Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

of the Iodge and its excellent and esteemed Master . On the motion of Bro . Butt , a Benevolent Fund was formed in connection with the lodge , and it was further resolved to hold the winter banquet in January next . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren partook of refreshments , and , on reassembling round thesocial board , passed an hour or two in harmony and social converse , the usual loyal , Grand Lodge , and lodge toasts being duly honoured .

GUILDFORD . —Royal Alfred Lodge ( No . 777 ) . —A meeting of this Iodge was held on Thursday , thc 19 th inst ., at the ' Angel Hotel , when there were present Bros . } . C . Collier , VV . M . ; W . E . White , S . W . ; J . H . Thomson , J . VV . ; H . F . Day , P . M ., Treas . ; ] . W .-M . Piggott , P . M ., Sec . ; H . L . de Montmorency , S . D . ; W . R . PulmanJ . D . ; Edwards , l . G . ; P . M . ' s Charles Belton ,

, P . P . G . D ., I . P . M . ; E . Drewett , W . Wells , and T . White . Visitors : Bros . F . Davison , P . G . D . ; Edwin Lott , G . Org . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W . Greece , P . G . Stwd . Scotland , and Tremere . The lodge having been opened according to ancient custom by the W . M ., and the minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , Bro . Charles Belton , P . P . G . D ., the

I . P . M ., passed Bro . Tucker to the Degree of a Fellow Craft , and afterwards initiated Mr . Arthur J . Newman , both ceremonies being performed to the great satisfaction of the members and visitors . The lodge being then closed by the VV . M . in ancient form , the brethren proceeded to the banquet , after which Bro . Edwin Lott , G . Org ., and Bro . Tremere greatlyadded to the harmony of the evening by their musical talent .

CANTERBURY . —St . Augustine ' s Lodge ( No . 972 ) . —On VVednesday , the iSth inst ., at the Masonic Temple , Bro . William Plant was installed VV . M . of this lodge for the ensuing year . Bro . S . F . Pringuer , P . M ., performed the ceremony , and the W . M . appointed his officers as follows : Bros . W . Price , I . P . M . ; S . Newman , S . W . ; R . Westwood , J . W . ; G . Pilcher , P . M ., Treasurer ; S .

Pringuer , P . M ., Sec ; H . Pringuer , S , D . ; G . Smith , J . D . ; J , Welsh , P . M ., D . C . ; A . H . Pilcher , I . G . ; VV . Ladd and T . Easton , Stwds . ; R . Blake , M . P ., Tyler ; T . Crump , P . M . ; J . Welsh , P . M . ; George Cox , P . M . ; Joseph Plant , P . M , ; John Allen , P . M . ; Robert Ewell , Ed . Mills , Geo . E . Tourney , C . Richardson , F . R . Young , E . A . C Larkin , E . Plume , P . M . ; H . Claris , J . S .

White , and Ed . Ayre . The visitors on this occasion , who were numerous , included Bros . T . M . Bentom , P . M . 521 ; E . Cockersell , S . W . 1449 ; A . Develin , j . W . 1449 ; T . Hearn , W . M . 199 ; C F . Wacher , VV . M . 2099 , P . G . S . D . ; E . G . Walthew , Sec . 1915 ; G . Barton , I . P . M . 1915 ; H . T . Naylor , P . M . 1449 , P . G . S . B . ; J . T . T . Reeves , P . P . G . A . D . C , IOIS ; W . H . Dibbin , 622 ; W . H .

Longhurst , P . M . 31 ; A . W . Anderson , 1 449 ; W . Ashenden , 31 ; VV . D . Young , W . M . 31 ; Montague , P . M . 743 ; Tomblings , J . D . 1449 ; Martin , 1440 ; Hire , W . M . 125 ; Syree , P . M . 709 ; H . Ward , P . M . 31 , P . G . J . W . ; ti . Anderson , 1449 ; and V . S . Vickers , P . G . C , 199 . After the ceremony the brethren adjourned to the Royal Fountain Hotel , were a most sumptuous banquet was partaken of .

LEVENSHULME . —Alexandra Lodge ( No . 993 ) . —The monthly meetingof the above lodge was held on Friday , the 20 th inst ., lat the Midway Hotel . After minutes of last regularjmeeting were read and confirmed , Bro . T . P . Nelson , I . P . M ., assumed the chair , and initiated into Freemasonry Mr . Samuel Lord . Bro . Joseph C . Rhodes was next passed to the Second Degree by Bro . George Howe ,

W . M . ; and Bro . A . O . Leeson was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason by Bro . Capt . Allison , P . M . Bro . C . D . Cheetham , junr ., the S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M ., amid the hearty applause of all the brethren . The next business was to appoint Treasurer ; and this

office was unanimously voted to Bro . W . T . Allitt , Secretary . A Charity Representative was then elected , the choice falling upon the VV . M . elect , who had held this office for some years . Bro . Capt . Nicholl , P . M ., P . Z ., was re-elected Tyler , and the brethren then retired to their well-earned repast . the remainder of the evening being spent in harmony .

READING . —Grey Friars Lodge ( No . 1101 ) . — On VVednesday , the nth inst ., the ceremony of installing the Worshipful Master of this lodge took place at the Masonic Hall . There was a large attendance of Past Masters and other brethren . The newly-elected W . M . was Bro . R . L . Pickett , a brother who occupies an importaht position in the engineering department of the Great

Western Railway , at Paddington . Bro . Pickett was duly installed by Bro . Margrett , P . M ., and the ceremony has never been performed in Reading with greater care or fullness , or with more well-placed emphasis . After the installation the VV . M . invested the following officers : Bros . Ravenscroft , S . VV . ; Creed , J . W . ; Stransom , Treas . ; Greenaway , Sec ; Pulley , P . M ., D . C ; Hickie , S . D . ;

Vowles , J . D . ; Sands , Sparrow , and F . Brown , Stewards . Bro . W . W . Ridley , P . M ., asked the Iodge to accept a portrait of Bro . Ivey , who was the first W . M ., and for many years Secretary to the lodge . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Ridley . After the business of the lodge had concluded the brethren adjourned to the Great Western Hotel , where an

excellent banquet was provided by Bro . Flanagan . The W . M . presided , and amongst the Past Masters present were Bros . J . H . Hawkes , I . P . M . ; R . Bradley , F . Binckes , VV . Morgan , J . E . Dank ? ., Kirk , Williams , Dowsett , Arthur Welch , W . Ferguson , VV . VV . Ridley , E . Margrett , F . J . Ferguson , J . Weightman , and T . J . Pulley . Bro . the Right Hon . G . Shaw-Lefevre , M . P ., was present , and had

a most cordial reception . The Worshipful Master proposed " The Queen and the Craft" and " The Health of the Grand and Provincial Grand Ollieers . " For the Provincial Grand Officers Bro . R . Bradley , Prov . G . Sec , returned thanks .

Bro . J . II . Hawkes proposed " The Health of the Worshipful Mastcr , " ] r < _ marking that , at whateverinconvenience , Bro . Prickc-tt had for a great many years almost invariably attended the meetings of the ludge . The toast was very varmlj received . Bro . A . Welch proposed "The Visitors , " and Bros . Williams , Kirk , and F . R . Spender responded .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

"The Masonic Institutions" was proposed by Bro . Danks , P . M ., who referred to the considerable sums sent from time to time by the Province of Berks and Bucks to the great Masonic Charities . Bro . Binckes , Secretary to the Boys' School , returned thanks in an excellent speech . Bro . E . Blackwell , P . M ., proposed " The Health of the

Installing Master . " He paid a warm tribute to the memory of Bro . Moxhay , who had for many years been the Installing Master , and whose geniality and kindness had endeared him to every member of the lodge . Bro . Blackwell spoke also of the very admirable way in which Bro . Margrett had performed the ceremony that day . Bro . Margrett returned thanks in a suitable speech .

"The Immediate Past Master" was proposed by the W . M ,, who presented him with a handsome Past Master's jewel . Bro . Hawkes returned thanks , and spoke of the great kindness and assistance he had received during his term of office . The next toast related to the two other Reading lodges ,

and Bro . Withers , W . M ., ' responded for the Lodge of Union , and Bro . Flanagan , I . P . M ., responded for the Kendrick Lodge . Some other toasts were also proposed . A good programme of music ( in which professional singers took part ) was carried out , under the direction of Bro . Hickie . The gathering was altogether a very pleasant one .

BATTLE . —Abbey Lodge ( No . 11 S 4 ) . —The brethren of this lodge met on Thursday , the 19 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall .. The W . M ., Bro . the Very Rev . E . R . Currie , M . A ., P . G . Chap ., oresided . There were also present Bros . B . H . Thorpe ! P . P . G . S . D ., P . M ., I . P . M . ; Major Robertson , S . W . ; H . G . F . Wells , P . P . G . P ., P . M ., Treas ., acting J . W . ; Robert Hughes , Sec ; C . Martin ,

acting S . D . ; R . T . Davison , M . D ., acting J . D . ; J . Fielding , Org . ; VV . T . Jordan , I . G . ; C . Leary , Tyler ; Wm . Lamborn , P . P . G . P ., P . M . ; VV . C . Till , D . White , J . W . Pepper , and others . Visitor : Bro . R . H . Turner , s 53- . ... The minutes of previous meeting having been read and

confirmed , and communications read , a successful ballot was then taken for Mr . Edward Davis , after which he was duly initiated , the whole ceremony being most ably rendered by the VV . M ., Bro . Currie . Three gentlemen were then proposed , and there being no further business , the lodge was closed in due form .

CONGRESBURY . —Lodge of Agriculture ( No . 1199 ) . —On the 16 th inst . there was a large assemblage of brethren , including several distinguished visiting brothers from Bristol and Weston-super-Mare , who witnessed a most interesting presentation to Bro . C L . Fry Edwards , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., and P . G . Treasurer Somerset . The presentation was made by Bro . A . Barber , W . M ., on behalf of the

Past Masters , officers , and brethren of the lodge , who , in doing so , remarked that they had in their midst that evening a very worthy and distinguished brother , who had done a great deal for Freemasonry , not only in that lodge , but in the province , and when he mentioned the name of Bro . Edwards , P . M ., as the person to whom these remarks referred , he felt quite sure that one and all would agree with

him that that lodge in particular had received much benefit and marked attention at his hands . He did not think he was going too far , or that he should depreciate the valuable services rendered from time to time by the Past Masters , officers , and brethren present , when he said that they looked upon Bro . Edwards as the mainstay of the lodge ; whilst those who had the good fortune of being present at the

recent Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Frame , could not but feel impressed with the enthusiasm that prevailed in favour of their brother on his receiving the Provincial Grand Treasurer's collar . Bro . Edwards was about to take a partner in life , and they were much pleased to know that the lady of his choice is no great stranger to the neighbourhood . On hearing such gratifying news the members of

the lodge most heartily fell in with the proposal of selecting a wedding present . Bro . Barber then handed to Bro . Edwards a handsome silver inkstand , weighing 50 ozs ., which was very rich and chaste in its design . The centre figure , of silver , holding a scroll , had the following suitable inscription , underneath the crestof the Order : " Presented to Bro . C . L . F . Edwards , P . M ., on the occasion of his

marriage , by the Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the Lodge of Agriculture , No . 1109 . December , 1885 . " In doing so , Bro . Barber said : When the happy day shall arrive , and you are both made one , may you and yours be pleased to appreciate our mark of our esteem . You have the lodge ' s best wishes for your future happiness , and may God , who has so abundantly enriched you with temporal

blessings , grant you a long life of peace and felicity , and equally bless you in spiritual gifts , so that when this earthly course is run , you may ascend to the Grand Lodge above , where the world's Great Architect lives and reigns for evermore . Bro . Edwards , in a few well-chosen remarks , heartily thanked the brethren for their very beautiful and unexpected present , and also for their very kind exprssions and good wishes .

SEVENOAKS . —Knole Lodge ( No . 1414 ) . —On Tuesday , the 10 th inst ., this lodge held their installation meeting in St . Nicholas Parish Room , London-road , this being the first gathering of the kind at these premises . Bro . S . L . Green was duly installed by Bro . the Rev . T . S . Curteis , M . A ., P . M . The W . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros . C . Holcroft , S . W . ; the Rev .

G . B . Lewis , J . W . ; G . F . Carnell , P . M ., Treas . ; H . II . Sutton , Sec . ; C . W . Smith , Org . ; J . VV . Jull , S . D . ; Moon , J . D . ; E . Martin , I . G . ; W . Wicking and Burn-Callender , Stewards ; and H . Hills , Tyler . Thc lodge having been closed in due and ancient form , the brethren , to the number of nearly forty , adjourned to the banquet room , Royal Crown Hotel , and partook of an

excellent repast , catered by Miss Morphew and Mr . E . Pawley , During the evening Bros . Rhodes , Plant , Moulding , and W . Whitehead considerably enlivened the enjoyment of the brethren by their contributions of vocal music .

The visiting brethren were Bros . S . W . Shaw , W . M . 709 ; G . D . Warner , W . M . 167 . S ; J . II . Jewell , P . M . 1223 , P . P . G . O . ; J . C Craig , W . M . 1223 ; j . Plant , P . M . 31 ; W . Wiltshire , 1507 ; T . H . Knight , 1223 ; D . D . Mercer , P . M . 1647 , I . G . 1329 ; G . Graham , S 94 ; and I . E . Shrubsole , 503 .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

WEST GORTON . —Ashbury Lodge ( No . 1459 ) . —The installation meeting was held and St . John ' s Festival celebrated at the Justice Birch Hotel , on Thursday , November 19 th . Present : Bros . E . Roberts , W . M . ; Wm . Bee , S . W . ; J . W . Newton , P . M ., J . W . ; R . Righton , Sec ; S . C . Richardson , S . D . ; C . Wallworth , J . D . ; Jas . W . Abbott , P . M ., P . G . D . C ; E . I . Cumings , P . M ., P . G .

Std . Br ., D . C ; P . Hopkinson , Org . ; C . Beswicke , I . G . ; H . Dawson , P . M ., Tyler ; VV . Beaston , I . P . M . ; J . Wright , P . M . ; J . Reynolds , P . M . ; Thos . Aspinall , P . M . ; VV . H . Oglesby ; VV . Drabble ; J . W . Kidd and J . Needham . Visitors : Bros . J . Thompson . W . M . 1077 ; Geo . Pugh , W . M . 210 ; Jas . Cooper , VV . M . 1458 ; VV . Chadwicx , W . M . 1147 ; John Bell , W . M . 104 ; E . J . Lingard , W . M . 1030 ; Rev .

E . J . Reeve , 10 3 0 , Prov . Grand Chap . ; Peter Heaton , S . W . 1730 ; W . H . Vaughan , F . M ., Sec . 1030 ; Nath . Dumville , P . M . 152 ; Marks Doniger , W . M . 12 S 3 ; Wm . Dumville , P . M . ion ; W . T . Norton , P . M . 1161 ; P . Swift , P . M . 5 S 1 ; Henry Smith , 1055 ; and R . R . Lisenden , S . W . 317 ( Freemason ) . The lodge was opened at 1 . 30 , and the minutes of the

previous meeting read and confirmed . Mr . Thos . L . Woolfenden was balloted for and elected a member of the lodge . He was subsequently initiated into Freemasonry by the VV . M . The S . W ., Bro . Bee , delivered the E . A . charge to the initiate . The ceremony of installation , was next proceeded with , the duties of Installing Master being most ; ably fulfilled by Bro . E . J . Cumings ,

P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., who had performed the ceremony for five consecutive years . After the usual preliminaries the W . M . elect ( Bro . Bee ) was presented by Bro . J . VV . Abbott , P . M ., P . G . Dep . D . C , to the Installing Master , and by him inducted into the chair of K . S . with all due rite and ceremony . After the customary proclamations and salutes the

newlvmstalled VV . M . appointed his officers for the ensuing year , and they were invested by Bro . Cumings down to the Sec , the remaining officers being invested by the I . P . M ., Bro . E . Roberts : S . Richardson , S . W . ; R . Righton , J . W . ; Thos . Hughes , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Burgess , Sec ; Clement Wallworth , S . D . ; VV . Oglesby , J . D . ; E . J . Cumings , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., D . C . ; Budge Hopkinson , I . G . ; H .

Dawson , P . M ., lyler . The addresses to the W . M . and brethren were delivered by Bro . Cumings ; and that to the Wardens , by Bro . J . W . Abbott . The balance-sheet was reported upon by Bro . Oglesby , one ot the Auditors , and adopted . After " Hearty good wishes " had been expressed by the visiting brethren , the lodge was closed in peace and harmony .

The brethren subsequently celebrated the Festival of St . John with a banquet that really reflected great credit on the worthy host , Bro . Pitt , who seemed never weary of doing his utmost to promote the comfort and enjoyment of all present . A high meed of praise , too , is deservedly due to Bro . P . M . Newton , who descended from his high estate to that of Steward for the time being , and worked very hard

indeed waiting on his brethren during dinner . After the banquet , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , Bros . Cumings and Abbot responding for the Prov . G . Officers . The "Health of the VV . M . " was proposed in eulogistic terms by the I . P . M ., Bro . E . Roberts , who , in the course of a capital speech , said that it would be useless to argue against a success—and Bro . Bee's

success as a W . M . was a foregone conclusion . His ( Bro . Bee's ) Freemasonry was of that robust and manly character which was always most justly admired and appreciated . Everything he ever undertook since his connection with the lodge had been done most satisfactorily , and , therefore , it was with feelings of the greatest confidence that the members of the lodge looked forward to a successful vear under

Bro . Bee's Mastership . In conclusion , he would ask thc breshren to rise and drink heartily to the toast . The invitation was promptly acceded to , after which Bro . W . Dumville sang— " Here ' s to his Health , " and the VV . M . replied . " The Health of the I . P . M ., " Bro . Roberts , was proposed

by the VV . M ., who presented him , in the name of the lodge , with a P . M . 's iScarat gold jewel for his zealous , efficient . and highly-valued services during the past year ; after which Bro . Roberts returned thanks . Several other toasts were proposed and responded to , and a very pleasant evening was spent . The jewel was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , 47 , Bridge-street , Manchester .

HAMPTON . —Hemming Lodge ( No . 1512 ) . — Thisjlodge met at the Lion Hotel on the 19 th inst . Among the numerous attendance were Bros . H . Jones , W . M . j Spearing , S . W . ; H . Wheatley , J . W . ; J . C . Jessett , P . G . S . B . Middx ., P . M ., Treas . ; t . C . Walls , P . G . S . B . Middx ., P . M ., Secretary ; Eales , J . D . ; Ransford , I . G . ; Culverwell , Ballard , Scholding , Bushell , J . Smith , J . Clarke , Compton , and others . Bro . Moorman , I . W . 163 S ,

was a visitor . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bros . Bushell , J . Smith , andj . Clarke were raised , and Bro . Compton passed , by Bro . T . C . Walls . The ballot was then taken on behalf of Bros . H . Robinson and E . Trotter , and it proving to be unanimous , the former , being in attendance , was duly initiated into Craft mysteries .

The election of W . M . resulted unanimousl y in favour of Bro . VV . Spearing , S . VV . ; Bro . Jessett was unanimously re-elected'Ireasurer ; and Bro . Gilbert , Tyler . The byelaws were then read . A Past Master's jewel having been voted to the VV . M ., and several propositions for initiation at the next meeting handed in , communicationspleading

, inability to attend , were received from Bros . Raymond Thrupp , D . P . G . M . ; Martin , Davies , Plummer , and Mr . Trotter . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment . The usual routine of toasts followed , and were duly honoured .

SURBITON . —St . Margaret ' s Lodge ( No . 1872 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 19 th inst ., at St . Mark ' s Schools . Present : Bros . Sebastian Hart , P . G . D ., W . M . ; Edward W . Stillwell , P . G . S ., S . W . } W . H . Pearce , J . W . ; Rev . Dr . Dawes , Chaplain ; Dr . Gibbes , treasurer ; G . Clayton , Secretary ; R , PiperS . D . j

, VV . M . Hogg , J . D . ; T . S . Borradaile , D . C .: J . Crofts , I . G . j G . F . Budden , Tyler ; J . M . Case , P . M ., P . G . D . j Young , Wolf , and Giles . 'I he visitors were Bros . Drewett , A . Southall , Lane , Jennings , Easterbrook , Aitkens , and others . Thc lodge having been opened , and the minutes of last