Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings .

CEAET : METEOPOLITAN .

BOROUGH LODGE , No . 2589 . AT a meeting of the members of this Lodge , held at the Bridge House Hotel , London Bridge , on Wednesday , 16 th ult ., Bros . Payne , Davis , and Waterman were raised to the degree of Master Mason , and Bro . George Reynolds was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . The ceremonies were faultlessly performed by Bro . J . O'Dea W . M .

PEOVINCIAL .

BRITANNIA LODGE , No . 139 . THERE was a large attendance at the Masonic Hall , Sheffield , on the 10 th inst ., on the occasion of the installation of Bro . Dr . John Stokes into the chair of this , the oldest Lodge in Sheffield , and the oldest but one in the Province of West Yorkshire .

Additional interest was attached to the ceremony from the fact that it was performed by Bro . Charles Stokes P . M . 1233 I . P . M . 2558 , a Brother by blood of the W . M .-elect .

Owing to the unfortunate effects of a reoent accident , the retiring W . M . Bro . William Middleton was unable to be present , and a vote of sympathy with him was passed , as also was a vote of condolence with the widow and family of the late Bro . Aid . Bromley , a Past Master of the Lodge .

At the banquet which followed , the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , and the speeches were agreeably interspersed with musical selections and reoitations .

FIDELITY LODGE , No . 230 . THERE was a large gathering at Devonport , on the 7 th , to witness the installation of Bro . Charles P . Gaston S . W . as Master . The proceedings were conducted by Bros . R . H . Gardner , R . Pike , E . H . Littleton , and F . Orchard , assisted by a very strong Board of Past Masters . The newly-installed Master acknowledged the compliment the Brethren had paid him in selecting him their president from amongst the members of the Lodge . He asked for a continuance of their support , to enable him to carry out the duties of the chair with credit to the Lodge and to himself .

ST . HILDA LODGE , No . 240 . THE annual meeting took place in the Masonic Hall , South Shields , on Monday , 14 th inst . Bro . J . McDowell W . M . presided at the opening , and there was a large attendance . Bro . T . B . Grimes was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , the installation ceremony being ably performed by Bro . George Robson P . M .

P . P . G . St . B . A handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . McDowell , in recognition of his servioes to the Lodge , and as a mark of esteem from the Brethren .

The annual banquet subsequently took place in the Hall , Bro . Grimes W . M . presiding . After an excellent dinner , supplied by Bro . ; W . H . Curry , the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , the proceedings being varied with music .

LODGE OF HONOUR , No . 379 . THE annual installation festival was held at the Masonio Hall , Bath , on the 14 th inst ., when there was a large number of visitors and members

of the Lodge present . The Worshipful Master-elect Bro . J . Maurice Harper was installed into the chair by the D . P . G . M . Bro . R . C . Else P . G . D ., and afterwards appointed his Officers .

At the conclusion of the business of the evening the Brethren adjourned to the annual banquet in the dining hall .

CORNUBIAN LODGE , No . 450 . THE Brethren met on Thursday , 17 th inst ., at Hayle , to celebrate the festival of St . John , and to instal the W . M .-elect Bro . Edwin A . P . Broad S . W ., who was installed by Bro . Dr . Nicholls W . M ., assisted by Bro H . Tredinnick P . M .

The meeting was rendered more interesting by the presentation of photos of Bros . Osborn and Wagner in full Masonic costume , to the Lodge , the work of Bro . Harrison , of Falmouth , which were greatly admired , and accepted . After the Lodge , the banquet was held in the dining room .

LODGE OF HARMONY , No . 580 . ON the 16 th inst ., Bro . R . Walker P . P . G . D . was the recipient of a handsome testimonial in recognition of his past and present services , at the ordinary monthly meeting of this Lodge , the head-quarters of which is the Wheat Sheaf Hotel , Ormskirk . There was an excellent gathering of members and visitors .

After the banquet , Bro . T . P . Green W . M . made the presentation inmost appropriate terms . The gifts included a handsome P . P . G . D . jewel in gold , supplied by Messrs . Kenning and Son , of Liverpool , and bearing an inscription as follows : —

Reports Of Meetings.

Presented to BRO . R . WAJDKEK P . P . G . D ., by the Brethren of Lodge of Harmony , No . 580 , as a token of respect and appreciation of his lengthened services as Treasurer , 16 th Deoember 1896 .

Also a splendid solid silver tea and coffee service , similarly inscribed . Bro . Walker suitably responded , and the evening subsequently was spent in a very pleasant manner .

LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 581 . THE regular meeting was held at the Old Boar ' s Head Hotel , Manchester , on Thursday , 10 th inst ., Bro . Jas . W . Abbott W . M . 1030 P . P . G . D . C . Preceptor , who was supported by Past Masters Godfrey Higham P . P . G . D . D . C . Past Preceptor , George T . Lenard Treas ., Alfred Hebden P . P . G . D . D . C . Sec , Wm . Bee P . P . G . A . D . O ., Rd . Simister , W . Peel , Walter Fowden , E . Loebell , and others , there being an exceptionally full attendance . Visitor : —Bro . H . Hirsch , Christiana , Sweden .

Lodge was opened at 7 ' 45 by Bro . J . J . Dean , and after the confirmation of minutes , successful ballots were taken for Bros . William Wild , M . D . Goldstone , H . Johnson , and Mark Steel , who were desirous of becoming joining members . Lodge having been advanced , the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Lenard performing the ceremony , the candidate being Bro . Joseph Ridgway .

Bro . Higham then assumed the principal chair and the election of Officers took place , with the result that Bros . Abbott , Lenard , and Hebden were unanimously re-elected . Bros . Bee and G . R . Berry were appointed to audit the accounts , being also empowered to assist the principal Officers in making arrangements for the festival of St . John , to be held on the 14 th January 1897 .

The following names were submitted for joining members , viz ., Bros . G . T . O . Crocker , Zion , 1798 , and A . R . Albert , Yarborough , 663 . Bro . Abbott submitted a notice of motion to the effect " that the sum of £ 5 be subscribed from the funds of the Lodge towards the East Lancashire Systematic

Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . " A letter was read from Bro . H . H . Warburton Past Preceptor , expressing his great regret at finding himself unable to be present at the meeting , owing to indisposition , at the same time congratulating the Preceptor upon the success of the Lodge , and conveying his hearty good wishes to all the Brethren who were present .

Bro . A . J . Hewett closed the Lodge in peace and harmony at the hour of 9-35 .

CHICHELEY LODGE , No . 607 . THE installation meeting was held at Thrapston , on Monday , 23 rd ult ., when the High Sheriff of the county , Bro . P . Mitchell , J . P ., was installed Worshipful Master , the ceremony being performed by Bro . S . B . Wilkinson P . G . S . W . W . M . of the Pomfret Lodge . Subsequently the Brethren sat down to a recherche banquet at the White Hart , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and interspersed with songs .

UNITY LODGE , No . 613 . THE installation of Bro . Sidney Bramwall as Worshipful Master took place on Monday , 14 th inst ., at the Masonic Rooms , in Lord Street , Southport , in the presence of a large gathering of members of the Craft . The installation ceremony was very ably performed by the retiring W . M . Bro . J . O . Piatt , assisted by Bro . M . H . Boyd P . M .

BLAGDON LODGE , No . 659 . ON Thursday , 17 th inst ., the annual meeting was held in the Mechanics ' Hall , Blyth , under the presidency of Bro . Robert T . Guthrie W . M . There was a good attendance , including several visitors and Provincial Officers .

After the initiatory business of the Lodge was transacted , Bro . W . T . Richardson S . W . W . M .-elect was installed into the chair by Bro . Guthrie , who was afterwards presented with a splendid Past Master ' s jewel by Bro . Reay , on behalf of the Officers and members of the Lodge . Bro . Guthrie feelingly responded .

The Lodge was then closed , and the members adjourned to the Star and Garter Hotel , where the annual festival was held .

ROYAL EDWARD LODGE , No . 892 . ON Tuesday , 8 th inst ., the members met at the Royal Oak Hotel , Leominster , for the installation of Bro . Henry Gosling as Worshipful Master . Bro . W . R . Stafford ( Hereford ) was entrusted with the ceremony of installation , and subsequently the Worshipful Master invested his Officers . AD the conclusion of the business of the Lodge , the Brethren dined together .

The toast of the Provincial Grand Master Sir Joseph R . Bailey and the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge present and past was given from the chair , and in doing so Bro . Gosling spoke of the pleasure ho experienced in attending the Provincial Grand Lodge held at Kington . He could only say that the work of the Province was done in a most efficient manner . He had great pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Ellwood .

Bro . Ellwood , said he was very pleased once more , as the senior member present , to acknowledge the kind way in which the toast had been received . He mentioned that it was just 26 years that very night since he was initiated as a member of the Royal Edward Lodge . As a lesson to some of the younger Brethren he would like to remark that during the whole time he had not been absent from their gatherings more than once or twice . That fact rendered it all the more pleasing for him to be there that evening .

The Rev . W . C . Buckle said they , as Englishmen , always submitted the Loyal toasts at the opening of their proceedings . That was as it should be , but so far as their Lodge was concerned he had the pleasure of submitting to them the toast of the evening , the Worshipful Master . In promoting Bro . Gosling to that position of distinction among Masons , they had had the honour , as it were , of doing him the honour , but at the same time he must say how fortunate the Lodge was in having amongst them the presence of Bro . Gosling . He had been known to them all sufficiently long for them to