Reports Of Meetings.

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 167 . THE regular meeting was held at the Court House , Harlesden , on Thursday , 21 st , Brother W . G . Tebbit P . M . 2045 W . M ., M . Moss 1767 S . W ., Peradon 72 J . W ., W . Hillier P . M . 1366 2090 Preceptor , F . S . Priest 1637 Secretary , Moore 1637 S . D ., W . Roche Playford P . M . 1608 J . D ., Edge 1608 I . G ., C . Neville P . M . 1767 , Lawrence P . M . 1326 P . P . G . D . C . Middx ., Hussey W . M . 1637 Bartlett P . M . 1637 , Arthur Jones 1637 , J . Bailey

, P . M . 1805 , Geo . Chapman 1805 , F . J . Ortner , Isaac Cohen 188 , J . Wynman ( F REEMASON ' CHRONICLE ) , Tompsett 1767 . Bro . George Chapman offered himself as a candidate for the ceremony of initiation , which was rehearsed in a most laudable manner by the popular W . M . of the evening . The Lodge was called off and on . Bro . P . M . Neville was examined and entrusted in the second degree , the ceremony of raising being subsequently rehearsed . Bro . Moss S . W . was eleoted W . M . for the ensuing week .

Before the closing of the Lodge Bro . Hillier Preceptor rose and said : Bro . Playford had worked with a great deal of enthusiasm , and under his direction the St . John Lodge had made the most wonderful progress of any school of Instruction . Since its inception it had contributed nearly half its funds to the Benevolent Associations . He proposed that for their past services Bros . Playford and Chapman be elected Honorary members bf the Lodgeand on behalf of the members he begged to make a

, presentation to Brother Playford , for his past services as Secretary . He hoped Bro . Playford might live for many more years to enjoy the gift , and | trusted that he might assist them in future as he had done in the past , long enjoying the esteem of the members of the Lodge , for which he had done so much to merit their applause .

ZKPBro . Lawrence P . M . seconded the proposition and added a few remarks , expressive of the pleasure he felt in seeing the amount of interest the Brethren took in forwarding the presentation to Bro . Playford , who was the hardworking member of the Lodge . The testimonial was especially contributed to by the working members of the Lodge , those who worked week by week with Bro . Playford and knew his worth .

The motion was carried with acclamation , and the W . M . felicitously announced the same . Bro . Chapman suitably thanked them all for the unexpected honour paid him ; it would be an increased incentive to further Benevolent Association work . Bro . Playford replied , visibly affected by this token of brotherly love .

He protested that all he had done was only a labour of love , and that his heart had always been and still would be with this school , whose success he so much desired . He heartily thanked the Brethren for allowing his reign of office to be one of peace and harmony , and trusted that the Brethren present would often visit him , and see how the knives and forks worked on his table . The case of silver knives and forks bore the following inscription : —

Presented to BBO . WALTER ROCHE PLAYFORD P . M . 1608 , by the St . John Lodge of Instruction , No . 167 , in recognition of his valuable services as Secretary 21 st May 1896 .

The Lodge was closed m peace and harmony . The highly successful Benevolent Association of this School of Instruction held a ballot last week , which resulted in favour of Bro . W . H . Thomas 2098 .

ISLINGTON LODGE , No . 1471 . A VERY pleasant and happy meeting , to celebrate the successful termination of the year's work of the Islington Lodge of Instruction , No . 1471 , was held at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , N ., on Tuesday , when the chair was taken by Bro . C . M . Coxon P . M . P . P . G . D . Herts ., who deserves praise for the able manner in which he fulfilled the duties of President . Bro . H . Wharton Wells , F . R . C . O ., opened the concert with an excellent solo , followed by Bro . Philip Upton I . P . M . 1328 , who gave an excellent song .

The following kindly added to the most enjoyable evening with their humourous songs and recitations : Bro . Charles Isler , song , "Funicule , Funicula "; Bro . W . Roberts , song , " Ding , Dong" ; Bro . Sergeant Lee , a humourous recitation of " Hans Breitmann ' s Bicycle" ; Henning , D . C . Hatwater , G . Wheeler , S . Abell , W . J . Raynet ( who gave a superb solo on the violin ) , A . Donald King , H . Bower , Ch . Nicole , Houghton , Bower , Parkinson ( recitation ) , & c .

There were also present the following Brethren : —J . Duncan P . M . 59 , H . Parkinson J . D . 1328 , R . Philip Upton I . P . M . 1328 , Sidney Napper P . M . 1471 , G . T . Peall P . M . 2361 , John Mason 1328 P . P . G . D . Surrey , C . Smith S . W . 1328 , J . Wynman , Thos . H . Kemp W . M . 43 , C . W . Rayner J . W . 1681 , W . Sergeant Lee P . M . 2488 , J . W . Clarke P . M . 1512 , A . Wolter P . M . 1791 , R . W . Nicole W . M . 2278 , F . A . Stone I . G . 1298 , J . Petch P . M . 2278 P . P . G . S . B . Herts , E . Harrison J . W . 1471 , T . W . Peart I . G . 11 , S . Abell P . M . 2032 , H . Hill P . M . 1305 , W . Hancock P . M . 2191 , D . C . Ritchie W . M . 1471 , T . Williams 2278 , there being about eighty in all .

The Chairman called upon Bro . Philip Upton P . M ., who said , Chairman and Brethren , It is with the greatest of pleasure I rise to the command of your Committee . Brother Walter Hancock Past Master and Preceptor , it is the Brethren ' s desire to express to you their high esteem and appreciation of the services you have rendered to this Lodge of Instruction , as well as the affection and esteem with which they regard you personally . We all know that a Lodge of Instruction is a School to learn Masonic dutiesand to make

, it a success we must have a Preceptor and Treasurer ; we could not do without them , but principally we must have a Preceptor , and we have found a good one in you . Bro . Hancock , he continued , took the important post in 1887 , and under his able instruction the Lodge had since flourished ; he was full of patience , and did his utmost to instruct the Brethren . He need not say more , as every Brother present knew the Preceptor , but he might add that

during his tenure of that office they were able to secure five Life Subscriberships . On behalf of the Brethren of the Islington Lodge of Instruction he had much pleasure in presenting Bro . Hancock with two silver side dishes , as a mark of the Brethren ' s gratitude for his valuable services and with the hope that he would use them for many years to come , in the best of good health . At the same time they hoped he would continue to act as their Preceptor for many years .

Bro . Hancock rose , and was enthusiastically received . He said he wa 3 never more in difficulty than at present , by reason of their kindness ; he was very grateful to be there that night , but felt the honour shown towards him ought to be shared with Bro . J . Petch their Treasurer , Bro . J . Duncan and Bro . C . M . Coxon the two Secretaries . His connection with the Lodge was rather singular , as intending to attend a Lodge of Instruction he was introduced to the Islington , and he was still there as he deemed it was the duty

Reports Of Meetings.

of every Brother to attend a Lodge of Instruction . Bro . Hancock proceeded to refer to the differences of working between English and American Lodges of Instruction , approving of the English system , which allowed a Brother to reeeive instruction every night if he desired it . He was afraid ill-health would compel him to resign his post as Preceptor , but he assured them he

would remain at their service so long as he was able . He was pleased to say there had never been an unpleasant word uttered towards him during his term of office . He concluded by again thanking his Brethren for the handsome present they had made him , and hoped he should live for many years to use their gift .

Later in the evening a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Bro . Coxon , for the able manner in which he had fulfilled the duties of Chairman . The supper was well served , and was in keeping with the high reputation of this well-known establishment . The service was under the personal supervision of the able and attentive Manager Bro . F . R . Wenn , and was highly commended .

CRUSADERS LODGE , No . 1677 . AT the Northampton Arms , Goswell Road , E . C , on Friday , 15 th inst ., Bro . Blake W . M ., Henry S . W ., Cully J . W ., Doubtfire S . D ., Ball J . D ., Le Beau I . G ., Weeden Preceptor , Dimes Sec . The Lodge was opened to the second degree . Bro . Luetchford answered the questions leading to the third , was entrusted , and the ceremony of raising rehearsed . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree .

The Preceptor , in the name of the Brethren , very eloquently presented the Secretary with a valuable gold watch , bearing the following inscription

Presented to BRO . E . DIMES , by the members of the Crusaders Lodge of Instruction , No . 1677 , as a mark of respect and esteem for services rendered as Secretary . May 1896 . The Secretary briefly returned thanks , the Lodge was closed , and the meeting adjourned until the 22 nd .

BROMLEY ST . LEONARD LODGE , No . 1805 . AT the Bow Bells , Bow Road , on Wednesday , 20 th , Bro . W . Joss W . M ., J . Holland S . W ., A . Marks J . W ., B . Pollock S . D ., W . Boyce P . M . J . D ., W . Johnson I . G ., J . De Casseres P . M . Preceptor , F . Thornton Secretary , Johnson P . M ., C . Slater , Citron , Parker and E . Gibbs . Bro . P . M . Boyce answered the questions leading to the second degree , was entrusted , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed , he acting as candidate .

The Lodge was opened in the third degree , and the Brethren assisted Bro . De Casseres to work the first section of the lecture , and afterwards assisted Bro . Boyce to work the first section of the first lecture . Bro . J . Holland was elected to the chair for Wednesday , 27 th inst .

CITADEL LODGE , No . 1897 . THE sixtieth meeting was held at Bro . Witte's , Farleigh Hotel , Amhurst Road , on Friday , 15 th inst ., when there were present : Bro . Thomas Feistel W . M ., M . Friedlander S . W ., H . J . Calley J . W ., F . Dunstan P . M P . A . G . D . C . Middx . Preceptor , T . I . Bird P . M . P . Z . P . G . S . B . Middx . Treasurer ,

Geo . Clark P . M . and V . P . M . CAssociation , Harry Willsmer Secretary , J . R . Jones S . D ., Bishop J . D ., W . S . Clark I . G ., S . Crane P . M ., I . P . Cohen P . M . Preceptor Percy Lodge of Instruction , J . J . Lamigeon W . M ., A . Rusby , Captain Schlosshauer , Witte , T . Matthews , W . E . Jeanes , D . Jackson , J . Howard , Alderman , A . A . Barnes , J . Abrahams , R . Heslop , Ditehman , & c .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Lamigeon candidate . The first and second sections of the lecture , were worked . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . I . P . Cohen P . M . who , on behalf of the Brethren , presented Bro . F . Dunstan , the worthy and esteemed Preceptor and President of the Masonic Charities Association , with an undress suit of clothing in case , of Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies of

Bliddlesex , the Provincial rank conferred upon him last year by Lord Geo . Hamilton P . G . M . Middlesex ; a framed testimonial of a Masonic character , and a framed photo of the Officers of the Lodge . Bro . Cohen referred in eulogistic terms to Bro . Dunstan ' s estimable qualities as a Preceptor , his genial and kindly presence having endeared him to all the Brethren who attended the Citadel meetings , of which he had been present 58 out of the 60 that had been held since November 1894 , when the Lodge was formed .

Bros . S . Crane P . M ., Geo . Clark P . M ., T . I . Bird P . M . Treasurer , and W . B . Jeanes also alluded to Bro . Dunstan ' s valuable services , which have always been so willingly tendered to the members of this Lodge of Instruction . Bro . Alderman , a member of his Mother Lodge , referred to the respect in which he is held by the members of the Lebanon Lodge , stating that

he should have much pleasure m telling the members at the meeting on the morrow at Feltham , how much their Brother was respected in North London . Bro . Dunstan acknowledged the compliments that had been paid him and the handsome testimonies of the regard of the Brethren for him . Bro . Friedlander was elected W . M . for the ensuing week . Bros . Alderman and Dixon were elected members .

At the preceding meeting , on the 8 th inst ., the chair was occupied by Bro . I . P . Cohen P . M ., who was supported by Bro . Thos . Feistel S . W ., M . Friedlander J . W ., F . Dunstan P . M . P . A . G . D . C . Middx . Preceptor , Harry Willsmer Secretary , H . J . Calley S . D ., J . R . Jones J . D ., D . J . Witte I . G ., and Matthews , when the ceremonies of initiation and raising were rehearsed , Bro . Matthews candidate in each case .

PEOYINCIAL

HUMBER LODGE , No . 57 . THE 7 th of May is always an interesting date in Hull Freemasonry , it being the anniversary o £ laying the foundation-stone of the Humber Lodge , Hull . The Brethren assembled on Thursday , 7 th inst .. in large numbers to celebrate the 69 th anniversary . The Lodge having been opened in due form , the numerous visiting Brethren were received , after which the W . M . Bro . Thos . Morrill called upon