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 . — : o : — CRAET : METROPOLITAN .

WEST SMITHFIELD LODGE , No . 1623 . THE members of this highly successful Lodge held their final meeting for the season at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , W . C , on Thursday , 15 th inst ., when Bro . T . G . Hodges P . M . 1695 W . M . presided , and was most ably assisted by his Officers , namely , Bros . S . H . 0 . Rumball I . P . M ., B . F . Lmnett S . W ., 0 . W . Fink J . W ., H . J . Howes P . M . Treasurer , H . H . Lardner P . M . Sec , H . Clinch S . D ., 0 . A . Barter J . D . ( who also acted as I . G . ) , P . H . Clisby P . M . Steward , J . G . Henrich Asst . Steward , A . Ellenden Charity Steward , H . Evenden P . M . Tyler .

Amongst other members present were Bros . R . P . Brickdale P . M ., M . W . Worrall P . M ., C . A . Barter , B . Paget , E . Wittenberg , P . Rottenberger , A . Gensler , H . T . Allen , P . Pink , E . Bennis , T . Roberts , J . S . Lion , Gush , J . Trower , H . E . Carr , G . Oates , W . A . Allen , R . Krumm , and several others , while the Visitors included Bros . Chapman S . W . 1278 , Love P . M . Preceptor of Finsbury Park Lodge , Gray 2021 , and others . The Lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed .

Bro . J . Trower , a candidate for the third ceremony , having answered the usual questions , was entrusted , and when properly prepared was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason , taking his seat amongst the Brethren as such . Bro . H . E . Carr having proved himself proficient as an Apprentice , was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft .

The ballot was then taken and proved unanimously in favour of Mr . Max Wittenberg , Mr . Oscar Klugg , and Mr . Johann Heinrieh Ruhmann , and those gentlemen being in attendance they were introduced and regularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Order . All the ceremonies were most carefully and impressively worked .

The next business was the election of Worshipful Master , Treasurer , and Tyler for the ensuing year , with the agreeable result that Bro . B . F . Linnett was unanimously chosen as chief Officer , while Bro . H . J . Howes P . M ., and Bro . H . Evenden P . M . were re-elected as Treasurer and Tyler respectively .

Bro . Linnett returned his sincere thanks for his election as Master , and assured the Brethren that the duties attached to his high office would be faithfully and zealously discharged . He also proposed that a Past Master ' s jewel should be presented to Bro . Hodges at the termination of his year of office , in recognition of his able services as Master of the Lodge . This was seconded and unanimously agreed to , and Bro . Hodges thanked the Brethren for their kind recognition .

The W . M . having received well-earned compliment for his excellent working , and the hearty good wishes of the visiting Brethren , he proceeded to close the Lodge . The Brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant , where the usual excellent banquet was provided for which this establishment is so highly renowned , the service being under the personal and able supervision of Bro . T . J . Hamp , the manager of the establishment .

After the banquet the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted from the chair , each being heartily received and honoured by the Brethren . In highly complimentary terms Bro . Rumball I . P . M . proposed the health of the W . M . All knew how well he could do his work , as had been exemplified that evening in a manner that reflected great credit upon him , and also on the West Smithfield Lodge . He felt sure tbe Brethren would receive the toast with good fire .

The W . M . suitably returned thanks for the kind appreciation of the Brethren , which had so greatly encouraged him during his term of office . The W . M . in most eloquent terms proposed the health of the visitors , saying the members were always pleased to see guests , and give them a hearty welcome . The Visitors responded in suitable terms .

The next toast the W . M . bad very much pleasure to propose was that of the Initiates , Bros . Max Wittenberg , Oscar Klugg , and Johann Heinrieh Ruhmann . which was duly attended to . Bro . Max Wittenberg thanked the W . M . for his kindness , and hoped in time to come to be a worthy Mason . He would do his best to earn their confidence . Bro . Ruhmann and Bro . Klugg also thanked the W . M . and Brethren , in short , but eminently to the purpose , speeches . Other toasts were duly given and responded to , and the Tyler ' s toast brought a most pleasant evening to a termination .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

PROSPERITY LODGE , No . 65 . ON Wednesday , at the Weaver ' s Arms , London Wall , E . G ., Bro . G . T . Kinipple W . M ., F . J . Greig S . W ., J . Brown J . W ., D . Harlow P . M . Preceptor , H . T . Meadows Secretary , F . Dawe S . D ., W . Read J . D ., W . Strong I . G ., J . Smith P . M ., H . Saunion P . M ., Drake , and Wynman .

The Lodge was advanced to the second degree and Bro . Saunion P . M . was examined and entrusted for the third , the ceremony of raising being rehearsed , he acting as candidate . The Lodge was resumed in the first degree , and Bro . James Smith P . M . having offered himself as candidate for initiation was accepted , and the ceremony was gone through .

Bro . J . Brown S . W . of the Mount Edgcumbo Lodge , No . 1446 , was elected a member . Being Officers' night the VV . M . for the next meeting had been elected the previous meeting . The rendering of the work throughout the evening was deserving of the highest praise .

Instruction.

WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 . ON Tuesday , at Bro . Barnes ' s , Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , Harrow Road , W ., Bro . J . L . Miller W . M ., G . A . Knight S . W ., C . Halston J . W ., H . Dehane P . M . Preceptor , R . J . Rogers P . M . Treasurer Deputy Preceptor , G . D . Mogford P . M . Secretary , Bagnall J . D ., J . Wynman I . G ., W . J . Sweet .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Sweet candidate , after which the W . M . gave the charge . The Lodge was called off and on , advanced to the second degree , and Bro . G . D . Mogford was presented to be raised to the third , that ceremony being rehearsed . Bro . Knight will preside next Tuesday .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . A VERY large meeting took place on Thursday , at Bro . Purkiss ' s , Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , under the presidency of Bro . F . M . Ridley W . M ., with R . W . Robinson S . W ., R . Goff J . W ., R . H . Williams P . M . Preceptor , F . J . Larkman P . M . Treasurer , J . H . Gumming P . M . Secretary , W . Langdon S . D ., 0 . C . Barter J . D ., J . W . Blaydes I . G ., Catling P . M ., J . Dinnis P . M ., H . Johnson , C . Wilcox , H . R . Worth , Justin Allen , T . Craggs P . M ., C . Coombs P . M . W . M . 780 , H . J . Gomm , B . Blasby P . M ., J . Wynman , and several others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Catling candidate . Bro . Williams P . M . Preceptor , assisted by the Brethren , worked the first and second sections of the lecture . Bro . C . Wilcox was examined and entrusted for the second degree , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . The W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree , and Bro . R . Catling P . M . 2157 and VV . Gomm P . M . 780 were elected members , both suitably

responding . Next Thursday , being the Preceptor ' s night , Bro . Williams will occupy the chair and rehearse the ceremony of installation . Bro . Robinson S . W . was elected W . M . for the following week . Bro . Blasby P . M . 780 complimented the W . M . on his working , and also Bro . Williams for his excellent assistance as Preceptor , at the same time wishing the Royal Alfred Lodge of Instruction every success .

RANELAGH LODGE , No : 834 . ON Friday , 16 th inst ., at the Six Bells , Hammersmith , Bro . R . Reed P . M . W . M ., J . Banks S . W-, W . J . Coplestone P . M . J . W ., A . Williams P . M . Preceptor , F . Craggs P . M . Secretary , P . Cronin S . D ., J . Cox P . M . J . D ., H . Bone I . G ., B . A . Williams P . P . G . J . D ., W . Beattie P . M ., J . J . Lewen , J . Wynman .

The Lodge was opened and closed in the three degrees , Bro . Lewes was entrusted , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . After the ceremony the W . M . gave the traditional history . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree and the second section of the lecture was worked by the Preceptor , assistant by the Brethren . Bro . Banks was elected W . M . for next meeting .

HYDE PARK LODGE , No . 1425 . ON Monday , at the Prince of Wales Hotel , Eastbourne Terrace , Bishop ' s Road , W ., Bro . J . H . Beardon W . M ., G . E . Harris S . W ., A . L . Butters P . M . J . W ., G . Read P . G . S . B . Preceptor , H . Dehane P . M . Sec , 0 . B . Lumley S . D ., A . Le Clair J . D ., W . Smith I . G ., W . J . Ferguson P . M . Dep . Preceptor , H . Grookes , J . Wynman .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Ferguson candidate . This ceremony being ended Bro . Ferguson offered himself as candidate for passing , and he was examined , entrusted , and the ceremony rehearsed . Both these degrees were given in a perfect manner . Bro . Harris was elected W . M . for next meeting . Bro . 0 . B . Lumley , Bushey Hall Lodge , No . 2323 , was elected a member , he thanking the W . M . and Brethren in suitable manner .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

LODGE OF FREEDOM , No . 77 . THE installation meeting of this ancient Lodge took place , with considerable success , on Monday , at the Town Hall , Gravesend , which was placed at the disposal of the Lodge by the Corporation . In the absence of the Worshipful Master the Lodge was opened by Bro . James A . Whitfield I . P . M ., and among those present were Past Masters R . J . Beamish Prov . A . D . C , G . T . King Prov . A . G . P ., H . Doughty P . P . G . S . B ., W . J . Hedger , F .

Teece , Joseph Soloman , Jonas Hill P . P . G . P ., J . 0 . Biggs P . P . G . D . C , F . W . Martin A . D . C , Frank Hitchens Prov . G . R ., Arthur Ronaldson P . P . G . A . S . Kent , the Rev . A . Jackson P . P . G . C . ; Bros . W . F . Martin , J . G . Prevost , Thomas Schultz , R . H . Drennan , W . Blyth , J . Munday , John J . Goldfinch , B . W . Bill , E . C . Paine , Josiah Nash , Hugh Paterson Mackenzie , E . Mason , G . Burnett , H . E . Keens , Frank Box , Alfred Bugler , E . B . Wilks I . G ., Geo . R . Ceiley , John Fitch , R . Bugler , H . E . Porter , & c .

Visitors : Bros . Alfred Spencer P . P . G . S . B . Eng . Prov . Grand Secretary Kent , J . Morrison McLeod P . G . S . B ., James Terry P . G . S . B ., Rev . Cecil M . Bevan Prov . Grand Chaplain Kent , R . E . Beamish 153 ( S . C ) , R . J . 0 . Miller S . W . 1424 , J . Maynard J . W . 1424 , H . J . Bagshaw W . M . 1050 , Thomas H . Bush W . M . 299 , Robert Rurton 1343 , F . G . Wallis-Whiddett 67 , J . B . Colwill P . M . 1791 , Ernest Ingman D . C . 483 , William Hawker W . M . 483 , 0 . Gillies P . M . 1237 , George Billings W . M . 1364 , Charles Cobham P . M . 949 , J . P . White P . M . 483 , Herbert T . Sells W . M . 1464 , W . Hardwicke P . M . 343 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211—altogether a goodly company .

The minutes of the last regular meeting having been read and confirmed , the Auditors presented their report , which was received and adopted . Bro . Samuel Stallwortby , of St . Martin ' s Lodge , No . 2455 , was elected as a joining member of the Lodge . The chair was then taken by Bro . William Russell Grand Director of Ceremonies Provincial Grand Treasurer of Kent , & c , who had kindly undertaken to perform the installation ceremony .

Bro . William Gunn , who had been elected at the previous meeting , was formally presented by Bro . Frank Hitchens Provincial Grand Registrar , and signified his assent to the ancient charges and regulations . The Brethren then retired , and a Board of Installed Masters was formed , when Bro . Gunn was regularly placed in the chair of K . S . with the customary ceremonial of t he Craft .