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 : — CEAFT : PEOVINCIAL .

ROYAL KENT LODGE OF ANTIQUITY , No . 20 . THE annual festival was held in the Lodge Room , Sun Hotel , Chatham , on Wednesday , 15 th inst ., the occasion serving to draw together a full attendance of the members , together with an exceptionally large number of Brethren from metropolitan Lodges , and from all parts of the Province . The Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity is the oldest Lodge of Freemasons out of the metropolis , of which distinction its members are deservedly proud , While its roll of Brethren has always stood exceptionally high , says the " Rochester Journal . "

The ceremony of installing his successor was aDly performed by Bro . T . Williams the retiring Master , Bro . Charles D . Levy , who had been unanimously elected W . M ., being inducted to the principal chair with the accustomed solemnities . A handsome Past Master's jewel was presented by the Worshipful Master to Bro . T . Williams , which had been voted by the Lodge , in token of the efficient manner in which he had discharged his duties during the past year .

ANCIENT UNION LODGE , No . 203 . CONSECRATED about the year 1780 , the Ancient Union Lodge holds a high position on the records of the Province , not only with regaid to its age , but chiefly with respect to the generous spirit which it has alvajs displayed in connection with the charities of the Order , says the " Liverpool Mercury . "

The annual installation meeting at the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , on the 16 th , was very largely attended , and the proceedings were of a most successful and enjoyable nature . The chair , at the opening , was occupied by Bro . F . F . Fisher W . M ., who was supported by a full complement of Officers .

Bro . John Craig was effectively installed Wor . Master by Bro . Fisher , the second portion of the ceremony being performed by Bro . J . N . Hounsell P . G . A . D . C . In the course of the evening a valuable Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Brother Fisher , in recognition of his valuable services as Master during the past year .

HUDDERSFIELD LODGE , No . 290 . ON Monday , 15 th inst ., the most important Masonic function that has taken place in Huddersfield since the demonstration made by the members of the Craft on the occasion of the visit to Huddersfield of the late Duke of Albany , in 1883 , was held at the Masonic Hall , South Parade , says the "Huddersfield Chronicle . "

The occasion was that of the presentation by the members of the Huddersfield Lodge of a portrait and address to Bro . William Harrop P . M . P . P . G . W . and chairman of the Charity Committee of West Yorkshire , in recognition of his eminent services to Freemasonry and as a mark of their esteem and respect .

A banquet was held at six p . m ., presided over by the Worshipful Master of the Lodge Bro . John H . Hanson , who was supported on his right by the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master of West Yorks ., the Mayor of Huddersfield Bro . John Lee Walker , the Deputy-Mayor Bro . John J . Brook , J . P ., Bros . W . O . Clough , M . P ., Colonel Day , J . P ., Joseph Crowther , J . P . ; and on his left by Brothers William Harrop , Henry Smith

Deputy Provincial Grand Master , His Honour Judge Heaton Cadman P . P . G . Reg ., W . F . Smithson P . G . D ., J . C . Malcolm ( Leeds city coroner ) , and Thomas Mallinson , J . P . Over 100 members and guests sat down to dinner , which was admirably served in the Lodge Room by Messrs . Johnson Bros . A band provided by Brother Joshua Marshall performed musical selections during dinner .

At the conclusion of the banquet the Worshipful Master proposed the usual Loyal toasts , followed by that of the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Prov . Grand Master , extending to him a cordial welcome to Huddersfield on the occasion of his first visit to the Huddersfield Lodge .

The Provincial Grand Master replied , and was afterwards requested to present to Bro . Harrop an address and a portrait of himself on behalf of the members of the Lodge . The address was read by Brother W . L . Wilmshurst Secretary of the Lodge , and was in book form , the pages being of richly illuminated vellum , and the whole bound in crimson Russia leather .

After the presentation and Bro . Harrop's reply , the toast of the Visitors was proposed by Bro . W . O . Clough , M . P ., and responded to by Brother His Honour Judge Cadman , and Bro . Joseph Bottomley P . M . P . P . G . Reg .

SOUTH SAXON LODGE , No . 311 . THIS Lodge met on the 15 th , for the installation of its hundredth Worshipful Master in the person of Bro . James Peters , of Newhaven , the interesting occasion bringing together a larger number of Brethren at the installation ceremony than usual . The outgoing W . M . Bro . Gerard Lloyd performed the ceremony of installation ; and was presented with a Past Master ' s jewel for his able

services during the year . Bro . Henry Hall was also made the recipient of a most gratifying mark of esteem and respect on his retiring from the office of Tyler after lengthened service . The presentation was made by Bro . Alderman T . R . White on behalf of the Lodge , and consisted of a handsome timepiece and a framed portrait of himself . Accompanying the gift was this inscription : —

This portrait , together with a timepiece ,

was presented to BROTHER HENRY HALL , in recognition of his faithful services as Tyler , for 28 years , by the Brethren of the South Saxon Lodge of Freemasons . 15 th January 1896 .

Reports Of Meetings.

ETRUSCAN LODGE , No . 546 . THE festival of St . John was held at the Masonic Hall , Longton , on Thursday , 9 th inst ., when Bro . James Wilkinson Bromley was installed as Worshipful Master . The Lodge , which dates from 1847 , is one of the most flourishing and successful in the Province of Staffordshire , and quite sixty Brethren assembled , including a good number of visitors from other Lodges . The retiring Master Bro . G . E . Walters presided .

The banquet which followed was held at the Grown and Anchor Hotel , an excellent repast being provided by Bro . Bennion . The loyal toasts were drunk with the cordiality characteristic of Masonic gatherings , but it was noticeable as an indication of the feeling existing in England at the present moment that when the words " the rest of the Royal family" occurred there were cries of "bar one , " in allusion to the hostile

attitude manifested to this country by the Queen's grandson , the German Emperor . The Worshipful Master's comment on this little ebullition of feeling was— " He is no Mason , so far as I know , and he is no good fellow . " The loving cups were passed round—two superb specimens of the finest bone china , of Longton make , which were presented to the Etruscan Lodge in 1857 by the then P . G . M . Lieut .-Col . G . A . Vernon . The name " Hawley " is stamped on the bottom .

Bro . Chapman , in proposing the health of the head of the Staffordshire Province the Earl of Dartmouth , truly remarked tnat the Provincial Grand Master commands the respect of everybody brought in contact with him , and is the worthv son of a worthy sire . The health of Lieut .-Col . Bindley D . P . G . M . P . G . D . of England and tho Officers of P . G . Lodge was proposed by Bro . J . E . Hodson , and also received with the utmost cordiality .

Bro . G . Bennion , in responding , spoke of the great satisfaction felt in the northern portion of the Province at the honour bestowed on Bro . Greatbatch P . G . S . W ., whose services to the Masonic charities so justly entitle him to this recognition . Bro . Webberley , whose name was also coupled with the toast , gave

expression to the feeling—of disappointment , not of dissatisfaction he was careful to explain , with true Masonic grasp of the difficulties attending the award of honours—that the Etruscan Lodge for a number of years met with no recognition in the form of Provincial honours . This feeling had been removed by the recognition of Bro . G . Bennion's services to Masonry .

The health of the Worshipful Master was proposed by the Immediate Past Master , and drunk with musical honours . Bro . Bromley , in reply , expressed his determination to do his utmost for the Lodge during his year of office , and hoped for the earnest support of all his Officers and—of which he made a special point—for the presence and help of the Past Masters .

The services of Bro . G . E . Walters during the past year were cordially acknowledged , and during the proceedings he was presented with a solid silver christening mug to celebrate the birth of a child to him during his year of office . Other toasts followed .

LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 581 . rriHE annual meeting and Festival of St . John in connection with this _ L increasingly popular Lodge took place at the Old Boar ' s Head Hotel , Manchester , on Thursday , the 9 th inst ., Brother Jas . W . Abbott P . M . 1030 P . P . G . D . C . Preceptor . Lodge was opened at 5-45 p . m . by Bro . Wm . Hy . Worsley W . M . 1458 , he being supported by the following Officers : —Brothers Captain E . G . Lingard P . M . 1030 P . P . G . W . as S . W ., W . Goodman S . W . 2185 as J . W ., H . J .

Harrison I . P . M . 581 as S . D ., R . Lingard W . M . 1083 as J . D ., and George Rideal P . M . 1798 as I . G ., George T . Lenard W . M . 1077 Treasurer , Alfred Hebden P . M . 1458 P . P . G . D . D . C . Secretary . We also noticed that there were present , among others , Bros . Godfrey Higham P . M . 1083 P . P . G . D . D . C , George Ben Goodfellow W . M . 1030 , John Horsfield P . M . 1077 , Eugene Loebell W . M . 1161 , Walter Fowden I . P . M . 1798 , A . Ashworth P . M . 999 , Leonard Jagger 287 , Walter Marshall 1798 , H . E . Massie 163 and 1459 , Wm . Finlay 1459 , John Westall , Skilling , Dewhurst , and Nathaniel Jones .

After the minutes had been read and confirmed , the following Brethren were successfully balloted for as members : J . E . Ridgway 993 , Charles Richard Phillips 1459 , and Isaac Hurlow 1459 . Brother Hebden proposed , and Bro . Lenard seconded , as a member , Bro . John Pearce 1458 , who will be balloted for at an early meeting .

Lodge having been closed , the Brethren , numbering fifty-three , sat down to a banquet provided in Mrs . Stopford ' s sumptuous style . This number was afterwards increased by the arrival of Bros . John Chadwick P . G . Swd . Br . Eng . Provincial Grand Secretary , and A . H . Duffin P . M . 1134 Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies . Bro . Fred Hilton P . M . 1458 P . P . G . D . C . acted as D . C . during the evening .

The balance sheet , which was handed round and testified to by the names of Bros . Wm . Bee P . M . 1459 P . G . A . D . C ., and G . R . Berry 1011 , was eminently satisfactory , showing , after all payments , including one to the East Lancashire Systematic , Educational and Benevolent Institution of £ 10 , that there is in hand a sum of £ 25 17 s 3 d . During the evening a telegram , containing hearty good wishes , was received from Bro . W . W . Lofthouse P . M . 1052 , the former Treasurer .

The toasts were of the usual Loyal and Masonic character , that of the Preceptor being proposed by Bro . Godfrey Higham . Bro . Abbott , in responding , spoke of the increase made in membership , and also congratulated the Brethren upon their punctuality in attendance , and the general concern evinced by them in the progress of the institution , which was perhaps one of the most popular and successful in the kingdom . He gave some very interesting particulars , and concluded a capital speech by hoping for the further prosperity of the Lodge .

Bro . Rideal proposed the health of the Visitors , who responded . Bro . John Chadwick , after apologising for being late on arrival , having been at an installation out of town , congratulated the members on the satisfactory state of their balance sheet . He said that the Lodge was doing an immense amount of good , and was indeed a desideratum . It had been a source of

great pleasure to him that he had been able to be among them that evening , for he saw around him a number of personal friends . He reverted to the onerousness of Provincial Secretarial duties , and the rapid increase of Lodges , adding a sort of valedictory note to the effect that whether his stay among them happened to be of long or of short duration , he would ever remember the many kindnesses extended towards him .

Bro . Roach , a Provincial Officer from Cumberland and Westmoreland , spoke very highly of the work of the Lodge , and contrasted it very favourably with that in his own Province . As he was about to make a long stay in Manchester , he hoped to join them . A St . John's Festival in connection with a Lodge of Instruction was a new feature to him , but he opined that it would have a tendency to bring the members more harrnouiouly together .