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promised to adhere to the creed and tenets of the Craft , as expounded to him that day , and further added that by God ' s help he would try to be a sincere Mason . Among tho visitors were Bros . Fred Batty P . M . 2231 P . P . G . S . B ., Jas . McEwen 336 P . P . S . S ., Councillor W . Broughton P . M . 1345 D . C , and Wm . Sharp I . P . M . 1993 .

ZION LODGE , No . 1798 . THE principal business in connection with the last meeting of this Lodge , held at the Grand Hotel , Manchester , on the 12 th insc , was that of balloting for and initiating Mr . Charles Backner , Tobacconist , Strangeways , Manchester , the ceremony being performed by Bro . Bernhard Steel W . M ., in a very excellent manner .

At the festive board which followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts were varied by songs , recitations , & c , given by Bros . W . Dagnall J . D ., Hy . Norris I . G ., J . B . Levy , J . H . Phillips , and others , a very pleasant evening being spent . Among those present were Bros . Mark Steel J . W ., S . Mamelok P . M . Prov . G . J . D . Treasurer , P . Joseph S . D ., Geo . Board P . M . P . Prov . J . D ., George Rideal P . M . Visitor : Bro . Thos . Colman P . M . 1265 P . P . G . R .

EGERTON LODGE , No . 2132 . THERE was a numerous and representative gathering on the 13 th inst ., on the occasion of the annual installation , which took place at the Albert Masonic Hall , New Brighton , and which gave clear indication of the vitality and sustained prosperity of the Craft in thc Wallasey peninsula . The Egerton holds a high place on the record , and the proceedings on this occasion were of the most enjoyable and satisfactory nature .

The chair was occupied by Bro . E . B . Godden P . P . G . A . D . C . Worshipful Master , who was supported by a full complement of Officers , the interest of the function being greatly emphasised by the presence of about seventy Brethren of all ranks , hailing from various centres in Cheshire and Lancashire . In the course of the evening an interesting memento of his valuable year's work was presented to Bro . Godden , and this will be supple , mented by a presentation to Mrs . Godden at a subsequent meeting of the Lodge .

An excellent banquet was supplied by Mr . F . Rollwagen , of the Albion Hotel , New Brighton , and a choice musical programme was afterwards given by the Minster Quartette .

JOSHUA NUNN LODGE , No . 2154 . THE twelfth annual installation was held on Tuesday , 4 th inst ., at Halstead , when Brother G . Stanley M . Moger was installed in the chair , the ceremony being very ably performed by Brother Vero W . Taylor P . M , 1312 P . P . S . G . W . The members afterwards dined together at the George Hotel , and the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Several visitors were present from Colchester , Braintree , and Halstead .

ST . NICHOLAS LODGE , No . 2259 . ON Wednesday afternoon , 5 th inst ., the annual gathering was held at the Masonic Rooms , Thorne , a large number of members of the Craffc being present . Bro . Geo . Eland S . W . was installed Worshipful Master by Bro . N . A . Fenton M . D . A splendid banquet was afterwards served in the Club Room of the Red Lion Hotel by Mr . S . Acaster .

The customary Masonic toast list was subsequently gone through , the speeches being interspersed with harmony . A large number of visitors were present from Leeds , Sheffield , Doncaster , Rotherham , Goole , Brigg , Scunthorpe , Crowle , and other towns .

BISLEY LODGE , No . 2317 . THE annual festival was held at the Masonic Hall , Woking , on Thursday , Gth inst ., and , as usual , attracted a large gathering of the most prominent Masons of the local Lodges . Bro . J . Tomlinson S . W . Master-elect was presented by Bro . J . W . H . Littleboy P . M . D . C . to the W . M . Bro . W . A . Shaw , to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , and which was carried out in an exemplary manner , before a large Board of Installed Masters . Bro . Tomlinson invested his Officers .

The Brethren then adjourned to an excellent banquet , which was supplied by the Tyler Bro . W . Chapman , in his usual efficient manner . On the removal of the cloth , In giving the Grand Officers , the W . M . said he regretted not knowing

more of those distinguished Masons who were appointed to carry on the business of Grand Lodge . But he most cordially welcomed their dear friend and neighbour , Bro . Gould , a Past Grand Officer wbo , for his great services as a Masonic historian , was justly entitled to the highest distinction that could be awarded him .

Brn . R . F . Gould P . G . D , in reply , said it afforded him much pleasure to return thanks for the Officers of the Grand Lodge of England present and past . In the one category , that of the Grand Officers who were still on the active list , the W . M . had already spoken of the Prince of Wales , who was the head of their Fraternity , as being in all probability the most popular man in the United Kingdom . In the other category , too , namelv , that of the Grand

Officers of the past , he thought a Brother might be named whose popularity was also very great , and at the present moment only a little inferior , among the English-speaking races , to that of the Grand Master himself . The distinguished Mason to whom he referred was General Sir Herbert Kitchener Past G . Warden of England , under whose command the British and native troops bad so recently marched to victory in the Soudan . It was the seventh occasion on which he ( Bro . Gould ) had been present at the installation

meeting of the Bisley Lodge . The manner in which their work was performed was always a great credit to the members , and the principal ceremony of that evening—so well carried out hy the retiring Master—had absolutely left nothing to be desired . Under the new Master he felt sure that the lustre cf the Lodge would be worthily sustained throughout the ensuing year , and he heartily wished him , together with the Brethren who had accepted office at his hands , a happy and prosperous time , until tho period should again come

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round when a fresh Master and fresh Officers would be selected to follow in their footsteps . In proposing the Provincial Grand Master Lord Onslow , and the Provincial Grand Officers , tho W . M . expressed great regret that their Prov . G . Master could not bo with them on that occasion ; they wore , however .

honoured in having many Prov . Grand Officers present , of whom their own Lodge could boast a goodly number . He was sure that these Brethren were chosen because of the good work they had done in their respective Lodges , and were fully entitled to the honours conferred on them . He would like to couple with the toast the name o £ Bro . Smallpiece Provincial Grand Treasurer .

The Prov . G . Treasurer , in his reply , stated that the numerous engagements of the Prov . G . M . prevented him from visiting Lodges as much as he would like . Other toasts followed .

ST . MICHAEL LODGE , No . 2487 . A LARGE gathering took place at the Town Hall , Stone , on Monday , 10 th inst ., on the occasion of the annual festival of St . John and the installation of Bro . H . A . Frewer as Worshipful Master . Lieut .-Col . G . Walton Walker P . G . S . B . Eng . visited the Lodge for the first time since his appointment to the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master .

The installation ceremony was impressively performed by the retiring W . M . Bro . F . J . Pyatt , able assistance being given during the proceedings in the Lodge by several Past Masters . After the Lodge had been closed , the Brethren adjourned to the Crown Hotel , where excellent arrangements had been made for the banquet . The newly appointed Worshipful Master occupied the chair , and Lieut .-Col . Walker and most of those who attended the Lodge were present .

The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , the health of Lord Dartmouth , as on all similar occasions , being drunk with the greatest cordiality . Lieut .-Col . Walker was cordially welcomed on his first visit , by Major Harding in proposing his health , and the toast was drunk with Masonic honours .

Lieut .-Col . Walker , in replying , said it was his intention , if possible , to visit all the Lodges in the Province . He referred with great pride and satisfaction to the magnificent result of the Centenary Festival of the Boys School , and of the splendid efforts which had been put forth in the Provinco on behalf of the Benevolent fund and the endowment of a cot in Wolverhampton Orphanage . Bro . T . Taylor , in replying to the toast of the Masonic Charities , proposed by Bro . Kendrick , thanked the members of the Stone Lodge for the

assistance which they gave at the Centenary Festival . Referring to the work of the Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association , he said when it was instituted in I 87 O it was never imagined that the sums subscribed would reach the proportions to which they had attained , amounting sometimes to £ 800 and £ 900 a-year . Though there had been an impetus given to Masonic chnritable contributions all over the country , he believed that StaSordshire in its voting power remained as strong in comparison as it had ever been .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

KENT LODGE , No . 15 . rjHHE regular meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , JL W . C , on Wednesday , 12 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . F . C Bradley W . M ., who was supported by the following Brethren : R . Bowers

I . P . M ., G . F . Smith P . M . P . G . Org . S . W ., Dr . Adams acting J . W ., F . Salter S . D ., A . C . Huddart J . D ., E . Stimson P . M . Treas ., E . H . Buckeridgc P . M . SLC , G . Saunders Organist , W . J . Everett D . C , M . J . Robinson , D . C . Robinson , J . E . Bennett , J . Soddy , W . Lerwill , E . Hatchett , A . Burton , A . Gilbert , W . Aubert , and John P . Robinson .

Visitors , Bros . W . H . Chapman 73 , J . Whitfield 1348 , J . Gill 1922 , A . E , Baldwin 2182 , A . Watkin 2348 , E . Kennedy . 2348 . The business included the admission of Brother Montague John Robinson , of the St . John Lodge , No . 174 , New South Wales , and the initiation of Mr . Anthony Percival , both of whom were introduced to the Lodge by Bros . J . P . Robinson and C . D . Robinson .

DORIC LODGE , No . 933 . rriHE winter session commenced on Tuesday , llth inst ., at Anderton ' s JL Hotel , Fleet Street , Bro . E . Sherry W . M . There was only formal business , and an application for assistance , and after this had been disposed of the Brethren adjourned to supper . The customary toasts were given , and some capital entertainment provided by Bros . Seal , Busby , Boswell , Ohatterton , and Calver .

STANHOPE LODGE , No . 1269 . ON Tuesday , llth inst ., the ceremony of installing Bro . G . W . Smith as Worshipful Master took place at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , in the presence of a large muster of members and visitors . Previous to this Bro . T . Sloman performed the ceremony of passing , the candidates being Bros . John M'Neil and Robert B . Baker .

Bro . H . Wood P . M . worked the installation ceremony , and carried out the duties iu the most impressive manner . After the ceremony the W . M . presented a jewel to Bro . Sloman I . P . M ., as a mark of respect from the members of the Lodge .

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 1306 . THE opening meeting after the recess took place at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham Street , on Wednesday , 5 th inst . The Worshipful Master Bro . Wm . Harper presided through the whole proceedings , which were somewhat of an arduous nature .

A ballot was taken on behalf of Mr . Willie Dawson , of Poplar , and proved unanimous in his favour . Being present he was initiated into the mysteries of the Order . The W . M . nex c passed Bros . E . Christian , E . W , . Cash , aud B . T . Pimm to the second degree , and afterwards raised Bro . S . G . Waller to the third degree . Two gentlemen wore proposed for initiation at