Royal And Loyal Lodge, No. 2952.

Bros . Major F . W . Pixley , P . P . G . Reg . Bucks , S . W . ; Bandmaster Hiram Henton , P . M ., J . W . ; Capt . M . P . Molesworth , Treasurer ; Staff-Paymaster Orlton Cooper , Secretary ; Bandmaster John R . Hansford , S . D . ; Colour-Sergeant H . Viney , J . D . ; Colour-Sergeant T . W . Roberts , I . G . ; Lieut .-Col . R . M . Holden , D . of C . ; Frank Swinford , Organist ;

BRO . LIEUT .-COL . WILLIAM WATTS , GUI . and Arthur Spawforth and Colour-Sergeant A . Dudson , Stewards . The Consecrating Officers were elected hon . members and the Grand Secretary was presented with a

founder ' s jewel . The lodge was then closed and the brethren adjourned to a dinner , after which the loyal toasts were duly given and honoured .

TIIK HANQUKT .

In proposing the toast of " The Grand Officers , " the Worshipful Master remarked that he hoped those present would come again , and he coupled with the toast the name of Bro . the Rev . Sir Borradaile Savory , P . G . C ., who , in a brief reply , thanked the brethren most heartily for the kind reception they had met with .

The I . P . M . then proposed the toast of " The Worshipful Master . " He said that all knew it was a very difficult task to start a new lodge , and great credit was due to the Worshipful Master . There were , he said , twenty-seven candidates for initiation , which would put the Worshipful

Master on his mettle and give him plenty of work to do . The Worshipful Master , in his reply , observed that he did not deserve the laudatory remarks passed by the I . P . M ., but he had made up his mind to found the lodge , and that he would do his utmost to benefit Freemasonry in general ,

and this lodge in particular . His great motive was to promote Freemasonry in the fullest sense . The Senior Warden , at the request of the Worshipful Master , then proposed the toast of "The Consecrating Officers , " and remarked that although it was exactly thirty

years ago since he had been initiated , he had not before that evening witnessed a consecration ceremony ; he was , therefore , all the more impressed by the magnificent manner in which it was performed .

Bro . F . Richardson , in responding , said he regretted the absence of his chief , the Grand Secretary , at the dinner , as he always knew what to say ; he , however , wished every success and prosperity to the lodge , and he was sure the Worshipful Master would carry the responsibilities of the first year very lightly , upon the termination of which he was sure they would all say , " Well done , Worshipful Master . "

I he toast of " The Visitors" was then given by the Junior Warden , who mentioned that they were honoured with the presence of a large number of distinguished visitors , and he coupled the toast with the names of Bros . Lieut .-Col . Carpenter , Colville Smith , and Capt . Haig Brown , each of whom returned thanks . " The Officers " and Tyler ' s toasts then followed , bringing the meeting to a close .