Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

The brethren then adjourned to the banquet table , where an excellent dinner had been provided by the host , Mr . J . Warner , in the absence of his rela'ive , Bro . W . P . Warner . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been severally given and responded to , The I . P . M . gave the toast of "The W . M . " in very eulogistic terms . 'The toast was received most cordially ,

accompanied with musical honours . In reply , the Worshipful Master said : I thank you most heartily and sincerely for the very kind manner in which you have received and responded to this toast . The foundation of this lodge has been a very great pleasure to me , although the work appertaining to it has been somewhat laborious . Most of you are aware of the difficulty

experienced in getting a warrant for a new lodge ; for there are now so many lodges that the M . W . G . M . will not grant any new warrants unless there is some special or good reason for his doing so . Considerable time elapsed before I could induce the Grand Secretary and others to say that there were good reasons for establishing a lodge in Hendon . This parish , I believe , contains about 11 , 000 inhabitants ,

and until the formation of this one has never had a MfSJnic lodge , and taking that and other matters into consideration , 1 felt that I had very good reasons for applying for a warrant to establish a lodge in Hendon . At length all obstacles were removed , the warrant was granted , and the lodge has been formed . This is our second meeting since our consecration , and we have had added eight new

brethren besides two joining members ; I gather theretore that we are in a very satisfactory condition—to have ten members join in two meetings is not altogether usual . Our meeting to-night has been a most successful and harmonious one . As most of you know , I take great interest in Freemasonry , and I believe there is no institution like it under the canopy of Heaven ; there is no

Fraternity or Society that can boast of such antiquity , of such an excellent code of morals , or one that considers the welfare of its members so much—especially those who are thrown into distress—as well as the widows and the fatherless children . We take a special pride in looking after the welfare of those who are thus left . I again thank you most heartily , and can assure you that I shall always

feel bound to the Hendon Lodge by the bond of fraternal affection , and shall feel it incumbent upon me to help on the prosperity of the lodge , and to aid its members in any way I can . "The Visitors" was responded to by Bros . H . Stiles , P . M . 1507 ; E . C . Mulvey , S . W . 2202 ; Akhurst , 145 ; Lazarus , 1 S 8 ; Baker , 1744 ; and Edrupt , 534 . " The Initiates " was given and received most heartily .

The new brethren severally responded , each expressing his pride and pleasure in having been elected a member of the lodge , and expressing their admiration of the impressive and beautiful ceremony . Other toasts followed , and the proceedings were interspersed with vocal and instrumental music by Bros . Hearn , Hudson , Powell , Fraser , Dobbs , and others , accompanied by the Organist , Bro . Wheeler , who proved himself as efficient on the piano as he had previously done on the

organ . The brethren separated at an early hour , after having spent a most enjoyable evening . LYMINGTON . —New Forest Lodge ( No . 319 ) . —St . John ' s Day was celebrated by the above lodge on Tuesday , the 13 th inst ., when Bro . Harry Mee , the S . W . of the past year , was installed as W . M . of the lodge by

Bro . E . H . Elers , P . P . G . C , Chaplain to the High Sheriff of Hampshire . There was a numerous attendance , the visitors including several Southampton brethren , and the Board of Installed Masters was composed of Bros . Elers , G . J . Gould , W . M . 319 ; B . Malurin , P . P . G . C ; T . P . Payne , 130 , P . P . G . R . ; H . Doman , 319 , P . P . S . G . D . ; H . Lashmore , 394 , P . P . S . G . D . ; John Adams , 359 , P . P .

G . D . C ; J . S . Pearce , 17 S 0 , P . P . G . D . C ; I . Harle , 17 S 0 , P . P . G . P . ; W . Horton , 130 , P . P . G . P . ; T . Walton , 1780 , P . G . A . D . C ; J . C . Burbage , 319 , P . P . G . S ., and Le Roy , 319 . The installation was preceded by an initiation , this ceremony being ably worked by Bro . H . Doman . At the conclusion of the installation , the new W . M . invested his officers as follow : Bro . G . J . Gould , I . P . M . ;

I . Slater , S . W . ; H . Pearce , J . W . ; Rev . E . H . Elers , P . M ., Chap . ; H . Doman , P . M ., Treas . ; Le Roy , P . M ., Sec ; A . S . Harrison , S . D . ; A . Bist , J . D . ; G . T . Gidden , I . G . ; Cherrett , Org . ; Sawyer , D . C ; E . R . Jackman , A . D . C ; Hayball , Stwd . ; and Bailey , Tyler . Before the close of the lodge , a Past Master ' s gold jewel was presented to the retiring Master in recognition of his

services to the lodge during the past year . A sumptuous banquet was afterwards served by Bro . Dore at the Livery Institute , to which a goodly number of brethren sat down , the W . M . presiding . The usual Masonic toasts were proposed and honoured , Bro . Maturin , P . P . G . C , responding for "The Visiting Brethren" in a speech of truly Mascnic spirit , in the

course of which he expressed his high admiration of the principles upon which the Institution , of which he had been a member over 40 years , was founded , and his hope that the newly-installed Master of the lodge would have a pleasant and successful year of office . In proposing "The Health of the Immediate Past Master , " Bro . Burbage announced that several brethren ,

thinking that Bro . Gould ' s services were worthy of some recognition beyond the jewel already presented in the lodge , had subscribed together , and , after consulting the wishes of Bro . Gould , they had purchased of Bro . George Kenning a Jubilee jewel , the exact fac simile of the one Presented to the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , in connection with the recent Jubilee celebration at the

Albert Hall . This was a gold jewel , and , although it had been rather costly , the brethren had subscribed so liberall y that a balance was left in hand , which would be appropriated as Bro . Gould should direct . He then pinned the jewel on the breast of Bro . Gould , who briefly replied . 'The Health of the new W . M . " was also cordially urunk , and , altogether , a very pleasant evening was spent .

LEICESTER . —John of Gaunt Lodge ( No . 523 ) . "j- J he first meeting of the winter session was held on Thurs-1 > 'l > e I 5 'h inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , when nearly 50 WM" attended - Bro - J * G - Murdin , Prov . G . Steward , W . M ., opened the lodge , there also being present Bros . S . 3 \ Partridge , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., D . P . G . M . Leicester-5 n ireand Rutland ; J . Young , P . M ., Prov . J . G . W . ; J .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

T . Thorp , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; C . E . Stretton , C . E ., P . M ., W . M . 279 . P . P . S . G . W . ; F . J . Baines , P . M ., Treas ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Miles J . Walker , P . M . 1265 , P . P . J . G . W . ; E . P . Steeds , P . M . 2081 , Prov . G . Reg . ; W . Beaumont Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of VV . ; G . F . Wike , P . M . 279 , Prov . G . S . of W . ; B . A . Smith , B . A ., P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; C . J . Wilkinson , P . M . 1007 , Prov . G . D . C ;

J . Harrison , P . M . 1391 , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Pickard Brown , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; G . Newsome , I . P . M . ; S . Knight , W . M . 1391 , Prov . G . S . ; VV . H . Lead , W . M . 20 S 1 ; besides the officers and many visiting brethren . A ballot was taken for Bro . Robt . Lever , 362 , as a joining member , and also for Mr . R . L . Lever , both being duly elected . The initiation was proceeded with , ( he ceremony

being admirably rendered by the W . M ., ably assisted by Bro . Thorp . Various appointments were made to official positions in the province , and Grand Lodge certificates delivered to brethren . An exceptionally interesting event then ( 00 k place , Bro . Thorp ( in the absence of R . W . Bro . W . Kelly , P . M ., P . P . G . M ., the "father" of the lodge ) presenting a suit ( undress ) of Grand Lodge clothing to the

D . P . G . M ., Bro . Partridge , in complimentary recognilion of the honour conferred by the M . W . G . M ., having appointed him to the rank of P . A . G . D . C . The recipient suitably acknowledged the kindness of the brethren , stating he valued the gift most highly as coming from " his mother lodge , the dear old John of Gaunt , " and was gratified that a further honour had been paid to the province .

A vote of condolence was passed with reference to the somewhat sudden demise of Bro . S . Barfield , only recently appointed S . D ., and correspondence read from brethren in distant parts . There was a large influx of brethren towards the close of the lodge , and afterwards all the visitors were most

hospitably entertained . I he usual Masonic sentiments were agreeably diversified by some excellent harmony and recitations rendered by Bros . W . H . Barrow , Mus . Bac , F . C . O , Prov . CO . ; W . H . Scott , P . P . G . O . Lincolnshire ; A . Page , 1391 ; A . E . Brice , J . D . ; VV . H . Swingler , 20 S 1 ; H . Goodacre Marriott , 202 S ; J . B . Waring , and others .

SOUTHPORT . —Starkie Lodge ( No . 1070 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Saturday , the 10 th inst ., and was opened by Bro . J . H . Barrow , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., assisted by Bros . T . S . Corey , P . M . ; James Hesketh , P . M . ; John Wainwright , P . M . ; James Platt , P . M . ; George Cobham , H . E . Collingworth , and W . Clarke . Visitors : Bros . VV . Platt ,

P . M . 1313 ; John Cobham , P . M . 241 , P . P . G . D . ; Thos . Whitehead , P . M . 241 , P . P . J . CD . ; J . Callow , P . M . 673 , P . P . G . Treas . ; Robt . Foote , P . M . 1505 , P . P . G . Treas . ; Robt . Martin , P . M . 11 S 2 , P . P . G . Treas . ; H . H . Smith , P . M . 1182 , P . P . G . D . C ; P . R . Barrow , Sec . 1570 ; j .

Caldwell , 1570 ; and John C . Robinson , P . M . 249 . After the lodge had been opened , the chair was taken by Bro . John Cobham , P . M . 241 , who proceeded to pass his son ( Bro . George Cobham ) to the Second Degree . After the ceremony had been performed , the lodge was closed , and the brethren sat down to a substantial tea .

SITTINGBOURNE . —St . Michael ' s Lodge ( No . 1273 ) . —The installation meeting of the above flourishing lodge was held at the Town Hall on Thursday , the 8 th inst . The meeting was attended by a large gathering of brethren of the province , and the members present were Bros . Rev . W . H . Bond , W . M ., in the chair ; G . Goble , S . W ., W . M . elect ; Henry Morris , J . W . ; Geo . Payne ,

P . M ., P . P . G . R ., Treas . ; F . J . Seale , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . of C , Sec . ; Laurance Seager , J . D . ; A . J . Lee , D . C ; C Bradley , I . G . ; T . A . Burley and H . Greenstod , Stwds . ; C Bennett , Tyler ; J . M . Goldfinch , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; W . J . Harris , P . M . ; H . G . Sutton , P . M . ; H . Black , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; G . Kennett , P . M . ; Henry Iron , P . M . ; Charles Burley , P . M . 184 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; Wm .

Roots , E . A . Scoones , E . J . Mannion , G . f Pavey , and others . Visitors : Bros . Wm . Iron , P . M ., P . G . S . of W . Middlesex ; W . Y . Comber , P . M . 1592 ; Dr . H . Penfold , P . M ., P . J . G . W . Kent ; T . Wills , P . M . 299 , P . P . G . S . of W . Kent ; A . Spears , P . M . 158 , P . P . G . O . ; N . J . Carpenter , P . M . 158 ; E . Stutely , P . M . 15 S ; G . T . Green , P . M . 158 ; J . Auty , W . M . 158 ; G . Baker , W . M . 503

( who was accompanied by several members of Lodge 503 ) ; S . Varren , P . M . 1 S 4 , P . P . G . P . ; R . J . Fooid , P . M . 503 , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . R . Tolpult , P . P . J . G . D . ; W . H . Drake , P . M . 133 , P . P . G . O . ; R . Rodman , P . M . 133 ; P . Phelps , W . M . 709 ; A . Austen , W . M . ; and H . VV . Kedgley , P . M . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . Rev . W . H . Bond , and the minutes having been unanimously confirmed ,

Bro . G . Goble was presented by the I . P . M ., Bro . H . Iron , to receive at the hands of the Worshi pful Master the benefit of installation , and in due course , and in ancient form , was placed in the chair of K . S . by the Installing Master , Bro . Bond . This part of the ceremony having been efficiently and satisfactorily performed , the W . M ., Bro . Goble , then invested his officers for the year as

follows : Bros . Rev . VV . H . Bond , M . A ., I . P . M . ; H . Morris , S . W . ; L . Seager , J . W . ; G . Payne , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., Treas . ; F . J . Seale , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , Sec . ; C . Bradley , S . D . ; A . J . Lee , J . D . ; H . Greenstod , I . G . ; T . A . Burley , D . C . ; E . A . Scoones , and E . J . Mannion , Stwds . ; and C . Bennett , Tyler . Bro . Bond completed the ceremony by a most careful rendering of the usual addresses ,

and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded him for his services as Installing Master , the mover of the vote remarking that the excellent manner in which the ceremony of installation had been performed was a happy termination of Bro . Bond ' s working during the two years he had so well and worthily occupied the chair . Bro . Bond was presented with a handsome P . M . 's jewel , as a slight

recognition from the brethren of the lodge of his services as Master during the past year , and for which he very suitably returned thanks . Bro . H . Black , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C , efficiently performed the duties of D . C . The W . M . having received congratulations and hearty good wishes from all the brethren , and visiting brethren , the lodge was closed .

The brethren adjourned to the Bull Hotel , when 60 partook of an admirable banquet , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were afterwards given . During the evening a good programme of music was rendered by Bros . Cozens and Bell of London , and the brethren were deeply indepted to Bro . T . W . Page , 299 , for his kindness in singing , Bro . Page giving some songs in admirable style , to the great delight of all present .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

LIVERPOOL . —Fermor Hesketh Lodge ( No . I 350 ) - —The installation of officers in connection with this lodge was held on Monday , the 12 th inst ., in the Masonic Temple , Hope-street , when a fairly large number of members and visiting brethren put in an appearance . Bro . H . Ashton Hill , the retiring W . M ., opened the lodge in the presence of the following officers : Bros . Peter Ashcroft

, I . P . M . ; Dr . A . Samuels , P . M . ; B . Browne , P . M . and Treas . ; J . T . Stowell , P . M . ; C . P . Tilherley , P . M . ; E . King Ellison , S . W . ; F . G . Staedeli , J . W . ; R . Morris Jones . ^ Sec ; Van Gahlen , S . D . ; Chas . C . Robin , l . G . j and Rev . John Stowell , Chaplain . Among the visitors were Bros . W . Goodacre , P . G . Swd . Br . England and Prov . G . Sec ; J . Newell , P . P . S . G . W . 155 ; John C

, Robinson , P . M . 249 ; Dr . F . J . Bailey , P . P . G . D ., P . M . 7 S 5 ; J . R . Bottomley , P . G . Std . Br ., P . M . 1675 ; R . Stirzaker , W . M . 1620 ; James Callow , P . P . G . Treas .-E . Sherwood , I . P . M . 785 ; James P . Bryan , P . P . G . O . ; C Fothergill , P . M . 1264 ; R . Wylie , P . P . G . R . ; VV . H Tyerman , P . M . 7 S 6 ; K . Martin , P . P . G . Treas . ; and I . B . Mackenzie , P . P . S . G . D .

The W . M . elect , Bro . E . King Ellison , S . W ., was presented for installation by Bros . H . B . Browne , P . M . and Treas ., and C . P . Titherley , P . M ., and the ceremony was performed with due efficiency by Bro . Dr . Samuels , P . M ., and subsequently the W . M . invested the following officers for the year : Bros . H . Ashton Hill , I . P . M . ; F . G Staedeli . S . W . ; R . Morris JonesJ . W . ; F . Van Gahlen

, , Sec ; Chas . C Robin , S . D . ; Thos . Coggins , J . D . ; A . F . Thomas , I . G . ; Daniel Connor , Stwd . ; Henry B . Browne , Treas . ; and Rev . John Stowell , Chaplain . Upon the conclusion of the business , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting hall , where a goodly repast was served under the supervision of the house Steward , Bro . J . Casey .

The usual toast list was presented for acceptance and , after "The Health of the reliring W . M . " had been honoured , Bro . E . King Ellison took occasion to present him with a beautiful Past Master ' s jewel ( manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , Liverpool , ) on behalf of the lodge , a present that was suitably acknowledged by Bro . Ashton Hill .

During the evening a capital musical programme was provided , for which the following brethren were resp jnsible Bros . J . P . Bryan , P . P . G . O . ; Eaton Batty , R . N . Hobart ' J . T . Jones , and David Williams . TORQUAY . —Jordan Lodge ( No . 1402 ) . —The annual installation meeting was held on Tuesday , the 13 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , when Bro . Thomas Prust was

installed as W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . J . Lane P . M . The W . M . appointed and invested the following officers : Bros . T . W . Morgan , S . W . ; T . H . Wills J W A . T . Blarney , P . M ., Prov . G . Std ., Chap . ; J . Dodge ! P . M ., P . Prov . G . Treas ., Treas . ; F . S . Hex , LP M Sec ; J . W . McKellar , S . D . ; T . J . Crossman , J . D . ; S Wills , D . C ; T . Brooks , Org . ; C P . WaiteI . G . ; W

, Hersey and J . Taylor , Stwds . ; and J . E . Newton , Tyler . The Treasurer ' s accounts , showing a balance of £ 39 10 s . in favour of the lodge , was received and adopted , and Bro . ' J . Lane , P . M ., was re-elected representative of the lodge on the Committee of Petitions and Charity Steward . Subsequently , at the request of the W . M ., Bro . W . j ' . Hughan , Past S . G . D ., delivered a very able and instructive

address to the members on the importance and great advantage of lodges of instruction . The banquet was held at the Royal Hotel , presided over by the W . M ., Bro . T . Prust , and was numerously attended . After dinner , and before proceeding with the toast list , the W . M . stated that he was aware some of his prede ' cessors had placed wine on the table , but as a teetotaler he

preferred to spend the money in another way , and had therefore much pleasure in handing a cheque for £ 5 5 s . to the Charity Steward . The W . M . then gave "The Queen and the Craft , " alluding to the fact of her Majesty being the daughter and mother of a Grand Master , as well as being related to numerous other members of the Fraternity ; and , after that the

stating Queen was one of the largest contributors to the Masonic Charities in England , quoted her Maiesty ' s reply to an address recently presented to her by Grand Lodge , as follows : — " I receive with great pleasure your loyal and dutiful address on the completion of the fiftieth year of my reign . I have observed that the Society of Freemasons increases in number and prosperity , in proportion as the wealth and prosperity of my Empire increase , and heartil the

I y appreciate efforts which have always distinguished your Society . I heartil y thank you for your devotion to my throne and person . " The next toasts— "The Most Worshi pful the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales " and "The M W the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , the R . ' w ' Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , and the other Grand Officers of England , Present and Past , " —were also well received .

Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . S . G . D . England , in responding tor the latter , drew attention to the Queen ' s reply to the Jubilee address , in which her Majesty alluded to the fact that the Order kept pace with the prosperity of the empire . I hat being so he thought they mi ght congratulate themselves accordingly . In 1737 there were in England and Wales only about 130 lodges , and during that year the 20 th

Prince of Wales was initiated . In 17 S 7 the 22 nd Prince of Wales was initiated , and at that time there were about 350 active lodges in this country . In 1 S 37 there were about 500 , the population being about 15 , 000 , 000 , while at the present time , with a population of about 27 , 000 000 the lodges had increased to over 1500 . There were more Masons in this country now than there were in the whole

world 100 years ago . The Craft was doing a good work everywhere , especially in India , where it was assisting to break down caste , and he thought they all ought to ° be proud of belonging to such a Society , and to do their best to sustain its honour . As a Charity it was spending £ 200 per day in this country , and could consequentl y claim to be in every respect a truly beneficent Society .

"Ihe Worshipful Master , " ably proposed by Bro I Dodge , P . M ., P . P . G . T ., was duly acknowledged by Bro . T . Prust , who expressed his gratification at being elected to the chair of the lodge , and assured them of his intention to do all in his power to promote its prosperity . " The Installing Master " was next proposed by Bro B Knight , P . M ., who highly eulogised the Installing Master on the excellent manner in which he had performed the