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considerable discussion ; and they had recently been pressed upon them in a very temperate and well-written communication which they must all regard as affecting their interests . He felt as strongly as Bro . Stebbing the importance and necessity of adhering to a clear and intelligible notice of the business to be proceeded with in Grand Lodge ; but he did not believe

that the Grand Registrar intended to lay down such a sweeping doctrinethatamerenotice given to a Committee of Masters would be sufficient for the usual notice given in the paper for those who came there as to what business was to be transacted ? " At the same time , he thought they ought not to be the slaves of their printers . He was obliged to Bro . Stebbing for moving

his amendment , as'it gave him ( the D . G . M . ) an opportunity of again speaking on the subject ; and he thought , as the circumstances were peculiar , they might get out of the difficulty hy the constitutional way suggested by the Grand Master , in regard to the motives of their proceedings , and showing the grounds for having done so . He thought that it was possible

for them to take the course which Bro . Evans , had pointed out to them in his opening address . Ho told them that when article 5 was moved , it would be open to any one to move it as an amendment to the first resolution ; and , when No . 1 was moved , there was a tacit understanding that something should

be done to connect the two articles , so that the law might not have a wider scope than was intended . He thought the case was an exceptional one , and , by adopting the view of the Grand Master , no real danger would follow . As their colonial brethren were not present , if they were to omit to pass this resolution , in consequence of the mistake of the printer , they would say Grand Lodge had repealed their compulsory powers ,

and , instead of conferring a benefit upon them , by the alteration of these laws , they had done them an injury . He hoped they would still find their way out of the difficulty . Bro . HAVERS said , while the D . G . Master was speaking , he had dotted down a resolution which he hoped would meet the difficulty , although he could not see that it was such as pointed

out by Bro . Stebbing . After a few other observations , he said he should propose the following resolution : — " Whereas it has been satisfactorily proved to this Grand Lodge that the clause , in the Report of the Board of General Purposes , duly signed by its President , was read to the committee of Masters , and whereas by an oversight in the Grand Secretary ' s office , this

clause was omitted from the agenda paper , and as it does not enact a new law , but re-enact an old law , which is rendered necessary by the repeal of another law this evening , this Grand lodge deems it to bean exceptional case , and resolves to insert the clause . "

Bro . STEBBING withdrew Ins amendment . The G . MASTER then put Bro . Havers's resolution , which was carried . The rest of the resolutions were then put together and carried without discussion . To the report of the Board of General Purposes was subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge accounts at the last meeting of the finance committee , held on the 17 th inst ., showing a balance hi the hands of the Grand Treasurer of £ 1 , 290 10 s . 3 cl ., and in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 50 .

REPORT OE THE COLONIAII BOARD . To tlte United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Colonial Board report that its attention has been drawn to the fact of some Provincial Grand Masters of colonies and foreign parts neglecting to return lists of certificates sent to them in blank , to be issued in due and regular course under the provisions of Articles 3 and 4 , p . 57 of the "Book of Con .

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stitutions , " and of others who do return such lists without remittances for registration fees . The Board regret that the concession of Grand Lodge under these Articles , which was intended for the advantage and convenience of brethren residing abroad , should have been productive of irregularity and much inconvenience . It appears that Grand Lodge certificates are in the hands of brethren

whose names have not been returned for registration , whilst iu some cases names have been returned without the regulated fees , and therefore in such cases registrations are incomplete . The Board are enabled to report that in one province the names of upwards of 270 brethren have recently been returned as initiated , whilst of that number the registry fees for only

133 have been paid . The Board further report that blank certificates were first issued in June , 1 S 5 S , and that out of 4 , 626 , which have been sent , those accounted for and on which Grand Lodge dues have been paid do not exceed 3 , 1 S 7 . It may be added , that returns , when made , have in many instances been imperfectly

done . In proof of which the Board need only refer to one case —the widow of a deceased brother petitioned the Lodge of Benevolence for relief in December , 1864 . On the case being considered , the petitioner produced her husband ' s Grand Lodge certificate , which appeared to have been issued by a Provincial Grand Master inNovemher , 1361 ; that the petitioner ' s husband had been initiated in the previous month of April , and the fee

for registering his name in the books of Grand Lodge was- not received till February , 1885 , three years and nine months after his initiation , and three months after his widow had obtained relief . Under those circumstances , it appeared to the Board advisable to direct the attention of Provincial Grand Masters to whom blank certificates had been sent to the subject , and

this has accordingly been done . The Board having directed that the issue , of blank certificates shall be suspended to such Provincial Grand Masters as neglect to make correct returns . ( Signed ) J . S . S . H OPWOOD , President , Freemasons' Hall , London , 7 th November . The Report was received and adopted without discussion . .

THE BELVEDERE LODGE , MAIDSTONE . A letter was read from Lord Holmesdalo , Provincial Grand Master for Kent , stating that he had reversed tbe suspension of the Belvedere Lodge ( No . 503 ) , Maidstone , and it was now restored to its Masonic privileges . There being no further business , the Grand Lodge was closed in due form , and with solemn prayer .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

LODGE OE FIKSEURY . —On Friday , the 24 th ult ., the second meeting of the season of this highly prosperous lodge was holden in the lodge room of the Prince of Wales Tavern , Banner-street , St . Luke ' s , when there were present—Bros . Mackey , W . M . ; G . Leach , P . M . ; Purdy , S . W . ; R . Leach , . T . W . j Day , P . M . and Treas . ; Bond , P . M . and Hon . Sec ; Hayho , S . D . ; Hamer , J . D . ; Sinclair , D . C . ; Betty , Organist ; Davey , Steward ; Watson , J . G . ; Vesper , Tyler ; and about

30 members . Amongst tbe visitors we noticed Bros . Heath , W . M . Percy , and Prov . G . D ., Herts ; Goodwin , P . M ., Prosperity ; Steele , 248 , & c . The W . M . ( ably assisted by his officers ) , in a most impressive style , initiated into the Order Messrs . Williams , Payne , and King , and conferred the second degree on Bros . Benjamin , Weeks , and Elliott . Mrs . Sinclair supplied a very liberal and capital banquet , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , several good songs were sung and ably accompanied by the respected organist on the piano , and this very happy meeting finished in a most harmonious maimer .