Reports Of Meetings.

9 , St . Hilda ( Shields ) 11 , Harmony ( Monkwearmouth ) 16 , Unwin ( Gateshead ) 15 , Liin ( Whitby ) 3 ; total 180 . And this , be it remembered , in the days when advantage could not be taken of railway facilities , showing that whatever may be said of the present race of Freemasons , we have not yet improved on the enthusiasm of our forefathers .

From printed references in tho minutes of recent dates , mention is made that the organ at present in the building was erected by a Mr . Donaldson , of Newcastle , in the year 1783 , at a cost of £ 50 . There is evidently a mistake in the date , as the present Hall was not opened until 5 th April 1785 ; it may be , however , that the organ was ordered hefore the fire , but not erected until after the dedication of the Hall . At any rate the organ is considerably

over 100 years old . During the earlier years of my Masonic career , its tones were heard almost every Lodge meeting . At that time the refreshments were served in this room , and the E . A . Song was played by our late Past Blaster Wm . Whinham , and sung by the Brethren . Since then the keyboard has been brought down to the level of the Lodge . Previously the player had to ascend to the organ gallery hy the step ladder at the north

side . Under date 29 th September 1821 , a new Warrant was issued by the United Grand Lodge of England . During the period between the two Warrants , the number of the Lodge had been changed from 207 , 169 , 146 , to 121 . Since then it had been known as 111 , and is now designated 94 . At our meeting on 6 th October 1886 the Lodge was honoured by the attendance

of several Provincial Grand Officers , and during the evening Bro . Hudson , the then and present Provincial Grand Secretary , handed over to the W . M . some of the ancient books of the Lodge , which had been missing for a period of fifty years , and which he had been instrumental in obtaining . Amongst these were the original constitution of 1755 , containing seventeen clauses only , a wonderfully different volume from that now required from Government .

On 6 th Blay 1896 , Bro . B . Hudson presented to the Lodge a reprint of a biographical sketch of Bro . Dr . Tipping Brown , which had appeared in the " Freemasons' Blagazine , " in the year 1795 , at the time that Dr . Brown was W . BI . of this Lodge . The portrait and printed extract still adorn our walls in the west , behind the S . W . ' s chair . On the same evening a visit was received from Bro . W . J . Hughan P . S . G . D . of England , to whom and to Bro .

Hudson P . G . S . B . of England , an address was presented , the following being an extract therefrom : — " Every few years the question as to the oldest Lodgo in Sunderland again and again comes to the front . That time has once more arrived , it being my lot recently to listen to a stirring speech to that effect . " The foregoing extract , however , conclusively demonstrates that whatever may have been the cause of a sister Lodge having had assigned to it a number

lower than ninety-four , it could not be on account of its greater antiquity , that belonging ( so far as the Province of Durham is concerned ) to one Lodge only , viz .: Industry , No . 48 , of Gateshead . In reviewing our history , it is a f-ource of great gratification to have still in our midst as a frequent attender an old and esteemed P Bl . in the person of Brother John Eiseborough , who was initiated in Blarch 1859 , and who thus carries with him a personal history of over forty years .

On 1 st September 1886 , the members in Lodge assembled agreed that application should be made to the Grand Lodge for a Centenary Warrant . The causes which prevented this application I need not now explain , as the rrquest was recently made , and has been acceded to , and to-night I have the pleasing privilege of having the document in possession .

CORNUBIAN LODGE , No . 450 . AT a meeting at Hayle , on Thursday evening , 16 th inst ., Bro . T . A . Taylor P . M . was unanimously elected W . M . for the coming year , and Bro . F . Harvey P . BI . P . P . S . G . W . was re-elected Treasurer for the thirty-third year in succession . The meeting was of more than ordinary interest , as Bro . J . P . Smith P . M . P . P . S . G . D . had a few days previously celebrated his golden wedding , and the forty-sixth year of his joining the Lodge . The hearty congratulations of the Brethren were presented to Bro . Smith by the W . M . Bro . G . B . Pearce

P . P . S . G . W . The circular issued by the Provincial Grand Master the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , respecting Masonic contributions to the Fund now being raised to assist the soldiers and sailors , was considered and warmly taken up by the

Brethren , though many of them have already contributed through other channels . Twenty guineas was voted from the Lodge funds , and a similar sum was contributed by those present . Brother J . G . Osborn P . M . was appointed Steward to receive subscriptions . It is hoped to raise the amount to £ 50 .

UNITED BROTHERS LODGE , No . 1069 . THE Mayor of Portsmouth , Bro . Harold E . Pink , who has commenced his year of office under most happy auspices , attained , on Blonday evening , 13 th inst ., another high honour , being installed as Worshipful Master of this Lodge . , The elevation of the Chief Blagistrate of the Borough to the chair of a

Masonic Lodge has rarely , if ever , before occurred in Portsmouth , and the interesting ceremony attracted a record attendance of members of the Craft to the Masonic Hall , Highbury Street . In addition to the Masters and principal Officers of practically all the neighbouring Lodges , there were present many Provincial Officers of high rank , including the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . Edgar Goble .

A good many of the Blayor ' s colleagues iri ~ municipal life ( some of whom hold Provincial rank ) also attended , these including Aldermen A . L . Emanuel and B . Barnes , and Councillors H . Kimber , W . T . Dupree , W . E . Duck , W . Stevenson , G . C . Vernon-Inkpen , R . Payne , and H . A . Harman . The installation ceremony was very ably performed by Bro . W . Stevenson P . BI ., and the Blayor having been inducted into the chair of K . S ., appointed and invested his Officers .

Subsequent to the investment , very hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the Installing Blaster for his meritorious services , and to the I . P . BI . for his work during the past year . In the case of the latter , the thanks were accompanied by a jewel , subscribed for by tbe Lodge .

The banquet which followed was a brillant function , there being a very large gathering of prominent Officers . The banquet was catered for by Messrs . Hill and Co ., and during its progress the band of the B . M . A . played selections . Thirteen toasts claimed the attention of the guests , who numbered about a hundred . r

Deputy Prov . G . BI . Goble reponded for the Officers of the Grand Lodge , and over a score of wearers of honours rose in acknowledgment of the toast of the Provincial Officers .

Reports Of Meetings.

The toast of the evening , that of the W . BI ., was in the able hands _ of Past Master Boss . It gave opportunity for expressing satisfaction at the high honour of citizenship recently bestowed upon the new W . M ., and hopes that his * . jar of office as Mayor would be as successful as there was every reason to believe his tenure of the Masonic chair would be .

In a suitable reply , the W . BI . acknowledged the universal kindness he had experienced , and assured those present of his utmost endeavours , not only to sustain the dignity of his Blasonic position , but that of his position as Chief Blagistrate of thc Borough . The musical programme was contributed to by several of the Brethren , including Bros . Attree , King , and Love , Bro . F . White accompanying on the piano . Bro . Fowler also recited " The Absent-Minded Beggar , " and a collection taken afterwards for the War Belief Fund amounted to £ 5 lis .

ROYAL DENBIGH LODGE , No . 1143 . THE installation meeting was held at Denbigh , Brother J . Parry Jones W . M . presiding . Brother the Rev . J . P . Poole-Hughes was installed W . M . for the ensuing year , tbe ceremony being performed by Brother the Eev . Dan Edwards . There were several visiting Brethren present , including the Worshipful Blasters of the Wrexham , Bhyl and Biold Lodges .

ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 . THE regular meeting was hold at the Blasonic Hall , Chorlton-cum . Hardy , on Friday , 3 rd inst ., Bro . John Mann Crone Worshipful Blaster . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bros . Joshua Lingard and 0 . J . Holt Gradisky , whose proficiency had been proved , were passed to the degree of F . C . A very enjoyable evening was afterwards spent at the festive board , Loyal and Blasonic toasts being agreeably varied by songs , recitations , & o .

TRUTH LODGE , No . 1458 . rpHE regular meeting was held at the Blitre Hotel , Manchester , on JL Saturday , 4 th instant , Bro . A . B . Taylor W . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes a ballot was taken for Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , the choice falling unanimously upon Bro . Leopold Hirsch S . W . Other Officers were also selected .

Lodge having been closed , the W . BI . held a reception , the Brethren introducing their lady friends , the company shortly afterwards sitting down to an admirable repast . This was followed by a pleasant entertainment , which was mainly of a musical character , the contributaries being Bro . John H . Greenwood P . BI . 2387 Prov . G . Organist ( E . L . ) , who furnished several of his popular songs and humorous pieces ; Bro . Buckley Carr P . M . P . P . G . D . C ., who sang " Friends of the Brave " ; Bro . T . P . Cooper I . P . M .,

" The Warrior Bold , " and his inimitable " Old Timber Toes " ; Bro . J . Doyle , " My old Dutch , " " The Last Boll Call , " & c ; Bro . Harry Flint , several Irish songs ; whilst Bliss Howard made a most pleasing impression upon a very appreciative audience by a pianoforte solo , an Irish lullaby , and other songs . The recitations were furnished by Brother Edward KobeitsP . M ., & c , who gave German and Irish sketches ; and Bro . W . Dewhurst , who shone in a selection from Shakespeare . Brother Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C . officiated as Director of Ceremonies .

Several toasts were honoured , notably that of the ladies , proposed by Bro . W . J . Herring , and replied to by Bro . Dewhurst ; the Worshipful Master , given by Bro . Cooper , and suitably responded to ; the W . Bl .-elect , and the Secretary . Bro . Buckley Carr . in proposing tbe latter toast , said the Worshipful Blaster and Officers had asked him to perform a duty which he did with

unfailing delight . After dwelling for some little time upon the Secretarial duties , he said the officer was generally selected on account of good qualifications . Bro . G . P . Taylor had displayed zeal in , and attachment to the institution , which was highly appreciated and venerated by the Brethren , and he had been singled out for special recognition . It was therefore his proud privilege and

pleasure to decorate him with a Past Secretary s jewel , as a means of marking the amount of respect which the Brethren entertained for him on account of faithful and valued services rendered to the Truth Lodge . Blight Bro . Taylor be spared to wear the jewel for many years to come . It bore the following inscription : —

Presented to BRO . G . P . TAYLOB , by his Brother Officers , as a token of appreciation of valuable services rendered as Secretary .

ST . ELETH LODGE , No . 1488 . THE installation meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Amlwch , Bro . Eobert Boberts ( Llanallgo ) W . BI . presiding . Bro . W . J . Gruer was installed W . BI . for the ensuing year , the installing master being Bro . the Bev . James Smith P . M . Chaplain of the Lodge .

ISRAEL LODGE , No . 1502 . rriHE celebration of the " silver jubilee " of the consecration of this Lodge I which took place at the Masonic Hall , Liverpool , on the 20 th inst ., in connection with the annual installation meeting , was an event which was looked upon by members and visitors with the greatest interest . Originally

established for the special purpose of meeting the requirements of the many Jewish Brethren resident in Liverpool , the Lodge has deservedly held a high place in the long roll of West Lancashire confraternities , and the numerous attendance on this occasion gavo emphasis to the highly honourable position which it has deservedly secured .

The chair at thc opening of the proceedings was occupied by Bro . Georgo Finger W . BI ., who was well supported by members and visitors . After the preliminary business , Bro . E . Wylie Deputy Grand Blaster of the Province proceeded to instal Bro . David Gabrielson P . BI . as Worshipful Master for the third time , receiving valuable assistance in the ceremony from Bro . G . Finger , the retiring Blaster , to whom a Past Blaster ' s jewel was subsequently presented , and Bro . B . Eobinson P . P . G . E .

Before the proceedings closed , a sincere vote of sympathy was extended to the Secretary Bro . B . Levey , in view of the death of his son , who had been killed in the war in South Africa .