Provincial Meetings.

amalgamated the next three toasts owing to the lateness of the hour , and proposed "The Grand Officers , the Prov . Grand Master , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and the Prov . Grand Officers . " Bro . Lord George Hamilton , M . P ., P . G . W ., Piov . G . Master , in reply , said he vvas aware that shortness of time vvas the reason why each toast vvas not proposed individually . He vvas glad to lie present that day , and glad to

know that by making his lirst appearance at that lodge he vvas following in the footsteps' of such good Masons as his esteemed friends the Deputy Prov . G . M . and Prov . G . Secretary . When he vvas offered the honour of occupying his present post he had hestitancy , because he felt he had not experience enough to justify his acceptance , but he was consoled by knowing he should be supported by two brethren—the Deputy Prov . G . M . and Prov . G .

Secwhom he thought he might fairly say " took the cake amongst Prov . G . Officers . The result of their exertions had been that there vvas no province where the work is more properly or more thoroughly performed . He vvas glad to be able to say—on this his first appearance—that the work in the lodge was quite up to the standard indicated . He took it as a happy and auspicious coincidence that the outgoing Master was the first Master of the lodge ,

and that the Master installed vvas the first initiate of the lodge . The Province of Middlesex being in a high state of efficiency , it vvas their endeavour to keep up and maintain that standard . He had no doubt that in the future there would be a great increase of lodges on the roll , but they should increase the number of members of existing lodges rather than multipl y lodges vvith few members . He knew it vvas the custom in certain quarters to scoff at

Freemasonry . When he was a small boy he met an old lady in Ireland , and condoled with heron being a widow , but she said she was worse than a widow , beingan old maid . Those who had arrived at a certain age and had not partaken of the privileges of Masonry were deprived of one of the greatest pleasures of life—that of meeting many good fellows on a perfect footing of fraternity and equality for the purpose of maintaining Charity . He had arrived at

the conclusion that the infi uences that actuated r reemasonry not only enabled members of the Craft to pass many pleasant hours together in lodges and in each other ' s company , but also encouraged such qualities as enabled them to better perform their functions as citizens and subjects . His desire would be , in his present position , to promote Masonry in its best form throughout the province of which he was the head , and his first experience vvas one of which

he should retain a gratifying recollection . Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , also replied , and said the Grand Officers vvere animated with but one desire , and that vvas to advance by every means in their power the interests of the Order . Personally , he had attended , with great pleasure , not only as a Grand Officer , but as a P . P . G . Officer of the province . He congratulated the brethren roost heartily on the position the province had attained .

When he was appointed a Prov . Grand Officer , there were few lodges in the province , vvhich now numbered 40 , and he had no doubt that under the able rule of the Prov . G . M ., Masonry would steadily increase , and become of greater value , Bro . John Mason , I . P . M ., P . P . G . D ., next gave "The Health of the W . M ., " and said his name vvas an old and esteemed name in the Elliot Lodge . For how many years

they had looked forward to Bro . Nichols occupying his present position he really forgot , but as year after year went by they tried continually to get him to say " Yes , " and take the office , but he preferred to remain a lay member . A short time ago , however , he said " Yes , " and it vvas the happiest" ! will" they had ever had in that lodge . He ( the I . P . M ) would not take up their time by enumerating the W . M . ' s excellences , but simply say he vvas a " jolly

good fellow , " and that embraced everything . Bro . G . R . Nichols , W . M ., briefly replied , and said he thought as late as the preceding day that , owing to an attack of gout he should be unable to be present . Whatever he could do to further the interests of the lodge he should be only too pleased to do , and he hoped his officers

would assist him in endeavouring to carry out all the routine in the same way as in the past . The W . M . then proposed "The Health of the I . P . M . and Installing Master , " and said they knew Bro . J . Mason as the first Master of that lodge , and as a thorough good Mason , and could only congratulate him on the successful manner in which he had carried out the

installation ceremony . Bro . John Mason , P . P . G . D ., I . P . M ., in response , said tbat whoever occupied the post of LP . M . was always heartily received in that toast , andlhe hoped as years went by they should always find the W . M . when leaving the chair install his successor and receive praise when his work vvas done . He had not quite satisfied himself that night , but had been able to struggle the Master into the chair ,

notwithstanding his gout . He hoped that now Bro . Nichols vvas the W . M . the same good feeling and fellowship would exist in the lrdge . lie thanked them most heartily , and hoped he vvculd be spared for many years to remain a member . , ,., ,,. „ The W . M . then , in a few cordial and kindly words , presented Bro . Mason , I . P . M ., vvith a full-sized photographic camera manufactured by Bro . Walter Tyler , bearing the

, following inscription ,: " Presented to Bro . John Mason , FounderandFirstMaster , Past Master , P . P . S . G . D . Middx ., on his leaving the chair for Ihe second time , as a small maik of the esteem and regard in ( vvhich he is held by the members of the Elliot Lodge . 3 November , 1894 . " Bro . ] . Mason , P . P . S . G . D ,, said that words failed him to tell them how much he thanked them for their present , and vvhat his wife would say when they were " in camera , "

he did not know . He received it in the same way in vvhich they presented it , and accepted it vvith the greatest cordiality . Bro . James Terry , Sec . R . M . B . I ., on behalf of "The Masonic Charities , " returned thanks . He said the Elliot Lodge had done a very great ileal for the support of the Institutions , and in February last , when the I . P . M . and present W . M . were Stewards for the Old People , theytook up nearly £ 170 . Ihe value of organisation no one would

dispute . That province had received great advantage from organisation . Last month for the Boys' and Girls' Schools , on the first application they vvere successful in electing a child to each , ol those Institutions . If organisation could be used to win their cases , he ventuied to think that in 1895-C that organisation could again be well used in seeing how much they could pay to those Institutions from which they had been receiving benefits . Their Prov . Grand Master

Provincial Meetings.

would preside for the Old People in 1 S 96 , and he had no doubt that when the Festival of 1 S 95 vvas over , some steps would be taken by the 40 lodges in the province that would redound to their honour and credit . There vvere nearly 1000 persons provided for by the three Institutions , making no inconsiderable family to be supported—not by the outer world—but by the small and limited body of men known to the outer world as Freemasons . Whilst they as citizens had

to ' support outside Institutions , they vvere not unmindful of their duty to their own Institutions . The sum collected for the present year vvas about £ 51 , 000 , vvhich divided meant about £ 1000 per week given from the Craft . He was certain that when the announcement of the lists vvas made in 1 S 96 for the Old People , the total would be one gratifying to the Prov . Grand Master . Bro . Howard H . Room , Prov . G . Sec , responded for

" The Vi'itors , " and expressed the pleasure it had afforded him to be present to see Bro . Mason install his successor after a successful year . With regard to the Prov . Grand Officers he knew they vvere worthy reci p ients of the honour bestowed upon them and performed their duties as zealous ' y as when they vvere earning those honours .

Bros . Pearson , P . M ., and Bird , P . M ., Sec , briefly answered for "The Past Masters and Officers , " after which the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings . Included in the musical programme vvas a song by Miss Bird , daughter of the esteemed Secretary , vvhich was much appreciated .

IPSWICH . Prince of Wales' Lodge ( No . 959 ) . —The anniversary meeting of the above lodge vvas held at the Masonic Hall , on Alonday , the 5 th inst ., when Bro . Alma Cocks was installed Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . The installation ceremony vvas impressively performed by Bro . Kemp . The Worshipful Master , Bro . Alma Cocks , then appointed and invested his officers as

follows : Bros . W . Kemp , P . G . S ., I . P . M . ; R . H . Unsworth , S . W . ; T . Normandale , J . W . ; G . T . Pick , P . M ., P . G . D . of C , Treas . ; C . T . Townsend , P . P . G . S . W ., Sec ; Edward Hills , S . D . ; W . Watson , J . D . j John White , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of VV ., D . of C . ; C . Cooke , P . G . O ., Orir . ; W . F . Odium , I . G . j E . j . Durham , C S . Mason , F . C . Lambert , and G . A . Christie , Stwds . ; and G . Gould , Tyler . The D . P . G . M . delivered the address to

the W . M . and Wardens , and Bro . J . White , P . M .. to the brethren generally . The installation banquet followed , the W . M ., Bro . Alma Cocks , presiding , supported by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Rev . C J . Martyn , P . G . Chap . ; and Bros . Kemp , I . P . M . ; R . N . Sanderson , P . G . Chap . ; H . C Casley , P . M . 114 ; and others . The toasts of " The Oueen and the Craft . " and " H . R . H ,

the Prince of Wales ; , M . W . G . M ., " having been appropriately proposed by the W . M ., Bro . A . Raphael proposed "The M . W . Pro G . M ., the R . W . Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " coupled with the name of Bro . the Rev . R . N . Sanderson , vvho responded . Bro . W . B . Hanson gave " R . W . Bro . Lord Henniker , P . G . M ., " paying , in the course of his remarks , a tribute

to Lord Henniker s interest in Masonry , and expressing the hope that when the present domestic cloud had passed away they would see his lordship more frequently amongst them . The Worshipful Master , in submitting the toast of " The V . W . Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chap ., Deputy P . G . M ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand Ofiicers , Present and Past , " looked upon it as the toast of the evening . Bro .

Martyn , he said , had travelled some 200 miles in fulfilment of his promise to attend that gathering , and he ( the W . M . ) felt deeply grateful for the honour he had thus done the Prince of Wales' Lodge . He could not adequately express the love and esteem vvhich the brethren bore him for his kindness and goodness to the Craft , neither could he find time to dilate upon his distinguished career in the Masonic body , amongst whom his name was a household

word throughout the United Kingdom . The D . P . G . M ., in responding , said that when he was able to make his appearance amongst them , he always felt when his health was proposed as Deputy Provincial Grand Master that he vvas standing before them as an impostor , because no one could realise as he did the trials and shortcomings that must necessarily attend the circumstance of his being 200 miles away from the province . Whenever

he did come , he always met with so friendly , affectionate , and , he might say , loving reception , and though it was a matter of serious consideration for him that if only somebody else would take his office he would be only too thankful to resign it ; still , while it was the pleasure of the province that he should hold it , he would continue to do all he could for them . It was an immense pleasure to be present that night . It vvas a great many years since he attended the

Prince of Wales Lodge , when he installed one of the best of Masons , their late Bro . William Clarke , P . G . D . C . He ( the D . P . G . M . ) remembered when the Prince of Wales , Lodge vvas a very small one compared vvith vvhat it now was , but he had lived to see , and was thankful to see , that it had grown into its present proportions , and vvith every prospect of a prosperous and splendid future , and which he hoped would be realised .

Bros . S . R . Anness and II . C . Casley responded on behalf of "The Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " Bro . W . Kemp , in giving the toast of " The Worshipful Master , " confessed that his powers of speech vvere inadequate to do justice to the toast and express the feelings of his heart , and of that of the brethren , with reference to Uro . Alma Cocks . He , however , wished the Worshipful

Master a successful year of office , and he assured him that he would have the ordial assistance both of himself and the Past Master in the discharge of his duties . The speaker also alluded in felicitous terms to the approaching marriage of their Worshipful Master , whom he was sure they all wished a happy and contented matrimonial li'e , and health and strength to enjoy all its pleasures . The VVorshipful Master , in replying , warmly thanked the brethren for placing Ihim in a position vvhich he

recognised as one of the grandest that could b ; conferred in Masonic life . 1 le assured _ them that he would exercise every energy to forward the interests of the Prince of Wales Lodge , and at the end of his tether , he traced that his credentials would not only reflect credit upon himself , but upon the lodge . With regard to the reference to his marriage—that vvas a fact . He hoped , too , that he would be able to carry out the duties appertaining to married . life creditably to himself and to his wife also .

Provincial Meetings.

The toast was received vvith full Masonic honours . The other toasts were " The Visitors , " " The Masonic Charities , " "The Immediate Past and Installing Masters , " " The Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge , " and the Tyler ' s toast . The evening's pleasure vvas greatly enhanced by songs rendered by Bros . J . H . Brockbank , Normandale , Geo . Abbott , and others .

MAIDENHEAD . St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 79 s ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Ray Mead Hotel , nn the 17 th ult . There were present : Bros . Lieut . ] . G . VV lames , W . M .: J . H . Custance , I . P . M . ; E . W . Allen , P . A . G . S . Berks . ; VV . Fenton , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W .. Treas . C . Dearing , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . Berks ., Sec . ; G . E . W

Tucker , S . W . ; J . Boulting , J . W . ; Mat . Kennally , S . D . F . Foxley , P . M . j W . C . Page , P . M . ; E . Lloyd , E . E Niblett , H . ] .. Tyler , and A . Shepperd , Tyler . Visitors Bros . E . W . " Margiett . P . M . 1101 ; I . Weston , P . M . 1602 A . E . Hubert , P . M . 173 ; E . S . Weedon , P . M . S 13 ; J Osborn , P . M . 1 C 02 and 1 S 97 ; W . Beckett , 1602 ; R . M H . Griffith , 16 77 ; and R . T . West .

After the usual routine business , Bro . E . VV . Allen , P . M .. then occupied the chair , and Bro . G . E . W . Tucker , the W . M . elect , vvas presented , and . he vvas installed by him into the chair . The new W . M . then appointed and invested the following as his officers : Bros . Boulting , S . W .: Mat . Kennally , J . W . ; VV . Fenton , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Dearing . P . M ., Sec ; H . T . Tyler , S . D . ; E . Lloyd , 1 , 1 ) . .

E . E . Niblett , I . G . ; W . C Page , P . M ., D . C ; and C . Shepperd , Tyler . The beautiful ceremony of installation was performed in a most exemplary manner by Bro . E . W . Allen , and must leave a lasting impression on the brethren vvho had the good fortune to hear him , and the hearty vote of thanks vvhich he received was highl y deserved . Bro . Allen , in a few well chosen words ,

expressed his thanks for the members kind appreciation of his services as Installing Master . In presenting a Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . James , I . P . M ., the W . M . observed that he had carried out his duties in an able manner , and he hoped he would be spared for many years to wear it . Bro . James , in acknowledging the jewel , stated that it would ever remind him of his hippy year of ofiice , and that

he appreciated the great honour . Bro . W . C . Page , P . M ., vvho had recently recovered from a serious illness , in eloquent terms tendered his sincere thanks for the vote of sympathy that had been sent to him while he was hors tie combat . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren partook of an excellent banquet , which was well served under the

superintendence ot the manager , Mr . G . H . Hards . The W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts in happy terms . In responding for "The Prov . Grand Officers , " Bro , Margrett stated that that vvas his first visit , but it was his loss not to have been there befrre , and he hoped to come again . In eloquent terms he referred to the three

Institutions , and mentioned two cases the Province of Berkshire got elected in April . Bro . James , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M . " He said that Bro . Tucker vvas initiated in the lodge , and in a very short time he had reached the zenith of his ambition . The members had heard that he was an excellent worker of the ritual , and he felt sure that his year of office would be a brilliant one , and that he would keep

up the great prestige of the lodge . Bro . Tucker , the W . M ., in reply , said that he vvas more than proud to be VV . M . of his mother lodge , and he would do his utmost to follow in the footsteps of his splendid predecessors , and if he did that he would be gratified . In giving the toast of "The I . P . M ., Bro . James , " the W . M . observed that he vvas a zealous and painstaking

officer , and his reign had been a successful one . In replying , Bro . James assured the members of his affection for the lodge , and that he was indebted to Uro . Allen for having officiated as Installing Master . He had performed that duty for many years , and there was no one in the lodge who could do it better . The W . M . proposed "The Installing Master , Bro .

Allen . " He stated that it had been his pleasure to witness his working of the installation ceremony on several occasions , but that day Bro . Allen had excelled himself , and he was honoured by being installed by him . In responding , Bro . Allen said that he had had the great honour of installing 14 W . Ms , of the lodge , and he would be glad to do the same again . He loved the but

lodge , the members of which were all good fellows , great care should be taken in introducing new members . What was wanted was quality , not quintity . Bco . Allen , at the request of the W . M ., gave the toast of "The Visitors , " coupled vvith the name of Bro . )• Osborn , P . M ., vvho responded in appropriate terms , making special mention of the excellent working of

Hro-Allen as Installing Master . Bro . Boulting , S . W ., submitted the toast of " The Hast Masters , " remarking that they were the backbone of the lodge , and would always be to the front if wanted , and "j coupling the name of Bro . J . H . Custance , he said that his year of office would never be forgotten , and that as to Bro . Dearing , the Secretary , he was one of the very best oi

Masons , and was looked up to by the members . Bro . Custance responded . He said his earnest wish was that the W . M . would have a good year . I le was glad to have seen him installed , and he would undertake to K ' him two initiates . He joined the Craft 20 years ago , h" the St . John's was his favourite lodge , where everylliws was done in correct order . .

The W . M . gave "The Treasurer and Secretary " a ™ " The Officers , " coupled with the name of Bro . Dwrm ,, their energetic and genial Secretary . . , Bro . Dearing replied in a very happy speech j Bro . i » a * Kennally , J . VV ., also responded . ., The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close a most enjoyable meeting .

NEW BARNET . Barnet Lodge ( No . 2509 ) . —There was a very successful meeting on the occasion of the regular loo * held at the Assembly Rooms on Thursday , the Sth inst--under the presidency of Bro . J . Morrison McLeod , » - K . M . I . II ., W . M ., vvho vvas supported by Bros . R . Cranston . S . W . ; J . A . Witthaus . J . W . ; 11 . T . Matthews , Ireas *' F . S . Plowright , Sec ; J . Falconer , S . D . ; T . E . W ** - " * J . D . ; W . Sergeant Lee , P . M ., D . C ; W . Baddeley , I . G . j and Harold lmray and W . Fitch , Stwds . lheloU D