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" Hearty good wishes " were expressed and the lodge was closed in due form and adjourned . After the dinner which tollowed the Worshipful Master proceeded to give the usual loyal and Masonic toasts in his own happy style . The toast of " The Visitors " was received by the brethren of thc lodge with enthusiasm . Each visitor was

called upon to respond in turn , and , while this may be often deemed undesirable , it placed each brother on his mettle to say something fresh , and in the result subjects were touched upon which are not often so happily referred to as on this occasion . All expressed their thanks for the great hospitality and kindness of the brethren of the lodge , and also admiration of the working of the officers .

Bro . Williams said that he had never entered a lodge room more perfect in its appointments , and of which the embellishments were in such perfect taste . 1 Bro . J . Hammond , S . W ., in responding for " The Masonic Charities , " referred to the support already given by the members of the lodge on the occasion of the W . M . going up as a Steward at the last festival of the Royal

Masonic Institution for Boys , which was so creditable , but a few months having passed since the consecration of the lodge . As he ( Bro . Hammond ) hoped to represent the lodge as its Steward at the next festival of the "Old Folks , " he trusted to be as well supported by the brethren as the W . M . had been this year . Thetother toasts— " The Acting I . P . M ., " " The Treasurer

and Secretary , " and "lhe Officers "—were duly proposed and responded to , and the Tyler's toast brought a most pleasant meeting to a close . During the evening some beautiful music , consisting of songs , vocal duets , glees , and part songs , was excellently rendered by the following brethren : Bros . Cranch , Crofts , Johnston , Simons , G . J . Tear , and G . H . W . Tear , the latter brother most efficiently acting as accompanyist .

HASTINGS . —Derwent Lodge ( No . 40 ) . —This old established lodge held its regular meeting on the 12 th inst ., at the Castle Hotel , when Bro . Captain E . W . I . Hennah , I . P . M ., presided ( in the absence of the VV . M ., Bro . J . Pearce ) , supported by the following officers and brethren : Bros . ) ,. Hirst , P . P . G . D . Herefordshire , P . M . -13 S , acting S . W . ; J . Plowman , J . W . ; G . F . Wood

Sec ; V . Rossiter , P . M ., D . C , Treas . ; F . H . Hallett , S . D . ; H . F . Crossthwaite , J . D . ; F . H . Hallett , Org . ; T . Markwick , I . G . ; Leslie , Tyler ; Thomas Trollope , M . D ., P . P . G . S . W ., P . M . 40 , 1 S 20 , 1 S 42 ; F . Duke , J . Bray , H . Gloyns , T . H . Case , W . S . Allen , and A . Bray . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Arthur Bray was most ably passed to the Second Degree by the I . P . M ., Bro . Hennah . No

further business being before the lodge it was closed accordingly . ¦ SUNDERLAND . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 80 ) . —At the regular meeting of this lodge , which was held in the Masonic Hall , Park-terrace , on Tuesday , the 13 th inst ., Bro . R . de Clare Yeld , W . M ., presiding , Bro . J . E . Nelson , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . T . Elwen , P . M ., was unanimously

re-electedTreasurer . SOUTH SHIELDS . —St . Hilda Lodge ( No . 240 ) . —On Tuesday , the 12 th inst ., the election meeting of the members of this lodge was held in the Freemasons ' Hall , Fowler-street , when there was a very numerous attendance of brethren and visitors . The lodge was opened in due form by the W . M ., Bro . J . H . Thompson ,

assisted by Bros . Thos . Potter , acting I . P . M . ; J . H . Morton , P . M ., acting S . W . ; Geo . Robson , J . W . ; and other officers ; and on the dais were Bros . Edward Afarston , W . M . 1676 ; T . G . Mabane , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D ., D . of C . ( Mayor of South Shields ); T . Coulson , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D ., I . P . M . 1970 ; Wm . Davidson , W . M . 1970 ; J . J . Abbey , P . M . ; I . S . Wilson , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of W . j J . T .

Wilson , P . M . ; and others . After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , Bro . Graham was raised to the Degree of F . C . by the W . M ., who also gave the charge . The working tools were given by Bro . Robson , J . W . The brethren then proceeded to the election of the Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , when Bro . Thomas Binks , S . W ., was

duly elected . Bro . John Hinde , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D ., was re-elected Treasurer ; Ero . John Brown was re-elected Tyler ; and Bros . R . Purvis , T . W . Clarke , sen ., and Adam Hope were appointed as Auditors for the year . The Worshipful Master then read a letter from Bro . Binks , S . W ., stating he had had a bonafide offer to purchase the present Masonic Hall , which from the noisy

character of the street and want of adequate convenience had become unsuitable for the purposes of the brethren , and on the motion of the W . M . it was agreed to call a special meeting of the lodge for Monday last to consider the offer , and if accepted to authorise the Trustees to dispose of the building . On the motion of the W . M ., seconded by Bro . I . H . Morton , P . M ., it was resolved that

the W . M ., his Wardens , and the P . Ms , be a committee to carry out the above resolution and select a site for a new Masonic Hall . The Worshipful Master afterwards in a graceful speech moved that the hearty congratulations be given to Bro . T . G . Mabane , P . M ., & c , on his having been elected to the honourable position of Mayor of the borough of South Shields and to wish him health and happiness during his

term of office . Bro . J . H . Morton , P . M ., seconded the motion in a felicitous speech , and it was carried with loud acclamations . Bro . T . G . Mabane , P . M ., & c , suitably responded , saying he felt proud of the confidence and esteem his fellow townsmen had shown him in doing him the honour of electing him chief magistrate and mayor of his native town .

The brethren then adjourned to refreshments , when the usual Masonic toasts were proposed . The Worshipful Master proposed "The Health of the W . M . elect" in a eulogistic address , and the toast was received with great applause . Bros . Thomas Binks , S . W ., responded in feeling terms and trusted he would at the term of his office hand down his insignia as unsullied as it had been by his predecessors , A pleasant evening was spent .

BANBURY . — Cherwell Lodge ( No . 599 ) — Opening of the New Masonic Hall . —The new home of the above lodge , the foundation-stone of which was laid on November 17 th last year , by H . R . H . Prince Leopold , Duke of Albany , K . G ., & c , P . G . W . England ,

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Prov . G . M . of Oxfordshire , was used for the first time at the regular meeting of the lodge which took place on Monday , the 12 th inst ., upon which occasion Bro . Reginald Bird , M . A ., P . G . D . of England , Deputy Prov . Grand Master of Oxfordshire , and other distinguished brethren were present . The lodge was opened in due form and the minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the

ballot was taken for Mr . Stephen Hood , and Mr . Mark Nathan , both _ of whom were unanimously elected . The ceremony of initiation was performed in its usually able manner by theW . M ., Bro . J . S . Palmer , P . M . sggand 13 S 9 , Prov . G . J . VV . Oxfordshire , assisted by the following officers Bros . Samman , Prov . G . P ., S . VV . ; Wells , P . P . G . P ., J . W . ; Yeoman , Chap . ; Potts , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., Treas . ; Hartley , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W ., Sec ; Ellis , P . M .,

P . P . G . S . D ., S . D . ; Kimberley , J . D . ; and Cowper , I . G . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master then took the chair , and after a few appropriate remarks , in which he congratulated the brethren upon having such a beautiful building , returned the gavel to the W . M . In doing so he paid him a very graceful compliment , and said that by the impressive and admirable manner in which he had performed the initiation

ceremony , he had set a bright example to all future Masters of the Cherwell Lodge . During the evening letters were read from the Right Hon . the Earl of Jersey , P . G . W . England ; Bro . Pickard , P . G . C . England ; and F . P . Morrell , P . G . D . England ; all of whom take the greatest interest , but who , unfortunately , were unable to be present on this occasion .

The brethren adjourned to the Red Lion Hotel , and sat down to an excellent banquet , which had been provided by Bro . Johnson for the occasion . The Worshipful Master presided , and one of the most agreeable features of the evening was the happy and appropriate manner in which he gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . In proposing the toast of "H . R . H . Prince Leopold , Prov . Grand Master Oxfordshire , " he said that they were

all proud of their Provincial Grand Master . They were proud of him not only on account of his high social rank , but because they had reason to believe that his Masonic abilities were quite equal to those ot any other Provincial Grand Master in this country . He took great interest in Freemasonry , more especially in the Province of Oxfordshire , and he had lately shown them that he took a great interest in the Cherwell Lodge , for he

had been graciously pleased to come down and lay the foundation-stone of that hall in which they had all had the pleasure of meeting together that day for the first time . They were very pleased to see his Royal Highness amongst them upon all occasions , but they ought to remember that owing to the multifarious duties of his high station , his time was not always his own . He reminded them , however , that they always had with them a D . P .

G . M . of great Masonic experience , a brother who not only watched sharply over the interests of the province as a whole , but who took the deepest interest in the welfare of every individual lodge . He asked them to give that toast the most enthusiastic welcome in their power , for he knew no brother who , from his genial disposition , better enjoyed a Masonic banquet and the society of his brother Masons , especially when they happened to be sheep of his own

flock , than did Bro . Bird . The D . P . G . M . must have been highly gratified with the rounds of applause that greeted him when he rose to reply . The D . P . G . M ., then proposed "The Health of the W . M ,, " and in doing so again alluded to his work in the highest terms of praise and warmly congratulated him upon the able manner in which he managed the business of the lodge .

' 1 he Worthipful Master then proposed " The Health of the Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge , " and took the opportunity of impressing upon the brethren how deeply indebted they were to Bro . Potts , P . M ., Treas ., and Bro . Hartley , P . M ., Sec , for the excellent manner in which they performed their duties , and the deep interest they always took in everything pertaining to the welfare of the lodge .

The hearty and enthusiastic manner in which these toasts were received proved to the W . M ., Bro . Potts , and Bro . Hartley how thoroughly and fully their services to the Cherwell Lodge were appreciated . At the conclusion of the toast list , which , owing to the special occasion , was a lengthy one , the brethren separated , after having been present at one of the most pleasant and brilliant gatherings ever held in connection with the Cherwell Lodge .

DERBY . —Arboretum Lodge ( No . 731 ) . —This lodge held an emergency meeting on Thursday , the Sth inst . The only business set forth on the circular being"A lecture , by Bro . James Stevens , P . M ., P . Z ., London , explanatory of the rituals and ceremonies ot the First Degree . " Lodge was called for six p . m ., at the Masonic Hall , and was opened by thc W . M . The following brethren , amongst others , were present : Bros . I . Bland ,

VV . M . ; C . Webster , S . W . ; Jas . Copestick , J . W . ; Edgar Home , S . D . ; J . Woodiwiss , jun ., J . D . ; J . W . Brigg , Org . ; Thos . Day , D . of C ; S . Taylor , I . G . ; John Walker , Steward ; E . Holden , Tyler ; G . T . Wright , P . M . ; H . Merry , P . M . ; J . Brown , P . M . ; A . Frazer , P . M . ; VV . Whittaker , Treas ., P . M . ; J . J . Melrose , VV . Knight , J . Ascott , and others . The visitors were Bros . E . R . Ward , P . M . 253 , * A . Ogden , 787 ; E . Belfield .

W . M . S 02 ; W . Butterfield , W . M . ; C . D . Hart , S . W . 1085 ; and James Stevens , 720 , 121 G , 1426 , P . M ., P . Z . The acting Secretary read the circular convening the emergency meeting . After which the W . M ., in a few words introduced Bro . Stevens to the brethren assembled , and called upon him to proceed with his lecture . Judging by the close attention paid to the lecturer it was evident the visitors and brethren of the lodge were deeply

interested , and all seemed surprised that thc time had sped so quickly when Bro . Stevens brought his admirable lecture to a close . The Senior Past Master , Bro . G . T . Wright , on rising to propose a vote of thanks to Bro . Stevens expressed the great gratification he had received , and he had no doubt the brethren of the Arboretum Lodge would take heed of the various differences and discrepancies which had

been pointed out by the lecturer , and adopt such alterations as might be deemed the best . He was glad , however , to note that their working ran very closely to that which had been so ably explained by Bvo . Stevens . The proposition was seconded by Bro . John Brown , P . M ., who as Preceptor of the lodge of instruction said he had no doubt the brethren would discuss the various differences at the next meeting of that lodge . The W . M . sup .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

ported the vote of thanks , which on being put was carried unanimously . Bro . Stevens in reply assured the W . M . and brethren of the pleasure it had given him to meetso prosperous a lodge as 731 , and to deliver his lecture at Derby . He thought that clever and distinguished as the London brethien might be , and were , some of them might learn useful lessons b

y visiting provincial lodges . " _ Refreshment followed labour , and the Worshipful Master in rising to give the first toast , thought itadvisable to depart rom . the usual custom , and announced that a formal toast list would be dispensed with . He therefore gave " The yucen and the Craft , " and in a few words " The health of their distinguished Visitor , Bro . James Stevens , " which ^^ su'tab ' y responded to . The only other toasts were The

, VV . M . 'by Bro . Stevens ; and " The Visitors » by Bro . W . . Vhittaker , P . M ., Treas . ; to which the VV . M . briefly replied , as did also Bros . E . R . Ward , P . M . " 53 , and Ogden , 7 S 7 . There being a large number of musical brethren present a most enjoyable evening was spent , Bro . Stevens causing great pleasure by reciting "The Three Great Lights , " and "The Level and the Square . " The brethren then separated well satisfied with the entire proceedings .

RICHMOND . —Rose of Denmark Lodge ( No . 975 ) . —The installation meeting of this prosperous lodge was held on the 16 th inst ., at the Greyhound Hotel , when Bro . Edward Ayling , the W . M ., installed his successor , Bro . Moreton Graham , who while occupying the J . VV . chair had been elected by the brethren to be the VV . M . of the lodge . Bro . Ayling opened the lodge , when the

tormal business ot reading the minutes of the previous meeting and receiving the report of the Audit Committee was quickly disposed of . The ballot was then taken and was found to be unanimous in favour of the admission , as initiates , of Messrs . Frederick Walter Walden and Walter Hubble . Bro . Moreton Graham was then presented as the Master elect to the W . M . for the benefit of installation .

whereupon Bro . Ayling addressed the brethren present in the lodge , and obligated Bro . Graham after the latter had given his assent to the ancient charges from the Book o Constitutions . The lodge was cleared of all but Installed Masters terming a board , in whose presence the VV . M . installed Bro . Graham into the chair of K . S . according to ancient rite . The members of the board having saluted and the

congratulated new Master the board was closed and the other brethren re-admitted , when Bro . Moreton Graham was proclaimed and saluted in the Three Degrees . The newly installed VV . M . then proceeded to invest his officers , reciting to each his duties and adding a few kindly words of congratulation . The following is the list of officers for the year : Bros .

Moreton Graham , VV . M . ; Edward Ayling , I . P . M . ; Wm . S ' . V ^ " * ' *\ ; J ! ohn Brown > J * * - James Garnar , P . M ., Treas . ; John Noble , P . M ., Sec ; George Bugler , S . D . ; Charles M . Campbell , J . D . ; Richard C . Monk , I . G . j John Plowman , D . C . j Johnston Graham , W . S . j Sydney S . Fogden and Chas . J . F . Shannaw , Asst . Stwds . * , , J . , 'P ert- 1 yler . In investing Bro . Gilbert with the ller collar the

ys Worshipful Master said it gave him great pleasure to reinvest so old an officer , remarking to thebrethren that this was the eighteenth time that Bro . Gilbert had been invested Tyler of the Rose of Denmark Lodge . The ceremony was brought to a close by Bro . Ayling delivering in a very perfect and impressive manner the three address to the VV . M ., the Wardens , and the

bre-\ xf e , 1 aL ' ? £ - , * Frederick W . Walden and Mr . Walter Hubble , the two candidates who had been balloted for and approved , were then introduced and were initiated by the newly-installed W . M . into the First Degree in Freemasonry . The working in this lodge leaves nothing to be desired . Both the I . P . M ., Bra . Ayting , and the new Master , Bro . Moreton Graham are perfect in their

, working , and were and are admirably supported by their respective officers . Bro . James Garnar , P . M ., Treas ., announced that their W . M ., Bro . Graham , had consented to go up as a Steward for the lodge to the Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and he proposed thata sum of 10 guineas should be voted from the lodge funds to be placed on the W . M . ' s listand at the same

, time he expressed the hope that the brethren individually would do their best to make Bro . Graham ' s stewardship a very successful one . The proposition was seconded by Bro . Noble , P . M . and Secretary , and was carried unanimously . The Worshipful Master thanked the brethren for supporting his list , and there being no further business on the agenda paper the lodge was then closed in due form .

I he brethren subsequentl y dined together in the Masonic Temple attached to the hotel . There was a very latere gathering , considerably more than a hundred sitting down D ° r - ' £ r- Among l ! i P resent were Bros . Edwin Gilbert , P . M ., Treas . 1326 , Prov . G . Steward Middlesex ; H . G Buss , Asst . G . Sec . ; Lee , P . M . ; James Terry , P . G . o . W . Herts , bee . Roval Masomr R ^ nr-vnloni- in . tif ..-.- .

r & A , V 97 / ' Kl ? ' $ ' Purst * Suffolk ; John Feather-Wi ' * ' ' & ; i c ^ &> W * * Bachelor , f . 'f . " ^ V Y" fe' - ' 3 5 J- Addington , S . W W ' . ' , Tayl 0 r * W * M * 1624 ; Walter Bock , 1558 ; F . W . Clayton , 155 S ; Thos . Locke , S . W . 1347 ; VV . C . r ° w ' TZ W " M - Le 7 > * ° ; C . Gooding , 1329 C . W . Thompson , 1 G 9 ; / . Greemvay , 12 G 0 ; lloht . D Crane , 642 ; E . M . Lander ; J . Roberts , G ; Egbert Roberts , 1 G 23 ; E . H . Boefr , 12 , 0 : HenrV HewetK

Hf ™ ' pv ; -5 ; r 5 , 36 ° * J'C Ireland , 16 5 6 ; Alfred Harvey , 19 G 3 ; I * . Morton , S 20 ; Thos . Butt , P . M . 700 ; FA , * * Lrf f » ' 5 rH J *^ " ? ith ; H . Sopsworth , 1656 ; Aft ^ t ? ' ? ° - an , * C * Massey ( Freemason ) . Alter the conclusion of dinner the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed by the Worshipful Master and duly recognised by the brethren . The first in order was . of

M W r M HHS U" _ ^ - e Cra t ' " and the second " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " vn » " S to propose "The Health of the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G . M . ; the Earl of Lathom , Deputy G . M . ; and Wo ^ - f ° i ^ l Gran ? J 0 . fficers ' PnsSent «* Past " the Worshipful Master said that many of the brethren present C 7 , ' ? 5 lmself ' privilege and pleasure of attending Urand Lodge , and seeing the excellent wav in whirl , th «

Zliu fe various offices were carried out . He , for one , was thoroughly satisfied with the working in Grand Lodge and the manner in which the several matters that came before it were adjudicated upon . This evening they were Wr ! "M" TW 0 f Br 0 * Buss * Assi ** nt Grand £ ffl ^ i ^ ftSJS 3 t ? fc ooupto hisname with the