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f \ RAND LODGE was held on the 7 th mst ., and was ^ presided over by SIE LUCIUS CUETIS , P . G . M ., for Hants . Neither the G . M ., the D . G . M ., or the G . Wardens were present . Bro . HAVEBS , after moving the . reception of the

Report of General Purposes in a speech of some length , seemed anxious to prevent any one else from discussing the question .. Though , since it depends upon the EXECUTIVE what clauses of the Report shall he moved for adoption , and what for . reception only ; and since , if once received , no .. clause can afterwards he discussed ,

unless they are pleased to move its adoption , it is ohvious that independent MemBers of G . L . are at the mercy of the EXECUTIVE , unless they discuss the report on the question of its reception heing put . The best justification of this course is found in the fact that both Bro . SAVAGE and Bro . SPIEBS considered that the

particular clause m the Report upon which the discussion was raised , ought not to have been put for adoption at all . . ¦ The question was simply this , whether the Board have the power to suspend a Mason , without the sanction of G . L . ? The Book of Constitutions is clear upon

this , point where it states ( p . 101 ) that the decision of the Board " shall be final , " and that in case of suspension only , they are not even bound to report to G . L . We are surprised that so eminent a jurist as Bro . HAVEES' should indulge in such clap-trap as that " the

Board ought not to have the power of suspending a Brother without the confirmation of G . L . " ' The question was , had the Board the power according to the Constitutions ? Bro . SAVAGE had the courage to maintain the law , and Bro . SPIEBS to show what the practice had been .

The Brother whose case evoked this discussion has good reason to complain . The laws provide that such cases should be settled in the Provinces , by the Provincial authorities , and it was perfectly illegal for those authorities to remit the case to London .

It was of course to be expected , considering the origin and constitution of the present Board , that they would get all the power they could into their hands , alike regardless of the laws , and of the expense and inconvenience which necessarily accompauies all their schemes of centralization . But the injustice of the proceeding

is clear . IN SPITE of a protest from several Provincial Brethren , dS 275 was voted for the Decoration of the Great Hall , notwithstanding the uncertainty which surrounds the whole position of the Masonic buildings . THE SUM of £ 70 wa ' s also voted to patch up the

Organs in the Hall and Temple , though the Grand Organist stated his opinion that such an outlay would be entirely wasted . So long as country funds are at the mercy . of a London Board , and a London Grand Lodge , this unprincipled waste , of charity funds will

probably continue to prevail . WE AEE glad to notice that the EXECUTIVE intend issuing the minutes of G . L . as soon as possible after each meeting . The GEAND SECEETAEY too deserves credit for furnishing the W . M . of the Lodge of Economy , Winchester , with the statement of Provincial attendance in G . L .

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PATRONAGE again . We considered in our last notice of this subject the case of the GEAND MASTER , and contended that his office ought , to be terminable . Of course , even under the . present system it is so in theory , virtually it is not . . This , however , is not the case even in appearance , as regards the PEOVINCIAL

GBAND MASTEES , a body of gentlemen in whose appointment the Brethren in the Provinces are as much interested as in the appointment of the GEAND MASTEB , and even more so . These appointments are the first important pieoe of patronage in the hands of the GEAND MASTEE . But why should they be in his hands ? Is it because he is most likely to know the