Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings .

GRAFT : PROVINCIAL

SUN , SQUARE , AND COMPASSES LODGE , No . 119 . AT a well-attended meeting at the Freemasons' Hall , Whitehaven , on Monday , 3 rd inst ., Brother William Lumley W . M . in the chair , Brother S . Hinde was presented with a beautiful Past Master ' s jewel bearing the following inscription : — Presented to BROTHER SOLOMON HINDE , I . P . M ., Sun , Square , and Compasses Lodge , 119 ,

by the Officers for 1897 , as a token of regard . Whitehaven , October 3 , 1898 . In making the presentation Brother Lumley W . M . in eulogistic terms referred to the highly satisfactory manner in which Brother Hinde had carried out the onerous duties of his office during the past year . Brother Hinde suitably acknowledged the honour conferred upon him .

LODGE OF SYMPATHY , No . 483 . THE installation meeting of this prosperous and successful Lodgo was held on Wednesday of last week at the Royal Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , and was attended by a large number of the members , with brethren from the surrounding Lodges of the district . Bro . W . Hawker I . P . M ., in the absence of the Worshipful Master , presided , and was supported by the Officers of the Lodge , and the following Brethren : George JSaylor P . M . P . P . G . D . C , W .

Reeve' Prov . G . S . W ., Charles Westwood Prov . G . D . C . Essex , Henry Doughty P . P . G . Std . B ., Arthur Ronaldson P . P . G . A . S ., Robt . J . Beamish P . P . G . D . C , T . T . Hogg Prov . G . S . B ., John M . Jeffery P . M ., Henry Forss P . M ., E . J . Bennett 77 , E . Wi Carter P . M . 858 , Hy . Arthur 503 , A . B . Rickards W . M . 201 , W . B . Sargeant 77 , H . J . Adamson 2411 , C F . Bow S . W . 503 , John Murphy W . M . 913 , Alfred Bonnett S . VV . 1625 , Charles Hind P . M .

299 , John Taylor P . M . 1765 , Jamos Truelove 871 , James Brown W . M . 700 , G . L . Brown 700 , C . J . Mettrop 700 , Dr . James Tees 700 , George Taylor P . M . 20 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 ; Ernest Ingman , Charles Lavis , J . Axcell , T . A . Mummery , H . Drake , W . F . Buckland , J . H . Paino , G . A . Grant , F . Pettingale , J . W . Sweet , R . W . Edwards , Jas . Hewison , F . T . Webber , Vv . H . Upton , A . E . Lockhart , J . Caylen , T . Kemp , A . Holland , C . G . Rayrield , ( i . H . Scrutton , 3 . C . Walker , J . R . Liley , I . Gee , W . Kemp , and others .

The Lodge having been duly opened , the minutes of the last regular meeting , recording the election of Bro . A . J . Walklin as W . M ., were read and confirmed . The first business on the agenda being the installation , that ceremony was at once proceeded with . Bro . Hawker declared all offices vacant , and then requested Bros . Jeffery , Naylor , Beamith and Westwood to assist him as Wardens , Director of Ceremonies and I . G . respectively .

Bro . Alfred John Walklin W . M .-elect was presented by Bro . P . M . Beamish , gave his assent to the ancient charges and regulations , and took the obligation as regarded his position . A Board of Installed Masters was then formed , when Bro . Walklin was regularly inducted into the chair of King Solomon by Bro . Hawker .

The Brethren were re-admitted , when the new Master was proclaimed and ealuted , and the Warrant of the Lodge was delivered into his charge . The following Officers were appointed and invested : —Bros . J . 2 sl . Willis S . W ., W . Spencer Bowen J . W ., Thomas T . Hogg P . M . Treasurer , Arthur

Ronaldson P . M . Secretary , Erneht Ingman S . D ., J . Gillett J . D ., Thomas Smith I . G ., O . F . Lavis D . C , 3 . Axcell A . D . C , George R . Ceiloy Organist , 0 . Percy Bowen , T . A . Mummery , G . A . Grant , and J . Hewison Stewards , George Martin Tyler ( for 53 rd time ) , Bro . Walklin giving the old charge to the Brethren when investing this Officer .

After the addresses had been delivered b y Bro . Hawker , the new Master proceeded to show his capacity by performing the ceremony of initiation . Messrs . Alfred James Edward Walklin ( son of the W . M . ) , George Chamlet Realff , and James Fothergill , having been previously balloted for , were

introduced and regularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry , Bro . Walklin rendering the ritual in a very perfect manner , thus evincing both his proficiency for the post and the benefit of his attendance at a Lodge of Instruction . The candidates were invested and took their seats in the Lodge .

The Auditors' Report was presented and adopted . This showed the Lodge was in a flourishing condition , and the Masonic Charities generously supported . Bro . Arthur Ronaldson was unanimously re-elected as Charity Representative , upon the proposition of Bros . Beamish and Doughty . Bro . Walklin having received the congratulations of the Visiting Brethren the Lodge was closed and the meeting adjourned .

The banquet was laid in the new dining hall and reflected much credit upon the cuisine of Bro . Cosh . The menu card was an artistic production , and was embellished with a photograph of the Worshipful Master , and appropriate Masonic quotations . Bro . Walklin presided , and was supported by thoso above mentioned , and several others , the company numbering about seventy persons . With

commendable brevity the W . M . submitted the various Loyal and Masonic toasts , and requested the following speakers also to exercise " the soul of wit . " Bro . George Naylor responded for the Provincial Grand Officers , and paid a high tribute to the rendering of the ritual that afternoon . The duties of most Provincial Grand Officers were not very onerous , but one of their most pleasant functions was to visit various Lodges and see the work so ably performed .

In consequence of the late hour precedence was given to the toast of the Visitors , to enable them to catch their respective trains . Bros . Dr . Tees , E . W . Carter , John Murphy , G . L . Brown , and Mettrop responded , the first named remarking that he was the Masonic father of the W . M ., and was proud to have introduced so good a worker of the ritual into the Craft . They had already seen a specimen of his ability , and he thought there was every likelihood of his having a very successful year of office .

Reports Of Meetings.

In suitable terms the W . M . submitted the toast of the Initiates , and expressed his gratification at commencing his year of office with three such good candidates . Bro . Edward Walklin thanked the Brethren for his reception , and hoped at some distant date to occupy the proud position that his father now held .

Bro . Realff expressed his pleasure at joining tho Craft , the ceremony of which had surpassed his highest expectations . He had only had a glimpse of the ritual at present , but he was sure ii the Great Architect would spare him to hear the whole of the ceremonies connected with Freemasonry they must cause him to be a better man .

Bro . Fothergill said he was deeply grateful for being admitted into the mysteries of Freemasonry , and hoped to prove himself a worthy member . Bro . Henry Doughty , in proposing the health of the Worshipful Master , said that Bro . Walklin was a worthy successor to former Masters , and would maintain the traditions and uphold the reputation of the Lodge . The W . M ., in acknowledging the compliment , thanked the Brethren for electing him to the chair , as it was the post to which he had aspired since

the night of his initiation . He would always endeavour to maintain the dignity and importance of his high office . He bore testimony to the great assistance he had received from Brother Forss , at the Lodge of Instruction , and urged upon the junior Officers to be frequent in their attendance if they ever hoped to fill the chair . He had also to acknowledge the services of Brother Hawker , who had not

only ably rendered the installation ceremony , but had conducted the Lodge during tho past year in consequence of the absence of the W . M . He had already received a Past Master ' s jewel for his previous services , but the Lodge considered that he was entitled to some further recognition , and therefore asked his acceptance of a diamond pin and stud as a token of their esteem .

Brother Hawker returned thanks for the present , and said it had been a great pleasure for him to undertake the work . He had done his best , and was glad to know he had given satisfaction . The Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge were also honoured , and the Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close at a late hour . An excellent entertainment had been provided by Bro . Walklin , but it was obliged to be abandoned , in consequence of tho artistes having to return to town by the last train .

THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER

Bro . Alfred John Walklin , the now Master of the Sympathy Lodge , was born on 24 th February 1855 , at Plumstead , Kent , and was initiated into Freemasonry in the Nelson Lodge , No . 700 , on 19 th March 1890 , in which Lodge he has attained to the rank of Junior Warden . In 1891 he became a joining member of the Sympathy Lodge , in which he has also served most of the offices in so able a manner that he was elected as W . M . at the September

meeting . He has ardently supported the Masonic Charities since his initiation , and is a Life Subscriber to the Benevolent Institution , with two votes , and this year served as Steward at the Boys Festival , for which . Institution he has five votes . Noxt year he hopes to represent his Lodge at the Girls Festival . In private lifo Bro . Walklin has been for the last quarter of a century connected with the Royal Liver Friendly Assurance Society , and for many years has been tho manager of the Woolwich district .

URMSTON LODGE , No . 1730 . THE regular meeting was held at tho Victoria Hotol , Urmston , on Monday , 10 th inst ., Bro . James Ormrod W . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , a successful ballot was

taken for Mr . George Franklyn , Merchant , Urmston , who was initiated into tbe mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry by the W . M ., assisted by Brothers J . S . Whitley S . W ., and Hedley Jones J . W ., the former presenting and explaining the working tools of the degree in his usual finished style , and the latter delivering the ancient charge .

We may mention that in connection with the Lodge it is proposed to hold a ball , wbich will take place early in December . The festive board followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts being interspersed hy songs , lccilaticns , & c , given by Bros . J . I-I . Marsh P . M . Prov . G . Std ., J . Goodwin Std ., Robert Dottie P . M . 11 G 1 , Thos . Sowart S . W . 1814 , and others . Bro . Ormrod proposed tho health of the initiate , who , in responding ,