Note:   The extracts are verbatim and the italics are explanations, not part of the minutes.
Minutes of February 12^th Meeting – Monthly
The Lodge was opened in due form by the R.W.M. and minutes of the previous Special Meeting having been approved of Brothers Robertson and Murray having satisfactory answered the questions put to them pertaining to the Fellow Craft Degree, and having received the password and grip, they were duly passed to the Fellowcraft Degree by the R.W.M Bro. Pearson; the tool being explained by Bro Jas McDougal, Brother Shearer giving the charge and the Brethren having been duly passed the Lodge was reduced.  Brother P.M. Vernon brought forward a motion “That a Funeral Lodge be held in commemoration of our later Brother James Allan^# at an early date.   This was agreed to and the 2^nd Thursday of March was fixed for the observation.   On the motion of Brother Vernon it was resolved to hold a Special Meeting for raising on 1^st Thursday of March.   It was announced that Bro. P.M. Robert Swan had given a donation of 10/- (ten shillings) towards the Funeral Fund expenses.

1. Pearson R. W. M.
2. J. Mills, Secy

# In connection with the above it ought to be mentioned that Brother James Allan was buried with all the usual solemnity of a masonic funeral a very large number of brethren attending the obsequies.   Afterwards they subscribed and raised a handsome monument in the Churchyard to his memory.   (This note is written by a different hand and has obviously been added later at the bottom of the page in the minute book).

Minutes of the Meeting of 5th March 1885
The Lodge was opened in due form by the R.W.M. Brother Pearson.  It was raised to the 2^nd degree when the Candidates for the sublime Deg having answered the questions satisfactory retired to be prepared, the Lodge meantime being raised to the Master Degree when the candidates in a most impressive manner were given the S.O.B. by Bro. P.W.M. Bulman, jnr.  The R.W.M. gave the tools and charge.  The Lodge was closed in the usual manner there being no other business.

1. Pearson, R.W.M.
   N.J. Mills, Secy
   (In the same handwriting as the addition the following has been added just above the R.W.M’s signature):
   A Funeral Lodge in memory of Bro. Jas. Allan, Tyler, who had been elected for the 49^th time to that office took place on the 12^th the oration being given by P.M. Bro. W.F. Vernon, Chaplain, there was a large attendance of brethren.