Provincial.

Bro . F ; La Croix , S . W „ asked how proxy papers would be managed , supposing the system were adopted ? The W . M . said , in case the idea was received and adopted , the working of it would not be difficult under the superintendence of the offiers duly appointed to the task . Bro . Sherry said when they went to London under the present system , papers were put into their hand with certain names on them .

They in Winchester could recommend any one of themselves for instance . Each member voting in the elections scratched out all the nominated names above the number for election , leaving tho fourteen he individually approved of for office . They might have proxy papers sent down upon the same principle . He certainly did not wish to assume himself the prescribing of any exact rule , but ( as in the wording of the memorial he had sought to express ) he wished

to have some system adopted under which proxy votes could be received in London from provincial members ; and at the same time the metropolitan members of Grand Lodge could exercise the sarne privilege . Bro . Oakshot P . M ., said he must confess that he fully concurred with the motion then before the Lodge . He did really consider that—extending as the body was every year—it was absolutely

necessary every member should have a voice in the affairs of Grand Lodge as far as possibly could be managed with fairness , and he could not conceive any measure better calculated for that purpose than the one suggested in the memorial . It was throughout most respectfully worded , and offence could not be taken with ; at least if such a thing should arise there would be no reason for it . All the provincial Masons wanted was a fair share in the doings of Grand Lodge , and they were not asking too much when they demanded it , when it was considered what heavy expense and inconvenience they were put to to be present at the time of Lodge

meeting , compared to the advantage of metropolitan members . They thought the best and fairest possible means for putting all on an equality was , allowing country Masons to vote by proxy . When they asked for that they were only asking for what they had a perfect right to expect . Since they sent a large sum of money every year towards the general fund they had a right to ask how it was expended , as well as to have a vote in its outlay . It was the

case with subscribers to any public institution to have a vote regarding the general expenditure , ' and they in the same way , had a right to join in the regulation of the Masonic disbursements . He was very much pleased to see Bro . Sherry take so much trouble and show so much energy in regard to the affair ; he sincerely hoped the subject would be met in a proper spirit by Grand Lodge and he trusted that body would say all had a right to vote by proxy .

Bro . La Croix , S . W ., called attention to what he thought must be a clerical error in the memorial . He alluded to the word " universal . " The Worshipful Master remarked that it would he necessary for brethren to confine their observations strictly to the matter before the Lodge , The memorial reffered to members of Grand Lod"e voting by proxy in the election of the Boards of Management . Bro . Russ , P . M ., also observed npon the wording of the

memorial . He supposed it was intended to ask for the privilege of voting either by personal attendance or by proxy , The Worshipful Master explained that there was merely a slight error in the transcription of the memorial . Bro . Jecob , P . M . ' observed that the system of voting by proxy was already adopted in the election of recipients of the charity benefits , a branch of their affairs which commanded a great deal of interest . By adopting the prayer of the memorial he thought a good deal more union and fellow feeling would be observable . Bro . La Croix also thought it would tend in everv way to raise

the interest felt in the affairs of the Craft and increase their numbers . Bro . Smith asked whether , if the question were brought before the Grand Lodge , some plan should at the same time be suggested or specified for carrying their idea into practise ; He thougnt that would be better than merely expressing a wish to have a change , and leaving what they meant indefinately stated , The distribution

and collection of the proxies would require arrangement ; Bro . Jacob said every Lodge being responsible for itself , no difficulty would be experienced in that respect ; Bro . Everett , P . M . ; thought there could be no objection to the way in which the subject had been brought forward , For five or six years past a great deal of litigation and party feeling had exhibited itself in Grand Lodge , and there had been much more bitter

feeling and animosity than there ought to have been . Out of good never cometh evil , it was frequently said , but a great deal of evil arose out of the objectionable exhibitions sometimes taking place at Grand Lodge . He did not think that the creation of such ill feeling and animosity had anything to do with the manner in which Freemasonry was intended to be carried out , and the sooner all jealously was got rid of the better .

Bro . Sherry then briefly replied-. He said he was exceedingly glad to find such a large number of P . Ms , present that evening , shewing , as it did , the interest with which they looked upon the subject named in the notice paper calling them together . He believed there were more present that evening than there had been for some months . He would add just one word in respect to an observation that had fallen front Bro . Smith , to the effect that some definite scheme should be sent up for . adoption . Perhaps it might be forgotten that the Board of General Purposes performed the duty of framing all laws for the Order . As he proposed in the

memorial he had that evening submitted to the Lodge , the best plan was to call upon the Board to introduce some scheme themselves , that should recognize the principle recommended . They did not intend to memorialize Grand Lodge , but the Board of General Purposes , that the latter in due course might recommend to Grand Lodge to take the subject into consideration . He thought it would be too dictatorial to send up their own definition of the scheme to be

apopted . The observations made by Bro . Sherry were very generally approved and supported by the whole body of the Lodge . The W . M ; observed observed that the best thanks of the brethren of the Lodge were due to Bro . Sherry for the indefatigable zeal he had shown and the trouble he had bestowed in getting up information for the introduction of so important a subject . The

Worshipful ! Master also proceeded to remark that that mighty " the Press ; " he alluded , of course , more particularly to their own Magazine , ( hear , hear ) , would continue to stimulate the brethren not only of the Province of Hampshire , but of the provinces generally , to come forward as one man and assert their claims to a fair representation in the election of the various Boards appointed by the Grand Lodge . The Worshipful Master concluded by

putting the motion to the meeting , expressing how satisfactory it would be for him to see it adopted unanimously and the memorial signed by all present in open Lodge ; The motion was carried mem , con ., and the memorial signed accordingly by the following members then present : —Bros . J , L . Hasloham , W . M . ; Charles Sherry , P . M . ; George Durant , P . M . ; John Naish , P . M . ; Wm . Cowen , P . M . ; George P . Jacob , P . M . ; William Russ , P . M . ; Samuel R , Everitt . P . M ,-, Geo . Oakshott , P . M . ; J . W . pro tern . ; Fred . La Croix , S . W .: John Henry Elson ; Henry Butcher ; Henry Huggins , Prov . G . Sec ; J Waterman ; Alfred