Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

Wo 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 . — : o : — CRAFT : PEOVINGIAL .

UNITY LODGE , No . 267 . fTIHE festival of St . John the Baptist was celebrated at the Lodge Room _ I _ the Macclesfield Arms Hotel , Macclesfield , on Thursday , 18 th inst ., when Bro . Charles Stoneley was installed W . M . for the ensuing year .

The ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . Alfred Cockayne P . M . P . P . A . D . C . D . C , George Fountain P . M . P . P . G . Sw . B ., and Jonathan White P . M . The musical portions of tho proceedings wero conducted by Bro . James Stevens Organist .

The newly-installed W . M . took the chair amid the hearty congratulations of the Brethren , and efficiently invested his Officers . The proceedings in Lodge included tho election of auditors , Bros . George Fountain and John Fowler being chosen .

Bro . Newhouse P . G . Secretary , in speaking on tbe Masonic Charities , mentioned that during the late Festival in connection with tho Boys School , London , held at Brighton , and presided over by Lord Egerton of Tatton , it was announced that tho contributions for tho year amounted to close upon £ 19 , 000 , the Province of Cheshire heading the list with about ono-ninth oi

that amount . In the evening the Brethren sat down to tho annual banquot , successfully catered by Bro . Crowther . The toasts wero of tho usual character , and were interspersed with some excellent songs and musical selections , the onjoyablo proceedings terminating shortly before the statutory hour .

MENTURIA LODGE , No . 418 . BY invitation of Bro . J . T . Howson W . M . of the Lodge and Mrs . Howson , the members , with a few representatives of other Lodges and their wives , had a most enjoyable picnic at Rudyard , on Thursday of last week . The bulk of tbe company left Stoke in five saloon carriages at noon ,

others joined at Bucknall , and some drove by road . Luncheon , was provided in the Pavilion at the Hotel , Rudyard , at 1 * 30 . Then tho company , numbering 140 , enjoyed themselves in a variety of ways—cricket , boating , and other amusements . In the afternoon the visitors proceeded to Fair View , the

residence of Bro . and Mrs . Munro , and explored tho gardens and surrounding beautiful ground * - , afternoon tea being kindly provided . At half-past five o ' clock dinner took place in the Assembly Room at tho Hotel , the W . M . presiding .

At the conclusion of an excellent repast , the W . M . proposed the loyal toasts , which were very heartily received . Brother Bickley next proposed the health of the W . M ., the mention of whoso name was received with enthusiasm . He said the privilege of proposing

that toast was accorded him by reason of his long connection with Freemasonry . It was more than thirty years since he entered the Menturia Lodge , and it was nearly twenty-five years since he held the position now occupied by lirother J . T . Howson . What Bro . Howson was doing that day was an evidence of what ho was doing in tbe Lodge .

Bro . Howson thanked all present for having accepted the invitation of his wife and himself , and he also expressed his gratitude for the really hearty spirit in which the toast had beon received . Their attendance and their acceptance of tho toast so cordially constituted the highest compliment that had been paid him in Freemasonry .

The health of tho Visitors , proposed by Bro . Bromley , was acknowledged by Bros . Taylor and Walters . Brother Tunnicliff proposed the Ladies , for whom Brother R . W . Day responded .

The company then left the Dining-Room in pursuit of various amusements , which included football , dancing , and music . The most enjoyable proceedings were continued till ten o'clock , when the party were convoyed to the Potteries in a special train .

FORTITUDE LODGE , No . 461 . ON Thursday , 11 th inst ., the members held a picnic , along with their wives and friends , the railway destination being Chesterfield , which was reached about half-past ten o ' clock . Here the company was picked up by waggonettos , and driven to tho Angel Hotel , where they partook of an excellent luncheon .

At mid-day the party entered upon a drive of twenty miles , in order to visit Hardwicke Hall , and Bolsover Castle ; the drive was greatly enjoyed , but the mansions—the latter of which was in ruins—did not come up to the expectations oi some oi the patty , who had on a previous picnic seen

Chatsworth Hall . By about five p . m . they were under the sheltering wing of the " Angel" again , where the dinnrr served merited great praise . A little speechifying followed by Messrs . J . S . Bowker and Jos . Marsha ! . ' , ui der the presidency of Bio . B . C . Bradley . About eight p . m . Cbesterfieid was left behind , and Newton was reached a little before 11 p . m .

DE GREY AND RIPON LODGE , No . 1161 . THE regular meetirg of this Lodge was held at the Masonic Hal ] , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 17 th inst .. Bro . Eugene Loebell W . M . Tlieie were also present : —Bios . J . Ellvcod S . W ., C . F . Vlies J . W ., Thomas

Forknoll I . P . M , J . Schofield Sccidoiy , O . M . Jones S D .. H . M . Massingham J . D ., W . Cockeihani Std ., Juliis Arens-berg P . M . P . P . G . P ., Buckley Carr PM . D . C , Wm . Stoddoit , S . Coilinge , Mantel De Cairos , Sam Lord , James Burgess P . M ., and J . D . Cameron .

Visitors : —Bros . E . Roberts P . M . 1459 ( FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLI ) , Geo . Hcftoi . Vl ' i , J . If . Greenwood 2387 , and J . D . Smith 1458 . After tbe confirmation of minutes , a suctcss-ful I allot was taken for Mr . Join 'Ihomns Charles BInckic , Drysalter , C'heiltci ' -cvm-IIaidy , he being

Reports Of Meetings.

afterwards initiated by the W . M . The Working Tools were presented and explained by Bro . Vlies J . W ., while Bro . Ellwood S . W . delivered the antient charge . Following this was the passing into the degree of F . C . of Bro . Sam Lord , this ceremony being undertaken by the W . M . Bro . Mansel De Cairos was also a candidate for the second degree , and ho was duly passed by Bro Forknall P . M .

Certificate- ! of membership were presented to several Brethren , after which the business of the Lodge was brought to a close , and an adjournment made to the festive board . Loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and honoured in the usual way these being varied by musical contributions from Bros . Smith , Greenwood ' Roberts , Carr , and Lord . Bro . Greenwood , who is an acknowledged prince among entertainers , not only rendered several songs and sketches himself , but very willingly acted as accompanist to the othar Brethren .

The health of the nowly-initiated Brother was proposed by Brother Ellwood in very happy terms , to which Brother Blackie said , in response that it had long been his ambition to become a Mason , and he now regretted that ho had deferred doing so until the presont time . He ought to have joined the Craft years ago . However , it would bo his duty , not only to make himself proficient , but to do all ho could to become a good Mason . Ho thanked them for their kind wishes towards him .

Bro . Burgess P . M ., who was called upon for tho noxt toast , said that he had been accorded a privilege that night which had seldom fallen to his lot . Bros . Lord and De Cairos had now passed through a certain groove into something bettor , and ho sincerely hoped that they would onjoy good health , so as to enter upon their third degree in Septombor next . The Initiate had seemed thankful for favours received , but he must look forward

with tho others to a great and glorious corcmony in that of the third degree . Freemasonry would make thorn better and happier men , as ho could testify from a 21 years' experience , during which time ho had never regretted his connection with it . In conclusion Bro . Burgess said that from what he had seen of the candidates , ho anticipated that they would prove to bo worthy Masons .

Bro . Lord , in responding , oxplained that one of his principal reasons for joining this Lodgo was the knowledge that Bro . Burgess was a member of it . Ho thanked tho latter for what he had said about himself and the other candidates , and also the Brethren of the Lodgo for their flattering reception of the remarks .

Bro . De Cairos also expressed his thanks . The Brethren must not expect him to say much at this juncture , but what little he did utter would be of the sincere kind , and he too would endeavour to do his duty as became a true Mason . The W . M . proposed the health of tho Visitors , who responded .

Bro . Can * P . M ., in proposing the health of the Worshipful Master , requested the Brethren to pardon him for degressing by a mention of the great meeting which had recently taken place at the Botanical Gardens in connection with the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . It had been his pleasing duty , along with Brother

Forknall , to be present at the gathering , and a greater or more interesting one of its kind he had never seen . He gave its genesis , and traced its development , praising those who had been instrumental in its promotion , making the announcement that the result was a magnificent sum of £ 4 , 050 , which might eventually reach to £ 4 , 500 .

Bro . Carr said that the De Grey and Ripon Lodge never lost sight of its members , and gave one or two interesting facts in substantiation of his statement . He further said that the success of an institution depended upon the ability of the man at its head , and he was proud to say that they had placed their suffrages in the hands of one who , whether in cloud or sunshine ,

was ever with them . He was a consistent supporter of charity , that mighty arch which reaches from east to west ; his efforts in the Lodge were satis factory ; his patience and diligence were a credit to him ; and it was a pleasure for the Brethren to know that he could do his work , and direct and instruct his Lodge . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm .

Bro . Loebell W . M . responded , saying that he thanked them for their kind reception of the toast . It had been his intention to gain their gratitude aud goodwill by seeking to deserve it , and he was glad if he had succeeded . He reminded his listeners that since their last meeting they had lost the Lodge Tyler by death . He hoped that ho had ascended to those immortal mansions whence all goodness emanates . The toast was drunk in silence , Bro . Greenwood playing the Dead March in Saul . Other toasts followed .

ST . JOHN'S LODGE , No . 1343 . THIS Lodge , which only last week had the honour of entertaining the Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex , an account of which appears in our present issue , met for the transaction of usual business on Wednesday , at the Masonic Hall , Grays .

The W . M . Bro . Charles Westwood and the Senior Warden Bro . F . W . Pelling wore tho Provincial Collars recently conferred upon them , and there were also present Bros . Edward Ayres J . W ., W . B . Heagerty P . P . G . R ., Geo . It . Cobham P . P . G . S . of W ., H . C . Borradailc P . G . Std . B ., M . J . Tuck P . G . Std . B ., James Howell P . G . Std . B ., Joseph Weymouth S . D ., F . G . Bird , R . Matthews Organist , Charles Cobham acting I . G ., and the following Visitors : Bros . J . Askew 135 , F . W . Marrian 2489 , Orlton Cooper 211 , and J . T . Kelly of New South Wales No . 182 .

After the Lodge was opened and the minutes confirmed , Mr . H . H . Slater having been balloted for and approved , was brought before the Lodge , and was duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Craft . The Lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bros . J . Mallinson , Charles Asplin , and Robert Walker having previously proved their proficiency , were admitted as Fellow Crafts . Bro . W . H . Brough answered the questions in this degree , and was subsequently raised to the rank of Master Mason .

The whole of the ceremonies , together with the traditional history , vrere given by Bro . Westwood in a highly creditable manner , and elicited the commendation of the Brethren . The impressiveness of the ritual was greatly enhanced by the excellent musical arrangements , which may be recommended to the notice of other Lodges .

Therepoitof the Audit Committee was received and adopted . A letter was read from Bro . T . J . Railing Provincial Grand Secretary of Essex conveying the thanks of the Provincial Grand Lodge for the recep tion accorded them on the 17 th inst ., and forwarding a cheque for £ 25 towards the expenses , and also a gift of £ 5 to the Grays School .

Upon the proposition of Bro . Borradaile , seconded by Bro . Heagerty , a vote of thanks was given to the Reception Committee , and the letter from Provincial Grand Lodge was ordered to be entered on the minutes . Bro . Geo . R . Cobham announced that the Lodge Benevolent Fund had , during the past two years , dispensed the magnificent sum of two hundred guii . cas among the Masonic Charities . This amount was collected in weekly