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 . — : o : — CRAET : METROPOLITAN .

FITZ-ROY LODGE , No . 569 . WORSHIPFUL Master Bro . James H . Hawkins P . D . C . Surrey presided at the last ordinary meeting of this Lodge , held at the Armoury House , Finsbury , E . C , on 22 nd inst ., when he was supported by Brothers Davies acting S . W ., Dyke P . G . D . Dorset J . W ., Wagstaffe S . D ., Bertram P . M . J . D ., and Hillman I . G .

There was also a good muster of the Brethren , in full uniform , and the following Visitors : Bros . E . Purkiss S . W . of the Chigwell Lodge , E . C . Braquet W . M . of the Etonian Lodge , and Orlton Coopor P . M . of the St . Michael ' s Lodge .

Unfortunately , considering what a perfect master of the ritual Brother Hawkins is , there was but little work before tho Lodge , namely the passing of Bro . Hope Grant , but the ceremony was admirably rendered , the Working Tools being explained at length , and the lecture on the second Tracing Board given .

Bro . F . J . Stohwasser Secretary proposed that the usual sum of Ave guineas be voted from the funds of the Lodge as a Shooting Prize , to be competed for by the Beginient at the next annual competition for prizes , which was agreed to . Bro . Hawkins announced that owing to the generosity of tho Brethren

he had been enabled to take up £ 86 at the Masonic Benevolent Fund Festival . He subsequently stated that prizes of three Masonic gavels would be given for Shooting teams of Masons belonging to the various volunteer regiments of the metropolis , and he trusted that all qualified Brethren would join in the competition .

The business of the evening being finished the Lodge was closed and the Brethren adjourned to supper .

KENSINGTON LODGE , No . 1767 . THE Lodge had a largely attended meeting at the Ladbroke Hall , Notting Hill , on Saturday , the 16 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . W . B .

Neville W . M ., who was ably assisted by his Officers . The W . M . fully maintained the reputation of the Lodge by his excellent working , which included the raising of Bros . Ensor and Walker , and the passing of Bros . Glynn , Moss and Scott .

Tho after dinner speeches wero judiciously short , in order to do justice to the excellent programme of songs provided under tho officiont conductorship of Bro . Oliver P . M . Organist .

CLARENCE AND AVONDALE LODGE , No . 2411 . AN inter-Lodgo dance was held at the Masonic Hall , Leytonstone , on Friday , 22 nd inst ., when tho Clarence and Avondale Lodge were the hosts . A numerous company gathered , the members of the Craft wearing Masonic clothing .

WALTHAMSTOW LODGE , No . 2472 . ALTHOUGH so recently called into existence this Lodge has mado such progress that already it is being considered advisable to increase the entrance fee for the purpose of restricting the number of members . This result is doubtless due to those at the head of the affairs of the Lodge , who are good and worthy Masons working assiduously for the benefit

of the Craft . . Foremost among these is Bro . William Shurmur , who for many years past has been most zealous in promoting the cause in the Province of Essex , taking tho greatest interest in the numerous Lodges to which he belongs , and acting as Preceptor to tho well attended Lodge of Instruction at Walthamstow .

It was therefore not surprising , when it was announced that Brother Shurmur would perform the ceremony of installation of the W . M ., that a numerous assemblage of Brethren met at the Masonic Hall , Walthamstow , last Saturday , to take part in tho interesting proceedings . There was a long Masonic programme provided , and the Brethren attended at an early hour .

Bro . Shurmur presided , being supported by the Officers of the Lodge , while among many Visitors were Bros . Thos . Scoresby-Jackson P . P . G . D . Essex , G . 0 . Vernon Inkpen P . G . Sup . Works Sussex , George Graveley P . M . 396 , H . W . Lee W . M . 1056 , Henry Massey P . M . 1928 , H . W . Lofts 177 , W . F .

Stauffer J . W . 19 , G . H . Pizey 2374 , S . C . Bateman J . W . 1707 , Archdeacon Dunbar 2374 , J . R . Friend 2374 , Fredk . Taylor J . W . 2256 , C . Thompson I . G . 2192 , J . Monger 1260 , W . S . Hooper 1487 and 2488 , W . A . Sims 1226 , A . Holmes 2256 , Bichard Ward 1590 , Orlton Cooper 211 .

After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , the Lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bros . Lewis Fowler Pool and Sidney Vincent Harris answered the preparatory questions for Master Masons , were entrusted and retired . On their re-admission into the Lodge they were duly raised to che sublime degree , the beautiful ceremony being most impressively rendered by Bro . Shurmur .

The W . M . Bro . William Harris thon assumed the chair , when the ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Messrs . Sidney Wright Gillard , Thomas Welham and John Parkinson Watts , and those gentlemen being in attendance were regularly initiated into Freemasonry by Bro . Harris . The next business was the Installation , and Bro . Shurmur having

resumed the chair , Bro . S . H . Baker P . M . and Treasurer presented Bro . D . H . McGowan , who had been unanimously elected as W . M . for the ensuing year . Having signified his assent to the ancient charges , a Board of Installed Masters was formed and Bro . McGowan was duly placed in tho chair of the Lodge . Upon tho return of the Brethren the new Master was saluted , and then proceeded to invest the following Officers : —Bros . William Gowcr S . W ., J .

Reports Of Meetings.

Clarke J . W ., S . H . Baker P . M . ( re-elected ) Treasurer , Samuel Herbert Secretary , A . J . Stacoy S . D ., T . W . Stacey J . D ., H . H . Finch I . G ., Fredk . Peck D . C , A . Oakden Organist , L . Taylor and T . W . Stroud Stewards , and Grosse Tyler . The ancient addresses to the W . M ., Wardens and Brethren wore

delivered by Bro . Shurmur , and evoked the hearty approval of those present . The Report of the Audit Committee was submitted and adopted , and the W . M . having received the congratulations of the Visitors , the Lodge was closed and the Brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where an excellent repast was provided by Brother Hallowes .

The usual toasts followed , and some fine singing was given between the speeches , Miss Herbert , the daughter of the Secretary , ably contributing to the vocal entertainment . Bro . W . Harris I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of the W . M ., said the

Brethren had done the right thing in electing Bro . McGowan , who had been connected with the Lodge ever since its foundation , and was a good worker in Masonry and an earnest follower of its teachings . He would be an honour to the Lodge , would give satisfaction to the Brethren , and would fully justify the hopes that had been entertained of him .

Bro . McGowan W . M ., in acknowledging the toast , which was drunk with great enthusiasm , said he was deeply indebted to the Brethren for their kindness , and it was a great pride to him to have attained the position of W . M . of this Lodge , in which ho had spent many happy hours . Whatever he could do for the Lodge or to make the Brethren comfortable and happy he should do . The Lodge ' s welfare would be his first concern , and he hoped they would have a very happy year , working with that love and harmony which should always characterise Freemasons .

Bro . McGowan W . M . next proposed the Installing Master and the Past Masters , and dwelt on the great treat the Brethren had experienced that evening in seeing and hearing the ceremonies so ably performed . The work of Bro . Shurmur , to whom they were all so much indebted , was too well known to require comment , but the work was nowhere done better than in the Walthamstow Lodge . The work of the Immediate Past Master was

also well known , and it was as creditable to tho Lodge as it must have been impressive to the newly made Brethren . Bro . Harris had been a worthy Master , and the Brethren had shown their appreciation of his services by voting him a Past Master ' s jewel which he had thoroughly earned , and whioh he ( Bro . McGowan ) now presented to him . Bro . William Shurmur P . M ., responding as Installing Master , said he was pleased that his performance of the duties of Installing Master had given

satisfaction and pleasure , and it was additionally gratifying to him to perform the ceremony when he had to place in the chair , as in the present instance , so distinguished and experienced a Craftsman as Bro . McGowan , who had been unanimously elected by the Brethren to preside over them . He was confident that Bro . McGowan would discharge the duties of his high position in a manner which would redound to the honour of himself and the success and prestige of the Lodge .

Bro . W . Harris I . P . M . also returned thanks , for the kind mention and reception of his name . It was to a certain extent with pain he left the chair , for he had had an exceedingly happy year . The Brethren had been very kind to him and had done their best to help him in making the Lodge prosperous and nourishing . Ho thanked each and all of them ; Brother

Shurmur for his great assistance and all the Officers for the ability with which they had performed their duties . The jewel they had so kindly voted to him he should always value , and he could assure the Brethren that as long as he had health and strength ho should give his best services to this Lodge .

Bro . McGowan W . M . proposed tho Treasurer and Secretary , and said that a great deal of the success of the Lodge was due to these Brethren , who in their own quiet way did an immense amount of work . Speaking of Bro . Baker he was sure he might say he was to the front when anything was required , and when asked for advice would tell them plain and plump what his view was . The balance sheet that night was most satisfactory . The Brethren and Visitors had all been treated well , and yet there was a

considerable balance in hand . With regard to Bro . S . Herbert theSecretary , all the Brethren would agree that the Secretarial duties of this Lodge were no child ' s play , requiring as they did much thought and attention . They had been carried out with great success by Bro . Herbert . No one could find a fault or flaw in the way his duties had been performed , and they all trusted that the Treasurer and Secretary would be spared many years to do their work as they had done it in the past .

Brother S . H . Baker P . M . and Treasurer , replying , said it was to the Secretary and himself a matter of constant and supreme pleasure to find this Lodge so steady in its progress and prospects . One would have thought the Lodge had many traditions to fall back upon seeing there appeared to be so much maturity among the Brothren ; but he attributed it to the broader fact that they were all impregnated with the real essence of Freemasonry . If

there had not been such founders as Bro . Shurmur and Bro . Wildashtho Lodge might not have got on so well ; but the other Brethren vied with them , and so conduced to the prosperity of the Lodge . He made these remarks , not for the members of the Lodge alone , but for the Visitors also , because he thought the loyalty of these founders should be recognised . As long as they elected him to the office of Treasurer it would be his happiness as well as his privilege to place himself at the service of the Lodge .

Bro . S . Herbert Secretary said it was a pride to him also to be a founder of the Lodge , and he was very proud to bo tho Secretary . He was pleased to say , although perhaps some of the Brethren might think he had worried them , that thoy had readily answered to his call . Many Secretaries had not experience to fall back upon , but fortunately he had that experience in Bro . Baker the Treasurer . With his assistance , and that of Bro . Shurmur , Bro . Harris , Bro . Wildash and Bro . McGowan he was sure he need not go very far wrong .

Bro . Scoresby Jackson , George Graveley , H . W . Lee , Archdeacon Dunbar and others responded to the toast of the Initiates , and the Visitors and the Officers were also given , the Tyler ' s toast closing the evening .

Bro . David Hugh McGowan the new Master of the Walthamstow Lodge , though a comparatively young man , is an old Freemason . He was born on 28 th January 1849 , at Belfast , Ireland , and was initiated into the Craft in 1868 ( being then only nineteen years old ) in the Moneyrea Lodge , County Down , No . 556 , Irish Constitution . He subsequently proceeded to the West Indies and then to Dcmerara , where he joined the Union Lodge , No . 247

E . C . at Georgetown , and eventually passed through the Chair , when he joined the Chapter and became P . Z . He also belongs to the Knights of Malta , is Past Eminent Commander of tho Knights Templars , and Past Most Worthy Sovereign of the Rose Croix of H . R . D . M . He is a founder and was first J . W . of the Walthamstow Lodge , and at the recent consecration of the Shurmur Chapter he was appointed acting I . P . Z . With such a record the Brethren may well be proud of their W . M . O 0 o