Supreme Grand Chapter.

Grand Chapter were perfectly astounding , and that should bo driven home to the minds of those present , and "f every one throughout the country . With an income of £ 1 , 600 a year they found £ 1 , 000 for office

expenses . They paid enough , and too much . He would su" « est the appointment of a Commitbee to inquire into the office expenses . He would not have the Committee of General Purposes , but a Special Committee to inquire , and report to next Convocation .

Comp . Thomas Fenn ventured to doubt the necessity of the Committee of General Purposes bringing this subject before Grand Chapter . Many years ago Grand Chapter agreed to pay a proportion—it used to be a fifth , it was afterwards a fourth , as the Chapters were a fourth

in number of the Lodges . When the Special Committee of Grand Lodge sat which inquired into the office expenses , he thought it as well to have a member of the Eoyal Arch Committee on it , so that everything might

be properly inquired into . That member did not object . Grand Chapter having once agreed to pay a fourth of office expenses , that would apply to the increase , as well as the original sum .

Comp . Eve said Grand Chapter had never been asked about the increase . This showed the loose way everything was done . Grand Eegistrar tried to shut everyone up , but he ( Comp . Eve ) was not to be so easily

shut up . He repeated that the salaries were enormous . Comp . Philbrick denied the imputation as to shutting up . The idea of shutting up discussion where Comp . Eve was concerned was absurd . The Committee sat

many days—months , and investigated the whole matter , and in Grand Lodge their recommendation was carried , notwithstanding the opposition of Comp . Eve . The increases amounted to only £ 150 a year , and Grand Chapter was recommended to pay a fourth of this

sum . After a few remarks from Comp . E . Grey , in which he said the Committee had looked at the matter as business men , the recommendation was carried , by 74 against 29 votes . Grand Chapter was then closed .

Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT .

rpHE Provincial Grand Chapter of Eoyal Arch Masons JL met on Monday afternoon , 25 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Winchester , under the presidency of the Provincial Grand Superintendent Comp . W . W . B .

Beach , M . P ., with J . E . Le Feuvre H ., and T . W . Faulkner J . The general attendance of Present and Past Principals was very large . The Prov . Grand Treasurer , Comp Tilling , submitted the accounts , which

were satisfactory in every point . Every Chapter had paid up the dues , and there was a balance in hand of £ 34 13 s 4 d . It was stated also that E . A . Masonry

was prospering in the Province , for out of 24 Chapters all but four had had exaltations during the year . The balance-sheet was adopted , and the Audit Committee was appointed . The P . G . Treasurer was heartily and

unanimously re-elected for the fourth time , aud , returning thanks for the compliment , he suggested that if one or two of the Chapters would send in their dues somewhat earlier than they had done it would be more convenient .

The Provincial Grand Superintendent then invested the Officers for the year , a list of which we shall publish in our next week ' s issue .

Comp . Goble moved that £ 3 3 s be voted from P . G . Chapter funds in aid of the expense of printing the Provincial Calendar . Comp . Jacob seconded , and the proposition was agreed to .

The next business arose out of a resolution come to by Grand Chapter , as to the alteration of the qualifying period for exaltation of a brother from twelve months to

one month after he shall have become a Master Mason . It was stated there was a strong opinion in all the Chapters adverse to such a change from 12 months to 28 days , and some desired its reference back to Grand Chapter .

The Prov . G . Supt . said he was not present in Grand Chapter , and was not in any way responsible for what took place there . He thought that a year ' s probation

Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

was perhaps too long , but a change to one month was too extreme . A short'time ago some alteration was suggested , and it was said in Grand Chapter that it was

impossible to make any change in Eoyal Arch Masonry . If such action as he had spoken of were to be taken , he thought it might be altered to a term of three or six months . It was not desirable to rush into extremes .

It was a question that each Chapter should consider carefully , and give Grand Chapter its opinion . Comp . Atkins had hoped to have heard more about the proceedings of Grand Chapter , and also the opinions

of Chapters in the Province . Comp . Blackman said his Chapter was opposed to it . Comp . Jacob was opposed to tho change , but seconded a suggestion of six months made by Comp . Atkins , in order to elicit the opinion of Prov . Grand Chapter .

Comp . Le Feuvre said the Prov . G . Superintendent was not present when Grand Chapter adopted the resolution , and it was received late for insertion in the agenda . It was now the duty of the Prov . Grand Chapter and the Chapters generally to move in the

matter , and to propose the non-confirmation of the resolution in Grand Chapter , and that three or six months be substituted for four weeks . Their Principals must attend Grand Chapter , to support these views .

The suggested alteration was brought forward by London Chapters , who supported the one month limit ; and the country Chapters were almost all opposed to it . A resolution that the resolution of Grand Chapter be not confirmed was unanimously carried .

In view of the increased number officers to which the Province was now entitled , because it had over 20 Chapters , the P . G . Treasurer was authorised to provide the necessary regalia . It was stated that the Lymington

Chapter , 319 , was in abeyance , not having . paid any dues since 1871 . The Principals and Companions then adjourned to a banquet at the Guildhall Eefectory , Bro . Clowser catering excellently . —Southampton Echo .

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