Malta.

of the brethren , and hoped at the termination of his year of office to hand the charter of the lodge to his succssor as pure and unsullied as he had received it , and concluded by proposing a hearty vote of thanks to Rt . VV . Bro . Kingston and V . VV . Bro . Watson for their valuable services in connection with the installation ceremony . This was seconded by W . Bro . Read , and carried unanimously with acclamation . Two brethren were proposed on the

Permanent Committee of the lodge , and one to represent the lodge on the Masonic Hall Committee . On the proposition of Bro . Caraco , seconded by Bro . R . J . W . Coward , J . W ., it was unanimously decided to present the I . P . M ., W . Bro . May , who is now doing Masonic work in Portsmouth , with a P . M . ' s jewel in recognition of his year of ability as W . M . Several candidates for initiation and joining were proposed , and hearty good wishes received from Lodges

Nos . 349 , 515 , ' 923 , . 195 . 1926 , 420 , 39 S , 1421 , 142 S , C 16 , 1205 , 411 , E . C . and 3 S 7 , I . C , after which the lodge was closed with the accustomed formalities , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where a recherche repast was prepared by the esteemed Tyler , Bro . R . Beck , to which ample justice was done . The VV . M . presided at the social board , and gave the usual loyal and Craft toasts , which ' . vere received with

great enthusiasm ; and , in proposing the toast of "The District Grand Lodge of Malta and its Officers , " dwelt upon the untiring energy , assiduity , and great ability displayed by the D . G . M ., R . W . Bro . Kingston , 'during his long rule over this district , and who was ably supported by his Deputy , V . W . Bro . Watson , both of whom had a most brilliant Masonic career . The VV . M . said that eulogising R . W . Bro . Kingston and V . W . Bro . Watson was like

painting the lily , or gilding refined gold , so asked the brethren , while drinking to the District Grand Lodge of Malta , to pledge their District Grand Master and his Deputy in a bumper . This toast was received enthusiastically in true Masonic style , and responded to in most appropriate terms . R . W . Bro . Kingston assured the brethren that , though it was now nearly 30 years since he was initiated in that lodge ,

his zeal for Masonry was unabated , and counselled the brethren to strive to uphold the ancient landmarks of their Order , to continue to work in brotherly love and harmony , and to be guided in their Masonic career by the example of those great and good Masons who had been initiated in the Old Union of Malta . V . W . Bro . Watson thanked the brethren for so kindly receiving his name , and thanked the W . M . for his

flattering mention of him . He felt assured that under the able rule of W . Bro . James the Union of Malta would prosper as well as its most ardent admirer could wish . R . W . Bro . Kingston , in proposing "The Health of the VV . M ., " spoke in high terms of eulogy of W . Bro . James , who , he was pleased to learn , had been elected to so exalted and honourable a position , which , on account of his past services as Secretary and S . VV . of this lodge , was thoroughly

well deserved . He felt confident that the Union of Malta Lodge was safe in the hands of the present W . M ., and felt assured that under his rule the lodge would lose none of itc former lustre , and concluded by calling upon the brethren to drink to his health . This was most enthusiastically received , and suitably responded to by VV . Bro . James , who , in thanking the brethren for so hearty a reception of the toast of his health , assured

them of his intention of endeavouring to the utmost of his power to promote the prosperity of the lodge . The toasts of "The P . M . 's" and "The Visitors " having been given and suitably responded to—the P . M . ' s by VV . Bro . Stanley , and the visitors by Bro . Starkey , W . Bros . Montgomery , and Paulson—a most enjoyable evening was terminated with the much respected Tyler ' s song and toast .

India.

India .

FORT WILLIAM . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 4 S 6 ) . —A meeting was held on Friday , the 19 th December , 1 SS 4 , when there were present Bros . J . Nicholas , P . M ., as W . M . ; W . Ferns , P . M ., as I . P . M . ; Adam Smith , as S . W . ; T . C . Bose , as J . W . ; D . U . Pundit , Treas . ; J . A . G . Sullivan , as Sec ; W . C Peck , S . D . ; J . H . Rodgers , J . D . ; J . M'Laurin , I . G . ; T . Morgan , Tyler ;

J . T . Limpus , P . M . ; W . C Bishop , P . M . ; H . VV . Beale , C . Morgan , G . Thompson , J . Loggie , A . C . Hazra , K . C Baneyie , R . J . Vincent , T . C . Collins , J . H . Broughton , D . T . Mills , G . Mundell , K . M . Gangooly , E . Spencer , F . A . Watkins , H . Newton . , and W . Pidrick . Visitors Bros . Baker , 232 ; B . Simpson , J . Scott , and T . Smith . The business consisted principally in the installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . Adam Smith .

Australia.

Australia .

DURBAN—Port Natal Lodge ( No . 738 ) . —The annual installation meeting of this lodge was held on St . John ' s Day , December 27 th , at the Masonic Hall , Smithstreet . Present : Bros . P . Sandford , VV . M . ; G . Russell , P . M .. D . G . S . W . ; J . B . Cottam , W . M . 1937 , G . A . D . C . ; M . H . KinsmanP . M . D . G . P . ; T . CookP . M . 73 SH .

, , , ; Wood , R . W . M . 447 ( S . C . ); T . Peterson , I . P . M . 447 ( S . C . ) and a good number of the members of the lodge and visitors from sister lodges . The W . M ., Bro . Sandford , having opened the lodge in due form , the W . M . elect , Bro . J . Crowe , P . M ., was presented , and duly installed into the chair of K . S . by the

retiring W . M . The brethren having saluted the W . M ., he invested the following brethren : Bros . T . Drew , S . W . ; Rycroft , J . W . ; J . Pardy , Treas . ; Woodroffe , Sec ; Archdeacon G . Garde , Chap . ; Lipinski , S . D . ; Holmes , J . D . ; L > . Hillary , jun ., D . C ; Green , I . G . ; and Juckes , Tyler .

DURBAN . —Caledonian Lodge ( No . 447 S . C . ) H . « e annua ' installation meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Smith-street . Present : Bros . H . VVood , K . W . M . ; J . Hulstan , P . M . ; T . Petersen , P . M . ; the 01 jeers of the lodge , a number of the brethren , and the

following visitors : Bros . G . Russell , P . M ., D . G . S . W . ; J . p \« £ « WlM - ' 937 . D . G . A . D . C ; M . H . Kinsman , 1 -M ., D . G . P . j T . Cook , P . M . 738 ; P . Sandford , I . P . M . fij ' . tanton « P . M . . ' a"d several brethren from sister 'odges in the colony . . . t 11 S ' £ ffe being opened in due form , the R . W . M . duly inbailed Bro . W . Parfitt as his successor in the chair of K . S .

Australia.

The brethren having re-entered the Iodge , and saluted the R . W . M ., he then invested , in accordance with the rites of the Scottish Constitution , his officers as follows : Bros . Fraser , S . M . ; Woodburn . S . W . ; Seymour , J . VV . ; Jarvis , Treas . ; Brown , Sec ; Oldfield , S . D . ; Morgan , J . D . ; Stuart , D . C ; Lewis , I . G . ; and Brownlee , Tyler . In the evening the brethren of thc Port Natal and Caledonian Lodges , with their visitors , met at the Masonic Hall

and partook of a conjoint banquet , which had been provided by Bro . J . E . Brown . After full justice had been done to the good things on the table , Bro . VV . M . Crowe , who presided , proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts"The Queen and Craft , " "TheGrand Masters of England and Scotland , " "The Newly-installed Masters "—and a number of other toasts , which were loyally responded to , and , after a very pleasant evening , the proceedings of the day were brought to a close .

Ball Of The Mizpah Lodge, No. 1671.

BALL OF THE MIZPAH LODGE , No . 1671 .

This lodge held its annual ball at the Freemasons ' Tavern , on Friday , the 16 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . Henry Warden , W . M ., and proved a marked success . The company , numbering about 1 S 0 , began to arrive at nine o ' clock , and dancing commenced in real earnest , and

was continued until 12 . 30 , when supper was served 111 the large banqueting hall by Bro . Dawkins , the manager , in his usual satisfactory manner . After the Chairman had proposed the usual loyal toasts , Bro . RUMNEY proposed "The Ladies , " in a characteristic speech , which was responded to in appropriate terms by Bro . G . LEWIS , S . W .

Bro . H . H . WELLS , I . P . M ., then proposed "The Health of the W . Master , the Chairman of the evening and Secretary of the Ball , " in eulogsitic terms ; remarking that to the exertions of Bro . Warden must be attributed the success of the evening . The toast was received with great enthusiasm . The CHAIRMAN , in replying , observed that he felt his

position was a very proud one that evening , inasmuch that he was permitted to respond to the toast of the chair before so large an assemblage of ladies , and , viewing the brilliancy of the costumes , he considered they had paid the members of the lodge a very great compliment ,

After supper dancing was resumed and continued until a very early hour in the morning . Bros . Reed and Keeling acted at M . Cs ., and Bro . Morgan as Ladies' Steward . Signor Curti ' s band was in attendance , and gave exceptional satisfaction .

" G " Company, 21st Middlesex (Finsbury) Rifle Volunteers.

" G " COMPANY , 21 st MIDDLESEX ( FINSBURY ) RIFLE VOLUNTEERS .

Bro . Captain . E . H . Bowyer , who is in command of thc G . Company , 21 st Middlesex Rifle Volunteers , entertained the officers , non-commissioned officers , and men at dinner in the Queen's Saloon of the Holborn Restaurant on VVednesday evening last . The chair was occupied by Captain

Bowyer , who was supported by Lieut .-Col . Morris , Captain and Adjutant Collins , Major Foster , Captain Potter , Lieuts . G . W . and A . P . Bowyer , Lieut . Vernon , Bros . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . S . B . ; C . F . Hogard , and C F . Crutch ; Mr . James Robinson and others ; while the vice-chairs were filled b y Colour-Sergeant Hamston and Sergeant Hemmens respectively .

The usual toast list followed the dinner , Major FOSTER and Captain COLLINS returning thanks for " The Army , Navy , and Reserve Forces ; " Lieut .-Col . MORRIS for the toast of "Success to the 21 st Middlesex ( Finsbury ) Rifles , " proposed by Bro . HOGARD ; Captain BOWYER that of his own health , proposed by Lieut .-Col . MORRIS ; and that of " The Visitors" by Bros . HOGARD and CRUTCH .

Bro . Edgar Bowyer ' s health was made the subject of a special toast by Major FOSTER , who spoke in the most comfilimentary terms of their guest , and especially congratuated him on the interest he had shown in the Finsbury Rifles by giving them three of his sons . The speeches were interspersed with some excellent music , both vocal and instrumental , so that the evening passed off most successfully .

Masonic Presentation At York.

MASONIC PRESENTATION AT YORK .

On Friday evening , the 23 rd , inst ., Bro . Sir James Meek , of York , was presented with an illuminated address by the brethren of the York Lodge , No . 236 , on the occasion of his departure from the city of York ( as stated in our last issue ) . The brethren assembled at 7 p . m ., and , after auditing the accounts of the lodge , the ceremony of the

presentation-commenced . All the oflicers of the Iodge were present , viz ., Bros . Dr . Wm . Draper , W . M . ; Henry Foster , S . W . ; T . G . Hodgson , J . W . ; Joseph Todd , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., Treas . j Wm . Smith , Sec ; S . Border , S . D . ; Arthur Sample , Org . ; C N . Foster , I . G . ; C Anderson , D . of C . j H . S . Hopton and S . G . Crummack , Stwds . ; and W . G . Calvert , Tyler ; and amongst the other brethren in

attendance were Bros . G . Garbutt , I . P . M . ; G . Kirby , P . M . ; M . Rooke , P . P . G . D . ; G . Balmford , P . P . G . O . ; A . Buckle , P . P . G . D . ; W . H . Gainforth , P . P . G . D . C . j J . E . McKay , P . M . ; A . H . McGachan , P . M . j and many other Past Masters and brethren . The W . M ., Bro . Wm . Draper , occupied thc chair , and the presentation was made by

Bro . J . TODD , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., who said that he esteemed it an honour to present the address to so distinguished a brother , who had been identified with all the public institutions of York longer than most living citizens . Sir James Meek had during thc last 30 years supported every movement that had for its object the benefit of the community , and it was felt universally that his departure would be a great public loss . For a quarter of a century

their brother had been an honoured member of the York Lodge , and in all matters he had promoted its welfare . As a Freemason , their brother had been an exemplary pattern of what a member of the Order should be . He had supported the Charities , and had in his own life carried out the tenets of the Order . It was 21 years since he ( Sir James Meek ) had occupied the chair of thelodge ; but he ( Bro . Todd ) well remembered the able way in which he had discharged the duties of that office ; and since that period he

Masonic Presentation At York.

could testify to the able manner in which he had aided and assisted in all matters appertaining to lodge work . In the Provincial Grand Lodge , also , and in other organisations he had always shown an anxiety to promote Freemasonry , and he believed that his long association with thc York Lodge and the Province would not soon be forgotten by thc brethren . Bro . Todd then presented the address which was enclosed in a handsome oak frame .

The illumination was executed by Bro . II . C . Camidge , and displayed considerable artistic taste and ability . The scroll work on the border , which is worked in various Masonic colours , includes numerous devices appropriate to the Craft , and a water-colour sketch of the crypt of York Minster , in which in olden times thc Freemasons wero accustomed to assemble . The arms of Sir James Meek , those of the ancient city of York , and also those of Prince

Edwin , the York Patron of . Freemasons , are amongst the devices . The following is a copy of the address : "To the Worshipful Bro . Sir James "; Meek , ! Knight , Past Master of thc York Lodge , No . 236 , and Past Senior Prov . Grand Warden , and Prov . Grand Treas . of the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire " VVe , the Worshipful Master , Past Masters , officers and brethren of the York Lodge , No . 23 G , of Ancient Free and

Accepted Masons , have heard with sincere regret of your contemplated departure from the ancient city of York , and , consequent thereupon , of your retirement from the active duties of Masonry in your mother lodge , of which you have been a member upwards of 24 years . We desire to acknowledge with feelings of profound regard and attachment the many services rendered by you to this Iodge and to Masonry in the city of York , as well as to the Prov .

Grand Lodge , of which for so many years you have been a prominent member , and to the Charities Association in connection with the province , of which Jyou have been chairman since its formation . We cannot but feel that your departure from amongst us will create a void in our Masonic ranks that will be most difficult to fill , and in the city of York , where you have thrice sustained the high dignity of Lord Mayor , and to which ancient city you have rendered

most valuable services , your loss will be no less sincerely and heartily felt . In wishing you farewell , we desire to assure you of the fraternal esteem and regard entertained for you , not only by the brethren of York , but throughout the Province of North and East Yorkshire , and we entertain the hope that the Great Architect of the Universe will preserve you in health and strength , and may grant you many years of happiness and prosperity . —Signed on behalf

of the York Lodge , —WM . DRAPER , VV . M . ; HENRY FOSTER , S . W . ; T . G . HODGSON , J . W . ; JAS . TODD , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., Treas . ; and WM . SMITH , Sec . "Masonic Hall , York , 2 nd January , 1 SS 5 . " Bro . J . S . RYMER , Prov . G . Reg ., thoroughly endorsed the remarks of Bro . Todd . It had been his pleasure , he said , to meet Sir James at other places besides that hall , and he was assured that a gap and a blank would be made

in the management of many institutions in the city by the departure of their good brother . But the " farewell" was only the farewell of brethren departing at the close of a lodge ; it was earnestly hoped that the Great Architect of the Universe would sparelboth SirJJames and the members of the Iodge to meet on many Masonic occasions in the future . Bro . T . B . WHYTEHEAD , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., ! spoke not only

as a member of the lodge , but as representing other Masonic lodges and bodies . He spoke with a recollection of association with Sir James in other halls , and other degrees , referred to his good and fair work and painstaking carefulness , and expressed what must have been the general satisfaction , that the Craft had been able to confer on the distinguished brother before his departure the honour of election as P . G . T . This would form a link

between York and Cheltenham , and at the latter place no doubt Sir James would be welcomed with as much heartiness as the York brethren regretted his removal . In testifying to the excellence of Sir James ' s character , Bro . Whytehead alluded to his unfailing courtesy , and in conclusion echoed the hopes uttered by the brethren who had already spoken . Bro . A . BUCKLE , P . P . G . D ., and Bro . VV . SMITH , Sec .

236 , referred to the great services rendered by Sir James to local Institutions , more especially to the School for the Blind , and the Boys' Industrial School , of which the speakers are respectively the Superintendants . Bro . Aid . TERRY bore evidence that the career of Sir James Meek had been characterised by the virtues which gave Freemasons such pleasure to contemplate . His urbanity had been as constant as his attempts to benefit

every philanthropic institution . Although Sir James was now leaving the city , it was ardently to bc desired that he would again mingle with the citizens on many occasions . Bro . Sir J . MEEK on rising was received with prolonged applause . He said that his teelings on the occasion would not permit him to say what he should have wished , but he could assure the brethren present that as long as memory

held her seat so long would he remember that evening and the kind expressions of his brother Masons . He should often think of York and the kind hearts he would leave behind him , and he indulged a hope that he might have future opportunities of meeting them at Masonic gatherings . After the close of the lodge the brethren met at supper , when the Worshipful Master presided . Thc health of Sir James Meek was drunk with great enthusiasm .

Presentation To Sir Offley Wakeman.

PRESENTATION TO SIR OFFLEY WAKEMAN .

An especial Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Friday , the 23 rd instant , at the [ Lion Hotel , Shrewsbury , by Sir Watkin Williams Wynn , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . P . G . M ., for the purpose of presenting the W . Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Sir Oflley Wakeman , with a clock , in anticipation

of his approaching marriage . The following brethren were present : Bros . Sir Oflley Wakeman , D . P . G . M . ; Rowland G . Venables , P . G . S . W . ; R . Buckley Williames , P . G . J . W . ; Rev . J . Lewis , P . G . Chap . ; J . P . VVhite , P . G . Treas . ; VV . H . Spaull , P . G . Sec ; J . Kitto , P . G . S . D . ; W . Putman , P . G . J . D . ; Dr . Robinson , P . G . A .

Sec . ; W . J . Lovegrove , P . G . S . of VV . ; A . T . Akeroyd , P . G . Org . ; W . Simms , P . G . P . ; C . K . Benson and George Stephenson , P . G . S . B . ' s ; J . B . Hide , P . G . T . ; VV . G . Newnes , P . G . A . T . ; E . VVood , John Bodenham , Dr . Andrew , and J . H . Redman , P . P . G . W . ; Major W . E . Stuart , R . Millington , and Thos . Roberts , P . P . G . D . ' sj H . C . Clarke , P . P . G . R . ; VV . Spraggon and J , C . W .