Provincial Meetings.

CHARD . Prudence and Industry Lodge ( No . 1953 ) . —The annual meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall on the nth inst ., when Bro . Francis George England was duly installed as W . M . for the ensuing year . 'The ceremony was most impressively performed by Bro . R . C . Else , P . G . D . England , D . P . G . AI . There was a large number of brethren present from neighbouring lodges ,

including Taunton , llminster , Axminster , & c The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . A . P . Indge , I . P . AL ; A . E . Norrington , S . W . ; VV . Plank , J . W . ; ' E . J . Jarman , Treas . ; L . G . Derrick , Sec . ; Rev . H . K . Law , Chap . ; J . Symes , S . D . ; E . J . Symes , J . D . ; G . Gawler , D . C ; G . B . Toms , I . G . ; T . Bunston , Org . ; H . C . Dening and F . Hill , Stewards ; and J . White , Tyler . Before vacating the chair , the outgoing W . AI ., Bro . A . P . Indge ,

said : I desire to thank the officers and members of the lodge for their very kind assistance to me during my year of office , and 1 wish especially to bear testimony to the most valuable services which have been rendered for the past 10 years by our worthy Secretary , Bro . L . G . Derrick , P . AL , who has never been absent from a regular meeting except through illness . His assistance both to the lodge generally and to every individual member has always been given in a

manner rendering it most acceptable and with such courtesy , and so readily , that we have felt that something more than a mere verbal acknowledgment ought to be made to him in return . At first it was resolved to raise a private subscription towards a suitable present to our worthy brother for his distinguished services , and all the members most readily gave in their names and contributions , and evinced in a very unmistakeable manner their unanimous appreciation of

Bro . Derrick ' s great worth . But we afterwards decided that it would come with better grace if presented by the lodge , and if the cost was defrayed from the lodge funds . This course was ultimately agreed upon , and I have now great pleasure in asking our beloved and illustrious visitor , the D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . C Else , P . G . D . England , to invest our worthy Secretary , Bro . L . G . Derrick , P . AL , P . P . G . D . of C , with this beautiful Past Alaster's jewel , which

contains on the face an exact representation of our lodge banner , with the Chard arms , and on the reverse side the inscription : " Presented to Bro . Louis George Derrick , P . AL , P . P . G . D . C , b y the brethren of Lodge Prudence and Industry , No . 1953 , Chard . Alay , 1 S 92 . " The D . P . G . AI . having added a few most appropriate words , pinned the jewel on Bro . Derrick ' s breast , amid hearty cheers from the brethren assembled . Bro . Derrick , in feeling terms , expressed his thanks . The banquet was held at the George Hotel , where a very pleasant evening was spent .

CHORLTON-CUM-HARDY . Chorlton Lodge ( No . 13 S 7 ) . —The regular meeting was held at the Alasonic Hall , on Thursday , the 12 th inst . Bro . F . S . Bedford , W . AI ., presided . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The W . M . performed the ceremonies of initiation and passing , and Bro . J . J . Lambert , P . P . G . Reg ., that of raising . Bro . Harry Alartyne , S . W ., presented the

working tools in the Second and 1 hird Degrees . 'The following brethren were present : Bros . F . S . Bedford , W . AI . ; F . Renshaw , l . P . M . ; Harry H . Alartyne , S . W . ; J . Travers , J . W . ; J . Chadfield , Treas . ; C . Heywood " , P . G . S . ; J . Wolstenholme , S . D . ; E . Heyman , ) . D . ; T . M . Ferneley , Org . ; E . F . Trevor Smith , I . G . j VV . Richmond , A . Pownall , P . AL ; Sam . Locke , P . M . ; VV . Pollitt , Thos . Shaw , Jos . Romerly , K . Jebara , Alt . Woodburn , VV . Hall , P . AL ; VV . Sutton ,

P . M . ; B . E . Tucker , Thos . Schofie'd , J . J . Lambert , P . P . G . Reg . ; J . Crompton , P . AL ; E . Woodhouse , VV . H . Alilner , James G . Batty , P . AL , and Chas . Hillis . Visitors Bros . Fred . Pratt , 2322 ; VV . Thos . Blease , 1773 ; VV . VV . Wilkinson , 2359 ; E . Kahla , C 33 ; VV . E . Darwin , P . AL ; J . Lettwood , 11 O 1 ; Walter Bowers , Fred . Batty , W . AI . ; Frank Stevens , Fred . Alorgan , John Rains , P . M . ; Edgar Towell , W . AI . 2359 ; G . A . Alyers , P . AI . 1730 , 2359 ; and G . S . Smith . P . AL

COLCHESTER . United Lodge ( No . 6 97 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the nth inst ., at the George Hotel , when Bro . John Howe , S . W ., was installed as W . AI . for the ensuing year . The ceremony was performed by Bro . Col . Somerville llurney , P . G . D . England ( who was one of the founders of the lodge some 34 years ago ) , assisted by Bro . R . Haward Ives , P . M . 51 ,

P . P . A . G . Sec . The officers for the year were appointed and invested as follows : Bros . E . J . Horncastle , l . P . M . ; George J . Booth , S . W . ; George N . Watson , J . W . ; Rev . E . II . Crate , P . M ., P . P . G . C , Chap . ; II . J . Skingley , P . AL , P . P . A . G . D . C , Treas . ; Thomas Rix , P . AL , P . P . G . S . B ., Sec . ; Fred . J . Motum , S . D . ; Robert A . Mann , J . D . ; George A . Eustace , P . AL , P . P . G . Std . Br ., D . C ; Harry K . Baker , Org . ; J . G . Bryan , I . G . ; O . W . J .

Evans , Walter Mayhew , and VV . B . I . i-. new , btwds . ; and Arthur Wright , 'T yler . A letter was read from Bro . Skingley thanking the brethren for re-electing him as their 'Treasurer , and regretting that his health was not sufficiently restored to enable him to be present . The Secretary was directed to express to liro . Skingley the pleasure of the brethren that he was recovering , and the hope that he might be present at the next regular meeting . A hearty vote of

thanks was passed to Bro . Colonel Somervdle Burney for his kindness in attending and performing the ceremony , the W . M ., in proposing the vote , remarking that although Bro . Colonel Burney could not now come amongst them so often as they could wish , yet his name was kept green amongst them , for there were very few meetings of the lodge at which it was not mentioned . Bro . Col . Burney , in acknowledging the vote , said it was with the greatest pleasure that he had

come down to the meeting that day and taken part in their festive gathering . There was , of course , some amount of sadness in looking back to the time when he assisted in the formation of this lodge , nearly 35 years ago , as so many friends had passed away . He believed that , besides himself , there were only two brethren now living who were among the first members of the lodge . Speaking at the dinner which followed , liro . Col . Burney

reverted to this point , and recalled the fact that the Angel Lodge , No . 51 , which was invited to recommend the petition for the United Lodge considered it was not wanted , and a favourable verdict was only arrived at on the casting vole of the W . M . He was glad lo know that the greatest good feeling now prevailed between the two lod ges , an evidence of which was found that night in the presence of the Alaster and several members of Lodge 51 . An excellent dinner was served by Bio . Coupe ,

Provincial Meetings.

CO WES . Medina Lodge ( No . 35 ) . —An important meeting of this old lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the 12 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . T . AI . Taylor , W . AI ., the following brethren , among others , being present ,: Bros . C . ] . Foakes , P . AL ; F . Rutland , P . AL , Org . ; J . Leftwich , P . M ., Stwd . ; G . Day , S . W . ;

G . GotteU , J . W . ; ) . Mursell , P . M ., I . P . AL ; J . C . Airs , P . M ., Sec ; T . VV . Faulkner , P . M ., Treas . ; S . H . Longman , S . D . ; G . Fellows , sen ., J . D . ; H . Barlow , I . G . " ( pro tern . ); T . Perry , Stwd . ; and F . Young , Tyler . The business included the raising of three brethren , the passing of one , and also an initiation . The whole of the ceremonies were most ably performed by the W . M ., who was much complimented thereon . Other important matters affecting the welfare of the lodge , its members , and

Freemasonry in general , having been transacted , the lodge was closed , after which the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where a capital spread was provided by Bros . J . Leftwich , P . M ., and T . Perry , Stwds . The cloth having been cleared and the loyal toasts given and received , the toasts of " The VV . AL , " " The Initiates , " and "The Visitors" were dul y proposed and heartily responded to , and a pleasant and enjoyable evening was spent .

DIDSBURY . Doric Lodge ( No . 2359 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the 14 th inst ., at the Didsbufy Hotel . There was a very large gathering of members and visitors . Bro . C . E . Towell , VV . AL , presided , and opened the lodge . The ballot was taken for two gentlemen , andboth being favourable , they were initiated by

the W . M ., Bro . F . Stretch , S . W ., VV . AL elect , presenting the working tools , and Bro . John Fletcher , J . W ., admirably delivered the charge . Bro . George A . Alyers , P . AL , Sec , performed the ceremony of passing . The W . AI . resuming the chair , the ballot was taken for VV . AL lor the ensuing year , which proved to be unanimous in favour of Bro . Fred . StretchS . W . Bro . A . H . Jefferis , P . AL , P . J . G . W ., was

, unanimously elected Treasurer for the third time . It was proposed by Bro . Towell , W . M ., and seconded by Bro . Smith , I . P . AL , that the sum of 15 guineas be given and equally divided between the West Lancashire Masonic Educational , the Hamer Benevolent , and the Alpass Benevolent Institutions . The following brethren were present : Bros . C . E . Towell ,

W . M . ; G . S . Smith , I . P . AL ; F . Stretch , S . W . ; J . Fletcher , J . W . ; G . A . Alyers , P . AL , Sec . ; A . K . Boothroyd , S . D . ; J . Walker , I . G . ; F . Thomas , Asst . Sec . ; J . Sharpies and J . Ward , Stwds . ; Willie Sharpies , Harry Shuter , R . Fitton , VV . VV . Wilkinson , VV . F . Jepson , R . J .

H . Sayers , J . Laurisch , H . G . Ward , W . H . AIoss , Fred . Alorgan , and I . Lawrenson . Visitors : Bros . R . Andrew , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; A . H . Duffin , P . M . ; A . T . Forrest , P . M . ; J . E . Wilson , P . AL ; S . Diggle , C Shaw , W . Alosley , J . Wilcox , J . W . ; E . Bardsley , VV . Fielding , J . W . ; and J . E . Radford , I . P . AL

KINGSTON-ON-THAMES . Dobie Lodge ( No . 889 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Griffin Hotel , on the iSth instant , when the VV . AL , Bro . A . AI . Levy , was supported b y the following officers : Bros . F . J . Hayward , I . P . AL ; Thos . Long , P . AL , as S . W . ( Bro . Edgell , S . W ., being at the Festival of the Girls' School representing the lodge ); Bond ,

J . W . ; J . Drewett , P . AL , Treas ; VV . Drewett , P . AL , Sec . ; Tom Wilkinson , P . M ., S . D . -, C . Gardiner , J . D . ; Edgell Westmacott , D . C ; A . E . White , I . G . ; Chapman , P . AL ; Weaver , P . AI . ; and others , Bros . A . E . Page , VVatkin , and Gatcombe ( an initiate of the Abbey Lodge , No . 20311 , and passed here by request ) were candidates for the Degree of Fellow Craft ,

which was duly conferred upon them . The ballot having proved unanimous in favour of Air . F . Sands , he was initiated by the VV . AL , the working all round being very neatl y done . The sum of 10 guineas was voted to Bro . Edgeil ' s list for the Girls' School Festival , making the second such grant this year for the Charities . As the lodge had not possessed a Charity box , Bro . Gaze offered one to the VV . AL for his acceptance , and the brethren resolved

that it should be put into use . Business over , the brethren partook of supper , and with the help of Bro . Packington , 1793 , a pleasant musical evening was spent . The visitors included Bros , the Rev . J . Baker , P . P . G . C ; G . Clarke , P . AL 1950 ; A . Trunnel , P . AI . 22 S ; A . E . Gatcombe , 2030 ; Douglas Ridley , 214 G ; Purchase , 177 ; T . F . Charlton , 1 S 72 ; R . E . Gilinour , J . D . 1950 ; II . VV . Bates , 214 C ; J Cottcrell , 2024 ; and E . J . Packington , 1703 . LEEDS .

Prudence Lodge ( No . 2 ob " y ) . —On Saturday , the 14 th inst ., the usual monthly mee ingot this increasingly prosperous lodge took place at the Alasonic Hall , Great George-street . More than usual interest centred in the gathering from the fact that two esteemed members had just had conferred upon them high rank- in the province ,

and at this the first meeting since the well-deserved honour had been given to them by the provincial authorities , it was decided in a formal manner to mark the lodge ' s sense of satisfaction in an event in which every brother rejoiced . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . Tom Atkinson , and his first duty thereafter was to receive with the honours due to their rank the members of Provincial Grand Lodge

who had been able to accept invitations to be present . These included Bros . Henry Smith , P . G . D ., acting Prov . G . AL ; VV . F . Smithson , P . G . D ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Alatthewman , Prov . A . G . Sec ; Dr . Spark , P . P . G . Org . ; C , Letch Alason , P . P . G . Treas . ; and others . The Worshi pful Alasters of the seven sister lodges had been invited , but at the last moment only Bros . Norminton , W . AI . 304 ;

Wedderspoon , VV . AL 30 G ; and Ihorpe , VV . AL 1042 , were able to be present . Amongst a long list of visitors were Bros . Peterson , W . M ., and Last , J . W ., of 2321 , and many others . The two brethren to whom it was intended to do special honour were then escorted into the lodge by the I . P . AL , Bro . Fret well , and the Deacons , Bios . Smithson

and Abbott , hirst to enter was Bro . Dr . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., LL . D ., P . AL , Past G . Chap ., Prov . S . G . W ., who was followed b y Bro . 'Tudor Trevor , P . M ., Prov . G . D . C . As a token of sincere admiration of their talents and of appreciation of the work they have done both for Lod ge Prudence and the Craft , these two much esteemed brethren having

Provincial Meetings.

been saluted , were congratulated upon | the signal honour which had been conferred upon them . Bro . Dr . Smyth in the course of along and interesting address , said that ' he felt deeply grateful for the kindness the brethren had shown to him on that interesting occasion . His Masonic career extending over 49 years—for if he were spared till next yearhe should celebrate his Alasonic Jubilee—very much

resembled the checkered pavement of a ^ Freemasons' lod . i- . When he commenced his Alasonic life in 1 S 43 he worked ! his way forward in his mother lodge from I . G . to S . VV . He then received his appointment as Army Chaplain to India , and soon after arriving in that country he was made W . M . of the lodge he at once joined . He was the founder of a lodge in Mysore and had the distinguished honour of

being twice elected its W . M . Then came his time of trial . Everything had been delightful up to then , but a renegade Alason , a cultured man occupying a good position then commenced a series of bitter and virulent attacks in consequence of seeing a sermon which he ( Dr . Smyth ) had preached at the consecration of a lodge , and which by special request had been published . It was utterly lm .

possible for him to permit the imputations made against the beloved Order to pass unanswered . They could hardly imagine the interest the controversy created throughout the length and breadth of India , and the whole of Societ y run " with the newspaper war which was waged in consequence " Many of the clergy were enlisted into the attacks made upon him for being a Freemason , which it was said it

was disgraceful for a clergyman to be , seeing that according to this renegade Freemason , the object of the Order was to set aside the great head of Christianit y , and in fact to substitute itself for religion . He sent the offending sermon to the Bishop of Calcutta , who , in reply , wrote a flattering letter of sympathy and support , a letter which strengthened and supported him in the trying ordeal through

which he was passing . In the result the Order flourished in Bengal in a wonderful manner . Afterwards Dr . Smyth went to Singapore and spent there most happy years , bein " Deputy District G . M ., and , during the absence of his chief , having for a time to rule over that district . Then he came to Leeds , and once again he had to undergo persecution on account of being a Freemason . At that time he was the

only clerical Alason in Leeds , but happily that state of things had passed away , and he was glad to know that the clergy were joining the Order in increasing numbers , with advantage both to themselves and to the Craft . Then in due course he joined Lodge Prudence , being one of its founders and its second W . AI . 'Though no longer young , he thanked God he felt that he had still power left to work

for the good of the Order , and he should not cease to do so to his latest hour . The W . M ., Bro . Tom Atkinson , said : Brethren , —as a mark of esteem to Bro . Trevor , and to mark the distinguished honour which has been so worthil y conferred upon him by Provincial Grand Lodge , who has made him Director of Ceremonies for the province , we have decided to present him with the clothing appertaining to his

rank . From letters I have received from various quarters , it is clear that all agree that the honour has been worthilv conferred . No brother in Lodge Prudence has done more to advance its interests and to secure its prosperity than he has , and it is our earnest united prayer that he may long be spared to enjoy the honour which has fallen to him . We trust that the day is far distant

when his place amongst us will be vacated . Bro . Charles Letch Mason , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas ., who was called upon to make the presentation , said : We have thought it right to mark our esteem for Bro . Trevor by presenting him with his provincial clothing , and this I take it is proof that we heartily thank the Provincial Grand Alaster and the Acting Provincial Grand Alaster for the choice they

have made of Director of Ceremonies . 1 think that it is unique that two brethren of the same lodge should have been selected for such important positions in the province ab Bros . Dr . Smyth and Trevor have been selected . Our thanks are especially due to those whose good offices have secured such honour to our lodge . Dr . Smyth is a veteran Alason ; his labours on behalf of the Order have not been

confined to England , but in India his work has borne good fruit , and every brother who knows him rejoices in this further mark of esteem and regard of which he has been the worthy recipient . As to Bro . Trevor , 1 may say that the formation of the lodge was almost entirely due to him . He took the initiative ; it was his idea , and his labours ever since have been both abundant and successful . The occasion

of his taking Grand rank is then a fitting opportunity for us to show our gratitude and affection towards him . Prudence Lodge has made steady progress , and we may well congratulate ourselves upon the position we now hold in this province . Every brother in the lodge who has heard of this presentation has subscribed spontaneously ; it is a freewill offering of all the brethren , and no better proof could

be given of our affection towards our dear brother . I he Acting Provincial Grand Alaster then , by desire of the brethren , invested Bro . Trevor with the handsome full dress clothing of his rank , the undress clothing being also handed over to him . Bro . Smith , in performing this pleasing duty , said how glad he was to be present to witness the unanimous feelingof approval which Bro . Trevor ' s appointment had met

with . He hoped Bro . Trevor would long be spared to be an ornament to the Craft and of service to Provincial Grand Lodge . Bro . Trevor , P . M ., Prov . G . D . C , who was cordially received , responded in feeling terms . He said : I hope you will believe me that I am uttering no mere lis ' of speech when I say that the proceedings of to-day will be counted amongst the happiest moments of my Masonic hie . to

My Alasonic career ought to have been a successful one , it was opened in the Lodge of Truth , Bombay , and has Ix * ' matured in Prudence in Leeds . It is a happy moment I " me to know that I am the recipient of this handsome beewill offering of your affection and regard . I speak tn words of truth when 1 say that 1 am utterly unable to express in anything like adequate language my feelings 0

the present occasion . I hope you will believe that I s | ' <¦ . the words of sincerity when / tell you that I shall ever low upon this handsome present as a lasting souvenir ol yo fraternal regard and affectionate esteem . The VV . AL ' raised Bro . Appleyard to the Sublime Degree , the « ' 0 being so admirably done in every detail as to receive hearty encomiums of all who were present .

Subsequently the banquet was partaken of by a I » number of brethren , and with speech and song the eve » passed pleasantly away . . . , j It may be stated that this flourishing lodge has JII > ' ^ granted to it a charter for a Royal Arch chapter , " ' sall , c shortly be consecrated and carried on upon the temperance principles as distinguish the mother lodge .