Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Masters , and brethren , I most heartily th'ank you for such a cordial greeting in response to the toast of my health at the hands of the l . P . M . and Installing Master . I can assure you it has been my great ambition to fill the honourable position you have placed me in , and I shall carry out the duties to the very best of my ability and endeavour to emulate those worthy Masters that have preceded me in the

Temple Bar Lodge . The toast of '' The Initiates" was presented b y Bro . R . Kimpton , P . M ., Treas ., as follows : VV . Bro ., visitors , and brethren , the toast which I have the pleasure of presenting , to my mind , is second to none . We have to-night been honoured by three initiates who will redound credit upon Freemasonry in general , and especially to

the Temple Bar Lodge . It had been said Freemasonry would never die , and one sees and knows how the various lodges are multiplying and such good and true men becoming members that he was quite agreed upin that point . He would tender advice that , as they had taken the first ro ind , they would go on step by step and attain the position of W . M ., ever remembering the beautiful ritual

which had been so ably rendered by the I . P . M ., and the grand principles of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth would blossom and bud forth to not only Freemasonry in general , but to the world . Bros . Barton , Gilford , and Adams most suitably replied . The Worshipful Master next gave the toast of •' The l . P . M . and Installing Master , " remarking that it gave him

the greatest pleasure possible . He was a Freemason in every sense of the word , and beloved by all the brethren of the Temple Bar Lodge . He personally thanked him for the splendid ceremony he had rendered so ably that evening , one that would be remembered so long as he lived . He ( the W . M . ) trusted that although Bro . Garland had left the chair to have his valuable assistance on every night

of meeting . He asked the brethren to join with him in drinking to the health and happiness of the Installing Master . The toast was drunk most enthusiastically . Bro . Garland replied , thanking all for such a splendid reception . He had done his l > 2 St for the lodge , which it was every Master's duty to do , having been connected with

it for 13 years , and had filled every office , and trusted he might continue to be for twice that period . He was delighted that their W . M . was acting as Steward at the next Festival of the Boys , for he was confident the brethren would lender a good account , and carry out that grand princi p le , Charity . He would assure the brethren that anything he could do for the Temple Bar Lodge would be

done with the greatest possible pleasure . The toast of "The Visitors" was next given in highly complimentary terms by Bro . Recknell , P . M ., stating that there was a goodly array of worthy brethren , whom the members of the Temple Bar Lodge heartily welcomed . He was pleased to be honoured by presenting the toast , as the W . M . was suffering from a contraction of the throat , and

had asked him to do so , to which he readily assented with the greatest gratification . This was most ably responded to by Bros . Crouch . W . M . ; Hooper , W . M . ; ana Stimpson , P . M . The toast of " I he Past Masters " was given in excellent terms by the W . M . Bro . Cleak , P . M ., responded , remarking that the Past

Masters would do all they could for the lodge . That was his mother lodge , and he assured the brethren that he should stick to the Temple Bar Lodge . The toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary" received its just measure of praise from the I . P . M ., who congratulated the W . M . upon havingtwo such excellent officers , who had done so much towards resuscitating thc lodge to its

present sound position . Bro . Kimpton replied with hearty thanks , stating he was the second initiate in the lodge , and had filled every office to that of the W . M . He hoped to be long connected with it , and so long as he was entrusted with the funds he would assure the brethren they should be faithfully applied , and especially , whenever possible , not forgetting the Masonic Charities .

Bro . Recknell , P . M ., Secretary , also most suitably replied . The toast of "The Officers" was most appropriately given b y the W . M . The S . W ., J . W ., and l . G . very suitably responded , and pledged themselves to do their utmost for the lodge .

The Tyler's toast closed a most eventful evening . There was an excellent programme of music , under the able direction of Bro . R . J . Pitt , Org ., ably assisted by the following artistes : Mrs . Albert Berenburg , Madame Lena Seymour ; Bros . G . Adams , and Charles Weil ; Mr . Joseph Pitt ( solo violin ) , and Bro . G . T . Miles ( solo harp ) . Bro . R . J . Pitt ably presided at the piano .

Ch ' lSWick Lodge ( No . 2012 ) . —The installation meeting of this flourishing lodge took place on thc 9 th inst ., at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , when there was a large attendance of brethren present : Bros . R . H . Wimpey , W . M . j J . Brown , l . P . M . ; F . W . Walden , S . W . ; B . Kenyon , j . W . ; Dr . F . Lawrence , P . M ., 'Treas . ; George Gardner , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Sec ; W . C Dickey ,

S . D . ; G . Wavell , J . D . j H . Clark , I . G . j Louis Lee , Org . ; J . Ellis and K . Milbourne , Stwds . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M . ; George Everett , P . M ., P . G . Treas . ; and W . A . Dowling , P . M . Visitors : Bros . A . Williams , P . M . Joyo ; T . II . Dorcy , 2 . | oo ; J . E . Overed , P . M . 1708 ; C . Plowman , P . M . 1708 ; T . W . Kingston , 132 G ; Chas . Steel , P . M . 13 6 . 5 ; F . Craggs , P . M . 834 ; C P . Plutknett , 11 N 5 ; E . G . C . Box , P . M . 871 ; K . Henry Hale , S 29 ;

E . H . Dove , P . M . 45 ; A . G . Duck , W . M . 898 j C . I ' .. Higginson , W . M . elect 1791 ; Jas . Stephens , P . M . 1425 ; E . VV . Sabine , 74 ; 11 . Steel , 172 ; J . H . Jarvis , P . M . 1027 ; Wm . Wilkinson , W . M . 129 S ; J . King , P . M . 834 ; A . E . Furncss , P . M . 2400 ; J . W . Hare , 1987 ; A . C . Treadaway , 1298 ; Hy . Blackman , 2140 ; E . F . Williams , S < , S ; P . Shapland , 8 9 8 ; P . S . Croze , S 98 ; G .

Timbcrhall , 1287 ; S . Manne , 753 ; 13 . D . Ardenne , I . D . 1184 ; R . Kerr , 2222 ; R . Guff , 1793 ; E . Styles , \ V . M . 7 <> 4 ; T . Stallabrand , 2148 ; F . Mason , 2148 ; and W . VV . Lee , W . M . 2381 . 'The lodge was opened and the minutes confirmed . Bro . 1 . Brown , P . M ., then installed Bro . F . W . Walden as

W . M . in a very impressive manner , after which the following ollicers were invested : Bros . B . Kenyon , S . W . ; VV . C Dickey , J . W . ; F . Lawrence , P . M ., Treas . ; Geo . Gardner , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Sec ; E . Wavell , S . D . ; II . Clark , J . D . ; B . F . Hartzhorne , l . G . ; J . Ellis , D . C . ; R . Milbourne and K . Steel , Stwds . ; Louis Lee , Org .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

and C . Patrick , P . M ., Tyler . Messrs . Smelt , Portch , and Prewell were initiated into Freemasonry by the newlyinstalled W . M . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Wimpey , l . P . M , in recognition of his services , and a Past Master's collar was also presented to Bro . J . Brown , P . M . A sum of 10 guneas was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls to he placed on the list of Bro . Geo . Gardner , P . M . The lodge was closed and a well

served banquet was followed hy the customary toasts . Bro . George Everett , P . G . Treas ., in reply to the toast of "The Grand Officers , " said it was always a pleasure to respond to so important a toast as this . On the present occasion he would rather it had fallen into other hands . As they had been reminded they were fortunate in having amongst the members a P . G . Warden in Lord George Hamilton , whose duty it would have been to respond had

he been present , but he had been kept away by attendance on a sick brother . But for the inclemency of the weather there would have been several other Grand Officers present , and when they were honoured by visiting Grand Officers , no matter of what rank , he ( Bro . Everett ) always gave way , beciuse as visitors they ought to have precedence . The Grand Lodge was the great central authority of Freemasons , and it therefore became every officer to keep up

its d'gnity . Those who attended Grand Lodge would know that the Grand Officers did their duty in a manner that gave the greatest satisfaction to the Craft in general and the brethren in particular . He was proud of the fact that he represented the Craft , for it was through their suffrages he did so . He would not detain them , but say how much he appreciated the kindly way the toast was always received , which was also appreciated by the Grand

Officers generally . Bro . R . H . Wimpey , I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " said Bro . Walden , W . M ., was one of the first members of the lodge , and had followed him through the various offices , and there was no member who had performed his duty in a more exemplary or satisfactory manner . Their W . M . was a Life Governor of the three Institution J , which was a great thing to say in his

favour , for Masonry was Charity , and they therefore had the right man in thc ii ? ht place . Those who had the acquaintance of the W . M . knew him to be a gentleman and a thorough Freemason , and the members could desire no more for the W . M . of their lodge . Bro . F . W . Walden , W . M ., said the l . P . M . had spoken of him in such flattering terms that he scarcely knew how to reply . They knew his two chief characteristics were

modesty and nervousness . He was pleased to think the little he had done in the lodge had met with their approbation , and pleased to hear such remarks passed by the l . P . M . He should endeavour to go on as he had commenced , and as long as his efforts met with their approbation , he could do no more . " The Initiates '' having been honoured , the W . M . gave "The Installing Master and Past Masters , " and said Bro .

Brown , P . M ., had performed his work that evening in such an efficient manner , that no words of praise were needed . The other Past Masters were all good Masons , and always ready to assist . Bro . J . Brown , P . M ., returned thanks , and said he did not feel satisfied with himself that evening , but he had done his best , and if the W . M . was satisfied he was more than gratified . It would be his pleasure at all times to give

assistance to the W . M . and to work for the lodge , for it was a lodge of which he was very proud , having been an initiate in it 9 or 10 years ago . Bro . G . Gardner , P . M ., proposed "The Visitors , " and said that of the So brethren present one-half were visitors . There were a great many apologies from brethren , including the Grand Secretary and others , but they were pleased to see so many present . The members held out thc right hand

of fellowship to the visitors present , and hoped to see them again during the W . M . 's term of office . Bro . James Stephens , P . M . 1423 , in response , said he remembered the kind reception he had previously received in the lodge , and being invited by Bro . Geo . Everett he felt he must be present , although unwell . He should take advantage of the invitation extended to him and visit the lodge again in the near future . Although present as a visitor , he

trusted Bro . G . Gardner would allow him to place live guineas on his list for the Girls' School . Other brethren responded j and " The Officers " having been honoured , the TyLr ' s toast closed the proceedings . Under the direction of Bro . Louis Lee , Org ., a mus'cal programme was catried out by Miss Violet Defries , Miss Rose Brooking , Mr . J ack Smart , and Bros . Horace Ward and Sydney Davis .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BEA MINSTER . Beaminster Manor Lodge ( No . 1367 ) — The installation meeting of this lodge , which is held annually on the second Tuesday in January , took place at the White Hart Hotel , on the 10 th inst . The brethren were , as last vear , again honoured by thc presence of the Deputy

Prov . G-and Alaster , Bro . Major W . E . Brymer , M . P ., and the Provincial Grand Lodge was further represented by thc Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bro . S . K . Hilton . The brethren present at the lodge in addition to the two afore-mentioned distinguished visitors comprised Bros . R . R . Samson , W . M . ; H . Maunder , l . P . M . ; A . Mann , S . W ., W . M . elect ; O . M . Beament , J . W . ; J . Andrews , P . M .,

P . P . J . G . W ., Treas . ; W . Oxley , Sec ; F . P . Kitson S . D . ; VV . R . Pile , J . D . ; C . G . Purkis , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., Org . ; C . Tolemdu , P . M ., D . C . ; Rev . E . H . G . de Castro , l . G . ; J . Keech , Tyler ; J . S . Webb , P . M , P . P . S . G . W . ; S . R . Baskett , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; C . Hann , P . M . ; and G . Roberts . Visitors : Bros . S . Pile , P . M . 11 S 1 , J . Blarney , S . W ., and VV . Frost , J . W ., of 707 ; and

VV . Tizzard , 170 . 'The lodge was opened , the minutes confirmed , and a number of communications read . Bro . A . Hann , S . W ., was presented to the W . M . by Bro . Purkis , and was duly obligated . Bro . Major VV . E . Brymer , M . P ., D . P . G . M ., who , on entering the lodge preceded by his Provincial

Grand Officers , was received in form . Alt offices having been declared vacant , and the Wardens chairs having been taken respectively by Bros . J . S . Webb , P . P . S . G . W ., and C Toleman , P . M ., a Board of Installed Masters was formed and the W . M . installed . The newly-installed W . M , then appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . 0 . M . Beament , S . W . j Win .

Provincial Meetings.

Oxley , J . W . ; Rev . E . G . Austen , P . P . G . C . Chap . ; J . Andrews , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., Treas . ; F . P Kitson , Sec ; W . R . P , le , S . D . ; Rev . E . H . G . de Castro , I . D . ; S . R . Ba-kett , P . M ., P . P . G . R , D . C . ; C . G . Purkis , P . M ., P . P . I . G . D ., Org . ; G . Roberts , l . G . ; S . Cox , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., and R . Toleman , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Stewards ; and J . Keech , Tyler . The addresses to the W . M ., the

Wardens , and the brethren generally were then impressively delivered by Bro . C . G . Purkis , and most attentively heard by the brethren concerned . The customary welcome to the D . P . G . M . and the P . G . Chaplain having been mide by the W . M .. and received with acclamation , Bro . Brymer

acknowledged the compliment , and expressed his pleasure at being able to be present , and conveyed to the W . M . his best wishes for a prosperous and happy year of office . 1 he lodge hav ' ng b > en closed , the banquet was held in the Market Room , where a goodly number of brethren sat down to a capital rep st , under the genial presidency of the W . M .

After full justice had been done to the good things provided , the usual toast list was gone through . "The Health of the D . P . G . M . "—who was obliged to leave rather early , as he had nine miles to drive in order to catch his train , and whose departure was marked by the

same Masonic greeting as his arrival—was duly honoured and acknowledged . Bro . the Rev . L . K . Hilton made a couple of very good speeches , and the other visiting brethren acknowledged the toast of " The Visitors . "

The Tyler ' s toast brought the toast list to a close . Some excellent songs were sung in the course of the evening by several of the brethren , and a very pleasant time was spent .

CHESTER . Independence Lodge ( No . 721 ) . — The installation meeting of this most flourishing lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Monday , the gth inst ., when the W . M ., Bro . W . Peers , brought a most successful year to a close by installing Bro . G . F . Adams in a most efficient manner . There were present Bros . Edward Rushl . P . M . ;

, R . C . Edwards , P . M . ; Felix Thomas , P . M . ; Wm . Hughes , P . M . ; J . Dennis , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; W . H . Finchett , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; H . Ellis , P . M ., P . G . Org . ; and T . Knowles , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C Visitors : Bros . James Salmon , P . M . 425 . P . P . S . G . W . ; G . E . Bolton , P . M . 2423 , P . P . S . G . D . North Wales ; T . Coxhead , P . M . 1647 , P . P . S . G . W . North Wales ; F . W .

Jones , P . M . 321 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R . Hunter . P . M . 1 C 74 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Sheriff Roberts , P . M . 425 , P . A . G . Sec . ; H . G . Little , P . M . 1674 , P . P . G . Stwd . North Wales ; E . Brassey , W . M . 425 ; Capt . F . E . Cooper , R . A ., W . M . 23 S 6 ; E . H . Ellis , P . M . 1 ( 74 ; F . S . Adams , P . M . 1477 ; G . Forrester , W . M . 157 6 ; Major C . W . R . Ford , S . W . 23 S 6 ; VV . Shorn , P . M . 425 ; H . Roberts , J . W . 1 ( 374 ; J .

C . Robinson , P . M . 1070 , 2294 , P . P . A . G . D . C . West Lancashire ; and upwards of 90 other brethren . The lodge having been opened , th ? W . M . invested the following brethren as officers for the ensuing year : Bros . Geo . F . Adams , W . M . ; Wm . Peers , l . P . M . ; Thomas Browne , S . W . ; Alfred Wild , J . W . ; Edward Rush , P . M ., Treas . ; Thomas Knowles , P . M ., Sec . j T . J . Powell , S . D . ; Henry Stoneley , J . D . ; W . H . Davies ,

l . G . ; R . C Edwards , P . M ., D . C . : Herbert Ellis , P . M ., P . G . O ., Charity Representative ; Charles Polkinghorne , Stwd . ; Robt . Buttcrworth , Org . ; and W . M . Richmond , Almoner . During the evening the W . M . presented the l . P . M ., Bro . W . Peers , with a massive gold Past Master ' s jewel . The banquet was supplied by Messrs . Bolland and Sjn , and gave great satisfaction . The jewel was manufactured hy Bro . George Kenninj .

EXETER . St . John the Baptist Lodge ( No . 39 ) . — The installation meeting in connection with this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Dec . 27 th , when Bro . E . II . Shorto was installed in the chair of K . S ., - the ceremony being very ably rendered by Bro . W . H . Kelland , l . P . M ., assisted by Bro . Hy . Stocker , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . 'The

lodge was very largely attended by members of various lodges , including Bro . G . Rogers , D . P . G . M . Divon , and Bro . Capt . Mortimer , P . S . G . W . Devon . The W . M . afterwards installed the following brethren as oflicers : Bros . VV . H . Kelland , l . P . M . j A . Hipe , S . W . j S . M . Lock , J . W . j R . ( erman , Treasurer j T . Pitts , Secretary ; T . C . Milton , S . D .: A . M . Laurence , I . D . ; los . Gould , l . G . ;

H . Stokes , Chaplain ; R . Hooker , II . Vodden , E . D . Allen , D . C . 's ; H . VV . Michclmore , R . S . Purnell , A . H . Roper , W . H . Dalykirk , Stewards ; II . B . Stark , Org . ; H . Shooter and 11 . Burridge , Tylers . After thc lodge was ch sed the brethren adjourned lo the Rougemont Hotel , to a banquet which was well served by the manager , Bro . II . VV . Husscy , about Co brethren attending .

HALIFAX . St . James ' s Lodge ( No . 44 8 ) . —The brethren of this lodge held their annual Festival of St . John thc Evingelis ' , on Tuesday evening , the 3 rd inst ., at Freemasc . ns' Hall , St . John ' s-place , when Bro . R . Hodgson was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremony was performed by Bro . Thomas Woods , I . P . M ., who was very

ably assisted by Bros . H . S . Holdsworth , P . M , P . P . D . G . D . C . ; VV . D . Shoebridge , P . M ; and A . Robertshaw , P . M ., and in such a masterly manner as indicated very careful study on their part . At the close of the installation cernnony , the newly-appointed W . M . in his turn appointed the following officers , who were invested : Bros . T . Wood ? , l . P . M . ; J . W . Normanton , S . W . ; Thomas Robertshaw ,

| . W . ; Rev . H . Williams , Chap . ; R . Jessop , P . M ., P . J . G . W ., Treas . ; J . Jessop , P . M ., Sec ; W . S . Milligan , Asst . Sec ; Thomas II . Thompson , S . D . ; John Shaw Vost , | . D . ; VV . J . Morris . D . C ; Allan Haigh , Org . ; II . Wilson , Almoner ; A . E . Spencer , l . G . ; G . Tucker , C . E . Rose , E . Hanson , James Milligan , J . Drake , and E . Pinder , Stewards ; and Rufus C Sykes , Tyler . At

the close of the ceremony , Bro . R . Jessop , P . M ., P . | . G . W ., presented a very valuable and handsome Past Master's jewel to Bro . Thomas Woods l . P . M ., in recognition of his services as W . M . during the pist year , and also as a token of the esteem in which he was held by the brethren . Bro . Woods returned his thanks to the brethren for this mark of their esteem and appreciation of his scrdces .