Reports Of Meetings.

closing of the Lodge the Brethren sat down to banquet , when the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured . The health of the W . M . was proposed by tho I . P . M . Bro . Hobbs and warmly acknowledged . Bro . James Terry Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution made ono of his stirring speeches , and thanked the Brethren for their generous support at the last Festival .

Pro . \ V . M . Stiles P . M . took tho opportunity to thank the Brethren for the support given him at the last meeting of Grand Lodge , in connection with the election of Grand Treasurer . The toast of the P . Ms ., Initiates , Visitors , and Tyler ' s toast finished a very happy mooting . o o o

ST . LUKE'S LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 144 . THE Fifteen Sections wero worked on Good Friday , at tho Victoria Tavern , Gertrudo Street , Chelsea . Bro . W . Cleghorn P . M . 1287 P . Z . 185 Preceptor of tho Queen's Westminster L . I . W . M ., Bro . E . C . Mulvey P . M . 179 , & c , Preceptor of the Eclectic L . I .

S . W ., Bro . John Davies P . M . 169 , Preceptor of the Creaton L . I . J . W ., Bro . A . Carlstrom 733 Preceptor , Bro . A . Saunders P . M . 144 Treasurer , Bro . W . H . Tucker P . M . 144 Secrotary . o o o ""

ISRAEL LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 205 . SPECIAL interest was evinced at the weekly meeting on the 18 th inst ., when nearly sixty Brethren assembled to hear an address by Bro . L . Simmons 185 , on " The Three Grand Principles of the Order . " Bro . F . Bromhcad P . P . G . J . W . acted as W . M ., L . Levy W . M . 185 as S . W ., J . Berhn 205 as J . W .

Tho Lodge having been opened in the usual manner , the W . M . introduced the lecturer , and mentioned that the evening's proceedings were of a novel nature , as it was the first time an address had been given there which would be followed by criticism . They were all pledged to extend their researches into the hidden mysteries of nature and science . Bro . Simmons then gave his address , which

was a dissertation on the exercise of the three Grand Principles of the Order , and a strong exhortation to the Brethren to act only in accordance with those teachings , as then they who were outside the Craft would have nothing but admiration for those who were Freemasons . The lecturer was followed by Brcs . Seigenberg , Levy , Strang , Hall , Valentine , Oxley , Harris , Bromhead , Berlyn , & c ,

who criticised some of the opinions put forth by Bro . Simmons . The debate was of a high and far-reaching nature , says the " East London Observer , " and throughout the whole of the proceedings were characterised by the greatest good feeling . Bro . Simmons , in his reply , expressed himself as deeply gratified . A very cordial vote of thanks to Bro . Simmons for wbat was really a most eloquent

lecture , was passed with much enthusiasm , and ably responded to . Tho Secretary mentioned that similiar addresses would become a monthly feature of the Israel Lodge of Instruction , some of the future events beii g addresses by Bro . the Rev . Isidore Myers , B . A ., on " The Talmud and Freemasonry . " Bro . Hall , " Ancient Sun Worshippers and Freemasonry . " Bro . Oxley , " Golden Thoughts . " Bro . Strang , " Masonic Celebrities , " & c .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

TEMPLE LODGE , No . 558 . ON Tuesday , the 6 th inst ., Bro . L . Banks W . M . had to make way for his successor , Bro . J . G . Cheyney . The Brethren assembled at the Masonic Hall , Folkestone , at four p . m ., to take part in the ceremony , which was very ably perfoimed by Bro . W . Griffin I . P . M . After the installation Bro . Chiyney appointed and

invested the Officers for the ensuing 3 ear , and at the close of the Lodge the Brethren adjourned to the Pavilion Hotel to banquet , which was sened by Bro . G . Spurgen in his usual excellent manner , upwards of 60 Brethren being present . During the e \ ening some

excellent songs were given , Bro . H . T . Longley officiating at the piano . Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , and an appeal on behalf of the Masonic Charities realised the sum of £ 35 .

o o o ARBORETUM LODGE , No . 731 . THE anniversary was celebrated under the most gratifying auspices on Wednesday night , the 14 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Derby . There was a large and influential attendance of

members and visiting Brethren . The retiring W . M . was Bro . John Jones , who impressively installed as his successor in the office Bro , G . H . Wardc . The newly-elected W . M . appointed and invested his Officers .

At the close of the business the Brethren sat down to a sumptuous repast , after which Masonic and other toasts were given , the health of the newly-elected W . M . being received with great cordiality .

o o o HOLMESDALE LODGE , No . 874 . THE annual installation took place on the 21 st iust ., at the Pump Room , Tunbridge Wells . Bro . W . Skinner W . M . presided , aud there was a full attendance of members and visitors .

Bro . E . Oliver J . W . was installed as W . M . for tbe ensuing year , Bro . A . T . Simpson P . M . acting as Installing Master . The W . M . invested his Officers . A handsome gold jewel was presented to Bro . Skinner , in recog-

Provincial.

nition of his successful Mastership during tho past year . After the Lodge meeting the Brethren adjourned to the Royal Kentish Hotel for the banquet . - o o o

METHAM LODGE , No . 1205 . THE installation meeting was held at the Masonic Rooms , Caroline Place , Stonehouse , on the 19 th , to instal Bro . W . H . Ambrose S . W . as Master for the year . The installing Officers were Bros . J . J . Facoy the retiring W . M ., P . Dunn , H . E . Setters , and

R . Dickson . Bro . W . Powell P . M . was appointed representative on tho Committee of Petitions ; and Bro . H . E . Setters P . M . Charity Steward . A P . M . 's jewel was presented to the retiring Master . o o o

CINQUE PORTS LODGE , No . 1206 . THE installation of Bro . J . Joyce as W . M . took place on Tuesday , the 6 th inst ., Bro . W . J . Hughes P . M . P . G . S . being the Installing Master . o o o

CHORLTON LODGE , No . 1387 . THE regular meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Chorltoncum-Hardy , on the 8 th inst ., Bro . H . H . Martyne W . M . A good evening's work had been announced , viz ., two passings , two raisings , and the election of W . M ., Treasurer , Tyler , and Auditors ; but this was no exception to the rule which has latterly governed this Lodge , the retiring W . M . having the satisfaction of looking back upon a very successful year .

The usual festivo board followed , when Loyal and Masonio toasts were submitted and duly honoured . o o o

OCKENDEN LODGE , No . 1465 . THE annual installation meeting and festival was held at the Talbot Hotel , Hayward ' s Heath , Bro . A . J . P . Wise W . M . presiding over a good attendance of Brethren . The ceremony of installing Dr . E . Alban , of Iindfield , as W . M . for the year was

perfoimed by Bro . J . Howe . The customary banquet was presided over by Dr . Alban . Bro . Mackenzie was presented with a Secretary ' s jewel in recognition of his services to the Lodge as Secretary during the past four years . o o o

TRAFFORD LODGE , No . 1496 . rpHE regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Western J _ Hotel , Moss Side , Manchester , on the 12 th inst ., Bro . Francis Long W . M . There were also present : Bros . John Morris I . P . M ., Percy E . Land S . W ., R . Knight J . W ., George Burslem P . M . Treas ., J . C . Gillman P . M . P . P . S . G . D . Secretary , C . Preston S . D ., H . S . Johnson J . D ., John S . Done I . G ., D . Johnson D . C ., W . Yeadon S ., J . Kershaw P . M ., J . W . Rathbone P . M ., William Blears P . M .,

P . Russell , W . Radromacher , Walter Lees , Thos . Jackson , E . Dewsbury , Thos . Carter , H . Mogndgt , A . P . Farr , W . Jenner , Nathl . Jones . Visitors : Bros . Alex . Collins McFeish W . M . 322 , Jno . Cromford S . W . 152 , Arch . Millan P . M . 335 , Thos . N . Thomason P . M . 739 , R . Sutclifie 322 , L . H . Keaey 1219 , Joseph Romiley 1387 , A . E . Burgess 1459 , Alker W . Dawson 2231 .

After the confirmation of minutes , a ballot was taken for Mr . Charles Frederick Davies , Solicitor , Manchester , and being successful , he was afterwards initiated by Bro . George Burslem P . M . Treasurer , assisted by Bro . R . Knight J . W ., the latter presenting and explaining the working tools to the candidate .

Bro . Burslem knows how to work a ceremony . Like that of a skilful limner , there is in his work a careful unity of action which arranges rather than disturbs the existing harmony as he progresses , and leaves in the mind a fanciful background which the lapso of time is calculated not to eradicate .

It is no wonder then that at the festive board which followed these proceedings , the newly-initiated Brother should have expressed himself as highly gratified with the manner in which he had made his advent into Freemasonry .

Tho usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured and responded to , the same being very pleasantly diversified by songs , & c , rendered by various Brethren . o o o

PRINCE LEOPOLD LODGE , No . 1588 . THE annual meeting and festival of St . John was held on the 14 th inst . The ceremony of installing Bro . M . B . Salt S . W . into the chair of K . S ., which was undertaken by Bro . William Boden P . M . Treasurer ( W . M . of the Duke of York , No . 2449 ) , took place at the Lodge Room , Masonic Hall , Stretford , and at its conclusion the Brethren went by train to Manchester , where a sumptous dinner had been prepared for them at the Clarence Hotel , Piccadilly .

Bro . Salt was presented by Bro . Hy . Morris the retiring W . M ., and having been obligated , installed according to Masonic usage . Bro . Boden delivered the various addresses , while the working tools were presented and explained by Bro . Cooper P . M ., who also invested the following Officers : —Bros . M . B . Salt W . M ., Hy . Morris I . P . M .,

Wm . Toombs S . W ., Geo . Bell J . W ., Wm . Boden P . M . Treasurer , H . Crosby P . M . P . P . G . P . Secretary , Hy . Desborough S . D ., C . H . Prax J . D ., R . J . Clotson I . G ., H . A . Owles D . C ., W . Harrison Org ., M . Nathan , J . Bailey , G . Twemlow and A . Byrom Stewards . Bro . Wm . Avery P . M . was appointed Charity Representative . A very handsome gold jewel , with monogram , was presented to the rotiring Master . It was engraved as follows ;—