Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Bedford , P . G . Chap ., was received with sincere regret . Bros . T . Bucknall , Q . C ., and Capt . H . Rawson were proposed as joining member ' s , and Mr . Liberty as an initiate . All business having been transacted the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . Previous to proceeding with the usual toast list , Bro . H . Hyde Clarke , W . M ., said . the members regarded themselves

as Old Westminsters ' , and always endeavoured to identify themselves with the school . It had been usual , since the foundation of the lodge , to drink the Old Westminster toast— " Floreat "—and it occurred to him that they could not better show and express their connection with the school than by drinking the toast in the cups which they saw before them . He questioned if those cups had ever before been

absent from the school . The principle one was the celebrated Warren Hastings Cup , presented by a number of Old Westminsters serving in India during the Governor-Generalship of Warren Hastings , and the others ' were cups presented to be rowed for by the Queen ' s scholars and town boys . He had much pleasure Tn giving them the Old Westminster toast , " Floreat . "

The loving cup having passed round , " The Oueen and the Craft" and "The Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " were heartily given . Bro . the Earl ot Euston , Prov . G . M . Norths and Hunts , in response to the toast of " The Deputy Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " tendered his hearty thanks for the kind way in which

it had been . proposed , and for the hearty reception g iven it . Many kind things had been said of them respecting the large amount of work they had to do , but he thought Colonel Clerke had really worked very hard , as also had Bro .- Sandeman , in the high Degrees of Freemasonry . He did not think the other Grand Officers had such hard work to do , but such work as there was , was a

labour of love and pleasure to be of assistance to the Craft in general in any shape or form . In a lodge such as the Old Westminsters' , he could say that he was certain that the same love and fraternity pervaded the public schools as they did Freemasonry , and he was sure that old public

school boys would sooner join such a lodge . He congratulated the W . M . on attaining the position , and also on the able manner in which he had been installed . The lodge had a W . M . who would do it credit , and the officers should do their best to back him up , for in their case success would follow in the future .

Bro . T . Wakley , I . P . M ., in proposing " The W . M ., " said he wished he could do full justice to the toast , although in some measure he ought on account of his long and intimate acquaintance with Bro . Hyde Clarke . From those days when they first met at the old school to the present time , they had seen each other constantly and had always been good friends . The members were all well acquainted with

the services the W . M . had rendered to the lodge , and at its formation , when difficulties seemed insuperable , his tact and judgment and great perseverance and hard work were beyond praise . The W . M . now reaped his reward , not only by occupying the chair , but by occupying it under circumstances somewhat different from the Past Masters . The brethren who preceded Bro . Hyde Clarke in the chair had

all been Past Masters and were installed for the second time , but the present W . M . had the high honour of being the first installed Master of the lodge who had not previously passed the chair . They were all convinced that under the W . M . 's mastership they would have a happy and prosperous year , and there was evidence of plenty of work during that time . He would say no more , but venture

to prophecy that the W . M . would prove in the words of the song they had just heard , their " Heart ' s delight . " Bro . H . H . Hyde Clarke , W . M ., said they must all feel , and more especially those who had been through the chair , that it was a difficult thing to respond to the toast of one ' s health for the first time after the installation , and the difficulty was increased that evening on account of the

kindly manner in which it had been proposed by his dear friend and schoolfellow , the I . P . M . Bro . Wakley had made one very true remark , and that was that he ( the W . M . ) would most undoubtedly do his best to do credit to the great honour done him by placing him in the chair . Although that was not his mother lodge , it was one that he took the greatest interest in , as he did in everything connected

with Masonry . He was afraid he was not very distinguished at old Westminsters , but he had one redeeming point , which was that he had been of some assistance in establishing that lodge , and he hoped that fact would redeem some of his past delinquencies . That lodge was established for the purpose of cementing friendship formed at school , and he hoped it would have the desired effect , and that the

longer it lived it would add to that branch of its usefulness . He knew their lodge would always be ready to assist the school in any undertaking , either as a lodge or by the members individually . He would devote his heart and soul to the best interests of the lodge , and relied upon the consideration and kindness of the members to overlook any fault on his part .

Bro . F . beager Hunt , M . P ., P . M . 2030 , on behalf of "The Visitors , " returned thanks for their hospitable reception , and said he felt almost ashamed to respond to the toast , being an Old Westminster , although not a member of the lodge . The pleasure of the visitors had been considerably increased by the fact that they were present to witness the labour of the evening , and he could say , as an old

Mason , that he had never before seen the work so well done , and the ritual of the Craft must have deeply impressed the initiate , on account of the ability with which it was rendered . He thanked the members for allowing them to come there at the commencement of a new year of office , and they tendered their heartfelt wishes to the W . M . that his year might be one of happiness and prosperity , and

that the lodge might not only grow in numbers , but also maintain the traditions of the Craft in general , and of the old school with which it was so closely connected . Bros . Onslow and Woods also replied , after which " The Initiate " was given in cordial terms from the chair , and appropriately acknowledged by Bro . Reid . The W . M . next gave "The Past Masters , " and said they numbered but three , namely , Bros . Tomlinson , M . P .,

Mure , and Wakley , I . P . M ., who were all present . They had all rendered good service to the lodge , and were well known as having also rendered good service to the old school . Bro . Tomlinson had a very difficult task before him , having been the first Worshipful Master , but he had a very successful year , and Bro . Mure was also very successful , and performed the ritual in a manner reflecting the highest credit on Freemasonry and their lodge . They owed a great deal to Bro . Wakley , I . P . M ,, with whom he was

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

associated in the formation of the lodge , for the I . P . M . was a very hard-working brother , and it was a marvel how he found time to advance the interests of the lodge as he did . Bro . T . Wakley , I . P . M ., in the course of his reply , said he had only tried to do what he could for the lodge , in which he took the greatest interest , knowing it would prove a great success if started well . He wished to ask the

members to forgive him if , during the past year , he had seemed to rule the lodge too firmly , but he felt so strongly that everything depended upon the officers , that perhaps he had been a little severe on them , but he had only done what he thought best for the lodge . He wished to thank them for presenting him with the Past Master ' s jewel , which would always be one of his most cherished possessions , and would

serve to remind him of his old school and school fellows , and of a happy year of office as Master of the lodge . The brethren all recognised that the other Past Masters had done good work for the lodge , and would always do the same in the future . He thanked them all for so cordially supporting him during his term as W . M ., and hoped the coming year would be a happy and prosperous one . " The Officers " having been given , and responded to by

Bro . Barker , S . W ., the proceedings , which were of a very pleasant nature throughout , terminated with the Tyler's toast . Bro . Ellis , Org ., rendered valuable service during the evening , and was cordially supported in the musical arrangements by several brethren . Amongst the apologies for non-attendance was one from Bro . Hyde Clarke , an honorary member of the lodge , who was unable to attend on account of indisposition .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BATTLE . AhJbey Lodge ( No . 1184 ) . —A meeting was held on Thursday , the iSth inst ., at the Masonic Hall , when the following were present : Bros . W . A . Raper , W . M . ; J . B . Foster , S . W . ; J . W . 1 ' epper , J . W . ; the Very Rev . E . R . Currie , D . D ., P . M ., P G . C , G . Chap ., Chap . ; H . G . F . Wells , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Treas . ; R . Hughes , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Sec ; D . White , S . D . ; T . VV . Avis ,

J . D . ; VV . T . Jordan , P . M ., D . C . ; F . W . Hotham , I . G . ; J . Fielding , Org . ; W . J . Newman , Tyler ; W . Lamborn , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; B . H . Thorpe , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; W . C . Till , C . Martin , W . E . Skinner , F . G . Ticehurst , J . Chance , G . Smith , J . Hodson , L . F . St . John , and others . The lodge having been opened , a ballot was taken for

Mr . F . E . Towner , and he , being elected , was initiated , the ceremony being very ably performed by the W . M ., with the exception of the charge , which was very satisfactorily given by the S . W . Bro . Currie , G . C , gavea very interesting account of the installation of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale at Reading . All business being ended , the lodge was closed .

CROYDON . George Price Lodge ( No . 2096 ) . —This lodge held its first regular winter meeting at the Greyhound Hotel on Saturday , the 13 th inst ., when there were present Bros . W . G . Goode , W . M . ; J . C . Leaver , J . W . ; H . M . Hobbs , P . M ., Treas . ; J . D . Langton , P . M ., Sec ; E . C Leaver , I . G . ; D . J . Wayte , Stwd . ; F . Cambridge ,

I . P . M . ; J . S . Fraser , P . M . ; F . T . Ridpath , P . M . ; J Jones , N . C . Crew , A . Broad , W . D . Hayward , and E . Ballard . Visitors : Bros . W . J . Day , Sec . 1 790 ; A . J . Fuller , 1790 ; and H . M . Leslie , 1 S 7 . After the minutes had been confirmed , Bro . J . D . Langton , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., was invested as Secretary of the lodge , he having been unavoidably absent from the

installation meeting . Mr . Edward Ballard was initiated into Freemasonry , and after other business Bro . H . M . Hobbs , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., Treas ., gave notice of motion to change the day of meeting from the second to the first Saturday in the month , and another notice of motion for the revision of the by-laws . After the lodge had been closed , the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

At the conclusion of the dinner the W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were duly honoured . "The P . G . M . in charge , Bro . F . West , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was the next toast , and in proposing it the W . M . regretted the absence of Bro . West . The toast was responded to by Bro . F . T . Ridpath , P . M ., P . G . D .

Bro . Cambridge , I . P . M ., then gave " The Health of the W . M ., " which Bro . Goode suitably acknowledged . The toast of "The Past Masters" having been given , and replied to by Bro . Cambridge , I . P . M ., The Worshipful Master gave " The Health of the Initiate , Bro . Ballard , " whom he stated had been known to him for several years , and , from the personal knowledge he

had of him , he was sure that he would be a great acquisition to the lodge . Bro . Ballard , in replying , expressed his pleasure at being present , and stated that having joined Masonry , it would be his endeavour to become proficient in his Masonic duties . The toast of "The Visitors" was given , and Bros . Day , P . M . and Sec . 1790 ; Leslie , and Fuller responded , and all

congratulated the W . M . and officers on the admirable way in which the work of the lodge was performed . The Worshipful Master then gave the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " which was responded to by Bros . Hobbs and Langton .

" The Officers '" toast having been given , that of the Tyler brought the evening to a close . During the toasts , songs were given by Bro . Ridpath , a pianoforte solo by Bro . Crew , and recitations by Bros . Fuller and Day . Bro . Cambridge , P . P . G . Org ., acted as accompanist . HANLEY .

Menturia Lodge ( No . 418 ) . —On the 16 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Bro . W . Hampton was installed W . M . of this lodge for the ensuing year in the presence of about 90 brethren . The ceremony was performed by Bro . J . Robinson , the retiring W . M ., assisted by Bros . W . H . Hales , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . B . Piercy , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Bickley , P . P . J . G . W . ; and Dr . J . S . Crapper , P . P . A . G . D . C The following were appointed the officers for the year : Bros . E . B . Devereux , S . W . ; J . Barlow , J . W . ; Rev . F . E . Waters , Chaplain ; W . H . Hales , Treas . ; D .

Provincial Meetings.

Jones , Sec . ; Edmund Jones , S . D . I ; J . T . Howson , J . D . j W . Tunnicliff , P . G . S . of W ., D . C ; C . F . Baker , Org . ; J . Allerton , I . G . ; T . C Slaneyand S . Salt , Stewards ; and VV . Wood , Tyler . Amongst those present at the lodge or the banquet ,

besides the brethren above-mentioned , were Bros . J . Bromley , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . M . McLeod , SS 4 , P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; R . Tooth , 637 , P . P . G . R . ; T . Ashworth , P . P . G . R . ; F . Brandon , P . P . G . R . ; F . Mountford , 4 60 , P . P . S . G . D . ; G . Pitchford , P . P . J . G . D . ; E . V . Greatbach , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . Ingamells , 4 60 , P . P . LCD .

J . V . Hall , 456 , P . P . G . D . C ; G . T . Clayton , P . P . A . G . D . C Surrey ; Rev . E . D . Boothman , P . P . G . C ; J . Stringer , P . P . G . P . ; F . Weston , gS , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . T . M'Neale , KJ 42 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Charlesworth , P . P . G . S . ; J . Godwin , 9 S , P . P . G . S . ; W . H . Howson , W . M . 2064 ; J . Beardmore , P . M . ; E . Hallam , W . M . 1942 ; Thomas Barker , P . M . 1942 ; Vincent Litchfield , W . M . 1914 ; A . Parker ,

P . M . 456 ; G . H . Tortoishell , W . M . 450 ; W . H . Bamber , W . M . 6 37 ; H . Bonsor , W . M . 460 ; and others . After the lodge had been closed , the brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , where the customary installation banquet was provided by Bro . J . Munro . The Worshipful Master presided , and after dinner proposed " The Queen " and the other toasts which head the list at Masonic festivals .

Bros . J . Charlesworth and Tunnicliff responded on behalf of " The Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Bro . Bromley proposed the toast of "The Masonic Charities , " observing that they all felt pleasure in seeing amongst them Bro . McLeod , the Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and had confidence that the Institution would be well administered .

Bro . McLeod , in responding , thanked the Province of Staffordshire , and especially the brethren of the Menturia Lodge , for the support which they had given him in the election of Secretary fnr the Masonic Institution for Boys . With respect to the Charities , Staffordshire had always stood out prominently in the amount of contributions , and he trusted would ever continue to support them . The three

principal Masonic Charities were all deserving of support . As to the Boys' School , he observed that there had been a cloud hanging over it for some time , but that cloud had been removed , and he appealed to them to support the Boys' School . He also asked , on behalf of himself , that he should have their confidence . There was now a new Board

of Management , which consisted of provincial as well as London members , and he had no doubt whatever that they would bring about an improved state of things in relation to the Schools . Under the present management , while the School was being conducted efficiently , the working expenses had been reduced to the extent of about £ 10 a head per annum .

Bro . Greatbach proposed " The Visiting Brethren , " on whose behalf Bros . Bonsor , R . Tooth , Charles Adams , and W . H . Howson responded . During the evening vocal music was contributed by several of the brethren , and the proceedings were of an enjoyable character .

PLYMOUTH . Charity Lodge ( No . 223 ) . —The members of the above lodge held their annual meeting on the 16 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall . There was a large attendance of brethren , including 41 Past Masters . There were two candidates initiated and three brethren passed . The W . M . elect , Bro . G . Payne , was installed . Bros . W . Stenlake , P .

H . Bndgman , and W . Hannaford were the Installing Officers , assisted by Bro . the Rev .-Dr . Lemon , 189 , P . P . J . G . W ., P . P . G . C . The Board of Installed Masters also included Bros . R . Blight , J . A . Lavers , S . Jew , 105 , P . P . G . Treas . ; W . Powell , P . G . T . ; H . E . Sitters , A . Trout , 1205 ; E . Aitken-Davies , P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . J . Stanbury , P . P . G . D . C . ; S . Panter , G . Vanstone , 1000 ; H .

J . Kitt , P . A . G . P . ; S . Edgcumbe , 105 ; B . S . Johns , P . G . S . B . ; R . Salmon , 159 ; R . Pike , 230 , P . P . G . Org . ; J . Gidley , 2025 , P . G . Stwd . ; F . R . Thomas , 189 ; W . T . Hocking , 70 ; B . Elliott , 1247 ; J- Wallis and W . Henry Crimp , 1255 ; J . Harvey and J . T . Rook , 1847 ; and A . C . Titherley , 1550 . The officers invested were Bros . J . A . Lavers , I . P . M . ; H . RogersS . W . ; I . A . Court ,

, J . W . ; Rev . Dr . Lemon , Chap . ; F . A . Goodyear , Treas . j VV . Hannaford , Sec ; C B . Gale , S . D . ; R . Hannaford , J . D . ; S . W . Sanders , D . C ; W . Biscombe , A . D . C ; C . H . Tozer , Org . ; C H . Soper , Musical Director ; S . Yeomans , I . G . ; J . S . Hannaford , H . Membrey , W . J . Hoare , and W . F . Hodges , Stwds ; and W . H . Phillips , Tyler . Bro . R . Blight was elected the Charity Steward ,

and Bro . W . Browning the representative at the Committee of Petitions . A Past Master ' s jewel was voted to Bro . J . A . Lavers , thel . P . M ., andtheannual banquet was appointed to be held at the Freemasons' Hall on Tuesday , the 13 th prox . Bro . VV . Browning , Secretary of the lodge for 23 years , wrote resigning that office . Ten guineas were voted for a testimonial in recognition of his long and very valuable services .

URMSTON . Urmston Lodge ( No . 1730 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Victoria Hotel , on Monday , the Sth inst . The following were present : Bros . G . A . Myers , W . M . ; J . Bowers , S . W . ; R . Swindells , J . W . ; E . L . Littler , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Treas . ' ; J . H . Marsh , Sec . ; H . H . Smith , S . D . ; W . H . Jolliffe , J . D . ; F . Stretch , D . C . ; I . Walton , iun ., I . G .: G . R .

Lloyd , I . P . M . ; J . Slyman , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; R . Heaton , P . M . ; J . Walton , P . M . ; W . Bowers , M . Jones , G . G . Mends , R . VV . Fowler , J . Artingstall , VV . A . B . Wheeler , J . Plowman , and E . Gittins . Visitors : Bros . J . Sharpies , 2359 ; J . P . Johnson , 1774 ; A . W . Pemberton , 1030 ; W . Smith , 1 S 14 ; E . Armstrong , 3 63 ; T . D . Ballard ; J . Callender , 1052 ; Win . Garner , 1345 ; N . F . Clegg , 1345 ;

N . H . Hammond , 2231 ; C . Hey wood , 1387 ; and James Hopwood . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . G . A . Myers , and the minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for four gentlemen , which proved favourable . The ceremony was performed

respectively by Bros . G . R . Lloyd , P . M . ; J . Slyman , P . P . G . D . j and the W . M . Bro . J . Bowers , S . W ., presented the working tools , and Bro . R . Swindells , J . W ., delivered the charge . Bro . j . Bowers , S . W ., was elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . E . L . Littler , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., was elected Treasurer . Other important business having been transacted , the lodge was closed .