Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

W . M- and his Wardens . There was an unusually large attendance of visitors , including brethren from several other neig hbouring towns , and even from Ireland and Canada . At the close of the usual business of the lodge the W . M . called attention to the communication from the Secretary of Grand Lodge , in reference to thc installation of " H . R . II- the Prince of Wales . " The members

expressed very great interest in thc event , and many expressed their desire to witness the ceremony . Bro . J . foncs , I . P . M ., [ said he thought it was highly desirable that as many members of the lodge as possible should visit the metropolis on such an auspicious occasion , but in his opinion the Hamer Lodge ought to be officially represented , and he had therefore very great pleasure in

proposing that their esteemed Worshipful Master , Bro . Evans , be requested to attend the installation of our Royal Brother at the expense of the lodge . The motion vvas received with much favour , and unanimously adopted . The W . M . briefly acknowledged tlie compliment , ant ! the lodge was closed shortly afterwards . A little later thc brethren met together at supper , the W . M . presiding , and the

vice chairs being occupied by Bro . Jackson , S . W ., and Bro . M'Carthy , J . W . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts thc W . M . proposed " The Health of thc Visiting Brethren " expressing his gratification at seeing so many of them present with them that evening . He coupled with the toast the names of Bro . Crosby Leighton , W . M . io « , J . Vaughan , J . W . 83 , II . Vaughan , J . D . 86 , and

VV . Simpson , 823 , all of whom acknowledged the compliment , and spoke in high terms of thc excellent working of the Hamer Lodge , and the very great hospitality and kindness which all its members invariably showed to visiting brethren . Other toasts followed , and the proceedings were altogether of an interesting and enjoyable character .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

DOMATIC CIIAPTEII ( NO . 177 ) . —A convocation of this chapter was holden on the 25 th ult ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , and like all the meetings of thc companions of thc Domatic Chapter , was most successful . Chapter having been opened by the Principals and Past Principals , among whom were Comps . J . R . Foulger , Z . ; G . Bolton , II . ; A . T . Hayward , J . ; James Weaver , P . Z . ; H . G . Buss ,

P . Z . ; John Coutts , P . Z . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . Z . ; II , Moore , P . Z ; M . Scott , P . Z . ; H . Levander , P . Z . ; — Wil . son , P . Z . ; and—Gilbert , P . Z . Thc companions were admitted , and for the purpose of exalting some brethren , Comp . T . Cubitt took the H . Chair ; and Bros . M . II . Seller , ( Domatic Lodge ) , Thomas Hayward , ( Kennington Lodge ); John Mason , ( Ebury Lodge ); and Thomas

Skinner , ( Ebury Lodge ) , were exalted , as R . A . Masons . Comp . Bolton was then installed M . E . Z . ; Comp . A . T . Hayward , II . ; and Comp . Montague Scott , P . Z ., J . The other officers were Comps . H . G . Buss , P . Z ., Treasurer ; Comp . William Palmer , S . E . ; Comp . James Weaver , P . Z ., S . N . ; Comp . Hill , P . S . ; Comp . A . Treadwell , ist A . S . Comp . Lawrence , 2 nd A . S . ; and Comp . Bentley ,

Janitor . On his retirement from the First Principal ' s chair , Comp . J . R . Foulger was presented with a beautiful P . Z . jewel , whose exquisite neatness drew warm admiration from all thc companions . This being the whole of the business before the chapter , it was closed , and the companions sat down to a nice banquet , and subsequently honoured the usual toasts .

IPSWICH . —ST . LUKE ' CIIAPTEH ( No . 225 ) . —The regular quarterly convocation of this chapter was held at the Coach and Horses Hotel , Ipswich , on Wednesday , the 24 th ult ., present Comps . Jas . Turner , Z . ; Emra I lolmes , H . ; Charles Byford , J . ; Geo . Abbott , Prin . Soj . ; Jas . Goodball , Treasurer , & c . Thc chapter having been opened in ancient form and the minutes of last chapter read and

confirmed , the M . E . Z ., announced that this was the annual meeting for the election of officers . The following were nominated to the respective offices : —Comp . Emra Holmes , as Z . ; Charles Byford , as H . ; Jas . Turner , as J . ; Geo . Abbott , as Prin . Soj . ; Jobson as N . ; Syer , Janitor . Comp . Holmes pro . posed a candidate for exaltation at next meeting . The M . E . Z . announced that he had received a copy of a

resolution passed at thc last meeting of the Alexandra Chapter against the formation of a Provincial GrantI Chapter , advocated by the Royal Sussex Chapter , and asking the opinion of the companions thereon . After some discussion it was decided to take no steps in the matter . Thc other

routine business of the chapter having been tlisposed of , the companions shared the secrets , the Royal Arch Chapter was closed in tlue and solemn form , and thc brethren adjourned to refreshment , when the usual loyal toasts were given , and three Grand Principals were duly toasted , and a pleasant social hour was passed .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

BATH . —ROY A _ C . MBBIII . AND LODGE ( lime immemorial ) . —A regular meeting was held at the Masonic I lall on Thursday , March 25 th . Present—V . W . Bros . Dr . Hopkins , Past G . J . W ., and P . M . 26 and 74 , acting as

VV . M . ; Moutrie , acting as S . W . ; James J . Dutton , J . W . ; Milsom , S . D . ; Birth , acting as J . D . ; John Button , M . O . ; Kubie , as S . O . ; Keene , as J . O . The lodge was opened at 8 p . m . The minutes of thc previous meeting were read anil confirmed . There were three candidates for advance .

ment present , with regard to whom due notice had been given , namely , Bros . Gazzard , G . Falkner and P . Braham . Por tlie first of these a ballot had been taken on a former occasion , and on the names of thc other two being submitted to the brethren present , the result was unanimously ln their favour . The ceremony was conducted by the acting W . M ., and the candidates were duly admitted ; first as Mark Men , and afterwards as Mark Master Masons ,

Mark Masonry.

Letters of apology for absence were read from Bra . Thompson , W . M .., on account of illness , and from Bro . Alajor Preston , who was unavoidably from home . A ballot was taken for W . M . during thc ensuing year , wliich resulted in the unanimous election of Bro . James J . Dutton , and in thc same way , his brother , John Dutton , was appointed Treasurer . The Secretary presented thc report of the

committee of three members selected to draw up a code of byelaws , and thc reading of them was commenced , but as it appeared probable that much discussion would arise , and that owing to the lateness of the hour , it woultl be impossible to complete them on that evening ; it was determined to appoint a more extended committee for their reconsideration , witli a view to their adoption at the next meeting . The lodge was finally closed at ten o'clock .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

ROCHDALE . —AI . IIEIIT PUECE . TOUY ( NO . 34 ) . —Thc annual meeting of this preceptory was held in the jiasonic Rooms , Ann Street , Rochdale , on Thursday , the 19 th March , and I am sorry to say there was a very bad attendance of the Sir Knights . The Sir Knights present were Wm . Davies , Preceptor ; John Fothcrgill , First Captain ; Robert Whitworth , Second Captain ; C . M . Jones ,

Past E . G ., Treasurer ; E . Woodcock , Registrar ; James Holroyd , Past E . C , Almoner ; John Ashworth , Equerry ; William Ashworth , Prov . G . Chancellor , Lancashire ; and Clement R . N . Beswick-Royds , Sub-Prior ., Lancashire . The preceptory was opened in form , and the minutes were read anti put for confirmation , and carried unanimously . After which the Sub-Prior took the chair , and proceeded to

install Sir Knight John Fothcrgill , who had been elected Preceptor for the ensuing year . The ceremony was performed in a very impressive manner , thc newly installed Preceptor appointed the following officers : —Wm . Davies , Prelate ; Robert Whitworth , First Captain ; E . Woodcock , Second Captain ; C . M . Jones , Treasurer ; John Ashworth , Equerry . On account of so few being present , the

Preceptor was unable to get a sufficient number of officers to support him during his term of office . Since the alterations in the statutes there has been a great falling off in thc attendance of the Sir Knights . They say there is no inducement to attend , as past rank is abolished , the titles altered , and separated from the Masonic body . We get no new members , and those who have joined do not think it

worth their while to attend . The Order is in a very unsatisfactory state , and if something is not done soon the Great Priory will have no need to suspend the preceptories in arrears . They will not meet in sufficient numbers to open . It is a great pity such alterations should have taken place for no earthly good . Why it has been done I do not understand , I have not heard anyone speak about the alterations , but entirely disapprove of them . Those who

arc installed Preceptors now arc called upon to pay ios . 6 d . and after their time is expired fall into the ranks of a full private . Before the alterations , those who were installed Eminent Commanders had nothing to pay and enjoyed all the privileges of past-rank . It is a strange alteration , thc sooner something is done the better , that the encampments once more may flourish and enjoy all the privileges they used to do .

Scotland.

Scotland .

ANNAN . —ST . ANDREW ' S LODGE ( No . 79 ) . —This lodge gave a grand concert and ball on the evening of Thursday , 18 th ult ., under the patronage of the Provost , Magistrates , and Town Council of Annan , Lauderdale Maitland , of Eceles , P . G . M . ; A . Johnstone Douglas , of Lockerbie House , R . W . M . ; the Prov . Grand Lodge of Dumfrieshire ; and sister lodges . The concert and ball

were generously taken in hand by the brethren of the mystic tic , to raise funds in aid of the new Town Hall , purposed to be built in place of the " mickle o' stanes " at present doing duty as Town Hall ; but unfortunately the public of Annan did not give the concert that amount of tangible encouragement , which the labour and pains bestowed on thc object by Bros . J . Walsh and R .

Jeffrey , as well as the other members of thc lodge , deserved , and which praiseworthy end the Masonic brethren had in view should have commanded . Thc brethren , however , have the consciousness of knowing that no efforts were spared by them to make it a success . GLASGOW . —LODGE ST . MAIIK ( NO . 102 ) . —The annual visitation of this lodge by the Provincial Grand

Lodge of Glasgow took place on the 22 nd ult ., within St . Mark's Hall , Buchanan-street . Thc lodge having been opened by the R . W . M ., Bro . J . F . Mitchell , the deputation from the P . G . L . —who had previously inspected the books and accounts of the lodge in an adjoining apartmententered thc hall . They appeared for tlie first time in their beautiful new clothing ( specially made for them by Bro .

George Kenning , of London , and Argyle-street here ) , and were received by the brethren upstanding , and with the customary honours . Thc deputation consisted of Bro . J . B . Walker , P . G . Treas . ; A . M'Taggart , P . G . Secy . ; James Gillies , P . G . S . D . ; George Thallon , P . G . J . D . ; A . Allison , P . G . Jeweller ; A . Baul , P . G . B . B . ; and John Miller , P . G . Direc . of Music . The deputation having taken

their scats on the dais , thc R . W . M . said he had much pleasure in welcoming them within the sacred precincts of that lodge , and he hoped they would find the books of St . Mark in accordance with the requirements of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Bro . M'Taggart then said that the

deputation had come there that night under very adverse circumstances , seeing that unfortunately they had with them neither the R . W . Provincial Grand Master nor his Depute-Master , both being unavoidably absent . However , he ( Bro . M'Taggart ) would be ableto report extremely favourable regarding the state of Lodge St . Mark and of

Scotland.

its books during the past year . Ffav ' ng read the official report to that effect , signed by the inspectors , Bro . M'Taggart continued that he was glad to say that from the manner in which the books and accounts had been kept the task of the deputation that night had been a very simple one , and they hatl found " thc condition of the lodge as good and as favourable now as it had been

in times past . With regard to thc Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow , he was glad to say that the past history of its work was a very gratifying one , as was evinced by thc progress made by thc Order within the province . The number of members added to it during thc last twelve months had been over 700 ; being , he thou ght , more than had been made in

any twelve months preceding . This was very satisfactory , in view of thc fact that there is a growing desire on the part of Masons to keep their membershi p more select , and to increase thc amount of payment—that was , of lodge fees . It woultl be found that by comparison with other countries , tlie fees iu this country were very small ; and he thought that one of the first thing's to

improve thc Order in Scotland would be to increase them . He was led lo believe that a motion was on foot , which bad his entire approval , to the effect that the Grand Lodge should fix a minimum admission fee for all lodges holding under it . Bro . M'Taggart then went on by referring to the gratifying condition and prospects of thc Benevolent Fund in connection with Provincial Grand Lodge , and

after touching- on one or two other points of interest to the Craft within the province and generally , concluded by hoping that on their next year ' s visit they , or those who might form the deputation , would be able to report as favourably of Lodge St . Mark as they had been this year . Thc R . W . M ., Bro . Mitchell , having thanked the deputation for the very flattering remarks they had made about

thc lodge , moved a hearty vote of thanks to them for their visit , which having been carried with acclamation the deputation withdrew . Thereafter , the lodge went on to business , when three candidates , Wm . Morrison , John Marshall , and John Hannay , received the first degree from the R . W . M ., the charge at the close being " delivered to them by the D . M ., Bro . A . C . Lindsay-Gray . Thc

chairman announced that the annual festival of the lodge would be held on the 23 rd prox ., being the eve of St . Mark's Day , and the lodge was then closed in due form . GLASGOW . —LODGE PARTICK ST . MARY ( NO . II ** . )—The 106 th anniversary of this Lodge was celebrated by a supper and ball , held in thc Burgh Hall , Maxwell-street , Partick , on the 26 th ult . Soon after eight o ' clock , thc

chair was taken at supper by the R . W . M .. Bro . Robert Wylie ; the duties of croupier devolving upon Bro . David Peacock , S . W . There were present : Bros . Thos . Grainger and Andrew Brunton , P . M . ' s of the lodge ; John Bain , S . W . ; Andrew Agnew , J . W . ; Forrest , S . D . ' ; John M . Wylie , Treasurer ; John Calderwood , S . D . ; and Alfred Lawrence , Chaplain . There was a numerous attendance

of members at lodge and visiting brethren , as well as a large proportion of ladies , about ninety in all sitting down to an excellent supper . Thc tables having been cleared , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given from the chair , and were heartily responded to . That of the " Army , Navy , and Volunteers , " was coupled with the names of Bro . Forrest for the Navy , and Bro . Agnew for the

last-named branch of the service . Each of these brethren having briefly replied , Bro . Brunton proposed " The Commercial Interests of Partick , " coupled with the name of Bro . Grainger , by whom it was acknowledged . The toast of the " Provost and Town Council of Partick , " having been given , in somewhat humorous terms by Mr . Lyon , and replied to in a corresponding vein by Bro . Wylie ; Bro .

Thomas Halket ( 102 ) said he had no doubt they would all heartily respond to the toast which had been given him to propose , namely , " Prosperity to Lodge Partick St . Mary ' s , No . 117 . " The success which had hitherto attended the lodge could not but be greatly gratifying to the Master and office-bearers , while the present meeting was a very good proof of thc spirit and energy with

which they conducted their business , as well as of the prosperity of the lodge . It gave him great pleasure to propose thc toast . In Freemasonry ( here was no rivalry ; Masons were one and indivisible , members of one brave brotherhood to promote all that was noble and good , all that was just and generous . In asking . them , therefore , to honour that toast , he did not

ask them to support anything selfish or exclusive . On the contrary , Masonry sought the good of all . In theirOrder , they had nothing to be ashamed of , nothing to apologise for . Its principles had been expounded by the most eminent men of all ages , who had given them their approval . There was one point in connection with that lodge he would just refer to—that was the proposal now

before them—to get a hall for themselves . That showed that there was life and energy among them , and the erection of such a hall would make an era in the history of that ancient anti honourable lodge . He hoped that their next anniversary meeting they would be able to hold in their own hall . The toast was coupled with the R . W . M . and office-bearers of the lodge , and replied to by the chairman

in a sentence . He had to reply , he said , for their old mother Mary . She was 106 years old that night , and very vigorous . She gave birth every year to about fifty sons of the Craft , and he hoped she would many a filty more . After one or two other toasts , and the singing of " Auld Lang Syne " by the entire company , the latter retired to allow of the hall being cleared for dancing . In

about half-an-hour , or there about , afterwards the ball was opened and kept up with spirit till an early hour . The gathering was altogether an entire success . ( -LASGOW . —LODGE STAII ( NO . 219 ) . —Thc fortnigntly meeting of this lodge was held within their own hall , at No . 12 , Trongate , on the 22 nd ult . The R . W . M ., Bro . John Morgan , occupied the chair ; other office-bearers present being Bros . J . Garth , S . W . ; J . Horn , J . W .: B .