Reports Of Meetings.

reign , and were looking forward to some scheme being propounded from Grand Lodge . In proposing the health of the Prince of Wales , the W . M . urged that all Masons were proud of the work done by the Grand Master . His recent scheme for the freedom of London Hospitals was certainly a grand and noble one . They wished it every success .

The W . M . said that the Grand Officers were hard-working , zealous , able , and enthusiastic . The Lodge was honoured by possessing two very capable Past Grand Officers , who were unfortunately unable to be present that evening . The Grand Treasurer was also a former member . A trio of such capable and energetic Masons was difficult to find . The W . M ., in proposing tho Initiate , wished to admonish each of those he had initiated during his year of office . He would remind them that the Lodge was very cautious in the selection of those admitted , and that it was

the duty of every Mason to remember the nobleness of the genuine principles and tenets of tbe Order . They should make a special point , in the early part of their Masonic career , to attend most regularly at a Lodge of Instruction . As children were sent to school when young , before the cares and troubles of life came upon them , so he would point out , all Masons should attend a Masonic school before the claims of the Order upon them became greater . By so doing they would learn more and more of the beauties of the principles they professed . Bro . Brinkman suitably responded .

Bro . W . W . Westley P . M . D . C , in proposing the W . M ., said he rose on that occasion with extreme pleasure , combined with regret . Regret that the I . P . M . had a bad throat , aad was unable to perform the duty ; extreme pleasure because it was the first time he had had the opportunity of proposing the health of Bro . Charlie Woods since he reached the chair . When that Lodge was founded Bro . Woods was zealous and ready to do his share . He was a

kind of Masonic lawyer , always ready with what was in the Book of Constitutions , a point on which he was never wrong . He had from that time been always doing something for the Lodge . Although not perfect in everything , he had done so well , and had such a happy and successful year of office , that he had added to their respect for him , which had always been very great .

In response , Bro . Woods , after thanking Bro . Westley for the too flattering words he had spoken , pointed out that they were taught to unite in the grand design of being happy and of communicating happiness to others . He had had some doubts as to'how he should do during his year of office , but now he was able to look back upon a period , not of trouble , still of some anxiety , and of success so . far as their , work was concerned .

Tbe W . M . proposed the W . M .-elect . He said Bro . Mitchell loved Freemasonry well , or he would not have initiated one son during his mastership of another Lodge , and proposed another son for initiation during his mastership of this Lodge . As he loved Freemasonry so Freemasonry loved him . The Brethren respected him for all his good qualities . He was certain to have a capital year of office . The Lodge was sure to flourish in his hands . There was no question of doubt or anxiety in this case . All was ensured by the unanimous election of that evening .

Bro . Mitchell , in response , said he must be cold as marble if he was not moved by the words that had been spoken . He did love their work , and hoped that at the end of his year he should show that what had been said was meant . He hoped he should deserve as high eulogiums as had been g iven of the Master that evening . The W . M . proposed the Past Masters of the Lodge , who were , he said , capable , able , and ready at all times , to do everything that could be done to make the Master's work easy , the Brethren's lives happy , and to ensure that the genuine goodness of their society was duly recognised .

Bros . John Langdon , A . Harvey , E . Beaven , and Foikard responded . In proposing the Treasurer and Secretary the W . M . said that their unanimous re-election of their Treasurer was a slight token of their esteem for their beloved Bro . Steele , whom they hoped to have in that high office for many many years . Bro . Foikard , as Secretary , was Ihe right man iu the right place . He made the work of the Master so easy and was ready to do everything so well , that he could not on this occasion find words to thank him for what he had done for them . Bro . Foikard responded .

In proposing the Officers , the W . M . said that he was glad they had all worked so hard during the past year . Bros . Baldwin A . D . C , C . Shaman Steward , and Hearsey Steward were unavoidably absent . The Officers responded . The Tyler's toast closed a happy evening , the harmony of which had been increased by the efforts of Bros . Winny , Stanley , Machin , and Wilfred Stacey .

INSTRUCTION

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 167 . AT the Court House , Harlesden , on the 18 th inst ., Bro . F . J . Ortner W . M ., George Chapman S . W ., W . Tebbitt P . M . J . W ., S . Hussey P . M . Preceptor , F . S . Freest W . M . 1637 See ., W . Herring Acting Sec , J . Edge S . D ., M . Moss J . D ., Arthur Jones I . G ., W : Dresden P . M ., Paynes , W . Handover , J . Bonny , Jepherson , Wynman , Isaac Cohen , J . H . Beardon 1421 , H . Gulliford , and others .

Bro . W . Handover having answered the questions leading to the second degree , was entrusted , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and called off and on . Bro . 3 . H . Beardon answered the questions leading to the second degree , when the W . M . kindly vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Freest W . M . 1637 , who rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Beardon acting as candidate .

After the ordinary business the annual meeting of the St . John's Benevolent Association was held , and the Auditors' report was presented and adopted , after which ballots for three Life Subscriberships were taken , and won by Bros . P . M . Hillier 1366 and 2090 , Ortner Jones S . W . 1637 , and Isaac Cohen 188 . It appears the record of 1896 showed a membership of 22 Brethren , who contributed £ 110 5 s , which was spent in Life Subscriberships for the three

Institutions , the amount being apportioned as follows : to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows , £ 63 ; to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , £ 31 10 s : and to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , £ 15 15 s . In addition to these a sum of five guineas is in hand , not yet appropriated to either Fund . We congratulate the Association on its continued success , and hope this and many other such funds may continue to act in support of the different funds of the Craft .

Reports Of Meetings.

WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 . ON Tuesday , 23 rd inst ., at Bro . Jones's , Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , Harrow Road , Bro . T . W . Mogford W . M . 2362 W . M ., Major Reed S . W ., 0 . F . Brown W . M . 733 J . W ., H . Dehane P . M . Preceptor , G . D . Mogford I . P . M . 2362 Secretary , R . J . Rogers P . M . Treasurer , G . Weaver S . D ., F . Beesley J . D ., H . H . Bagnall I . G ., 0 . Halston , Busby , Thomas , Wortham , and Butters P . M .

The Lodge was opened to the second degree , and Bro . Busby having been examined and entrusted , tho Lodge was advanced and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . The Lodge was called off and on . The W . M . resumed the Lodge in the first degree , and the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Thomas candidate ; the W . M . gave the charge of the degree . All the ceremonies were exceptionally well rendered .

Bro . Thomas was elected a member , and Major Reed chosen as W . M . for thc next meeting . It was proposed by Bro . H . Dehane Preceptor , and seconded by Bro . Butters P . M ., that a hearty vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes to Bro . R . J . Rogers P . M . 733 and Bro . C . T . Brown W . M . 733 for their very kind gifts to the Lodge of Instruction . The W . M . addressed the two Brethren in his usual eloquent manner and suitable responses were made .

HYDE PARK LODGE , No . 1425 . rp-IHERE was a very large attendance on Monday , at Bro . E . Stevens's ,-JL Prince of Wales Hotel . Eastbourne Terrace , Paddington , W ., under the presidency of Bro . W . Handover W . M ., with H . Harris S . W ., G . Weaver

J . W ., H . Dehane P . M . Secretary , W . J . Ferguson P . M . Deputy-Preceptor H . Crocker S . D ., J . Shatton J . D ., W . Smith I . G ., C . J . Wright , R . J . Rogers P . M . 733 , A . Clark P . M . 1668 , G . D . Mogford I . P . M . 2362 , Campbell P . M 753 , J . H . R . Kelly , J . B . Thomas , Jackson , Middleweek , Wynman , G . Goddard , and others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Thomas candidate . The W . M . kindly vacated the chair in favour of Bro . J . Shatton , who opened the Lodge in the second and third degrees . The ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Wright candidate . The Lod ge was resumed to the first degree , and Bro . Handover again took the chair , when Bro . Harris was elected W . M . for the next meeting . A vote of appreciation of the services of Mr . and Mrs . Evans was passed , and ordered to be communicated to them . After hearty good wishes the Lodge was closed .

PERSEVERANCE LODGE , No . 1743 . THE regular weekly meeting was held on Monday , 22 nd inst ., at Ridler's Hotel , Holborn , Bros . J . Gimmel W . M ., Edwin Linford P . M . S . W ., A . Collins J . W ., R . Poore P . M . Preceptor , C . S . Daunton P . M . Secretary , F . Collins S . D ., J . Wynman J . D ., J . W . Elam I . G ., H . Keys , and several others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . F . Collins candidate , after which the W . M . kindly vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Linford P . M ., who opened the Lodge in the second degree , when Bro . Daunton was presented as W . M . i and the ceremony of installation was rehearsed . The Lodge was advanced to the third degree and the working tools were presented and explained to the W . M ., after which Bro . Edwin Linford delivered the

three addresses Jn faultless manner . Bro . Gimmel resumed the chair and took the Lodge to the first degree . Bro . Wynman ( FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ) was unanimously' elected an honorary member of the Lodge , and Bro . H . Keys , Brixton Lodge , No . 1949 , an ordinary member . A hearty vote of thanks was recorded to the W . M . for his excellent working of the Initiation ceremony for the first time .

After a few more transactions Bro . Linford was elected W . M . for the ensuing week . Groat credit is due to the worthy Preceptor Bro . R . Poore , for tho patience he shows to every Brother . Brethren wishing to learn could not find a better tutor than he .

CITADEL LODGE , No . 1897 . THE third annual supper was held in the " Caledonian " Saloon of the Holborn Restaurant , on Friday , 19 th inst ., when upwards of ninety members and their friends attended . Bro . F . Dunstan Preceptor presided , supported by Bros . Bird , Galley , G . Clark , Davison , & c . The tables facing that of the chairman were each

presided over by a Steward . Bros . T . Feistel , T . R . Jones , F . W . Bishop , W . S . Clark , and W . E . Jeanes acting in this capacity . An excellent programme of music was provided , the following assisting Misses Wilmot Briggs , Gertrude Feistel , Violet Millin , F . K . Schwartz , Mrs . Frederick Clark , and Bros . T . R . Jones , F . W . Bishop , W . E . Jeanes , T . Feistel and Jos Howard . Bro . Charles E . Johnson efficiently carried out the duties of accompanist . The arrangements generally were under the supervision of Bro . Harry Willsmer Secretary .

PROVINCIAL .

PARRET AND AXE LODGE , No . 814 . THR anniversary of the Lodge was celebrated on Tuesday , 16 th inst ., at Crewkerne , when Bro . G . D . Templeman was installed as W . M . and subsequently appointed his Officers for the year . Tne usual banquet followed , there being a large number of members of the Lodge present , together with several visitors .

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 1343 . A BALL in connection with this Lodge was held at Grays , on Wednesday , 17 th inst ., when a large and fashionable company assembled at the Masonic Hall , King ' s Arms Hotel . The general arrangements were carried out by Bro . H . C Borradaile P . M . P . P . G . Std . Br ., while Mr . Knight Smith ably discharged the duties of

M . C . Among those present were Bro . F . W . Pelling W . M ., Mrs . Pelling , Bro . W . B . Heagerty P . M ., Mrs . Hcagerty , Bro . E . Ayres S . W ., Mrs . Ayres , Bro . H . C . Borradaile P . M . Sec . P . P . G Std . Br ., Mrs . Borradaile , Bro . B . D . Borradaile , Misses Borradaile , Miss Dorothy Blythman , Miss Moulding , Bro ,