Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Southern Star Lodge , No . 735 , Nelson , New Zealand ; and North Australian Lodge , No . 79 G , Brisbane , Queensland ; Bros . H . H . A . Russell , 103 , Indooroopelly , ( Queensland ; the Hon . John Douglas , C . M . G ., Dist . G ' . TvI . ( S . C . ) , Queensland ; T . D . Fraser , Brisbane , Queensland ; E . Morton , 932 , Rockhampton , Queensland ; C J . Leeson , Croydon , Queensland ; VV . Alexander , P . M . 1315 , Perth ,

Western Australia ; N . G . Benson , P . M . 1093 , Coonoor , Madras ; G . B . Williams , 1 S 32 , and VV . T . Cole , SS 2 , both of Kimberley , South Africa ; Col . A . G . Yeatman Biggs , C . B ., Meerut , Bengal ; A . W . Saukins , 2220 , Rondebosch , and A . J . Stigling . Malmesbury , Cape Colony ; Surg .-Capt . VV . Kiddle , W . M . 2277 , Cyprus ; F . Midler , Turin , M . Wolfe , Nanaimo , G . M . of British Columbia ; D . Willox

W . M 12 S , and D . Young , both of Glasgow ; C . Lodder , P . M . 173 , Largs , Ayrshire ; A . Pemberton . P . P . G . D . C ; A . W . Adams , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . F . Tolloday , P . P . G . D . C . ; G . A . MacDowall , 2291 ; S . H . Hare , 1954 ; G . Randell , W . M . 40 ; ] . M . Jenkins , P . M . 341 ; VV . J . Sharpe , 7 . 5 ; S . Green , P . M . 10 ; J . M . Davis , 92 ; H . Steven , Portobello , New Brunswick ; A . E . Young , 1 S 42 ; 1 .

B . Cowan , 111 , Hawick , New Brunswick ; R . Borg , Past Grand Master of Egypt ; and H . J . Rolls . The sum of 10 guineas was voted to the list of Bro . E . Macbean , the lodge Steward at the forthcoming Jubilee Festival of the R . M . B . I . A telegram from his Royal Highness the M . VV . G . M ., thanking the brethren for their congratulations on the nth November last on the occasion of

the 50 th anniversary of his birthday , was read , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . In the absence of the author , Bro . VV . Simpson , P . M ., his paper entitled , "Brahminical Initiation , the Noose " was read by the Secretary . The paper , which quoted largely from the sacred books of the Fast and other authorities , tended to show that the sacred thread with which a Brahmin is invested at his initiation

partook also of the nature of a noose , and detailed the symbolism connected with this subject . The author admitted that the interval of time to be bridged over between the Brahminical Noose and our ritual was enormous , and was careful not to draw any inference , but nevertheless it was felt that the paper was of great interest and value to the Masonic student , and opened up a vista

of curious possibilities . The paper was discussed at considerable length by Bros . Rev . C . J . Ball , W . AL Williams , G . VV . Speth , and VV . H . Rylands , especially in connection with the remarkable , account of ihe meeting between Ben Hadad and the King of Israel in I . Kings , xx > 30-33 , and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the author . The brethren afterwards dined at the Holborn Restaurant .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

CAMBRIDGE . Scientific Lodge ( No . SS ) . — The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the nth inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Lion Hotel , Bro . Frank Piggott , W . M ., P . S . G . D ., presiding . The Treasurer ' s account were showed on audit to be in a very satisfactory condition , and the

numerical strength of the lodge is Si . Bro . F . VV . Phelps , ¦ S 13 , was elected a joining member . Upon the proposition of Bro . Oliver Papivorth , P . M ., P . S . G . W ., it was resolved to vote 15 guineas to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in addition to the annual subscription of £ 2 . The D . P . G . M ., Bro . A . H . Moves , P . G . Std . Br . Eng ., having been duly escorted into the lodge by the Provincial Grand

Officers and saluted , the ceremony of installation was proceeded vnth . The attendwaie't v » as limited , owing to the inclement weather and the illness of numerous brethren . Among those present besides the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the province were Bros . T . B . Nichols , P . P . S . G . VV . of Northumberland ; F . C . Wacc , P . M ., P . P . S . G . VV . ; I . Royston , W . M . 441

Robinson Smith , W . M . ; J . Grover , S . W . ; VV . R . Girling , J . W . ; P . H . Young , J . W . 44 . ; F . Dewberry , P . M ., P . G . D . C . ; E . Wareham Harry , P . M . 1001 ; G . A . Fletcher , P . M . 1 S 0 ; J . Fu'ier , P . M . 441 ; J . S . Youngman , P . M . 441 ; VV . I . Basham , P . M ., W . 1 . Pashler , P . M ., Oliver Papworth , P . M ., P . S . G . W ., T . Hunnybun , P . M ., and I . V . Pryor , P . M ., of SS .

The lodge having been opened , the installation of Bro . William Potter Spalding was duly performed by his predecessor , Bro . F , Piggott , and the charges were given to the new W . M . and the brethren by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master . That to the newly-appointed Wardens had to be omitted , as both of them were prevented from attending by ill-health . Subjoined is a list of the officers for the

year * . Bros . W . P . Spalding , P . P . G . S . of Wks ., W . M . ; F . Piggott , P . S . G . D ., l . P . M . ; W . B . Redfarn , P . P . G . Purst ., S . W . ; C . H . Banham , P . G . S . of Wks ., J . W . ; T . Nichols , P . M ., P . P . S . G . VV ., Chap . ; T . Hunnybun , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; A . E . Chaplin , P . P . G . S . B ., Sec ; J . L . Rutter , S . D . ; B . W . Beales , jun ., J . D . ; O . Papworth , P . M ., P . S . G . W ., D . C ; J . H . Moyes ,

Std . Ur . ; VV . James , Org . ; VV . Tindall , P . G . Stwd ., I . G . ; B . W . Beales , sen ., P . G . 'Treas ., Stwd . ; and C . H . Ellis , P . G . Tyler , Tyler . At the conclusion ol the ceremony , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , on behalf of the lodge , presented to Bro . Frank Piggott a Past Master's jewel in recognition of his services , and thanked him for the Masonic manner in which he had conducted all

his duties during the j ear , adding that thc jewel was the brethren ' s testimony of how they gauged his services as the ruler of the lodge during his successful yearof office . Bro . Piggott suitably acknowledged the compliment . " Hearty good wishes" to the new W . M . having been given from thc * Provinces of Cambridgeshire , Northumberland , & c , and other visiting brethren , the lodge was closed ,

and the brethren afterwards sat down to a banquet , the evening being passed in true Masonic harmony and goodfellowship . During the evening deep sympathy was expressed with the M . W . G . M . in the illness of the Duke of Clarence . The D . P . G . M . pronounced the province to be in a very healthy condition in every respect .

DIDSHURY . Doric Lodge ( No . 2359 ) .-The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Uidsbury Hotel , on Saturday , the 9 th inst . Although the weather was so unpropitious there was a lartte gathering of members ami visitors , includin " Bros . C E . 'Lowell , W . M . •G . S . Smith , l . P . M , ; I ? Stretch , S . W . ; G . A . Myers , P . M ., Sec . ; A . K . Boothroyd , S . D . ; J . M . Veal , J . D . ; John Walker , I . G . ; J .

Provincial Meetings.

Ward , Fred . Thomas , and James Sharpies , Stwds . ; Wm . Sharpies , acting as Tyler ; W . Wilkinson , Julius Laurisch , Fred . Morgan , Bret , J . Lawrenson , J . Moore , Sayers , and Moss . Visitors : Bros . J . Truelove Richardson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; J . Hardwicke Marsh , J . W . 1730 ; and J . Willcox , 1140 .

The lodge was opened by the W . M ., and the minutes read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Mr . Harry Shuter , and proving favourable , he was initiated by Bro . Towel ) , W . M ., in a highly intelligent manner . The working tools were presented by Bro . G . A . Myers , P . M ., acting S . VV ., the charge being delivered by Bro . F . Stretch , acting J . W .

UUULU . Y . Harmonic Lodge ( No . 252 ) . —At a meeting at the Freemasons' Tavern , Stone-street , on the jth inst ., the mother lodge ofj Worcestershire celebrated a most interesting event , viz ., the installation into the chair of K . S . of Bro . Edward John Chambers , the Provincial Charity Secretary of Worcestershire , known in his lodge as "Brother E . J ., " and in the province as "Charity

Chambers , " to distinguish him from Bro . Thomas Chambers , who has filled the chair of K . S . in this lodge during the past year , and who crowned a year of excellent work by installing in a most impressive manner his successor . Bro . " Charity Chambers , " with the consent of his brethren , desired to make his installation an occasion to give special prominence to the Royal Masonic Charities , and to this end invited all the acting Charity Secretaries of the lodges in

Worcestershire , and every brother who has served a Stewardship to any one or more of our Masonic Institutions since he has held the office of Provincial Charity Secretary . Bro . Sir Edmund A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . M ., honoured the lodge and Bro . Chambers with his presence , and he was supported by Bros . A . F . Godson , M . A ., M . P ., D . P . G . M . ; G . Taylor , P . G . S . B . England , P . G . Sec . ; and other distinguished officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge ;

Bros . James Terry , F . K . W . Hedges , and J . McLeod , the distinguished Secretaries of our three Institutions , and a large number of brethren who have so nobly helped to sustain the character of Worcesteishire for Charity work , completing a gathering probably unique in Masonry , at any rate , well worthy of imitation . After the ceremony of installation , most impressively performed by Bro . Thomas

Chambers , the W . M . invested his officers for the ensuing year , giving to each a suitable word of congratulation , after which the P . G . M . rose , and in an interesting speech tendered to Bro . E . J . Chambers his own hearty good wishes and congratulations , eulogising the great interest hc had taken in Masonry in general , and in the Masonic Charities in particular .

1 he lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to the banquet , where covers were laid for So , all evidently much impressed and delighted with the " Harmonic " Festival of St . John . The usual toast list was then proceeded with , special prominence being given to the toast of "The Masonic Charities , " in which the W . M . congratulated the lodge upon the presence of the three Secretaries of the

Institutions and coupled their names with the toast . In responding each narrated to the edification of the brethren present the special features of the work in which they were engaged , concluding with an eloquent appeal to every brother to subscribe to the Charity Organisation Fund .

1 he Prov . Grand Master and the Deputy Prov . Grand Master each gave 15 guineas to Bro . Chambers' list to be equally divided between the three Charities . Bro . George Taylor , Prov . G . Sec , gave 10 guineas to the Benevolent , and a number of subscriptions were promised by brethren present .

LEICESTER . St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 279 ) . —The annual festival and installation of this old and flourishing lodge was held on Wednesday , the Gth instant , at the Masonic Hall , Halford-street . The W . M ., Bro . J . Herbert Marshall , P . M . 1007 , P . P . S . G . VV ., presided , and was supported b y his officers : Bros . E . Holmes , S . VV ., W . M . elect ; C . Bennion , J . W . ; Rev . J . H . Smith , P . M ., Chap . ; R . Michie , P . M ., Treas . ; H . Pickering , Sec ; W . D .

Grant , S . D . ; C . Lakin , J . D . ; J . Clifton , D . C . ; VV . II . Noble , I . G . ; J . Butcher and M . 11 . Pearson , Stwds . ; and J . Tanser , Tyler . The following Past Masters were also present : Bros . E . C . Stretton , P . M . ; S . Cleaver , P . M . ; J . O . Law , P . M . ; C . Gurden , P . M . ; and VV . M . Williams . A very large number ot members and visitors testified by their presence to the popularity both of the retiring W . M . and the W . M . elect . Amorg the visitors

we noticed tiros . S . S . Partridge , D . P . G . M ., P . A . G . D . C . England ; J . Vaughan , P . M ., 86 ; W . J . Curtis , W . M ., W . 13 . Smith , P . M ., A . M . Duff , P . M ., J . T . Thorp , P . M ., B . A . Smith , P . M ., J . B . Waring , P . M ., and W . H . Barrow , Mus . Doc , P . M ., of 523 ; VV . H . Grieve , W . M . S 18 ; W . Vial , P . M . 1007 , P . S . G . W . ; W . J . Freer , W . M . 1130 ; T . S . H . Ashwell , W . M ., C I . Wilkinson , P . M ., P . G . D . C , T . Wriaht . P . M . ( Mavorof

Leicester ) , J . Harrison , P . M ., R , B , Starkey , P . M ., \ W . W . Vincent , P . M ., andJ . G . Bower , P . M ., of 1391 ; Rev . C . Henton Wood , P . M ., P . G . Sec , A . H . Burgess , P . M ., and J . D . Harris , P . M ., of 15 G 0 ; J . G . Parr , W . M ., and VV . H Lead , P . M ., of 20 S 1 ; and T . Coltman , P . M . 12 G 5 . 'Ihe lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . The Treasurer ' s

report showing a substantial balance in hand was received and adopted , on the proposition of the W . M ., seconded by Bro . S . Cleaver , P . M . I lie Stewards'report was received , the deficiency ordered to be paid , and a hearty vote of thanks to the Stewards was passed , on the proposition of the W . M ., seconded by Bro . C Gurden , P . M . liro . K . Holmes , S . VV ., W . M . elect , was presented to the Worshipful Master by Bro . C . E . Stretton , P . M ., for

installation . The D . P . G . M ., Bro . S . S . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C England , entered the lodge , and was received by the assembled brethren and duly accorded the honours due to his high rank . The D . P . G . M . briefly returned thanks to the brethren . The ceremony of installation was proceeded with , and most ably peiformed by the W . M ., Bro . J . Herbert Marshallthe addresses to the Master

, , Wardens , and brethren were admirably given by Bro . W . M . Williams , P . M . The newly-installed W . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros . J . Herbert Marshall , l . P . M . ; C . Bennion , S . W . ; H . Pickering , J . W . ; the Rev . J . H . Smith , B . A ., P . M ., Chaplain ; R . Michie , P . M ., Treas . ; W . D . Grant , Sec ; C . Lakin , S . D . ; J . Clifton , J . D .:

Provincial Meetings.

W . II . Noble , D . C ; J . Butcher , I . G . ; C . E . Birch , Org . ; M . H . Pearson and G . Kinton Billings , Stewards ; and J . Tanser , Tyler . The Worshipful Master in most apt terms then presented a Past Master's jewel to the retiring W . M ., who made a very feeling reply . Bro . J . O . Law , PTAL , was elected to represent the lodge on the Provincial Grand Lodge Committee of General

Purposes . A gentleman was proposed for initiation . Bro . W . VV . Vincent , P . M . 1391 , Prov . Grand Charity Steward , made an earnest appeal to the brethren for a donation towards the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and , on the proposition of the W . M ., seconded by the l . P . M ., a sum of 20 guineas was voted to Bro . Vincent's list . A smaller sum was voted to the widow of a deceased brother .

A number of letters of apology were received , including one from Bro . W . Kelly , P . P . G . M ., the oldest P . M . of the lodge . "Hearty good wishes" were given by the sister lodges of Leicester and the visitors , and the lodge was closed . The brethren adjourned to the banquit , at which the W . M ., Bro . E . Holmes , presided , who was supported on his right by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . S . S . Partridge , and on

his left by Bro . T . Wright ( Mayor of Leicester ) , P . M . 1391 , and the l . P . M ., Bro . J . Herbert Marshall , while in addition about So brethren sat down to enjoy the delicacies set before them prepared by Bro . Tanser , Tyler . After these had been fully discussed , the Worshipful Master proposed " The Queen and the Craft , " which was duly honoured . When proposing the next toast , "The M . W . G . M .,

H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " the Worshipful Master spoke in happy terms of the engagement of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence , wishing him and his future bride all joy and happiness during their married life , and also alluded most feelingly to the recovery from his severe attack of illness of H . R . H . Prince George of Wales . The toast was most heartily received by the brethren .

Bro . W . N . Williams , P . M ., proposed "The M . W . Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom ; the D . G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " in a short but telling speech . This was heartily received , and responded to by Bro . S . S . Partridge , D . P . G . M ., P . A . G . D . C . England .

The W . M . next proposed "The R . W . Prov . G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl Ferrers , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Bros . S . S . Partridge , D . P . G . M ., and the Rev . C . Henton Wood , P . G . Sec , responded , the latter alluding in very feeling terms to the late Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary . Thc next toast , " The Worshipful Master , " was proposed

by Bro . T . Wright ( Mayor of Leicester ) , P . M . 1391 , in most felicitous terms . He said he had known the Worshipful Master for iG years , during which time he had enjoyed his friendship . He considered the W . M . peculiarl y fitted for the important post to which he had been elected , for he had been trained in a good school , and had learned when to speak , what to say , and how to say it ,

qualities which were highly suitable to one who filled the chair of K . S . He wished the W . M . a most prosperous and successful year , and an increase in all that is essential for the well-being of the lodge . The W . M ., on rising to reply , was greeted with great enthusiasm , and thanked the brethren from the bottom of his heart and with all sincerity for the warm reception

accorded to him . He also thanked Bro . W . H . Noble , for the decorations of the banqueting room , and the musical brethren , who had already sung and would sing , for their kindness in adding to the enjoyment of the brethren . In the course of his remarks the W . M . said that the lodge was pre-eminent in the province—first , as the oldest lodge , second , as the largest lodge ; and he wanted it to be

preeminent in a third way—that all its members would realise the great princi ples inculcated by Masonry , and carry them out in their dealings not only among themselves , but also with others , so that outsiders might know that there was a greal deal of good to be learned from Freemasonry . The other toasts were "The Installing Master , " proposed by Bro . T . Wright , and responded to by Bro . J . Herbert Marshall , l . P . M . ; "The Past Masters , "

proposed by the W . M ., to which Bros . Rev . J . H . Smith , P . M ., and C . Gurden , P . M ., replied ; "The Visitors , " to which Bro . VV . J . Curtis , W . M . 523 , replied ; "The Officers , " responded to by the S . W ., Bro . C . Bennion ; and the Tyler's toast , which brought a long and pleasant evening to a close . Songs , duets , and glees were rendered by Bros . A . Page , C . Page , J . McRobie , R . C . Allen , and W . F . Ouinn , while Bro . VV . H . Barrow , Mus . Doc , P . M . 523 , most ably presided at the pianoforte .

NEWBURY . Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope ( No . 574 ) . — The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Friday , the Sth inst ., at the Temperance Hall , under the presidency of Bro . Reginald Maples , W . M ., and attended bv a large number of the members and several visitors . After several oi the items on the agenda had been disposed

of , Bro . Stephen Knight , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., proceeded to install the S . VV ., Bro . F . J . J . Harrold , as W . M . for the ensuing year , Bro . Harrold having at a previous lodge been unanimously elected to fill that high and honourable position . The ceremony was performed by Bro . Knight in a very complete and impressive manner , eliciting the hearty applause of the brethren . Bro . Harrold ' s installation was

immediately followed by the appointment and investiture of the officers of the lodge for the coming year as follows : Bros . R . Maples , l . P . M . ; E . Hill , S . W . ; J . N . Day , J . W . ; Rev . P . L . B . Braybrooke , Chap . ; VV . II . Belcher , Treas . ; S . Knight , sen ., Sec ; J . H . Wilson , S . D . ; j . S . Liddle , J . D . ; W . Knight , D . C . ; H . G . Knight , Org . ; J . B . Ingram , I . G . ; H . D'O . W . Astley and S . Knight , jun ., Stewards ; and J . Legg , Tyler . The

Worshipful Master , in investing the officers with their special collars and jewels , addressed them individually upon the particular duties appertaining to their respective offices , and upon the symbols attaching to the different positions assigned to them in the lodge . This portion of the afternoon's engagements being over , the newly-installed W . M .

addressed the l . P . M . ( Bro . Maples ) in appropriate terms , and , on behalf of the officers and brethren of the lodge , presented him with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , for which Bro . Maples expressed his warmest thanks , assuring the brethren that he should always value it as a token of his happy association with the Lodge of Hope , the interests of which he should be glad to serve whenever opportunities