Untitled Article

That at the Lodge of Benevolence on the December , 5 petitions were relieved with 48 0 0 January , 11 do do , . .. 98 0 0 February , 6 do do 70 0 0

The Board of General Purposes reported , that the committee for investigating the subject of the Mark Degree had decided that it formed no part of the Royal Arch Degree , hut they were of opinion it was a link between the Second and Third Degrees of Craft Masonry , and as it was not at variance with the constitution , the committee recommend it be added to the F . C . Degree .

The Board of General Purposes also reported that the experiment of lighting the Temple by candles was satisfactory , but that chandeliers were required , and recommended that four large and two small glass chandeliers be provided , at a cost of £ 150 . That there was now funded On account of the Fund of Benevolence £ 16 . 000

Ditto ditto for General Purposes .. . 7 , 000 Bro . Herbert Lloyd , S . G . D ., after a few remarks on the subject , moved : — (< That the Degree of Mark Mason is not at variance with Graft Masonry , and that it be added thereto , under proper regulations ;"— -which was carried . ^ Bro . Symonds asked whether there was any suggestion for the better ventilation of the Temple . A general opinion was expressed that the Grand Lodge on that evening ought to have been held in the Hall . The report of the Board of General Purposes was confirmed .

Bro . Airey , of Jamaica , said , in rising to submit a motion of great importance to the well-being of the Order , he disclaimed all intention in noticing the matter in any way , to reflect on the Grand Master or Grand Secretary ; but it was notorious that a great number of communications sent to the United Grand Lodge had been unanswered ; the dues of the Lodges in the West Indies were regularly remitted , and that therefore their communications were entitled to be acknowledged with courtesy ; and his own Lodge had resolved , in consequence of

the non-attention of the Supreme Grand Lodge , to discontinue their payments . Questions had been mooted which had been referred to the Grand Master , and in consequence of no answer being returned , the matters remained in abeyance nearly three years . It was true , the Prov . Grand Master had decided upon them , hut still there was great difference of opinion , and much evil would ensue if things remained in this unsettled state any longer ; he therefore moved : — "That all matters relating to the colonies be referred to a committee to be appointed for that purpose . "

Bro . Mason , in seconding the motion , said there was evidently a want of attention at head-quarters ; and remarked that it might occur that some subjects would be referred to the Grand Secretary that possibly were improper to answer , hut even then an acknowledgment ought to be sent . Bro . Herbert Lloyd urged that there was the Board of General Purposes , to which any Lodge or Brother might send their complaint , and that there was no need of another committee .

Bro . Airey , in reply , said the matters he referred to were not complaints , hut cjuestions of doubt , to be decided by the Grand Master . The question was then put , and carried by a large majority . The Grand Master pro . tcm . then called on the mover to name the committee ; but he , being a stranger to all but a few , was desirous some other person would select the committee ; whereupon a member rose to propose one name , upon which Bro . Dobie ruled that no one but tlie mover could be allowed to do so

The following Brethren were then named :--G . R . Portal , Rev . W . Jfl . Lyall , J oh . Smith , J . Barrett , G . Bigg , Winn , Shuttle worth , Mason , Lambert , White ' Dr . Kent , S . Rawson , Col . Biirlton , 8 . Hervey , 11 . Lloyd . Bro . Townend , in pursuance of notice , rose , and disclaimed all design of personality in the observations he should make in reference to the conduct of the ( 3 rand Lodge Officers , as those remarks had bearing only in their official capacities . The subject-matter he dewed to bring before the Grand Lod <* e was the