Reports Of Meetings.

Before the ceremony was concluded the newly-installed Worshipful Master in most felicitous terms presented to the retiring W . M ., on behalf of the Lodge , a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , which the recipient suitably acknowledged . The gift bore the following inscription : — Presented by the Brethren to

W . BRO . JOHN WALTON JUN . P . M ., as a mark of their esteem . 13 th January 1896 .

The Officers for 1896 are : —Bros . G . G . Mends S . W ., J . Ormrod J . W ., Edward Lewis Littler P . M . P . P . G . P . Treas ., G . R . Lloyd P . M . P . P . G . Treas . Secretary , J . S . Whitley S . D ., H . H . Jones J . D ., John Bowers P . M . Org ., G . A . Myers P . M . P . P . G . D . C . D . C ., A . Hawkins I . G ., W . Kirk , W . H . Ashworth , E . W . Barratt , and J . F . Mends Stewards .

The festival of St . John was afterwards held , a sumptuous banquet being provided by Bro . Walton sen ., and served , with the assistance of a strong bevy of lady attendants , in the best possible style . Loyal and Masonic toasts were interspersed with songs and recitations , the contributories being Past Masters John Bowers , Henry Nail 1375 and W . M . 2363 Prov . G . Treas ., Geo . Sam Smith P . P . G . Org . East and West Lane , Ridsdale Bowley 2216 , and Edward Roberts 1459 ( FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ) .

The health of the Installing and Immediate Past Master was proposed by Bro . Walter Bowers W . M ., who said that the subject of his toast had acquitted himself well as W . M ., but had to prove what he could do as I . P . M . No doubt , judging from his excellent work of that day , his year as supporter to the chair would be quite satisfactory to everybody .

Bro . Walton jun . said it afforded him great pleasure to respond , on having gained the position of I . P . M . of the Urmston Lodge ; this was the proudest moment of his life . In a measure he was sorry to leave the chair of K . S ., but this fact could not be helped , all Masters having to do it in their turn . They had kindly commended his work of that day , but he could

assure them that it was equally as pleasant for him to have performed the installation , as for them to praise him , and he sincerely hoped it would not be the last time he should attempt the task . In conclusion he expressed a desire that the remainder of the proceedings might pass off harmoniously and well .

Bro . Littler proposed the health of the Visitors , saying that as they had such a goodly array of them around the social board , he would take them seriatim . The speaker then went on to point out their various idiosyncrasies , which he did in a mordantly humourous manner . Bros . Nail , E . Faulkner P . M . 2231 , and others responded , all paying a very just tribute to Bro . Walton jun . upon his initial attempt and admirable performance of the ceremonv of installation .

Besides those above mentioned we noticed that there were present in Lodge and at the banquet , Bros . W . Goodacre P . M . P . G . S . B . England Prov . G . Secretary , John Walton sen . P . M . Visitors : —Bros . W . Bowdon P . M . 1814 Prov . G . Reg ., Robert Wardle P . M . 2216 , Prov . G . Std . B ., Worshipful Masters A . Hibbert 325 , John Ambler 1345 , J . B . Wolstenholme 1387 , W . Toombs 1588 , J . L . Potter 1814 , and J . M . Veal 2359 ; Past Masters J . Challender 1055 , J . Rathbone 1496 , Fred Batty 2231 , and others .

ZION LODGE , No . 1798 . THE regular meeting was held at the Grand Hotel , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 8 th inst ., Bro . Leon E . Levy W . M . There was a good attendance , owing probably to the fact that a ballot was to be taken for two gentlemen , relatives of prominent members of the Lodge . These were

Messrs . Henry Aronsberg , Hotel Proprietor , Empress Drive , Douglas , Isle of Man , and Mark Steel , Wholesale Jeweller , Shudehill , Manchester , who were initiated by the W . M ., assisted by Bro . B . Steel J . W ., who presented and explained the working tools , and delivered the antient charge to both candidates .

Bro . A . L . Franks was successfully balloted for as a re-joining member The usual festive board followed .

FARNBOROUGH AND NORTH CAMP LODGE , No . 2203 . ON Wednesday , 15 th inst ., the annual installation took place at the Tumble Down Dick Hotel , Farnborough , when Bro . Henry Pidcock Henzell , J . P ., was installed , the ceremony being performed by Bro . James Carswell W . M .

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . THE regular meeting was held at the Palatine Hotel , Manchester , on Thursday , the 9 th inst . There was an attendance of about forty members and visitors , prominent among whom were Bros . F . Warburton W . M ., Wm . Boden I . P . M ., Thomas

T . Hardicker S . W ., Clement J . Hall J . W ., Oates Rushton Treas ., R . Meggitt Sec , J . Kinsey Assist . Sec , T . H . Stott J . D ., A . G . Bryce I . G ., Jas . Andrew P . M . 1219 P . P . S . G . D ., W . T . Schofield P . M . 1219 P . P . G . D ., B . Hopkinson P . M ., E . Roberts P . M . 1459 FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , J . B . Marshall , R . H . Whatham , J . T . Whittle .

There being no special business an early adjournment was made to the festive board , where the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were varied by songs , & c , given by Bros . F . Ridsdale Bowley P . M . 2216 , Kenneth M . Stewart 1140 , and Thos . Hesketh Meade 2464 ( all of the Manchester Concerts ) , T . H . Stott , and W . Morton 163 , a pleasant evening being spent . The health of the W . M . was proposed by Bro . Boden , who referred in graceful terms to the fact that Bro . Warburton had nearly completed his year of office , which had been a verv successful nne in r . Rrfimnnin . l _

Bro . Warburton , in responding , thanked all those Officers and Brethren alike who had contributed a share in making the success mentioned by Bro . Boden . He then proposed the health of the Past Masters , offering a worthy tribute to them for the manner in which they had supported him , even at personal sacrifices . Bros . Schofield , Andrews and Boden responded . Other toasts followed .

CITY LODGE , No . 2514 . ON Wednesday , 15 th , the installation of Bro . Charles Arden P . P . G . S . B . as second Master took place at the Alexandra Hotel , Dale Street , ' Liverpool , the ceremony being performed by Bro . Dr . John UttingP . P . S . G . D . the retiring W . M . At the close of the business the members and visitors partook of a banquet , which was served in an excellent manner by Bro . Heard . After the

Reports Of Meetings.

usual Loyal and Masonic toasts had been honoured , an enjoyable musical programme was provided . During the day Bro . Charles Arden the newly-installed W . M . presented to Bro . Dr . John Utting , on behalf of the members of the Lodge , a handsome silver punchbowl and spirit frame as a souvenir of his term of office , and a small token of their high appreciation of the valuable services he had rendered to the Lodge as one of its founders , and as its first W . M .

MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . THE regular meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on the 10 th , Brother W . B . Akerman W . M . There were also present : — Bros . Thos . Plumpton S . W ., Wm . Charlton , J . P ., J . W ., Wm . A . BoyerTreas ., Arthur C . K . Smith Secretary , Ed . A . Eason J . D ., W . Ed . Davies I . G ., A . B . Smith D . C ., J . A . Thompson Std ., Harry Thompson , F . J . Large , S . Dawson Ward , Adam Still , Francis J . Burt , Jno . Thompson , Edwd . Roberts P . M . 1459 FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE .

Visitors : —Bros . Alt . Jepson 1140 , A . H . Jefferis P . P . G . W . 645 , B . la Cunha 1502 . A large programme of work confronted the Officers in the shape of four ceremonies , and proceedings accordingly commenced at the early hour of 5 p . m . In the first instance a ballot , which was successful , was taken for Mr . Charles Wroe , Music Dealer , Moss Side , Manchester , who was initiated into the mjsteries and privileges of antient Freemasonry by the W . M ., assisted by his principal Officers , the J . W . presenting and explaining the working tools , and the S . W . delivering the charge .

Bros . Samuel Dawson Ward and Harry Thompson were afterwards passed to the degree of F . C . by the W . M ., the working tools being presented by the J . W . Bro . Jefferis having assumed the chair , then raised Bro . John Francis Burt to the sublime degree of M . M . Not a single hitch occurred to mar any portion of the ceremonial , and both the W . M . and Bro . Jefferis must be congratulated upon the smartness of their work , which enabled the Brethren to make an early adjournment to the festive board .

Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , these being pleasantly varied by songs , recitations , & c . Bro . Akerman W . M ., in proposing thejhealth of the Visitors , reverted to the presence of such a distinguished Provincial Officer as Brother Arthur H . Jefferis , hinting that from the interest which he had evinced in the Lodge

they were somewhat justified in thinking it was likely he would shortly become more closely allied to it . In welcoming Bro . Cunha he also referred to him as a distinguished visitor , hailing from Portugal , and further said that Freemasonry recognised every nationality when extending the right hand of fellowship to members of the Craft . The visitors responded .

Bro . Charlton J . W . proposed the health of the W . M ., wishing him long life and prosperity . He continued that they were fortunate in possessing such an experienced man as Bro . Ackerman for first Master , . one who had worked indefatigably to place the Lodge in the highest and proudest of positions . Brother Akerman W . M . thanked the Brethren for their good wishes as expressed through the medium of Bro . Charlton , and repeated what he had said before , that his heart and soul were in " The Manchester Lodge , " for he

looked upon it with pleasure and pride . The knowledge that his name was attached to the Warrant in association with such a body of good men as the founders , gave him infinite pleasure , and he hoped he would be able to work so that in relinquishing his position he might hand down its traditions with ciedit to the Craft . He then proposed the health of the Officers , referring with laudable pride to the fact that Bro . Boyer Treasurer , had , by the payment of £ 50 , qualified himself as Patron of the Systematic and Benevolent Institution . It reflected great honour upon himself , and also upon the Lodge , placing the latter in a most creditable position .

Bro . Boyer , in replying , said that his thanks were greatly enhanced by the knowledge that his example was ( so he understood ) about to be copied by other Officers . Bro . Smith Secretary promised that he , in conjunction with his Brother Officers , would endeavour to make the Lodge one of the best in the Province . Bro . Plumpton S . W ., in thanking them for their kind words , said that their joy at the act of the Treasurer had come as a surprise . He was pleased and delighted that , unsolicited , and with no pressure at all , Bro . Boyer had

put the guinea stamp upon "The Manchester Lodge , " setting such an example that he , as his proposer into Freemasonry , felt perfectly delighted with his child . With regard to the W . M ., the latter had undertaken a difficult position , for it had fallen to his lot to establish the foundation , and he had done it well . His Officers respected the personal sacrifices which attention to his duties had entailed in loss of time , and in undertaking long railway journeys so as to be present at the meetings . He was the essence of punctuality , and was deservedly admired by all for this trait in his character .

Bros . Charlton J . W . and Davies I . G . also spoke , the former promising all necessary help to make the Lodge what it was called . — " The " Manchester Lodge . It deserved success , and so iar as he was concerned it should be a success . The latter said that where Lodge work was concerned he was an enthusiast , and he rather liked the stigma . He hoped some day to occupy the proud position of Worshipful Master . Other toasts followed .

QUEEN VICTORIA LODGE , No . 2584 .

rTlHE first regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Conservative Club , _ L Cheetham , Manchester , on Tuesday , 21 st inst ., Bro . Councillor Samuel I . Mills W . M ., there being also present : —C . W . Godby I . P . M . and Treas ., Wm . B . Midgley P . M . S . W ., Thomas Nesbitt J . W ., Thos . Syms Secretary , Wm . Richardson S . D ., John Foulkes J . D ., A . T . McGregor P . M . D . O ., R . H . Williams I . G ., Wm . Moulton Org ., Joseph King Steward , James Parkinson Steward , J . Pollitt P . M ., Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , H . Whitcombe .

Visitors : —Bros . Robert Leech P . M . 1055 1219 , Wm . Connor P . M . 1126 , R . Grey 1077 . After the minutes of the consecration had been read and confirmed , ballots , which were successful in each case , were taken for Mr . John Newell , Commercial Traveller , Cheetham ; and Bros . William Connor P . M . Oakwood

Lodge , Romiley , No . 1126 , and John William Greenhalgh , Talbot Lodge , No . 2231 , the two latter as joining members . Mr . Newell was afterwards initiated into the mysteries and . privileges of antient Freemasonry by the W . M ., the working tools being presented and explained by the J . W . The address was given by Bro . Leech , while Bro . Pollitt delivered the antient charge .

As the Lodge Room was required for the yearly meeting of the club , the Brethren of the Lodge were compelled to make an early adjournment , and although the room into which they retired was filled to its utmost capacity this did not pie \ cnl them doing justice to several Loyal and Masonic toasts .