Grand Lodge.

to preserve the dignity of the Grand Lodge of England . ( Applause . ) But when Bro . Portal says that I have been going on for four years in antagonism ( or some equivalent phrase ) to the Grand Lodge of Canada , I deny that statement utterly . Some months since greatconoessionsweremadeto theProv . Grand Lodge of Canada , and those concessions satisfied the Canadians—but they came too late . I acknowledged that there had been faults on the part of the executive of the Grand Lodge of England , which I did

not wish to palliate ; I also stated that I thought there were faults on the part of the Canadians ; but I should let bygones be bygones . I was bound to do nothing to induce Canada to declare its independence , but I always stated privately that when they did declare themselves independent they should at once be recognised . I said-that if they thought it to their advantage to govern themselves , in God ' s name let them do it . As I wish to acknowledge the Grand Lodge of Canada with a good grace , I hope the

amendment will be withdrawn . I pledge myself to do all that I can , and I hope Grand Lodge will assist me in carrying out this resolution in a manner agreeable to the Canadians , and with due regard to the Lodges which act with us . I hope the amendment will be withdrawn , and that the the thing will be done gracefully . When I gave notice of this motion , I had not seen the motion which now stands on the paper in the name of Bro . Portal I cannot see much difference between my motion and his . If I had

not brought forward my motion , would the worthy Brother have brought forward his ? I really cannot see how he could have backed out of it . Nor can I see if he really intended to have brought forward that motion , why he should not support mine . I do not accuse the Brother of party motives , or of factious action —but mig ht I not with some justice think that there was a party move here 1 Because the Grand Master brings forward a motion , a Brotherwho had given notice of nearly the same

motionop-, , poses it , without giving , in my opinion , the least reason for doing so . I do not wish or intend to say anything disagreeable to any Brother , but I cannot help adverting to this . Now , Brethren , I hope you will support the motion , and let it go forth to Canada as the simultaneous act of Grand Lodge ( Applause ) .

. The amendment was then withdrawn , and the Grand Master ' s resolution was agreed to amidst loud cheering . Bro . Havers then moved that the M . ~\ V . Grand Master , be respectfully solicited by Grand Lodge to communicate to Grand Lodge of Canada West , the resolution to which Grand Lodge had come upon the question . Bro . Whitmore having seconded the motion , it was unanimously agreed to .

The M . W . Grand Master assured Grand Lodge that it was his most anxious desire to carry out fee resolution to which they had arrived , and that he would take all necessary steps to preserve tire privileges of those Lodges which bad remained firm in their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England . TASMANIA . —The M . W . Grand Master next informed Grand Lodge , he had a few days since received two letters from Tasmania , one from the Grand Master of that province , and the other from

Bro . Toby . These documents had arrived too late for reference to the Colonial Board , with a view of acting on them at the present quarterly communication . It was , however , his intention to refer them to that Board , that they might come in regular order before Grand Lodge at its next meeting . LODGE OF B ENEVOLENCE . —Bro . Clarke , G- Sec , then read the report of the Lodge of Benevolence , from which it appeared , that in September six petitioners had been relieved to the extent of

£ 87 ; that in October eight petitioners had been relieved to the extent of £ 92 ; and that in November eight petitioners had been relieved to the extent of £ 87 . The Board recommended Grand Lodge to relieve two Brothers—one to the extent of £ 30 , and the other to the extent of £ 100 : and also to relieve two widows to the extent of £ 50 each . This report was received , and its recommendations acted upon . The scrutineers here brought up their report of the Past Masters

elected to act at the Board , for the ensuing twelve months , as follows : —Bros . Sheen ( No . 237 ) 186 ; Gale ( No . 19 ) 166 ; Lambert ( No . 234 ) 159 ; Young ( No . 11 ) 154 ; Binckes ( No . II ) 150 ; Barrett ( No . 188 ) 148 ; Adams ( No . 196 ) 146 ; Barnes ( No . 30 ) 146- Haward ( No . 85 ) 144 ; Conard ( No . l 68 ) 140 ; Paas ( No-30 )

138 ; Gurton ( No . 211 ) 124 . Contrary to usual custom , the numbers polled by the unsuccessful candidates were not announced . REPORT OF THE BOARD or GENERAL PURPOSES . —Bro . Clarke , G . Sec , then read the report of the Board of General Purposes , which has already been printed in this journal , pp . 985-7 . Bro . Havers then moved that the report be received , and enT tered on the minutes . Bro . Roxburgh , G . Reg ., having seconded the motion , it was

carried nem . con . Bro . Havers next moved that Bros . Thomas Page and John Robert Gospel , of the Lodges then numbered 31 and 466 , Liverpool , and who had been suspended since March , 1823 , be restored to their Masonic privileges . This motion having been duly seconded , was unanimously agreed to . THE PROPERTY OF THE CRAFT . —Bro . Havers— " Brethrenat

, this late period of the evening it is impossible that I can go into all the particulars , and place before Grand Lodge all the papers which I shall feel it necessary to place before them previous to asking their decision on this important question . First of all it is most desirable that in coming to a decision we should have the fullest discussion of a matter which involves the gravest interests to Masonry . This is a question which is important in itself , and which has long engaged the attentionnot only of myselfbut of

, , older Masons than I am , It raises the question as to whether it may not be worth our while to devote this place wholly to Masonic uses . This Grand Lodge has a right to demand at the hands of the Board of General Purposes some of the details , and with respect to the first resolution there can be but little difficulty" That it is desirable that the freehold property now belonging to the Society , or such part thereof as may be necessaryshall be

, devoted exclusively to Masonic purposes . " " What is our present position ? We possess a whole block of premises , beginning with Bacon ' s Hotel , and reaching to No . 59 , forming an immense frontage . At the present time we reserve to our exclusive use the Temple , and the Grand Secretary ' s office ;

we also retain the partial use of this room , that is to say we use it on an average seven times a year . For the rest of the year Masons are shut out , and the public have the advantage of it . We use the temple four or five times a year . We can have greater accommodation , and we ought to have it . We ought to have a Masonic library ; the Craft requires it , and it is only consistent with the position we wish to occupy , not alone as a mere charitable and social institution , but as an intellectual and scientific body .

There ought to be a place where brethren in London or from the country could go for study , for instruction , or for Masonic purposes—a place where our country brethren mi ght procure refreshments , and be received , and not find their way into this room at the very last minute , when the proceedings of the Grand Lodge have already commenced . There is no doubt that we can have this without any question arising as to its practicability . Our present position will enable us to have these matters at any rate

without going any further . My own feeling is that the first resolution involves that . Next comes the question as to whether the property should be devoted exclusively to Masonic purposes , in a manner which may eventuate in the sacrifice of some portion of our income , and whether the scheme shall embrace not only these arrangements , but also improved tavern accommodation . We desire that Grand Lodge may have the question fully before them . We shall state every fact to enable you to arrive at a correct

decision , without blinking any part of it . The question is , then , " tavern or no tavern ? " I wish to offend no man ' s prejudices . You will have to give us instructions whether you will have a tavern here , or whether you will have this building , if practicable , devoted exclusively to Masonic uses . We must put you in possession of such facts as shall enable you to come to a conclusion as to whether this is possible and desirable . Let me therefore first state—throwing overboardfor the momentand

, , leaving out of consideration the tavern property—we derive from it the sum of £ 800 a year . That is the net amount . It is liable to some drawbacks which in a period of ei ght years have gone to the extent of £ 1 , 200 . Therefore , although you do give permission to your present tenant to let this hall , and from thence derive an