Grand Lodge.

was substantially tlie author , and ivith the cognisance of himself ( the Deputy Grand Master ) , Bro . Clarke being no more responsible for them than the pen with ivhich he wrote them . The President of the Board of General Purposes having exercised his right of reply , the question Avas put , and the amendment negatived , not more than tAvo

hands beyond those of tho speakers being held up for ifc—or about ten in all—and the original motion carried amidst loud cheering . AVe certainly approve of the decision , on more grounds than one ; first , on that ivhich we alluded to last year ; secondly , because wo believe that it is better to pay even five or six hundred pounds a year for the undivided and efficient services of a gentleman , than half fche

amount for those of one , who , however efficient , cannot give his whole attention to our business ; thirdly , because AVC believe thafc an ill paid will be sure to become , a discontented aud careless officer ; and , fourthly , because AVC are convinced that Bro . Clarke has , by the great attention he has paid to the duties of his office , deserved the consideration of tlie brethren ; and we express this opinion Avith the less reluctance , because AVC Avere amongst those who , at the time of his appointment , looked upon it with suspicion , if not with misgivings as to his qualifications for it .

This question settled , that of increasing the salary of Bro . Buss , from £ 115- to £ 150 , was brought forward by the President of the Board of General Purposes , and seconded by Bro . Whit-more , both of whom bore testimony to his ollieioncy , courtesy , aud value as an officer of the Craft ; an opinion which Avas unanimously and deservedly endorsed by Grand Lodge .

The next question brought forward by fche President of the Board Avas , the appointment of a professional accountant as a paid auditor of Grand . Lodge accounts . A proposition so reasonable , and of such importance , looking at the amount of our income , which is annually growing , that Ave should have thought it would not havo met with any opposition—the more especially by any one Avho knows what a-

perfect farce the present system of audit is , Once a year some ei ghteen or tivenfcy brethren , being Masters of Lodges , taken in rotation , are called together at seven o ' clock , a large number of books laid before them , and intimation given them that supper will be ready at nine . A balance sheet is produced , perhaps one or tivo add it up ; the Tyler announces that supper is upon , table—a few brethren

append their signatures to the balance sheet , and the audit is complete . We put it to the brethren , whether any rational man in business with , partners—whether any public company , wifcli a surplus income , growing in importance from year to year , would be content wifcli such an audit ; and ive need nofc stop to inquire what would be the answer ' !¦ Ifc is no reply to say that the system has gone on for yearsand there has

, been no defalcation in the accounts : ifc is no argument , that because we have been hitherto blessed with holiest ollicers , thafc therefore ive shall ahvays bo so . The prudent man locks his stable before the horse is lost , and it is now , whilst there is no room to doubt as to every