Amendments Carried At Special Grand Lodge

authority to a Deputy Provincial Grand Master to give a dispensation svhich is novel . Paragraph 186 . —We assume that the altered " Status of Past Masters will be given up . Paragraph 200 . —The rule as to lodges making enquiry of other lodges

from which joining members are coming may do in England , but cannot svork in the colonies . Lodges at other sides of the svorld svould take many months to correspond , and the joining member would give up in disgust . Then , how is the penalty of paying the arrears to be enforced ? and for hosv long is a lodge lo be justified in running up an arrears bill ? A

dining lodge , say , in London , charging , say , £ 5 5 s . a year , allows an absent member to run on for five or six years ( as is frequently the case ); the member joins a lodge "in Australia ; if it omits to write to London , hosv svill you make it pay ^ 25 or £ 30 ? and svhat ri g ht has the London lodge to run up such a bill svithout excluding the defaulting member ?

Paragraph 231 . —Hosv are the svords " serious accident" to be interpreted ? Is the Grand Secretary bound to submit to the Board of Benevolence all petitions from brethren under two years' standing svho have had an accident , as svho can define svhat a serious accident is ?

United Grand Lodge Of England.

UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND .

The follosving circular has been issued : "UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT , FREE , AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF ENGLAND . " His Royal Hig hness the Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c , M . W . Grand Master . " W . Master , —Your attendance is required , together svith your Wardens

and Past Masters , at a Grand Lodge , or Quarterly Communication , to be holden at this place on Wednesday , the 5 th of September next , at Six o ' clock in the evening . " The Grand Lodge svill be opened at Seven o ' clock precisely . " By command of the M . W . Grand Master , "S HADWELL H . CLERKE , G . S . " Freemasons' Hall , W . C , London , 25 th August , 1883 .

The undermentioned business is on the agenda for transaction at the above meeting of Grand Lodge : 1 . —The minutes of the Quarterly Communication of the ( Sth June , and of the Special Grand Lodges of the 29 th June , the 18 th July , and the Sth August , respectively , for confirmation .

2 . —REPORT OF THE LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE For the last quarter , in svhich are recommendations for the follosving grants , viz .: The widow of a brother of the Cornubian Lodge , No . 450 , Hale , Cornsvall ••••£ 100 o o The svidow of a brolher of the Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 165 S , Camberwell _ ••••••_ •¦•50 o o

The widow of a brother of the Royal Clarence Lodge , No . 271 , Brighton r ... XT „ . •••So o o A brolher of the De Grey and Ripon Lodge , No . 837 , Ripon , Yorkshire „ •••¦••, - So o o The widow of a brother of the Lodge of T ruth , No , 944 , Bombay 50 o o A brother of the Beadon Lodge , No . Gig , Dulwich 50 o o A brother of the Merchant Navy Lodge , No . 7 S 1 , London , P . G . P . 150 0 o

3 . —REPORT OF THE BOARD OF G ENERAL PURPOSES . "To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . ' * The Board of General Purposes beg to submit a statement of the Grand Lodge accounts at the meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 17 th day of August instant , shewing a balance in the Bank of England of £ 4165 15 s . id . ; and in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 75 . and for servants wages £ 100 . ( Signed ) "J B . MONCKTON , President . " Freemason ' s Hall , London , W . C , 21 st August , 1 SS 3 . "

4 . —REPORT OF S PECIAL BUILDING C OMMITTEE . "To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . " We , the undersigned , being the Special Committee appointed by and by order of Grand Lodge of the 6 th June last to consider the question of reinstating , or enlarging , or removing the old Masonic Temple , recently destroyed by fire , and to obtain and submit to Grand Lodge p lans and estimates for the same , and to deposit such plans and estimates in the Grand Secretary ' s office or other convenient place for the inspection of the Ciaft , beg to report as follows :

" 1 . Four of our number , viz ., Bros . George Burt , John Gibson , Raynham W . Stewart , and J . Lewis-Thomas , having been directly appointed by Grand Lodge , the remaining four were by order of Grand Lodge duly elected by the Board of General Purposes , viz ., Bros . William Bristow , Ralph Glutton , Sir John B . Monckton , and J . Ebenezer Saunders . " 2 . At our first meeting Bro . Sir John B . Monckton svas unanimously elected to be Chairman of the Committee .

" 3 . We took steps without loss of time to arrange and agree the insurance questions arising in consequence of the fire , and after some correspondence and discussion , succeeded in so doing un the following terms , which we believe to be just and equitable : Buildings ( together with all accruing expenses ) £ 6400 Furniture ( svith return of damaged carpet ) 1050

S ' atue 5 oo Organ 10 ° Pictures 500 The tsvo last items being the full amount insured . " 4 . We promplly proceeded to consider the follosving points : Whether it svould be advisable simply to reinstate , or to construct an enlarged Temple on and adjacent to the present site , or 10 seek for another site for the purpose .

" 5 . We especially gave our attention to the Thames Embankment as almost , if not quite the only alternative site , and beg to report our unanimous opinion , as the result of careful enquiries sve have made , that such a step svould not only seriously prejudice the value of the property of Grand Lodge in Great Queen-street , but , irrespective of this , would require an enormous expenditure , far beyond the resources of Grand Lodge , to provide the multifarious items of necessary accommodation , without , in our opinion , corresponding or proportionate benefit .

* ' 6 . The question of reinstatement , should Grand Lodge determine on such a course , is a simple one , and would , we are advised , be covered by the amount of the Insurance . " 7 . Feeling , however , assured that the wishes , equally with the growing neces ities of the Craft , point to considerably increased space for the meetings of Grand Lodge , we have taken steps to procure for the consideration of Grand Lodge such proposals as Would , if carried into effect , bring about such an end . This has involved many meetings and much discussion and consideration , and has eventuated in the exchange of the

United Grand Lodge Of England.

following memorandum between ourselves and Messrs . Spiers and Pond , Limited , the lessees of Freemasons' Tavern , for an unexpired term of 22 years , at an annual rent of £ 1200 . " 8 . Copy Memorandum of the heads of proposed Agreement with the Grand Lodge respecting Freemasons' Tavern and adjoining property : Spiers and Pond , Limited , are to * . —1 . Give up their grand banquetlno-hall upon the completion of the new buildings and alterations , that the Grand Lodge " may construct thereon an enlarged Masonic Temple . 2 . Pay a rental of £ 2000 per annum .

Grand Lodge are to : —1 . Acquire the adjoining Bacon ' s Hotel , rebuild it with all necessary permanent fixtures , such as kitchen apparatus , gas fittings , sun-lights , plate necessitated by the contemplated alterations , the whole to be for Spiers and Pond ' s glass decorations , & c , as at present done , and rearrange portions of present premises as occupation . 2 . Let Spiers and Pond have whole space under new Temple . 3 . Remove kitchen to top of building and convert present kitchen into supper rocim . 4 . The present hall and remainder of the establishment

banqueting not to be interfered with more than is necessary during the alierations 5 . Grant Spiers and Pond lease tor 50 years at £ 2000 rental from the completion of the works , present lease then to be surrendered . 6 . A back entrance to be allowed on site of present stable at rear of Board Room . 7 . All plans of buildings , alterations , and communications to be agreed between the parties . The above subj ' ect to the approval of Grand Lodge ; svhereupon a proper agreement shall be executed .

" g . We have ascertained that Mr . Bacon , the lessee of Bacon ' s Hotel for an unexpired term of five years and four months at £ 3 60 annual rental , svill sell his entire interest therein with the furniture and fixtures for £ 6000 . " 10 . The carrying out of the foregoing scheme , if determined on by Grand Lodge , svould furnish the Craft with a Temple of handsome proportions , capable of holding about 1500 persons , being twice the number that the late Temple would accommodate , svith entrances and exits in accordance with the requirements of safety , and with the less direct but very decided benefit of immeasurable improvement in the location of the tavern kitchen .

" 11 . On the important question of finance sve have consulted the Grand Superintendent of Works , svho has submitted to us the follosving as an approximate estimate for carrying out the scheme : Purchase of Mr . Bacon ' s lease , goodwill , furniture . Sic ... £ 6 , 000 Rebuilding Bacon's Hotel as part of Freemasons' Tavern ... 15 , 000 Removal of kitchen to top of same from basement of present

Tavern and conversion of present kitchen into supper room 5 , 000 Fittings , decorations , and contingencies 4 , 000 Building enlarged Temple 16 , 400 Less insurance C 400

10 , 000 £ 4 ° > ooo " 12 . We learn that Grand Lodge nosv possesses some £ 22 , 000 in [ the Funds , the income of svhich is £ 660 * To borrow £ iS , oooat 3 percent , svould cost per annum 540

The increased rent of the Tavern svould be £ 800 Less rent of Bacon's Hotel ... 360 Making a net annual cost ot the enlargement of Temple on the foregoing estimates of £ 760

" 13 . The net income of Grand Lodge svas reported , upwards of a year since , by 4 Special Committee appointed for that purpose , to be about £ 4000 a year , since which time £ 800 a year has been alienated as a permanent grant to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The annual charge , therefore , mentioned above as the result of the works spoken of , is s . imeivhat less than a fourth of the net available income , supposing such to remain stationary .

" 14 . We submit the above scheme and approximate estimates for the consideration of Grand Lodge , and have , in accordance with the instructions given us , directed such plans and sketches as svill inform the brethren generally of svhat is proposed to be done to be laid on the table of the library of Freemasons' Hall . ( Signed ) "JOHN B . MONCKTON . " RAYNHAM W . STEWART .

" JOHN GIBSON . " RALPH GLUTTON . "J . LESVIS-THOMAS . " WILLIAM BKISTOSV . " GEORGE BURT . " Dated this 3 rd day of August , 1883 . " " J . EBENEZER SAUNDERS .

5 . NOTICES OF MOTION — ( 1 ) By Bro . CHARLES J PERCEVAL , P . M . No . 1607—" That notice shall be given of the intended meetings of all Grand Lodges , special or otherwise , by advertisement , at least once , and , when practicable , twice , before such day of meeting in the two Maaonic issues , the Freemason and Freemasons' Chronicle , and such other paper or papers , not exceeding three as the Grand Secretary may deem best adapted for giving publicity thereto . " '

( 2 ) By Bro . J AMES HENRY MATTHEWS , P . M . No . 109 and 143—" . That in order to afford the Craft sufficient time Ior due consideration of the amendments in the proposed revise of the Book of Constitutions , as carried at the Special Grand Lodges of 20 th June and Sth August , and the proceedings of svhich Special Grand Lodges could only be issued a few days before the meeting of this Grand Lodge , resolved that the confirmation of the minutes of such Special Grand Lodges be postponed until the Ouarterly Communication in December next . "

« LIST OF NEW LODGES . FOR WHICH WARRANTS HAVE BEEN GRANTED BY THE M . W . GRAND MASTER SINCE THE LAST QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION OF GRAND LODGE . Lodge 1999 , The Devon , Jullunder , Punjab . „ 2000 , The Earl of Mornington , London . „ 2001 , The Narberlh , Narberth , Pembrokeshire . „ 2002 , The Princess Royal , Wallaroo . South Australia .

„ 2003 , The Albion , Devonport , Auckland , Nesv Zealand . „ 2004 , I he St . George ' s , Queenstown , South Alrica . „ 2005 , The Brooke , Chinglord , Essex . „ 2006 , The Tilbury , Tilbury Docks . Essex . " 200 £ * Vl e A 1 nlber | ey . Amberley . Canterbury , New Zealand . „ 2008 , 1 he l-Iiram , Green Island , Otago , New Zealand . „ 2009 , 1 he Victoria , Hasvthorn . Victoria .

„ 2010 , The Warrions , Colac , Victoria . „ 2011 , The Marma , Murtoa , Victoria . „ 2012 , The Chiswick , Chiswick . „ 2013 , The Star of Southern China , Canton . „ 2014 , The Al pha , Cambridge , Auckland , Nesv Zealand . ' „ 2015 , Ihe lokid , Tokio , Japan .