Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Thomas Ronsby , Kingston , 311 ; H . Farrar , S . W . ; M . S . Rhodes , J . W . ; J . Clark , Treas . ; C . Gott , Sec . ; T . G . Andrews , Ast . Sec . ; James Ambler , S . D . ; A . Robertshaw , J . D . ; T . Pettingcr , I . G . ; George Beanland , O . G . The W . M . proposed the usual loyal and Masonic

toasts , which were duly honoured , after which Bro . Broughton , W . M ., rose and said—Wo now proceed to the performance of the p leasing duty of doing honour to our old and esteemed Bro . P . M . Rogerson , by the presentation of the testimonial which has been subscribed for by

brethren of the Craft , irrespective of the lodges to which they belong , as a token of the regard in which he is held . I have personally known Bro . Rogerson many years , though not so long as some of you , and perhaps many of you , but I am able to say that lie is a good and worthy

Mason ill the truest sense of the word , and that by his honourable and upright conduct through life he has gained for himself what is of more value than silver and gold , namely , a good name and the respect and esteem of not only his brother Masons , but also of his fellow citizens

generally , and of all with whom he has been brought in contact in the intercourse of daily life . As I am not about to take upon myself as the W . M . of this lodge , the pleasing duty of making the presentation , it may be proper that I should say a few words in explanation why

such is not the case . When it was proposed that I should undertake this duty , I suggested that as the subscribers to the testimonial were not exclusively members of the lodge of Hope , but included also brethren of other lodges in the town , it might be more acceptable to them , as

well as to Bro . Rogerson , that the presentation should be made by the hands of one who is perhaps his oldest personal friend , who is also an old P . M ., and of the highest rank as a Provincial Olficer of West Yorkshire , and although the testimonial is one of a purel y Masonic character ,

the fact of the gentleman referred to being also the chief magistrate of the town , would not , I thought , lessen the importance and tho interest of the presentation . For these reasons the duty has been delegated to our worth y Bro . P . M . Manoah Rhodes , and I have now the pleasure of

calling upon him to offer , in the name of the subscribers , for Bro . Rogerson ' s acceptance , the beautiful testimonial now standing before me . The p iece of p late consisted of a splendid solid silver salver , selected from the stock of Messrs . Rhodes & Sons , silversmiths , Bradford , at a cost

of jQtjo , and bore the tollowmg inscription : — ' Presented to Bro . Michael Rogerson , P . M . 302 , Bradford , and P . Prov . S . G . D ., of West Yorkshire , as an expression of the respect and esteem of the members of The Antient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of

England , on the occasion of his leaving Bradford , and as a recognition of his valuable services as a member of the Craft , during a period of thirty years . Bradford , 29 th June , 1874 . " The address was most beautifully and artisticall y illuminated by Messrs . Armitage , and Ibbetson ,

lithographers , Bradford , and elegantl y framed b y Mr . | . Ilarland of Bradford , ami \ v ; i : ; as follows : " 'J ' o ' liio . Michael Kogersoii , P . M . . 301 ; Bradford , and P . Prov . S . UD . of Wesl Yoikshire — We , the undersigned members of the Ancient

and Honourable Fraternity of Fixe and Accepted Masons of England , having learned with fcelinwsof re si ret of your intended removal from Bradford , and being desirous of expressing our sense of vour worth as a man and a Mason ,

have much p leasure 111 requesting your acceptance of this testimonial and accompanying p iece of plate , as a token of our fraternal reg . ud , and of the sincere respect and esteem in which you are held by the members of the Craft , and also a recognition of the valuable

services you have rendered in the cause of Freenuisoiirv ( hiring the thirty years of your association with the fraternity . Jio assured that you carry with you to your new home our united best wishes for your welfate , and that of your

family ; and that we earnestl y pray that the Great Architect of the Univeise may bless you with a continuance of peace , happiness , and prosperity . —Yours faithfully and tiaternally . " Here follow the signatures of 18 Providcial and P . P . Grand Officers , 16 W .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Ms . and P . Ms . and 39 other Brethren . Bro . M . Rhodes , P . M ., P . P . G . W . ( Mayor of Bradford ) , being called upon by the W . M .. said : " Worshipful Sirj Officers , and Brethren , I could wish to imitate another brother , and excuse myself from attempting a speech , but I cannot hesitate to comply with your wishes . It was decided at a meetinsr of subscribers that I

should be requested to make the presentation this evening to Bro . Rogerson , P . M ., and it affords me much p leasure to do so . I am one of his oldest friends , it being some 40 years that we have had the advantage of each other ' s friendship . I have known him in boyhood , and

now in declining years , and although we are getting into the sere and yellow leaf , neither of us is so far gone but we know how to appreciate your kindness , and I trust to act the part of brethren and Freemasons . One reason probably which influenced you in selecting me was

from my holding the hig h and honourable position of Chief Magistrate of this Borough , and if I , as Mayor , can do anything to assist in giving eclat to the presentation , I feel that I am not stepping out of my proper course in doing it . Bro . Rogerson is a man all respect , honourable ,

just , and straightforward in all his dealings , and in this way has he come to be respected b y all who know him . This presentation we are making him , however , is strictly confined to the Craft , and notwithstanding my position as Mayor , I am addressing you as a Mason . Yon

have seen how he has acted in the lodge during his long membership , always aiding b y his fatheil y advice when called upon , and whenever needed , endeavouring to throw oil on the troubled waters , and to bring about that feeling of brotherl y love and affection which should ever

characterise the proceedings of a Freemason ' s lodge . Now he is intending to take matters a little easier , I believe partly on account of his wife , and 1 commend him for it . There is nothing a man can do better than endeavour to increase the happiness of her who has shared

his cares and joys through life . I am sure , Bro . Rogerson , you will highly value this beautifully illuminated address , and this splendid piece of plate , and that your famil y also will greatly prize them . I have very great pleasure , on behalf of the subscribers , to request your

acceptance of them , and to express the hope that you will long live to have the satisfaction of looking on them , with every wish of the brethren for a long life , and that your dear wife may be preserved to yon , that you may both survive to a good old age , and that in the eventide of life

these beautiful emblems of the love and esteem of your brethren towards you may prove some solace . Bro . F . C . Atkinson , Mus . Bac . Cantab ., here played on the grand piano that most thrilling and favourite air " Auld Lang Syne . " Bio . M . Rogerson , P . M ., P . P . G W ., on rising

to respond , said Bro . W . M ., P . Ms ., officers and brethren , I beg you to accept my most heartfelt acknowledgments for the way in which Bro . Rhodes , P . M ., has proposed , and you , Irethrcn , have responded lo the toast . The presentation you have made this evenim' I receive with l ' eeliii"S

more easily imagined than expressed . It has been said that " out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speakelli , " but 1 never felt more than now the waul of command of speech ; and yet my heart is full enough . I feel much having to change mv residence , but , unfortunately , it has

been caused by the failing heahli of my dear wife . Many good friends 1 have had , and shall regret parting with them , and none more than my Masonic friends . Bro . C . II . Taylor , P . M ., has long been the medical adviser of my family , and ho recommended a residence in the country .

lie was good enough to go with me in search of a suitable house , and we found one at Boston ' Spa ; to my surprise its appellation was " 1 lope I Villa . " Now , I have thought , in years gone ' by , that if I did leave and go into the country . I : should name my resilience "Darley Villa . " ' It [ is a favourite name ; my grandmother was a Darley , but Darley-street , for forty years , my j

place ot business , is not named alter my ancestors , i but after Darley in Lancashire , one of the seats ! of my respected landlord , the late Benjamin j Rawson , Esq ., Lord of the Manor of Bradford . ! M y good old house , has comfortably

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

sheltered rr . y famil y for 22 years , and we never had a death in it , and naturall y I became much attached to it and all its surroundingsthe view across the valley to Airedale College , Peel Park , & c . Indeed the nei gbourhood and prospect was very good . Certainly there have

been considerable alterations during the time , and recently they have built a new grammar school on the old site , but I liked the old one the best ; and speaking of scenery , I can only say that of all I have seen nothing equals the bottom of Darley-street . Where I have removed to is

a lovely country , which I intend to explore on my pony . The other day I went to Walton , a very antique village , whose thatched houses remind me of the picture given in the Illustrated London News of Coomassie . But a truce to this , and to revert to , what should now

be uppermost in my thoughts , your great kindness aud generosity , which almost overpowers me . I had not the slightest idea of tho address so beautifully expressed , tastefull y illuminated , and handsomely framed ; it will be more admired by me than any picture I possess . Then the piece

of plate is magnificent , the only drawback is that my safe is two inches too small to hold it . Brethren I feel quite at a loss to adequatel y express myself . These splendid gifts at least prove to me that I have endeavoured to fulfil my duties a' 3 a Freemason , and I accept these noble presents

at your hands , as a proof of your good feeling and opinions you have entertained of tny exertions for the advancement of the welfare of the good old Lodge of Hope , and fraternal regard towards me , and so long as I live the recollection of your kindness and regard towards me will be

ever most lively . It has been my privilege for the last 30 years to belong to this lodge , and I trust that peace , prosperity , and harmony will ever attend it . I am perhaps the oldest member , and no one can have a greater love for it . I again thank yon heartily

for these tokens of your friendship , and with fraternal regard for this and all other kindnesses shown to me , I wish to drink the health , happiness and prosperity of every brother . Bro . Rogerson , resumed his seat amid rounds of long continued applause . Bro . Dr . Taylor , P . M .

P . P . G . D ., rose and said : W . M ., P . Ms ., Officers , and brethren , I feel very much obliged to you , W . Sir , for giving me an opportunity of taking some little part in the proceedings of this evening . The pleasing duty yon have allotted to me is lo propose " The health and

happiness of Bro . Rogerson . his WHe , and Family . " The knowledge thai this meeting is not a farewell leave taking adds to our pleasure . Although Bro . Rogerson , is retiring from active business to leave , and 1 trust , enjoy himself in a beautiful country house , yet he will be frequently

amongst his own Iriends ia Bradford ; and as I well know his love and attachment to Masonry , and his old Lodge of Hope , I feel sure we shall see him as often as he can make it convenient . Bro . Taylor , P . M . after some further remarks and allusions lo Mrs . Kogerson and family , called imoil the Bivlhrt 11 to drink the . toast

heartily . Bro . Rogerson , P . M ., in re spoil ding to the to . i .-jl , said he did not anticipate ; having to rise again , le . it he 11 ml thank Bro . Dr . Taylor , P . M ., for his kindness and his good wishes towards his wife aud famil y , - \\\ A lie " had much reason to ( hank God he Ii . r . l enjoyed a great mcavaie of goo . I health , and he . thinked

the brethrt ; i I ' or their iv < : eptio : i of the lore ., and he die , this most eot \ i :.. iiy and heartily , ani in his retirement . shonkl ever enl . etiin tlie mo .-t livel y recolleciio : ; of them . II ¦!' . jeo resuming his seat , he Would lake the liberty of proposing to them the health of Uro . Bro a ghlom W . M . ' , who I am sure will g ive . rn this lodge in the . same harmonious manner as it lias been in lie

years preceding . 1 have do . re what I could to assi .-f him , and cannot suiiieieniiy express my kind feelings towards hi . n , bur . eail 0 : 1 you to drink heartily to hia good h a ' t ' i . liro . Broughton , W . M ., on vising ' . 0 -, \ spend , said . As 1

intimated that we should not follow the usual routine of to . ints this evening , it is an uuexp . c ' . ed honour to L > e called upon to thank yon for your heaily reception of this toast ; and I feel the compliment tree greater by its having been proposed b y Bio , P . M . Rogerson . 1 can assure