Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Claremont Lodge , No . 1861 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . T . R . DICKASON . The installation meeting of this most successful lodge in the Province of Surrey took place at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon , on the 25 th ult . Present : Bros . W . Rogers , P . M ., W . M . ; J . R . Dickason , S . W ., W . M . elect ; W . T . Greenland , J . W . ; Ios . Pointon , P . M ., Prov . G . S . B .. Treas . ; H . E . Frances . P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Sec . ; H . R . Gurney , S . D . ; W . I . Williams , P . M , P . P . G . S . B ., D . C . ; A . H . Portch , I . G . ;

A . Wood and W . P . Underdown . Stwds . ; A . Bridge , Asst . D . C ; J . Bailey , Tyler ; R . Day , Thos . Bowler , P . M ., G . Sweet , C . R . L . Philp , H . A . Porter , G . E . Overton , C . R . Syers , and Saml . Cooper . The visiterswere Bros . J . Ellinger , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Surrey : F . Swinford , P . M . 2272 , P . P . G . Org . Middx . ; J . Pointing , 1622 ; J . H . Brace , 1028 ; G . W . Dickson , S 70 ; E . Singer , S 79 ; J . Johnson , 1 S 15 ; J . Tossell , 1205 ;

J . W . Cain . P . M . 179 ; E . Musgrove , 1269 ; A . E . Pusey , D . C . 179 ; S . J . Dickason , 2184 ; J . D . Rose , 619 ; F . S . Williams , 101 ; J . M . Wimble , P . M . 1901 ; F . E . Pow , P . M . 1901 ; I . Howell , S . D . S 79 ; J . Culpeck . S . D . 117 S ; A . E . Cooper , 901 ; A . Pusey , 179 ; j . S . Targett , P . M . 1359 ; H . Warner , P . M . 1259 ; F . Bint , l . P . M . 704 ; T . Robinson , W . M . 917 ; Harry Greene , 1365 ; G . Ivimy , 1441 ; Jos . Dkkason , 1901 ; and Chas . Hy . Stone , P . M . 507 and 1641 .

The mir utes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The Auditors presented their Report , which was received and adopted , and showed the lodge to be in a thoroughly sound financial position . Bro . W . J . Williams , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., D . C , next presented the W . M . elect , Bro . T . R . Dickason , to receive ffjom Bro . W . Rogers , W . M ., the benefit of installation , which was carried out in a most perfect and impressive manner in a Board of 14 Installed Masters . Bro . T . R . Dickason , W . M ., invested his . fficeis for the ersuing year in a very correct and pleasing manner . The addresses

were rendered bylhe Installing Master , Bro . W . Rogers , admirably . The W . M . rose , and in very graceful terms said it was his pleasing du . y to present the I . P . M ., Bro . W . Rogers , with the beautiful jewel in the name cf the brethren of tVie Claremont Lodge , and which he so richly deserved for having conducted the duties for the past year in so excellent a manner , with their earnest hope that he would be spared for many years to wear it in the lodge . Bro . W . Rogers , in very appreciative terms , thanked the brethren lor their r .-jndsome token in recognition of his services and , he he : itily reciprocated their wish to wear the same and remain a Past Mister for very

The business of the lodge ended , the brethren adjourned to a recherche' banquet , supplied by Bro . H . Anderson , proprietor , which gave gieat satisfaction . The cloth removed , the W . M . presented the customary loyal and Masonic toasts in most becoming terms , which were right royallv received . In giving the toast of " The Pro G . M .. Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the W . M . said they were always ready to assist the M . W . G . M . in his duties , and canied out whatever they undertook in a most excellent .. . ,

THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER . many years in the Claremont Lodge . The W . M ., with very appropriate remarks , rnxt presented a beautiful banner to the lodge , excellently designed and executed by Bro . H . E . Frances , P . P . G . D ., the worthy Secretary . It was resolved that the grateful thanks of the brethren be presented to the W . M . for the handsome gift which had also been done to his worthy predecessors in the chair and he was only following precedent . The W . M . replied he was only too pleased to do his utmost for the lodge and follow the exarrple of his predecessors . Eight propositions of good and true gentlemen were handed in for initiation , and four brethren as joining members , which is a record for the installation meeting .

manner . The W . M ., in presenting the toast of "The R . W . Prov . Grand Master , W . Bro . Col . John Davis , A . D . C ., " said those who had had the privilege of attending Prov . G , Lodge could only come to one conclusion , and that was after witnessing the great ability Kith which he presided , and the keen interest he showed in all that appertained to Freemasonry , that the Prov . Grand Master was all that ould be desired and well worthy to preside over so important a province . next the toast of The

B . o . T . R . Dickason , W . M ., in appreciative term ? , proposed " Dep . Piov . G . M ., W . Bro . F . West , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and dilated upon the many excellences of the Deputy Prov . G . M .. and Ins valuable services rendered to Freemasonry in ger . c-al , and the Province of Surrey in particular . Although the Prov . G . M . and Deputy Prov . G . M . were unable to be present , having made a previous engagement , yet they were cognisant of the good work done in the lodgeand no one was in closer touch with the details of the work than the

, D . P . G . M . Of him . too , the W . M . mentioned that he hai done splendid service under no less than four Prov . Grand Masters , and he was only reciprocating the wish of all the brethren present when he hoped thattheDep . P . G . M . might long be spared to continue his splendid work in the province . With respect to the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , they were always ready lo assist their worthy chiefs in the noble work of Freemasonry , and he coupled with the toast the name of their worthy Treasurer , Bro . Jos . Pointon , Prov . G . S . B .

Craft Masonry.

In reply , Bro . Pointon ( who received quite an ovation ) said it was indeed for him a privilege and proud pleasure to respond for the Prov . Grand Officers . All were anxious to do as the many worthy brethren who had preceded them had done , and serve'the Prov . G . M . to the ve ry best of their ability . On behalf of the Prov . G . Officers , he most cordially thanked them .

Bro . W . Rogers , I . P . M ., next presented the toast of "The W . M ., " and said it was a great pleasure to him to do so . He was a most worthy brother and zealous worker , as he had already shown the brethren in carrying out the duties that evening . He most heartily congratulated the W . M . on the favourable auspices under which he had been installed that evening . Finally , he was the first Master during the present century : secondly , the first during his Majesty the King ' s reign as monarch ; thirdly ,

the first since the M . W . G . M . and Deputy Prov . Grand Master had been installed ; and , lastly , the first Master installed since the Claremont Lodge had attained its majority last June . The deep interest in the lodge was shown by the W . M . in recommending such worthy candidates for initiation , and the l . P . M . was confident that the Claremont Lodge , under the present rule , would rank as one of the first in the Province of Surrey . He asked the brethren to drink to the toast in bumpers .

The W . M . was initiated in the Claremont Lodge five years ago , is a Life Subscriber to the three Masonic Institutions , a most ardent worker in the Claremont Lodge ol Instruction , which is held every Wednesday at the Newlands Hotel , of which he is the proprietor . The worthy Preceptor is Bro . Jos . Pointon , P . M ., P . G . S . B . The W . M . will represent the Claremont Lodge at the coming R . M . I . Boys' Festival . An excellent record for so young a Mason .

The W . M ., in reply , most heartily thanked the brethren for such a cordial greeting , and the many kind words said ot him . The few years he had been connected with the lodge he had assisted in its welfare , and he trusted , after the favourable auspices under which he had been installed , that at the end of the year the lodge would be in a still more prosperous position , and that lis should be able to carry out the installation ceremony as efficiently as it had been done that night .

The W . M . next gave the toast of "The Installing Master , Bro . Rogers , " who was an excellent worker . The ceremonies that evening could not have been excelled , and during the past year the duties had been carried out most efficiently . The l . P . M . was always ready and willing to assist whenever required , and the W . M . was grateful to have so worthy a brother to call upon if necessary . He asked the brethren to drink most cordially to the toast .

In reply Bro . Rogers most heartily thanked the brethren for such a hearty reception , and quoted the more favourable conditions under the W . M . ' s installation thin his own , inasmuch as his Mastership was during the dying century , and they had to lament the death of the Queen , and the tesignation of the then M . W . G . M ., his Majesty the King . The lodge was now in a more flourishing state , and the W . M . might rely upon every officer and Past Master rendering most strenuous assistance to uphold its dignity . The toast of "The Visitors" was given in most cordial terms , and responded to most ably by Bros . Robinson , Wimble , Bint , Ellinger , Pow , Cain , Howell , and J . Dickson .

The toasts of" The Past Masters , Treasurer , and Secretary , " and ' •The Visitors , "' all received high eulogiums from the W . M ., and were duly responded to . The Tyler ' s toast closed a most eventful and happy meeting ever held in the lodge . An excellent programme of music under the direction of Bro . Frank Swinford , P . P . G . O . Middx ., ably assisted by Miss Emily Rasey , Miss Alice Oliver , and Bros . Harry Greene and Frank Swinford . Bro . Frank Swinford ably presided at the piano .

Strong Man Lodge , No . 45 . A meeting of this lodge was held at the Holborn Restaurant , Holborn , on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., when there were present : Bros . John Briggs , M . A ., W . M . ; E . j . Vidler , S . W . ; F . Bristow , J . W . ; Wm . G . Mills , Treas . j H . Durell , S . D . ; A . Hall , J . D . ; S . W . Heaton , Org . ; J . H . Telmes , Bromley Hall , and G . ' A . Ward , Stwds . ; T . J . Burgess , P . M . ; Prof . F . W . Driver , M . A , P . M . j D . A . Langdon , P . M ., D . C ; T . Fountaine , P . M . ; T . Williams , Tyler ; VV . H . Walter , T . Ockelford , R . Lockyer , E . 1 . Stafford , I . Smith Leslie , E . B . Salt , P . G . Powell . A . Peckh \ m ,

A . M . Randall , C . W . Bond , A . Kenealy , 70 S ; S . Meech , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ; H . W . Bowen , 2769 ; W . Purchas . P . M . 88 ; and H . E . Wallace . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., and the minutes of the last meeting real and confirmed . The W . M . gave the lecture on the tracing board in the Second Degree , and also the traditional history in the Third Degree . _ The acting Secretary having read the correspondence , propositions were received for joining and initiation . The VV . M . then announced that Bro . Wm . Briggs , LL . D ., P . M ., had luen appointed PIJV . J ' . G D .

of the Province of Cambridgeshire . It was proposed and seconded that a vote of congratulation should be entered on the minutes of the lodge . The lodge was then chsed . After the banquet the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and duly honoured by the brethren . In giving "The King , the Protector of the Craft , " the W . M . alluded to the Queen ' s birthday and the future Coronation , and to the delight it would afford to the King ' s loyal subjects . Then followed "The M . W . G . M ., the Duke of Connaught , K . G ., " and" The Pro G . M ., the Dep . G . M ., and the rest ot the G . Officers , Present and Past . "

The l . P . M . gave the toast of "The W . M . " It needed no comment , he saiJ . He alluded to the lecture given on the Second Degree , and the traditional history ; how admirably and impressively they had been given , and how much indebted the lodge was for his kindness . The W . M . replied . He said he thanked the brethren for the kind attention they gave to his rendering of the lectures—he alluded to the I jdge of instruction —tli it there would be a supper in January , and he hoped the brethren would attend .

Then followed " The Visitors , " He ( the W . M . ) accorded them on behalf of the lodge and himself a hearty welcome . Bros . Purchas , Meech , Bowen , Kenealy , and Wallace replied . The toast of " The Past Masters " followed . Bros Burgess and Driver replied . Then followed " The Officers . " The W . M . praised the working on that evening ; he said it was admirable , and completely satisfied him . He particularly allu led to the

closing cf the lodge in the Third and Second Degrees . The toast was responded to by the S . VV ., J . W ., acting I . G ., Organist , and Stewards . The Tyler ' s toast concluded the evening . Bros . Burgess , Berry , and Heaton , by their musical talent , contributed to the entertainment of the brethren , and Mr . Haydon Wood gave some excellent sal > s on the violin .

Honour and Generosity Lodge , No . 165 . The regular meeting of this old and respected lodge was held on Tuesday , the 26 th ult ., at the Inns of Court Hotel , Lincoln's Inn Fields , W . C ., when there were present Bros . Godfrey Sykes , W . M . ; J . Woodhouse , l . P . M . ; W . de B . Herbert , M . A ., LL . B ., S . W . ; C . J . Andrews , J . W . ; Howard Thompson , P . M ., Treas . ; Henry Times , P . M ., Sec . ; Sir William Murray , Bart ., acting S . D . ; Bertram Van l ' raagh , J . D . ; H . Bearman , I . G . ; H . W . CUrkson , Stwd . ; Alfred P . Crabb , P . M . ; Frank W . Simmonds , LL . B . j Morley Agar , F . R . C . S . ; Ed . White , J . Harris Stone , M . A . ;

W . Hulbeit , Frank Richardson , VV . H . Burt , E . J . VVilberforce , J . A . Dugdale , Leo Norman , W . Marcus Thompson , and Captain Gordon Renton . There was a large number of visitors present , among others , Bros , the Ven . Archdeacon of London , P . G . Chap . ; Alderman vaughan 1 / organ , P . G . Treas . ; D . D . West , P . M . loS ; Clarence T . Coggin , D . C . 2127 j F . T . Davies , Sec . 2771 ; Albert Pearse , 1174 ; Jno . Coote , P . M . 2579 » Captain Leslie Rentcn , 1591 ; A . J . Potter , P . M . and Sec . 813 ; ' William Hunt , P . M . 172 ; George Rankin , W . M . 2 Si 3 ; J . Howard , W . M . S 13 ; Albert Leighton , P . M . 263 ; Jno . Jacobs , P . M . and Treas . 1 S 03 ; Hugh Fiuser , 5 S ; and Lionel lirough , 2127 .

The lodge having been duly opened , and IU guineas unanimously voted to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , Bro . Alfred P . Crabb , P . M ., at the request of the W . M ., took the chair , and passed Bro . Simmonds to the Degree of F . C . Bro . Crabb then gave the explanation of the second tracing board in strict accordance with the Emulation working , and rendered it in avery impressive manner , which was much appreciated . The W . M . resumed the chair , and initiated two candidates—Captain Francis Bernard Lawson and Mr . Bernard Cox ( who had at previous meetings been