Craft: Metropolitan.

A . G . S ., Hy . Tipper P . A . G . P ., J . H . Dimsdale I . P . M . 2581 , A . J . Thomas P . M . 91 , D . S . Woolf 185 , T . Simpson W . M . 2648 , C . J . Smith I . P . M . 2648 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , & c . Letters of " apology for absence were sent by several Grand Lodge Officers , including Bros . Letchworth , Brownrigg , Richardson , Matier ;* Freeman , Thomas , and Sir Joseph Dimsdale , and many other Brethren .

The Lodge was formally opened by the Worshipful Master , when the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Bro . William Biggs W . M . of No . 45 , as a joining member , which proved unanimous . The Permanent Committee then presented their report , dealing with the finances and other business of the Lodge , whioh was received , and ordered to be entered on the minutes .

Bro . J . R . Cleave then proposed the formation of a Benevolent Association in connection with tho Lodge , and submitted the details of a most excellent scheme whereby in two years every member of the Lodge could become a Life Subscriber or a Life Governor to either of the Masonic Charities . This was seconded by Bro . Kiralfy and adopted without discussion by the Brethren .

Tho Lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bro . J . D . Langton W . M .-elect was presented by Bro . H . Thomson Lyon , to receive at the hands of his predecessor the benefit of installation . The ceremony was carried out in all its details by Bro . Vaughan Morgan , thought Bro . Langton introduced a novelty by repeating both the obligations without dictation . After being placed in the chair tho new Master was proclaimed and saluted in the usual manner . Having invested Bro . Morgan as I . P . M ., Bro .

Langton appointed the following Officers for the year : Dr . Frederick Lawrance P . A . G . D . C S . W ., George Scott Miller J . W ., C . 0 . Burgess P . G . S . W . Berks , and P . P . G . D . Surrey Treasurer , Major Eustace Anderson Secretary , Harry Nicholls S . D ., William Briant J . D ., J . Tollworthy I . G ., H . Thomson Lyon D . C , L . F . Everest , T . Nixon Morris , J . A . Shelton and G . Pidduck Stewards , and D . Potter Tyler . The customary addresses were delivered by Bro . Vaughan Morgan .

Several names **?> f intending joining members were submitted for ballot at the next meeting , and the resignation of one Brother was accepted with regret . * The W . M . then rose and said that a very pleasing duty now devolved upon him , which he undertook with a great amount of satisfaction , and that was to present , in the name aud on behalf of the Brethren , the first Pasfc

Master ' s jewel to his predecessor in the chair . It was a great thing for the Jubilee Masters Lodge to have so distinguished a Mason as Alderman Vaughan Morgan for its first Master , and the members deeply thanked him for the assistance he had rendered in promoting the foundation of the Lodge , and for presiding over them during the first year of its existence . In pinning the jewel to his Past Master's collar he trusted that Bro . Morgan might long live to wear it , and be present with them in the Lodge .

The I . P . M ., in expressing his thanks for the very handsome jewel , said that it was a mark of the esteem and affection of the Brethren , and he should ever regard and consider it as such . He was very proud of being their first Master , and he hoped , indeed he was sure , that the Lodge would have a prosperous career , and be useful in promoting good work for the Craffc . This concluding the business of the evening , Bro . Langton received the congratulations of those present , and the Lodge was closed with the invocation of the I . P . M .

The installation banquet was served in the Grand Hall , at which Bro . Langton presided , and the company numbered about a hundred and twenty . At its termination the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted from the chair and received wifch enthusiasm . Bro . Thomas H . Gardiner P . G . A . D . C responded for the Officers of Grand Lodge .

In acknowledging the toast of the Worshipful Master , proposed in highly complimentary terms by Bro . Vaughan Morgan , Bro . Langton said he was much obliged and grateful to the Brethren for electing him to preside over them . With their assistance he fully intended to maintain the reputation of the Lodge , which was unique in Freemasonry ; and when he passed on the gavel to his successor he was sure it would have lost nothing at his hands . Bros . T . E . Hanson , Colonel Wyndham Harfc , Rev . 0 . J . Smith and T . H . Russell responded for the Visitors .

The I . P . M . and other Officers were duly recognised , and the proceedings were brought to a pleasant termination at a late hour by the Tyler's toast . The speeches during the evening were interspersed with an excellent entertainment provided by Bro . James Kift , those appearing being Bros . Capper ( whistling solo ) , Arthur Smith ( post horn ) , Fred Russell ( ventriloquist ) , Harry Tipper ( silver bells ) , Fred Upton ( recitations ) , and songs by Bros . Franklyn Olive , Walter Tilbury , and Mr . Maxwell .

Provincial .

PROVINCIAL .

LODGE OF FAITH , No . 581 . THE regular meeting was held at the Bradford Hotel , Bradford , Man Chester , on Wednesday , 15 th inst ., Brother Chas . H . Griffiths Worshipful Master . The proceedings commsneed at a very early hour . There was a good attendance . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , a successful ballot was taken for Mr . Stephen Ramsbottom , Leather Merchant , Bradford , he being afterwards initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Ancient Freemasonry by tho W . M ., assisted by Bro . S . Andrew J . W ., who presented and explained the working tools to the candidate .

Bros . Chas . Albert Toyn , Henry Bailey , and John Liwton were raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the first by Bro . J . H . Smith P . M ., the second by the Worshipful Master , and the latter by Bro . William Jones P . M . Bro . Dr . E . B . Jones S . W . presented and explained the working tools of this degree . The usual festive board followed these proceedings , Loyal and Masonic toasts being varied by songs , recitations , & c , the contributaries being Bros . Griffiths W . M ., Matthew Goth J . D ., A . Mellor , John Lawton , Geo . Thompson 2185 , and others .

During the evening the W . M . proposed the health of the candidates , who responded , and also of Bro . Thomas Tyers P . M . P . P . G . S . B ., savin" of the latter that in a few months he would have completed his fortieth year as Past Master of the Lodge of Faith . Bro . Tyers , in replying to the very well-chosen remarks of Bro . Griffiths , explained that he was a founder of the Lodge , and also one of the seven Brethren who had formed the T odge of Instruction now being successfully held at the Old Boar ' s Head Hjfcel , Manchester , and which had produced

Provincial .

more effective Masters than any institution of its kind in tho kingdom . Bro . Tyers also reverted to the recent Provincial honours which had been bestowed upon him , and exhorted his younger Brethren to labour on in the cause of Freemasonry , for they might rest assured thafc their efforts would not go unrewarded . Other toasts followed .

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 1343 . WE were pleased to see Bro . Joseph Weymouth W . M ., once more restored to health after his long and severe illness , presiding afc the meeting of this Lodge held on Wednesday , at the Queen ' s Hotel , Grays . Bro . Weymouth was assisted by Bros . G . H . Silverwood S . W ., Asplin J . W ., R . Atkins S . D ., J . Walker J . D ., H . Chaltey I . G ., H . 0 . Borradaile P . P . G . Sfcd . B . Sec , Charles Westwood P . P . G . D . C . Treas ., F . W . Pelling Prov . G . J . D ., 0 . Rigby , J . W . Banford , H . T . Tosler , H . W . P . Hunt , J . W . S . Burke , Jas . Melvin , H . H . Slater , P . W . Wilson .

The Visitors included Bros . A . E . Lockhart 483 , Chas . Cobham P . P . G . S . of W . Durham , Geo . H . Buckeridge 34 ( H . K . ) , W . Harding P . M . 2168 . The Lodge was formally opened , when the minutes were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Messrs . Anthony Frewster Blake , Frederick Noakes , and William Mitchell , and proved unanimous .

The Lodge was next advanced to the third degree , when Bros . S . H . Snell and H . T . Bisher , having proved their proficiency , were raised to the sublime degree , were invested , and took their seats in the Lodge as Master Masons . The ceremony was deliberately and impressively rendered by Bro . Weymouth ; who then resigned the chair to Bro . Westwood , who proceeded to pass Bro . 0 . H . Seabrooke to the degree of a Fellow Craffc . This ceremony was also perfectly rendered , and proved that Bro . Westwood had lost none of his former lustra .

The chair was next assumed by Bro . Pelling , who initiated Messrs . Blake , Noakes and Mitchell into the mysteries and privileges of the Order , in a masterly manner . This division of the work was much appreciated by the Brethren , and made fche proceedings more interesting to those present . Bro . Weymouth then resumed the chair . Relief from the Lodgo Benevolent Fund was granted to the widow and family of a deceased Past Master of the Lodge .

A vote of thanks , together with a Past Master ' s jewel and collar , were accorded to Bro . Weymouth , for his able conduct in the chair during his year of office , and general service to the Lodge . The Brethren then proceeded to elect a Master for the ensuing year , and the choice of the Lodge fell unanimously upon Bro . G . H . Silverwood , who briefly returned his thanks for fcho honour conferred upon him .

Bro . Charles Westwood was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Georgo Martin was re-appointed Tyler of fche Lodge . An Audit Committee was appointed to prepare the annual balance ' sheet , and there being no further business the W . M . received the hearty good wishes of the Brethren , and the Lodge was closed with prayer and hymn . The Brethren subsequently dined together , and a pleasant evening was spent .

PRINCE LEOPOLD LODGE , No . 1588 . THE twenty-fourth annual meeting and festival of St . John of Jerusalem took place at the Angel Hotel , Stretford , on Wednesday , 8 th inst ., Brother R . H . Ibbotson Worshipful Master , the function being held in the room where the Lodge was originally consecrated . According to announcement on the summons , business commenced shortly after noon , three ceremonies being due , namely two initiations and a passing , but only two of these were taken .

The minutes having been read and confirmed , Mr . Alfred Lucas , Builder , Moss Side , Manchester , was successfully balloted for and afterwards initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Ancient Freemasonry by the W . M ., assisted by Brother F . G . Floyd J . W ., who presented and explained the working tools .

Bro . J . Edge was then passed to the degree of F . C . by Bro . 0 . Cooper P . M ., the working tools in this instance being explained by Bro . Walter Edward Harrison S . W . Worshipful Master-elect . The next , and perhaps most important business of the day was that of

installing Brother Harrison S . W . into tbe chair of K . S ., the ceremony being undertaken by Bro . W . Cole P . M . P . P . G . Org ., assisted by the retiring Master , Past Masters William Boden Treasurer , and C Cooper P . P . G . P . The various portions of the ceremonial were efficiently performed , and during the evening received very high encomiums from several visitors .

The following is a list of Officers appointed and invested for the ensuing financial year : Bros . F . G . Floyd S . W ., Tinker J . W ., William Boden P . M . Treasurer , Hy . Crosby P . M . P . P . G . P . Secretary , J . McEvoy SD ., Thos . Nunwick J . D ., W . Cole P . M . P . P . G . Org . Dir . of Cers ., Chas . Pepper P . M . Org ., Burdon I . G ., Councl . Hesketh Chaplain , G . McEvoy , Symes , and Maynard Stewards , W . Amery P . M . Charity Representative .

A very recherche banquet followed , and during its progress the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted and very heartily responded to , that of fche Worshipful Master being proposed by Bro . G . Bell P . M ., to which Bro . Harrison W . M . responded in a very neat and effective speech . The latter afterwards proposed the health of the retiring Master , explaining in the course of his remarks that he had been deputed by the Brethren of the Lodge to present a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel to his predecessor . It bore the following inscription ;—

Presented by the Brethren of the Prince Leopold Lodge , No . 1588 , to BBO . R . H . IBBOTSON P . M ., in appreciation of his services rendered as W . M . during his year of office ,

1898-9 . Bro . Ibbotson , in responding , thanked the Brethren for their beautiful gift , and further said that he could not possibly have spent a more enjoyable year than that of his Mastership . It had been pleasant in every way , and the

Officers had not only worked amicably together , but had been perfect in their duties . Personally he had tried to do his best in his onerous position , and hoped he had added to its dignity . He had not the slightest fear with regard to the traditions of the Lodge , knowing that in being handed down to Brother Harrison they were in the keeping of a very worthy successor .

¦ Several members and visitors contributed to the harmony of the evening by songs , recitations , & c , among others being Bros . Hesketh , Nunwick , Pepper , Owles , & c . The following distinguished visitors were present , viz ., Bros . John Mann Crone W . M , 1375 , Ogden Stanley 1325 , Herbert A . Owles P . M . 163 , Done