Our Weekly Budget.

ford , and assisted at the inauguration of a now Liberal Club . Of course , the right honourable gentleman spoke , and at great length , and equally , of course , did ho violently condemn the action of the Government . The political horizon becomes more and more gloomy

every hour . It is impossible to explain the delay of Russia in settling terms of peace with her beaten foe on any other ground than that she is bent on ruining her utterly . Mr . Layard telegraphed on the 29 th ult . to the Earl of Derby , to the effect that he had been " categorically and distinctly

informed by the Grand Vizier that the Porte sent by telegraph to the Turkish Plenipotentiaries , at about 2 p . m . on the 23 rd ult ., orders and full powers to accept the bases of peace as submitted to them in writing by the Grand Duke Nicholas . The Porte has telegraphed to the

Plenipotentiaries three times since the despatch of thoso orders , to ask them to report the result , but no answer whatever has been received from them . " Mr . Layard adds that telegraphic communication is still open , as is shown by the fact that a member of the Mission has communicated with his family

in Constantinople . Under these circumstances , the Grand Vizier declares that Turkey is in no way responsible for any delayer procrastination in the settlement of peace . We should think not . The terms demanded by Russia are now known , and they amount to nothing less than the complete

dismemberment of the Turkish Empire . However , both Austria and England have addressed notes to the Czar ' s Government , announcing that they will recognise no changes in the territorial re-arrangement of Turkey which is

inconsistent with existing treaties , or has not received the sanction of Europe . Meanwhile , the Russians continue the work of slaughter , and are advancing rapidly on Gallipoli and Constantinople . This , of course , is all for the sake of humanity and Christianity .

Annual Meeting Of The Committee Of Petitions For The Province Of Devon.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF PETITIONS FOR THE PROVINCE OF DEVON .

THE above Committee met for tho despatch of business on Wednesday , 23 rd nit ., at the Masonic Hall , Gaudy-street , Exeter . The work of this body is to organise the voting power of tho Province as regards the great Masonic Charities in London ; to select candidates from approved petitioners ; also to grant snms to poor and distressed brethren in tho Province , or to widows of deceased

brethren ; and for the general organisation of Masonic Chanty in Devon . Bro . L . P . Metham D . P . G . M ., Chairman of the Committee , was unfortunately absent , by reason of ill health ; a letter stating the same having been read , it was moved by Bro . Charles Godtschalk that in the enforced absence of Bro . Dr . Metham , that Bro . Walter G . Rogers , Grand Secretary of the Province , and P . P . G . J . W ., take

the chair . This being agreed to , business was at once entered upon by the confirmation of minutes of last mooting , at Devonport in August 1877 . Tho business on tho agenda comprised the consideration of several cases of benevolence , all of which were responded to to the extent of the power vested in the Committee ; in some cases an additional recommendation to Prov . G . L . was mado to increase

the snm voted by the Committee to £ 20 . Tho candidates whose petitions were before the Committee for the Charities wero then considered , the claims of each being advocated and fully discussed ; the names so selected to have the undivided support of the Province until successful by election . The next business was to elect a Chairman of this Committee for the ensuing year . Bro . Walter G . Eogers P . G .

Sec , Chairman pro tem , very gracefully and feelingly alluded to the illness of Bro . Metham , and bis absence to-day , regretted by all , and at once proposed him for re-election . This was seconded and carried . Tho election of Secretary was then proceeded with . Threo or four brethren rose to propose our present Secretary , Bro . J . B . Gover ;

this however fell to Bro . Samuel Jones P . P . G . D ., who regretted to say he fully admitted a neglect of duty , and as that touched upon a matter personal to Bro . J . B . Gover , he requested that brother to leave the room for a short time while he made a few remarks . Bro . Jones then called attention to the fact that twelve months since

this Committee had agreed to form a sub-Committee amongst themselves , to take into consideration the presentation of a testimonial to Bro . J . B . Gover , for his services as Secretary to the Committee of Petitions . This was tho duty which he had in accuse himself of having neglected . No steps had been taken in tho matter . Bro . Jones was here reminded by the Chairman that tho business before the

Committee was to elect tho Secretary . Bro . Jones thanked the Chairman , adding that he hadalmost sight lost of that fact , but had assumed it as a , fait accompli . What would become of onr Charities did they lose the services of Bro Gover as Secretary ? However , to bo in order , he wonld formally propose Bro . Gover for the office . This having been seconded and carried , the discussion was continued , to carry out the proposed testimonial in recognition of the services of Bro . Gover as

Secretary of tho Committee , and the good work he had rendered to tho Province iu connection with onr Charities . Bro . Jones eloquently pointed out that tho office with all its work was purely honorary ; he thought tho very least they conld do was to show their appreciation of our brother ' s good heart and love of the Craft by at once bringing the testimonial before tho brethren . The best inea . ua of doing so having been debated , after some discussion

Annual Meeting Of The Committee Of Petitions For The Province Of Devon.

Bro . Charles Godtschalk was called upon to give some information as to tho labour entailed upon Bro . Gover by bis Secretaryship to the Committee of Petitions . Bro . Godtschalk was pleased to say a few words on this subject . Tho real work of the office was not generally seen or known , except by thoso who , like himself , wore intimately associated with Bro . Gover in tho work . In his capacity

of Secretary a portion of Bro . Cover ' s work was to know the possessor of every proxy or voting . paper in the Province ; to communicate with that person , soliciting his vote or votes for the candidate selected for support . This operation of application bad , in many instances , to bo repeated again and again ; ho said this with regret , but this extra labour in many instances was entailed on Bro . Gover

by Lodges omitting to respond to a first application . Those Lodges havo representatives on this Committee of Petitions , who attend tho meetings , and who aro in duty bound to send their proxies or votingpapers as soon after receipt from London as possible ; but in several instances , at each of tho elections , votes come too late or not at all . Upon receipt of the votes , Bro . Gover has to register each ; he has

then to arrange as to the disposal of thorn ; what to exchange , what to borrow or lend , to serve the interest of tho candidate of tho Province which the Committee had selected . Nor is this all ; he has to keep a tabulated book showing how many elections each candidate stood before being elected ; tho number of votes that carried the case , tho highest number on the poll , also the lowest , that wero

successful at each election . This is absolutely necessary as a lino or guide for future elections . Situated as Bro . Gover is , in tho midst of the majority of Lodges , Chapters , & c , & c , of the Province , the inquiries ho has on matters in connection with our Charities aro numerous beyond belief . Does an aged and distressed brother want a petition brought before the Board of Benevolence , he , in most

cases , comes to Bro . Gover , who gets tho necessary form ; the poor brother turns it up and turns it down , not knowing what to make of it ; Bro . Gover then steps in and fills it up for him . Tho poor widow does tho same , or , if possible , more ; in fact , every question in connection with our Charities is referred to our Brother . All this is repeated again and again at each election , and the elections are

frequent during tho year . He ( Bro . Godtschalk ) could show con . siderably moro work than this that falls on tho shoulders of our brother ; but he thought this sufficient to convince all present . In conclusion , ho would add that Bro . Gover was proud of tho office , because it was honorary ; proud of it , as it aided the poor and distressed brother ; it served the widow and orphan , and carried with

it the sentiment he had at heart , —Benevolence . Wero the office paid for liberally , our Bro . would well earn the salary ; but honorary and honorable as it was , he was sure the Lodges of Devon would heartily respond for the testimonial . After further remarks it was agreed unanimously that as this Committee represented the entire Province , each member being a W . M . or P . M . from a Lodge in the Province ,

that the purport of this testimonial bo printed and circulated amongst the Lodges of the Province , and that each member of this Committee pledge himself to advocate this testimonial in the Lodges he re resents at their respective meetings . Bro . Gover was then called in , and Bro . W . G . Rogers informed him of his unanimous re-election , for which Bro . Gover in a few feeling words returned thanks . At this

part of tho proceedings the meeting was honoured by the arrival of Bro . Rev . John Huyshe P . G . M . Neither advanced age , weak health , nor tho inclement weather prevented our beloved G . M . from being present iu tho cause of tho Order with which he has identified him . self during a long life of benevolence . The remaining business on the agenda was then proceeded with ; it consisted of tho election of a

representative of the Committee in London . Bro . J . E . Cartels P . P . G . S . W . and Bro . Rogers both rose , but Bro . Rogers gave way to Bro . Curteis , who proposed that Bro . Charles Godtschalk be re-elected to tho office . The speaker alluded to Bro . Godtschalk in the most complimentary manner . He referred to his great and most successful efforts in London on behalf of the Province .

This proposition was seconded by Bro .- Rogers , who likewise spoke of Bro . Goldtschalk iu the highest terms , and referred to an instance where that brother went out of his way to aid a case of charity ; for this , individually , he tendered his best thanks . The resolution was carried . Bro . Charles Godtschalk returned thanks ; ho duly and fully

appreciated the hononr . What ho did was a labour of lore , and out of gratitude to the Province that had so honoured him . The office was no sinecure ; but for that very reason ho liked it tho better . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting . It is the annual custom of Bro . John Way , a member of the Committee , P . M . P . P . G . Treas ., to invite members of tho Committee to a

private dinner . The brethren present this year were XV . G . Rogers P . G . Sec , J . E . Curteis P . P . G . S . W ., J . B . Gover P . P . G . A . D . C , Charles Godtschalk P . P . G . D ., L . D . Westcott P . P . G . Sup . Wks ., Samuel Jew P . P . G . T ., R . Tvvose , Vincent Bird P . P . G . T ., Rendle , and Robert Bird . Bro . Way , in giving this banquet , more than sustained his reputation for good taste and liberality ; in short , the arrangements were the acme of perfection .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

CHARITIES ORGANISATION . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I feel it would be useless to attempt to reply to Bro . Simpson , who denies the accuracy of my statement , as well as the report published elsewhere .

If it will be of any advantage to Bro . Simpson to know my name I give yon authority to communicate it . ' Your , fraternall y , « o , i T , „„„ SPSS BONA . 88 th January l § 78 ,