Reports Of Meetings.

Such an institution as this Lodge must be of very great benefit to this and adjoining Provinces . Bro . Duffin said this was his first visit , and the loss was undoubtedly his own . He had no idea until recently that there was such an adjunct to the Lodge as a St . John ' s Festival . He spoke very highly of the admirable results accruing from the institution , adding that Masonry under the , Preceptorship of Bro . Abbott would be carried out to the strictest letter .

Bro . Dr . Coates 1077 also spoke favourably of the efforts being made . The Wilton Lodge boasted of its festive board , but he must admit that they had a powerful rival in the Lodge of Instruction . Bro . Horsfieid proposed the health of the Treasurer , saying that he had worked with him for many years , and no man was better qualified to perform his duty with satisfaction , and look after the finances of the Lodge . Brother Lenard , in reply , said that he then rose with far more pleasure

than ho had done twelve months ago , inasmuch as he could show a larger balance in favour of the Lodge , which was very gratifying . Another great feature was the fact that during the twelve months they had given a sum of £ 10 to the Masonic Institution , and he hoped that they would be able to repeat this gift before long . He had only one fault to find with the balance sheet , and that was the fact of arrears , which if discharged might benefit the charities substantially . With regard to the Lodge , he hoped it would continue to diffuse light and instruction to those who might join it .

Bro . H . H . Warburton P . M . 163 P . P . S . G . D ., in proposing the health of Bro . Hebden , thanked the Brethren for providing him with a toast which was so congenial to his heart . The duties of Secretary , though onerous , were placed in right hands , for the subject of his toast had a happy knack of combining the " sauviter in modo " with the " fortiter in re . " He gave that quotation for the benefit of a certain Past Master present , whose name he

mentioned , he being fond of quotations . The Lodge of Instruction provided every chance for Brethren who were desirous of making headway in their own Lodges , and no one appreciated this institution more than he did . It had been of great benefit in the past , and was calculated to do still more useful work . Bro . Hebden had laboured hard for its success , and they ought one and all to be proud of the privilege of drinking to his health .

Bro . Hebden , replying , said that he felt a difficulty in finding words by which to express his thanks for this ovation . In looking back he could hardly realise that this was his eleventh year of office in the Secretaryship . He had often asked himself the question as to why he retained the position in the Lodge ? and his answer seemed invariably to be that he liked it , having formed in connection with it some of the dearest and most

cherished acquaintances . He tried to perform his duties faithfully , and endeavoured to neglect them as seldom as possible , and they must give him credit fqr good intentions . The present membership , for 31 st December 1895 , was 186 ; they had held twenty meetings , with an aggregate attendance of 378 , not including the St . John ' s Festival . In 1894 the aggregate attendance

• was 280 , giving , for the year just concluded , a satisfactory advance in numbers . They had had forty-nine new members , and had lost two by death . He considered that they had another prosperous year before them , and he would do his best to render it so . In conclusion he reiterated his thanks for their kindness towards him .

The proceedings were enlivened by songs , recitations , & c , given by Bros . Fred Hilton P . M ., Edward Roberts P . M . FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , Remus , Taylor , Norris , and others . Bro . Worsley presided at the piano , which he himself had kindly lent for the occasion . He also played several solos in his usual brilliant style , contributing very largely to what was more than once

described as the most successful meeting ever held in connection with the Lodge of Instruction , We may mention that Bro . Worsley was honoured with a special toast , on account of his ready acceptance of the position of accompanist , and for many spontaneous acts of kindness towards the Lodge . The next meeting will be held on Tuesday next , 28 th inst ., when the ceremony of Raising will be rehearsed .

PRINCE OF WALES LODGE , No . 671 . THE Brethren met on Monday , 13 th inst ., at Llanelly , for the purpose of installing as Worshipful Master for the year Bro . Thomas Hughes . The Senior Warden Brother W . Buckley Roderick P . M . P . P . G . J . W . performed the ceremony , which was witnessed by a large number of Brethren .

In the course of the evening Bro . J . L . Thomas , the Charity Steward for the West Division of South Wales , announced that he had received nearly £ 50 from the Brethren present towards the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

ALBERT LODGE , No . 854 .

ON Wednesday , 8 th inst ., the members celebrated the annual festival of St . John at the Duke of York Inn , Shaw , and installed Bro . James Dyson as Worshipful Master for the year . The ceremony was performed by Bro . J . Wardle P . M ., assisted by the Past Masters of the Lodge . The members , together with invited guests from Oldham and districts , numbering about fifty , afterwards dined at the Inn , the menu being all that could be desired . During the evening the usual toast list was gone through .

ST . BARNABAS LODGE , No . 948 . THE members were honoured on Tuesday , 7 th inst ., by a visit from the Right Hon . Lord Addington Provincial Grand Master of Bucks . About thirty Brethren met him at the Masonic Ball , Elephant and Castle Hotel , Linslade , at a gathering held under the presidency of the popular W . M . Bro . H . Hobson .

After the business was concluded the Brethren partook of an excellent dinner , provided by Bro . James Sheerman . When the cloth had been removed Lord Addington , in returning thanks for the toast of the Provincial Grand Officers , expressed his entire satisfaction with the high tone of the Lodge , and with the excellent work it was doing .

WALTON LODGE , No . 1086 .

AN exceedingly successful and pleasant gathering took place on Wednesday , 15 th inst ., in the Skolmersdale Masonic Hall , Kiikdale , Liverpool , on the occasion of the installation of Bro . Joseph Wild as Worshipful Master . The attendance included about seventy members and visitors , Past Masters Joseph Lawson and John Miller performing the installation ceremony . After the banquet a Past Master ' s jewel was presented to the retiring Master Bro . Lawson , whose services to the Lodge were highly spoken of .

Reports Of Meetings.

EQUALITY LODGE , No . 1145 . ON Thursday , 9 th inst ., at the Rod Lion Hotel , Accrington , the installation meeting and festival of SS ? . John the Evangelist was held , and was attended by a large number of visitors and members of the Lodge . The Lodge was opened by Bro . James Hoyle W . M ., and after transacting other business Bro . William Henry Dixon was installed in the chair , the Installing Master being Bro . W . Lamb P . P . G . P . East Lancashire , by whom the ceremony was performed in an able and impressive manner .

Lodge being closed , an excellent banquet was served , after which the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts wore honoured , the proceedings being interspersed with songs , which were capitally rendered .

NORMAN LODGE , No . 1334 . A MEETING was held on Wednesday , 15 th , at the Freemasons' Hall , Old Elvet , Durham , when Colonel C . Rowlandson P . M . P . P . G . J . W . was installed Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . There was a very large attendance of members , as well as visiting Brethren . The ceremony of installation was impressively performed by Brother R , Hudson Prov . G . Sec . P . G . S . B .

At the conclusion of the installation proceedings the Brethren adjourned to the County Hotel , where the festival of St . John was celebrated . A large number sat down to the banquet , presided over by the newlyinstalled W . M . The usual Masonic toasts were proposed .

ANCHOR LODGE , No . 1337 . ON Tuesday , 14 th inst ., the celebration of the annual fe .-tival and installation of Worshipful Master took place in the Masonic Lodge Room at Northallerton , and additional interest was lent to the proceedings by the fact that the Lodge celebrated its twenty-fifth or silver anniversary . There was a very large attendance at the celebration under the presidency of Bro . C . R . Waistell W . M .

The installation of Bro . J . S . Walton was ably performed by Brother Joseph Todd Grand Standard Bearer England Prov . Grand Treasurer North and East Yorkshire . Brother B . Wilkinson was elected Tyler for the twenty-fifth year in succession . The Lodge having been closed the Brethren adjourned to the banqueting room where a splendid repast was served .

MANOR LODGE , No . 1367 . ON Tuesday , 14 th inst ., the members assembled at the Lodge Room , White Hart Hotel , Beaminster , for the purpose of initiating Dr . Pim into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry , and to instal Bro . W . Oxley as W . M . for the ensuing year . Both ceremonies were ably performed by Bro . W . F . P . Kitson .

A pleasant feature in the proceedings was the presentation of an exceedingly handsome Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . F . P . Kitson by Bro . J . S . Webb . Brother P . H . Cox P . D . D . G . M . Canada , son of the late Colonel Cox , was present , and received a warm welcome from the members , to whom his presence added a considerable amount of pleasure . Later in the evening he gave some very interesting particulars as to the working of Lodges in Canada .

ALEXANDRA LODGE , No . 1511 . THE installation of Bro . G . M . Dimbleby took place at the Masonic Hall , Hornsea , on the 15 th , in the presence of a large number of members of the Lodge and of visiting brethren from the Sister Lodges at Hull . At the opening of the Lodge Bro . Jas . J . Adamson W . M . was in the chair . After the opening , the installation ceremony was proceeded with . Bro . Fred Carter P . M . the installing master was assisted by Bros . M . C . Peck P . M ., T . B . Redfearn P . M ., and J . J . Adamson P . M .

After the banquet Bro . Spink P . M . submitted the toast of the Worshipful Master of the Alexandra Lodge and his Officers . He remarked that he had additional pleasure in proposing this sentiment , as he was the means of bringing the new Master ' s most respected and esteemed father into the Lodge . He believed that Bro . Dimbleby would make as good a Master as any of his predecessors had done , and he most cordially wished him and his Officers a happy and prosperous year . ,

Bro . Dimbleby W . M ., in reply , said he little thought that he should attain to the high position he had amongst them , but having accepted so honourable an office it would be his duty to prove himself worthy of their confidence . He felt he would have the thorough support of his Officers , and he hoped to make the year they had now entered upon one of the most successful they had ever had in the history of the Alexandra .

Proposing the Masonic Charities Bro . M . C . Peck P . M . alluded to the liberal support given , but expressed the hope that more might be done , as there was a considerable sum owing from North and East Yorkshire . In response to the circular sent out the little Alexandra Lodge had , he was happy to say , contributed fifty guineas to the Charities . The appeal made had met with similar success all along the line .

URMSTON LODGE , No . 1730 . THE annual meeting and festival of St . John were held at the Victoria Hotel , Urmston , on Monday , 13 th inst ., Bro . John Walton jun . W . M . There was an attendance of about forty . After the preliminary business had been disposed of , the Lodge was advanced , and a Board of Installed Masters formed , the principal Officers

being as follow : —Bros . John Walton jun . W . M . Installing Master , John Slyman P . P . G . D . S . W ., J . H . Marsh J . W ., and R . Swindells I . G . Bro . Walter Bowers S . W . W . M .-elect was presented by Bro . G . A . Myers P . P . G . D . C . D . C . to receive the benefits of installation , the ceremony being afterwards performed by Bro . Walton in so satisfactory a manner as to receive the favourable commendations of members and visitors alike .

There were twenty-eight installed Masters present to welcome the advent of the new Master into the chair of K . S . The proclamations , addresses , & c , were in the capable hands of Bros . G . A . Myers , T . W . Bone , and J . Slyman , while Bro . John Bowers presented and explained the working tools of the various degrees .