New Concord Lodge, No. 813.

Peter Hurnctfc J . D ., G . Mustoe I . G ., Sinclair D . C , J . Bonlton W . S ., H . H . Allardyce Asst . W . S ., C . T . Speight Tyler . The duties of tbe Lodge being completed , ifc was closed . The brethren adjourned to a banquet served in Bros . Hitter and Clifford ' s best style , fche tables wero beautifully decorated with flowers , and the menu a perfect work of art . Ifc seemed that Bro . Sherwill ' s genial countenance amongst

tbe initiates tended to sweeten the viands , and wo venture to say that tho whole of the large number of brethren thoroughly enjoyed the repast which had tho sweets of labour attached to ifc . After the usual Loyal and Masonio toasts I . P . M . George made an eloquent speech in praise of the W . M ., who , by the proficiency of his working in the Lodge , had proved himself equal to the high position

he had attained ; he trusted he would be spared in health to fulfil its obligations . The W . M . in reply , said he conld approach the duties of tbe chair with the greatest confidence , having so efficient an I . P . M . ; he trusted he should leave the chair with the same kindly feelings his predecessor had carried away . The W . M . proposed the health of the I . P . M ., and said how much he was indebted to Bro . George for

tbe assistance he had always received , at his hands . The Lodge fnlly admitting his assiduity , he had much pleasure in affixing a P . M . 's jewel on his breast , in token that they would never forget his services . Bro . I . P . M . George in reply said , he had endeavoured to uphold tho dignity of the chair , and it would have given him greater satisfaction had he had moro time to spare . At tho same time ,

owing to the kindly feeling thafc existed in the Lodge , and the good Officers who had so ably assisted him , the difficulties were removed ; ho thanked them most heartily for their kind snpporfc , and had much pleasure in personally presenting Bro . E . E . Harper P . M ., the Secretary , with a jewel , in return for the valuable assistance he had received from him . A toast from the chair—the Secretary and

Treasurer—met with hearty support . Bro . P . M . Stillwell said his office waa no sinecure without a good Secretary ; and he spoke mosfc highly of the great assistance be had received from P . M . Harper . P . M . Harper in responding to his health felt very deeply the kind manner the brethren had received the toast , and how highly they

appreciated his services : afc the same time he assured them he should do his best to give satisfaction in the future as be bad endeavoured to do in the past . The Officers' toast was duly received and responded to by the S . W . and J . W ., the J . W . remarking that one object of his life had been to occupy the position he then filled , and to progress from the time he was initiated . The toast of the Past Masters

followed , and was responded to by Bros . Gabb , Cusworth , Stead , Harper , Pearcy and Driscoll . The toast of the Initiates , as usual , was most heartily received , and each one said how much he was impressed by tbe beautiful ceremony ; it would be their great aim to push forward and attain the high honour of passing the chair . Bro . D . Sherwill was especially well received . He acknowledged , with

feelings of gratitude , the honour which had been conferred upon him by the brethren of the New Concord Lodge by admitting him to the privileges of the ancient ancl honourable Institution of Freemasonry . He must say that of the twenty-eight Lodges and Chapters which assembled in thafc house , he had , after due consideration , selected the New . Concord , because of the continued friendly disposition of its

members , and the kindly feelings which always pervaded their meetings . He was much indebted to their excellent Immediate Past Master , Bro . S . George , for the way in which he had put fche initiates throngh their facings ; and on his own behalf he thanked Bro . P . M . Stead for having proposed him , and Bro . P . M . Bartlett , who was not present , for having seconded his nomination . It should be his earnest

endeavour to become an apt student of the art of Masonry , to become a credit to this old and distinguished Lodge , and to justify the confidence which had been reposed in him by those who had so kindly acted as his sponsors . Ifc was a great pleasure and honour to be associated with such gentlemen as he saw around him ; and the gratification he now experienced would remain in his recollection as long as his life lasted . The reception accorded to his name was a

compliment he sincerely and deeply appreciated , and his entrance into the honourable fraternity of Freemasonry would never be effaced from his memory . Bro . Sherwill resumed his seat amidst renewed and prolonged cheering . The toasfc of the Visitors was next given and heartily greeted . Bros . Past Masters Pearcy and Driscoll spoke of the good working , also of the princely manner in which they had been received . Songs and recitations by the brethren concluded what every one admitted to be a most enjoyable evening .

Metham Lodge, No. 1205.

METHAM LODGE , No . 1205 .

THE annual meeting of this Lodge was held on Monday , 21 st inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Caroline-place , Stonehoose . There was a large attendance , as is usual in thia flourishing Lodge . Bro . Thomas E . Peek , by the unanimous voice of the Lodge , was installed as W . Master , the impressive ceremony being very ably performed by the retiring Master W . Bro . Hugh Cameron , assisted by W . Bros . Wm

Powell P . M . and Secretary , and Thomas Gibbons I . P . M ., in a Board of Installed Masters . The Officers appointed and invested were Bros . Hugh Cameron I . P . M ., W . H . Hunt S . W ., Eicbard Dickson J . W ., Daniel Cross P . M . Treasurer , William Powell P . M . Sec , B . S . Smith S . D ., Philip Dunn J . D ., Thomas Gibbons P . M . Org ., Lemuel

Martin I . G ., George Wilson D . C , John Hayward S . S ., H . E . Sitters J . S ., T . Gidley Tyler . The nsnal business consequent ou the yearl y meeting having been satisfactorily disposed of , tbe brethren adjourned to the Eoyal Hotel , afc Devonport , for the banquet , which was supp lied to the satisfaction of the eighty guests by Bro . Parker . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bro . J . E .

Curteis responded for the Prov . Grand Lodge , ancl in few but wellchosen words spoke of times gone by as well as the present . Alluding to the late P . G . Master Bro . Huyshe , he hoped the Lodge , and the brethren individually , would all join to perpetuate his memory—not by a painted window , which few would see , placed in a church , not in accordance with universal Masonry ; but by a scheme of education , which would have met the approval of Bro . Huyshe , and wbioh was

Metham Lodge, No. 1205.

universally advocated in this part of the Province . The task of pro . posing the health of tho W . Master was a pleasant duty for W . Bro . I ' owell , since he had to present a jewel , which had been voluntaril y subscribed for by the brethren , and which it was universally admitted he fully deserved . The handsome gold jewel was inscribed as fol .

lows : — " Presented by the brethren of Metham Lodge 120 o to Bro Hugh Cameron I . P . M ., as a token of their fraternal regard , 1881 . " Bro . Peek presided . The evening was enlivened by appropriate -ongs , glees , & o . Bro . Thomas Gibbons presided at tho piano ancl conducted .

Hemming Lodge, No. 1512.

HEMMING LODGE , No . 1512 .

THE annual election of this Lodge took place at the Lodge room , Hampton , on Thursday , 17 th inst ., where a full muster of brethren put in an appearance , while among the Visitors may be named Bro . H . C . Levander Prov . G . Secretary of the Province , whom the W . M . requested tbe brethren to greet with the honours due to his rank , fche Lodge afc fche time being in the sublime degree . Bro . B . J . Jeffery of the Urban Lodge 1196 and P . M . 201 visited

the Lodge , for the first time , to meet some of his oldest Masonio friends ; and as the special guest of the W . M . Bro . J . Faulkner W . M . elect of the Era 1423 ; Bro . C . S . Costelow , holding an analogous position in the Royal Alfred 780 j Bro . Jackson Lawrence of the Industry 186 , and Bro . W . Lamb of the Wolsey 1656 . TheW . M ., Thomas William Ockenden , addressing the candidate for the second degree ,

elicited from Bro . Spearing a very creditable result , proving emphatically his fitness for the honour sought ; and which was in due form very ably conferred . Two other brethren were as ably introduced to the mysteries of the third degree . Among the other brethren present were Bro . T . C . Walls , the future Master , for at a later period in tbe proceedings he was duly made W . M . elect ; Bros .

J . C . Jessett I . P . M ., John Hammond P . M . P . Prov . G . D ., Edward Hopwood P . M . P . Prov . G . S . B ., Francis Honeywell P . M . Prov . G . O . Organist , Wm . Hammond P . M . P . Prov . G . D . Secretary , Thos . Moody I . G ., Alfred Tozer S . S ., W . 0 . Davey J . S ., and lay brethren Grosvenor Phillips , William Messenger , Harry Tagg , Wm . Beaucbauip , E . M . Axford , A . Jackson , E . Russell , George Cornelius Dohoo , G .

Bansford , & o . In justice to the brother whom it deeply affects Masonically , we make the following extract from the minutes read by tbe Secretary , unanimously confirmed by the brethren , ancl duly signed by the W . M .: — " The Secretary read a letter from Bro . John Hurst , one of the founders and a P . M . of the Lodge , and Prov . G . Pursuivant Middiesex , in which were detailed circumstances that had transpired

with respect to his admission into a Lodge in a Province to which he had removed , affording proof thafc some person from thia locality had circulated injurious reports respecting his character as a mini ancl a Mason . " Resolved unanimously , " That this Lodge expresses its sincere sympathy with Bro . John Hurst under the circumstances , and deeply regrets that so worthy a brother and honourable a man

shonld be subjected to the effects of the tongue of slander when taking up his abode in a new district , and offers to support him in any position in which honour , industry and Masonic worth are among fcho qualifications set forth as an essential possession for tbe attainment of his object . " After fche election of the W . M . for the ensuing year , Bro . E . Hopwood was unanimously re-elected to the office of

Treasurer , ancl Bro . Gilbert Prov . G . T . to that of Tyler . On rising for propositions , the usual vote of five guineas from the funds of tho Lodge was unanimously made to the W . M . on his retirement from the office , when several of the Past Masters complimented Bro . Ockenden upon his effective exertions during the period he had occupied the chair of King Solomon . In thanking the brethren for

the grant , the W . M . expressed his gratification at this mark of high appreciation , but intimated that he should very much prefer that the amount should be spent in aid of the funds of one of the three Masonic Charities . This , however , met with determined opposition , and Past Master John Hammond , on the ground of the financial success achieved by the W . M . in the past twelve months , gave notice

of motion to take ten guineas from the funds of the Lodge for a life-governorship of one of the Charities , in the name of Bro . Ockenden during his membership of the Hemming , arid at such termination to pass in perpetuity to the Worshipful Mnatur ot the Lodge for the time being . This proposition met with the general approbation of the members . Other Masonio business

having been completed , the Bye-laws read , some alterations proposed by Pasfc Master John Hammond , and a gentleman balloted for as a member and for future initiation , the meeting was formally closed , and the brethren , to the number of about thirty , adjourned to a moderate but well-spread banquet , for which the host , Bro . W . Ballard , of the Lion Hotel , was deservedly commended .

In the after proceedings an hour of congratulatory enjoyment took place , such as a Lodge of harmonious Masons only can conceive and appreciate . In fche course of this period all the Eoyal , Masonic , and official toasts were given , under fche presidency of the VV . M ., who was very warmly congratulated on the termination of , in every respect , one of fche most successful years of office in the Hemming Lodge .

York Mark Lodge ( T . I . ) . —The regular meeting of this Lodge was held afc York , on Tuesday . In the unavoidable absence of tbe W . M . ( Bro . W . C . Lukis ) , the chair was occupied by Bro . T . B . Whytehead P . M . There was no business of importance . The report « vf the auditors was read and adopted , and the acting W . M . announced that since the lasfc meeting two Mark Lodges bad been formed at

Middlesbro and Malton , respectively . Bro . Broadley . Prov . G . Master ot Malta aud Tnnis , hacl officiated as consecrating officer , aud he hoped thafc as they now had six Mark Lodges in the Province then * »»* » probability of | fche formation of a Provincial Grand Lodge , which lie felt sure was in every way most desirable . The Lodge having been closed the brethren met at refreshment , and had a couple of hours *> E pleasant intercourse .