Reports Of Meetings.

trusty , and held in high estimation among his Brethren and fellows . Bro . Cummings bad been held true and trusty by being Treasurer of the Lodge since its foundation , and had been held in high estimation among his Brethren because he had been elected W . M . Bro . W . H . Cummings , in acknowledging the toast , said Bro . Guy had spoken of him in terms far too flattering , but he could assure the Brethren

that , having undertaken the very responsible office of Master of the Lodge , he intended , God helping him , to carry out the duties in a proper , straightforward and honourable manner . He felt it was his duty to accept the office , and having accepted it he should do his best , not only for their Lodge , but for the Craft in general . If at the end of his year of office he was received in the same amiable and kind way as he was that evening he should be well satisfied .

Bro . Letchworth , responding to the toast of the Installing Master , said he found it difficult to realise the fact that five years had passed since it was his privilege , assisted by several Brethren now present , to consecrate the Guidhall School of Music Lodge . On that occasion he ventured to predict that the Lodge would have before it a very successful career , and occupy a high position amongst the Lodges of the metropolis . He was most gratified to know that his prediction had been in every way fulfilled .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

— : o : — ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 .

ON Thursday , 16 th inst ., at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , Bro . John Knight W . M ., G . E . Higginson P . M . S . W ., F . Craggs P . M . J . W ., F . J . Larkman Treas ., J . H . Cumming Sec , B . H . Williams P . M . Preceptor , H . Salter P . M ., H . Whitney P . M ., A . Williams P . M ., B . Beid S . D ., W . Hide J . D ., J . Dinnis I . G ., E . H . Wilcox , J . W . Blaydes , C . C . Barber , P . Cronin , B . J . Catling , J . Dinnis , B . Goff , W . Hide , C . Humble , W . Langdon , B . Manlove , D . Bawlings , F . M . Bidley , W . J . Bidgway , E . Still , H . B . Worth , and others .

The Lodge was opened in due form in the 1 st and 2 nd Degrees , when the Sections of the Second Lecture were worked by the following Brethren : — J . Phillips S . D . 186 , Bobert Reid S . W . 1275 , E . J . Catling P . M . 2157 , G . E . Higginson P . M . 1791 , and F . Craggs P . M . 834 . The Lodge was advanced to the third Degree , and the Sections of the third Lecture were worked by Bros . A . Williams P . M . 2090 , F . J . Larkman P . M . 780 , and B . H . Williams P . M . 865 .

The work was carried out in the most perfect manner , and gave great satisfaction , as the Sections have not been worked at this Lodge of Instruction for over 20 years , and this occasion showed that the members had spared no pains to make themselves efficient in their various parts . A vote of thanks to them was carried unanimously . A like compliment was accorded to the W . M ., S . W ., and J . W ., and they were elected Honorary Members . It was acknowledged by all that an instructive and well spent evening had been passed .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

— : o : — LODGE OF INSTRUCTION No . 581 . A MEETING took place at the Old Boar ' s Head , Withy Grove , Manchester , on Thursday , 9 th inst ., when Bro . Godfrey Higham P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C . Preceptor was supported by Bros . Geo . T . LenardP . M . Treas ., Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C . Sec , and upwards of thirty members . Bro . J . Townley Trotter having assumed the principal chair , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , and an initiation was rehearsed the working tools being presented and explained by Bro . E . H . Massie .

The yearly eleotion of Officers then took place , with the result that upon the proposition of Bro . Higham , seconded by Bro . Wm . Bee P . M . and supported by Bro . Trotter , Bro . Hebden was unanimously chosen as Preceptor , an appointment which cannot fail to be popular , and one which will be the means of infusing additional life and vitality into this alread y useful and popular Institution ' .

Bro . Lenard was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , and upon the proposition of Bro . Hebden , seconded by Bro . Bee , and supported by Bro . Isaac Hurlow , the name of Bro . Geo . Wenham Davies P . M . 1459 was successfully submitted to the meeting as Secretary . Bros . Bee and Joseph Day were appointed Auditors , and a Committee was formed to arrange for the forthcoming Festival of St . John . This consists of the princi pal Officers augmented by Bros . Massie and Bee . '

The newly-elected Officers having said a few words with reference to their appointments , a vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Higham for having acted as Preceptor , vice Bro Abbott , deceased . Bro . Higham responded in suitable terms , and concluded by introducing a notice of motion that a sum of £ 5 be given from the Lodge funds to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution .

Principal amoug those who were present were Past Masters Georgo Parker , A . Eichholz , W . J . Herring , and G . P . Taylor ; Bros . Mark Steel M Goth , C . Koffler , W . Dagnall , A . B . Taylor , B . Stevenson , C . Virgo , and B * Wilmot . Visitor : —Bro . J . W . Fitton 2464 . * e The next meeting will be held on Tuesday , 28 th inst ., when the ceremony of raising will be rehearsed .

ZION LODGE , No . 1798 . A WELL-ATTENDED meeting , at the Grand Hotel , Aytoun Street Manchester , on the 8 th inst ., to witness the installation of Bro ! Bernhard Steel S . W . Worshipful Master-elect , attested the popularity of that Brother . After a successful ballot , Mr . Louis Mistovski , Manufacturer , Cheetham

Hill , was initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry , this being followed by a proposition from Bro . Simeon Mamelok P . M . " That £ 10 from the Lodge Funds , and from the Charity Box Funds , be voted towards the Easi Lancashire Systematic Educational and Benevolent Institution . "

A Board of Installed Masters was formed , with Bro . Mamelok as Installing W . M ., and Bro . Steel was dul y placed in the chair of K . S . assistance in the ceremonial being rendered b y Bro . Geo . Board P . P . G . D ! On this occasion Bro . Mamelok was seen at his best , which , to those who known him , is indicative of careful and efficient work .

Provincial.

The following is a list of Officers for the ensuing financial year : —Bro . Joseph Gershon I . P . M ., Leon B . Levy P . M . S . W ., Mark Steel J . W ., S . Mamelok P . M . Treasurer , George Crocker P . M . Secretary , Philip Joseph S . D ., Walter Dagnall J . D ., George Board P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C ., Jacques H . Phillips Organist , Henry Norris I . G ., Morris Phillips and A . Altaras Stds . Brother George Board P . M . D . C . P . P . G . D . was appointed Charity Bepresentative .

During the banquet which succeeded , a very attractive musical programme was gone through , the contributaries being Bros . B . Steel W . M ., Leon E . Levy P . M ., J . H . Phillips , Henry Norris , L . Frankenstein , and others . A very nice break in the proceedings was caused by the newly-installed W . M ., who presented to Bro . Gershon I . P . M . a very handsome gold jewel , whioh bore the following inscription :

Zion Lodge , No . 1798 . Presented to BBO . JOSEPH GBESHON , by the Brethren of Zion Lodge , No . 1798 , in appreciation of his valuable services as Worshipful Master . December 1897 .

CENTURION LODGE , No . 2322 . THE annual meeting and Festival of St . John took place at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , 6 th inst . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , a successful ballot ( as a joining member ) was taken for Brother David Livingston Hamilton , Surgeon Lieutenant 4 th V . B . M . B ., late of the Wycombe Lodge , No . 1501 . The passing of Bro . Lieut . Arthur Samuel Pearse was duo , but this had been postponed by consent .

A board of Installed Masters was formed , consisting of Bros . Surg-Capt . Arthur H . Smith I . P . M . Installing W . M ., Col . Henry L . Bocca P . M . P . P . G . J . D . as S . W ., Col . John Eaton P . M . P . P . G . S . W . P . P . G . Tr . as J . W ., and Major John Heap P . M . P . P . S . G . D . as I . G ., and the installation of Bro . Capt . Thomas Wilding Ashworth S . W . was soon proceeded with , Bro . Smith .

performing the ceremony m that masterly style which had been expected from his previous successful efforts . He was assisted by Past Masters Col . J . H . Clark , J . P ., P . P . G . D . Treas ., who addressed the Master ; Col . Bocca , who addressed the Wardens ; and Major W . H . Hopkins P . P . G . D . C , who gave the proclamations and addressed the Brethren generally .

The following is a list of Officers for the ensuing year : —Surg .-Capt . J . J . K . Fairclough S . W ., Bev . J . W . Challenor J . W ., Bev . E . Bigoe Bagot Chapla , in , Lieut .-Col . J . H . Clark Treasurer , Major F . Pratt Secretary , Capt . P . Nightingale S . D ., Capt . G . W . Heys J . D ., Major H . B . Moss I . G ., Majori W . H . Hopkins D . G ., Major H . S . Hardy Organist , Capt . J . B . Selby , Surg ^ Capt . J . T . Smith , and Capt . J . E . B . Hall Stewards .

Before the Lodge was closed the following notices of motion were disposed of : one by the W . M . " that the sum of ten pounds be subscribed from the funds of the Lodge to the East Lancashire Systematic Educational and Benevolent Institution , " and the other by Bro . Bocca " that the word 1 November ' be substituted for ' October' in Bye-law II , " which is important , inasmuch as it throws the night of electing Officers to November .

A very excellent banquet succeeded these proceedings , which thoroughly justified the many encomiums we have previously bestowed upon the catering of Messrs . Spiers and Pond . The formal toasts were proposed by the newly-installed W . M . and drunk with enthusiasm . That of the W . M ., proposed by Bro . ROCCB , was duly

responded to by Bro . Ashworth , while Bro . Col . Clark , who proposed that of Bro . Blajor Kershaw , regretted the absence of the latter through illness . Bro . Fairclough S . W . bestowed a fitting meed of praise upon the Past Masters , Bro . Rocca giving a very able reply . Bro . Major Heap made a very effective appeal to the Brethren on behalf of the charities .

The various toasts were pleasantly varied by songs , & c . In the latter conjunction we must mention Bros . C . Hobbins P . M . 44 , whose song gave great satisfaction , and Bro . Edwyn A . Smith W . M . 2363 , whose excellent rendering of a pianoforte solo received similar acceptance . Besides those already mentioned , we noticed Bros . Capt . A . J . Sykes ,

Major T . Ballantme , Major W . K . Bradley , Major G . H . Bates , Surg .-Capt , Stephen Nesfield , Captain T . J . Bentley , Lieuts . T . A . Fallows and Alan Bamsay . Visitors : —Bros . W . H . Norton . P . M . 1534 P . P . G . D . Beg ., Wm . Brookes P . M . 1009 P . P . S . G . D ., John Bowers P . M . 1730 P . G . D . ( W . L . ) , E . Faulkner P . M . 2231 , Geo . D . Brookes W . M . 1009 , and many others .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

FRIENDSHIP LODGE , No . 16 . THE installation meeting was held at Devonport , on Thursday , 9 th inst ; , and was attended by a large number of Mark-Masons , including several members of Provincial Grand Lodge . Bro . Henry Willcocks was installed Master . The Audit Committee presented a favourable report on the finances of the Lodge .

Bro . Willcocks presided over the annual supper , which was subsequently held in the large hall attached to the Lodge . He was supported by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and a large muster of the members and visiting Brethren . Congratulatory speeches were made , and the newly installed Master expressed his gratification on becoming Master of so important a Mark Lodge , which during the past year had been so ably presided over by Bro . W . H . Tucker P . G . A . D . C . Bro . Willcocks expressed a hope that Lodge Friendship would continue to hold front rank in Devonshire Mark Masonry .

The Duke of St . Albans finds himself compelled , by reason of the unsatisfactory state of his health , to resign the Grand Mastership of the Province of Nottinghamshire , which he has held since 1877 . He would , indeed , have retired some years ago , but for the relief from the more onerous duties of the office which was afforded by his appointment of Colonel Newton , as Deputy .