The Coming Struggle.

them to Freemasons' Hall . They will find Bro . J . C . Parkinson and other leading members of Bro . Little ' s Committee on the spot , and ready to

alford information to voters during all the hours oi ballot ; and we trust that we shall have to record next week , not merely that" the best man has - . von , " but that he has done so by an

overwhelming majority , and with the approval and cooperation of those under whom he will have to work , as well as of those who were his opponents

until the other day . The House Committee will in all human probability have to receive Bro . Wentworth Little as Secretary to the Masonic Girls '

School in a week from this date ; and this whollyirrespective of any action they may think fit to take . But there is time left to tender him the rig ht hand of fellowship , voluntarily and gracefully-, and for the sake of the Institution we trust they will accept the suggestion which Bro . J . C . Parkinson , the Chairman of the Little Committee

is known to have ottered them , and which would prevent thc possibility of disappointment in one quarter , while infusing a spirit of general satisfac-. tion in all .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Ivlasonrii .

METROPOLITAN . CAPPER LODOF , ( No . 1076 ) . —This prosperous and flourishing lodge held its installation meeting on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., at the Marine Hotel , Victoria Docks , West Ham , E . The chair was occupied by Bro . Ashdown , the retiring W . M .,

supported by the following officers , viz .: —Bros . I . Gaskell , I . P . M . ; H . G . Sisley , P . M ., as S . W . ; B . B . Brayshaw , | j . W . ( W . M . elect ); G . Park , Treasurer ; J . Henderson , P . M . and Secretary ; Sherwin , Org . ; A . Knox . S . D . ; Priestley . J . D . j and A lison , Tyler . The lodge was opened in

due form , with solemn prayer , and the minutes of thc former meeting , and also of a lodge of emergency , were read and confirmed . The balance sheet and accounts for the past year , duly audited , were then read , showing a large balance in favour of the lodge . There were two candidates for initiation , but from unforseen

circumstances , neither were able to attend . The W . M . then called upon the Secretary to rend the bye-laws of the lodge , which having bcen done , the W . M . elect , Bro . Brayshaw , J . W ., was presented by Bro . E . West , P . M ., and P . Prov . G . S . D . Herts , to the W . M . to receive at his hands the benefit of installation . The

ceremony was then proceeded with , and a Board of Installed Masters formed , consisting of the following brethren , viz . I . Gaskell , I . P . M ., 1 '" ,. West , S . Watkins , II . G . Sisley and Henderson P . Ms , of the lodge , Bro . Chas . Lacey 1 ' . M , 174 ( W . M . designate Langthorne Lodge )

Bro . W . C . Barlow , 174 ; E . Parker , W . M . 1 , 337 ; G . English W . M . 1227 ; and R . Bolton , I . P . M . 1227 . Bro . Brayshaw was installed in the chair of K . S . according to antient custom , and having invested his I . P . M ., the hoard was closed . 1 he brethren were then readmitted , and the newly installed W . M . was proclaimed and

saluted in the three degrees . He appointed his officers as follows viz . Bro . C . W . Ashdown , I . P . M . ; A . Ivnox . SAV . ; I . Priestly , J . W . j G . Park ( re-elected ) Treasurer , J . Henderson , P . M ., Secretary ; M . W . Nott , S . D . : Rhill , J . Dj Holliday , I . G ; Sherrin , Organist ; and Allison ( re-elected ) Tyler . The iiddresses to tho W . M ; Wardens , and brethien , were delivered in a most impressing manner b y the Installing Officer , who on resuming his seat uns warmly congratulated by the P . M . ' s present . On the proposition of Bro . Sisley , P . M , it was unanimously resolved that an address , framed and engrossed on vellum , be presented to Bro . Ashdown , at the next meeting ofthe Lotlge , in

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

recognition of the efficient manner in which he had discharged the duties of W . M . during his year of office , and also for his excellent rendering of the installation ceremony that day . The

lodge was then closed and the brethren ( numberover 100 ) adjourned to an excellent banquet , which was well served , considering the very limited resources in the shape of accommodation , at the disposal of the worthy host , Bro . Old .

The chair was occupied by the newly installed W . M . who fulfilled his duties in a very efficient manner . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured and a very pleasant evening

spent by the brethren , who having thoroughly enjoyed themselves , separated in perfect peace and harmony at an early hour . During the evening a very handsome P . M ' s . jewel , voted at

the last meeting of the lodge , was presented to Bro . Ashdown , LP . M ., in recognition of his services as W . M . during the past year . Amongst the visitors present , besides the P . M ' s . enumerated above , were Bros . Carruthers , S . D . 6 _ ; Slee , I . G . J 227 ; Owen , 1227 ; and several others . KENT . CANTKRBURV . — -St . Augustine Lodge ( No . 972 ) .

—The brethren belonging to this rising lodge held the usual annual installation gathering on Monday last , the spacious madrigal-room adjoining the theatre being kindly placed at their service by the brethren of No . , 31 . Canterbury ' . There was a large attendance of members and visitors ,

including several W . M . ' s , P . M . 'S , and P . and P . Prov . G . O . ' s from No . . 31 , Canterbury ; No , 199 , Dover ; No . 1208 , Dover ; No . 133 , Taversham ; and No . 153 , Gibraltar . The ceremony of installing Bro . Walter James White , S . W ., into the chair of King Solomon , was ably

and impressively performed b y Bro . W . Ellenor , after which the newly-elected W . M . made thc following appointments : —Bros . Geo . Pilcher , S . W . ; Frederick Walker , J . W . ; Arthur Cannon , S . D . ; William Plume , J . D . ; James Welch , I . G . . Charles Sendell , D . C . ¦ ' fohn

Secra and William Henry Vile , Stewards ; William Harnett , Hon . Tyler ; — Cannor , Organist ; and William Ellenor , P . M ., Hon . Secretary . In the evening , about fifty members of the Order sat down to a splendid banquet , provided by Messrs . Shaxby Brothers , of the

Guildhall Hotel , who were warmly eulogised on the general excellence of the arrangements . The W . M . elect presided , and after the removal of the cloth , proceeded to give the usual toasts , which were acknowledged in the manner usual among Masons . After " The Queen and the

Craft , " followed "The Health of H . R . Highness the Prince of Wales , P . G . M ., " and the W . M ., in submitting the toast , said that his Royal Highness was a true lover of Masonry might be evidenced from the fact that afteobtaininsr honours as a P . G . M ., he was now acr

tually working in a Craft Lodge . " Thc Earl de Grey and Ripon , Grand Master , " *'* ' Lord Carnarvon , Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Deputy Grand Ollicers" having been suitably proposed , and otherwise properly dealt wilh , " Lord Holmesdale , Past Grand Master

for Kent , " followed , the next in order being "To the memory of Bro . Dobson , Deputy Past Grand Master of Kent . " The proposer ( the W . M . ) passed a very feeling and appropriate eulogium upon the memory of the deceased brother , whom he described to maintain

Masonry in its purest character . The company drank the toast in silence and subdud n light . Bro . Wilson , P . G . Sword Bearer , and P . M . 199 , Dover , acknowledged the next toast , " The Health ofthe rest of the

Provincial Grand Officers , and in ; the course of his remarks spoke very highly of the W . M . elect , who , he remarked , merited and deserved the position he now occupied by having at all times

carried out the true principles of Masonry . He was a Master of-which St . Augustine ' s Lodge might well be proud , and he was sure that he had the he . irly good wishes of every lodge in Kent . The W . M . « f the Corinthian Lodge , Dover , responded for * ' The Visitors , " and in the course of a

practical speech , pointed out the advantage of members of lodges in their own and neig hbouring towns exchanging visits . Bro . Paul , P . M . . 32 , in submitting ** ' The health of the W . M . elect , "'

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

said that as the oldest member of the Masonic Order in Canterbury , and in consequence of his having assisted at the consecration of St , Augustine ' s Lodge , he had very much pleasure at being present on this occasion , and taking part in the installation of Bro . White . He had known him

for many years , and he ( Bro . Paul ) could bear testimony to the fact that he had established a character for probity and honour of the highest class , and he felt that his elevation to the chair he now occupied was not only an honour to St .

Augustine ' s Lodge , but to Masonry throughout the county of Kent . The W . M ., in acknowledging the compliment , pointed out that a successful y-ear of office to him was mainly dependent on the assistance he received from his

officers ; and he had reason to believe they r would give him their hearty co-operation . He was most anxious to point out to the brethren , of his lodge , that the proper disposal of honours should be made not by the mere fluctuation of time , but according * to merit . Bro . Beer , P . M .,

next gave " The Installing Master , Bro . Ellenor , P . M ., " observing that it was a good and grand thing to be a Mason , but it was something better and nobler to be possessed of so extended a knowledge of it as Bro . Ellenor had . Several other toasts applying to the officers succeeded ,

and were appropriately acknowledged , the reply of the S . W . being" particularly appreciated . Among the later toasts was that of " The Press , " proposed by Bro . Hart ( one of the Aldermen of Canterbury ) , in replying to which , Bro . Sendell referred to the fact that Freemasonry and the

Press had always gone hand-fn-hand , and that many Masons were to be found in the ranks of newspapers . He cited , as an instance , the journal with which he was connected ( The South Eastern GnxWVe ) , the majority of the literary staft" of which , he said , were members ofthe Order . It should be added that the large attendance of visitors ,

attired in the regalia of P . G . O ' s , and members of 972 , upon whom had been conferred the honour of wearing the purple , combined with the capital appointments of the lodge-room , contributed to make up a splendid effect j and also that the success of the day ' s proceedings is in no small degree attributed to the popularity of the new W . M .

LEICESTERSHIRE

LEICESTER . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 279 ) . — The monthly communication of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday evening , the 6 th inst . The following officers and brethren present : —Bros . E . J . Crow , Mus . Bac , W . M . ; Stretton , P . M ., P . Prov .

G . R . ; | . M . M'Allister , S . W . ; J . Halford J . . ; W . Weare , P . M ., Treasurer ; T . A

Wykes , -pj , as Secretary ; J . W . Smith , S . D . ; R . Goodman , -j * *^ , Glasgow , as J . D . ; C . E . Stretton I . G . ; j . Edmunds , H . T . Kirby , S . Tebbut , G . W . Statham , and the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Kelly , honoured his mother lodge by his presence . Among the

visitors were Revel . Dr . Haycroft , W . M . ; G , Toller P . M . ; F . J . Bains , S . W . ; S . S . Partridge , J . W ., P . G . S . ; W . B . Smith , P . M ., Treasurer ; J . T . Thorpe , Secretary ; W . T . Rowlett , J . D . ; E . Mace , J . Lorimore , and R . Taylor , members oi the John O'Gaunt Lodge , and Bro . S . P . Ekin ,

P . M . ; and L . Mason represented the Commercial Lodge , 1391 . On the lodge having been opened in due form , and the routine bnsiness disposed of , Bro . W . H . Marshall was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft , and at a subsequent period of the evening Mr . George Billings , a

candidate for initiation , regularl y proposed and approved of , was duly admitted to a participation in the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . The R . W . Provincial Grand . Master , Bro . Kelly , in the name of our eminent liro . J . Hughan , Hon . Mem ., presented a number of

interesting books to the Masonic Library . The brethren testified their hi gh appreciation of the generous gift , by unanimously according a cordial vote of thanks to the esteemed donor . During the evening ' s proceedings the exercise ol

that trul y Masonic virtue was pleasingly evidenced by the announcement of liberal subscriptions received towartls the fund now being raised to purchase the admission of a " Lewis , " to the Masonic Institution for Boys , and in