Grand Lodge.

lodge until the next meeting of the Grand Lodge , when he Avas required to report that suspension . Ho ( the G . Registrar ) must say , after a careful consideration of the case , it seemed to him to be one that required the immediate action of Grand Lodge to uphold the authority of the Provincial Grand Master . The " Book of Constitutions" distinctly stated that no brother should be admitted if there were three black halls , hut in this

case this candidate was rejected by five blackballs . The Master , however , appeared not to be content with the decision of the lodge , stating that there must have been some mistake , and lie decided that there should be a fresh ballot . Again five black balls appeared against him , and he declared that this person was not elected a member of the lodge , which , according to practice

and to the " Book of Constitutions , " he was bound to do . A month after that some of the members , however , entertained a different opinion , they stating that there was some mistake about it , aud the opinion of the lodge was taken . They took

upon themselves to review the ballot box , and although five black balls had been put in against him , he was declared to he a proper member , and was initiated in tho lodge . That being so , the Provincial Grand Master had no option but to suspend the lodge from its functions . They did not require them to say that they believed the proceedings were illegal , but they were required to say that every candidate , by the votes of the lodge

had been duly elected . The Provincial Grand Master had properly said that the lodge had violated the " Book of Constitutions , " which had clearly been done when they said they would regulate their matters in their own way , aud that they should do just as they liked , and although there were five black balls they took upon themselves to say that four of them were void .

The Provincial Grand Master had suspended the Belvidere Lodge from its functions , and he should therefore move that suspension be continued , and that the Provincial Grand Master should have power to remove that suspension as soon as a due submission had been marie .

Bro . IiOCOCK AVEBB seconded the motion . Bro . MASON said this was not a rare instance of acts in direct contravention of the " Book of Constitutions , " and he wished to say a few words upon this subject . Many young Masons when they found tho laws inconvenient to them they appealed to the Masters in the chair , under a belief that be had

power to act in contradiction of the " Book of Constitutions . " That was an idea which existed , but he hoped it would henceforth be put an end to . He had heard of many attempts after a ballot to get the decision reversed . He should hold up his hand in support of the rule which had been passed after due consideration . Masonry as well as law said that it must be

upheld . This was a most flagrant violation of the " Book of Constitutions , " antl ought not to be allowed to pass . He was glad to hear the motion which had been proposed and seconded , and he believed that it would be passed unanimously . It was a painful thing that persons should have to come forward and avow that they had put black balls into the ballot box , and he

should be glad to see the ballot abolished altogether . The G . MASTER said that this was really a very monstrous case , and he believed there would he no difference of opinion upon it . For Masons to set themselves up against the written law in the " Book of Constitutions , " was about as reasonable as if a judge on the bench set himself up against the written law of the land . The motion was then put and unanimously agreed to .

THE BOARD or BEXEYOLEXCE . The report of the Board of Benevolence for the last quarter was presented , which detailed the amounts granted at each

meeting , aud it further recommended a grant of £ 10 to Bro . C . C . C , of the Howard Lodge of Brotherly Love ( No . 56 ) , Arundel . The report Avas received and ordered to be entered on the minutes . Bro . GALE moved that the recommendation contained iu the report be agreed to , stating that it had been well considered and was well deserved . Bro . ADLAUD seconded the motion , which was unanimously agreed to .

REroRT or THE BOARD OV GENERAL PURPOSES . The next business Avas to receive the report of the Board of General Purposes . Bro . CLABOJ ? , in the- absence of Bro . Llewellyn Evans , President of the Board , moved that the report be taken as received , Avhich was agreed to . He then moved that it be

received and entered on the minutes , which was agreed to . To tho report was subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge accounts at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on the 11 th . instant , showing a balance in the hands of the Grand Treasurer of £ 2 , 792 lid ., and in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 50 . Of these sums there belongs to the Fund of Benevolence £ 1 , 731 9 s . 2 c ? . ; to the Fund of General Purposes , £ 566 lis . 5 d . ; a \ id in tbe Unappropriated Account , £ 540 17 s . id .

REPORT OP THE BUILDING- COMMITTEE . Bro . HATERS , P . J . G . W . said , as the report of the Building Committee was in the hands of every member of the Grand Lodge , he should move that it be taken as read . Bro . LOOOCK WEBB seconded the motion , which was unanimously agreed to . Bro . HAVERS then said that he should move that the report

be received and entered on the minutes , and if that was carried he should move a substantive resolution , with which the report concluded . Although the committee had a very onerous duty to perforin , and they did not seek them , still he was quite ready to answer any questions the brethren mig ht be desirous of putting to him . As no brother appeared to require further

information , he should move that tho report be received and entered on the minutes . The G . MASTER put the resolution , which was unanimously agreed to . Bro . HAA'EES said ho believed he ought to thank the brethren for not pressing questions upon him or asking for any further

explanation than was contained in the report . The committee had told them frankly in the report that the work had not progressed so rapidly as they could have wished , but he could assure them that the committee had spared no pains or labour , day and night , to carry on the work . They all knew the difficulties they had with builders and contractors to get the work

done well , but it had not been done so quickly as was promised as they had been told in the report , but they had made arrangements with the contractor so that the whole of the building shall be finished by the time which had now been fixed . As regarded the new workshops required for Mr . Malby , who was their servant , Mr . Rider had kept his word , and the whole of

the buildings had been completed within the specified time . As regarded the rest of the building the committee had found it desirable to inform the contractor that if it was not completed at tho time they should deduct £ 100 a week from the amount for every week if was not completed beyond the time stated . There was another matter to which he wished to refer , but first he would read the last paragraph in the report , which was as follows : —