph Davis Steward Henry Buckle Assistant Steward

The Master having received the congratulations of the Visitors , the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony , and the Brethren adjourned to the New Falcon Hotel , where a sumptuous banquet was served by Bro . John Simpson , the tablo decorations being extremely pretty and effective .

At the termination of the repast a long list of toasts was submitted , which we will abbrieviate rather than report . The usual loyal sentiments were expressed and cordially re-echoed by tho Brethren .

Bro . James Terry , who was in his most genial and humorous vein , responded for the Grand Officers . Bro . Joseph Solomon P . M . gave thc Provincial Grand Master of Kent , which was drunk with acclamation . The W . M . then proposed the Provincial Grand Oflicers , who

were always welcomed aud honoured wherever they wont . At tho recent Grand Lodge held at Canterbury , Gravesend was especially honoured , as each Lodge gained an appointment on the roll of Grand Officers : —Bros . Beamish No . 77 , Ronaldson 483 , and John Eussell 1464 , all of whom responded in suitable terms to the toast .

Bro . G . E . Cobham submitted the Masonic Charities , which was acknowledged by Bro . Terry with a mixture of humour and earnestness that will doubtless havo a beneficial effect on his hearers . Ho referred iu pleasing terms to the time when thc father of tho present W . M . occupied the chair of thc Lodgo , and trilstcd the son

would follow the noble example of his father , who was ono of thoso giants who had laid the foundation of Freemasonry iu the Province , which had since flourished exceedingly . With regard to the Charities he asked every Mason to visit the respective Institutions , so that thoy might sec for themselves the good work that was being done . Upwards of five thousand children had been educated 1-y