United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

THE Quarterly Communication was held on Wednesday , under the presidency of the Earl of Lathom Pro Grand Master , who was supported by Earl Amherst Deputy Grand Master , W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . M . Hants and Isle of Wight as Past Grand Master , Sir John B . Monckton P . G . W . as

Senior Warden , Robert Grey P . G . W . as Junior Warden , W . H . Bailey G . Treasurer , E . Letchworth G . Secretary , and a large number of other present and past Grand Officers , together with a numerous assembly of other members of Grand Lodge .

The minutes having been confirmed the Pro Grand Master submitted the recommendation standing in the name of the Grand Master , which Earl Amherst seconded , and it was unanimously agreed that the proposed grant of one thousand

guineas to the Indian Famine Eund should be made from the funds of Grand Lodge , upon which Bro . Bailey Grand Treasurer said he would send a cheque for the amount at once , without waiting for the confirmation of the grant at the next Communication of Grand Lodge .

Bro . George Lancelot Eyles P . M . 197 formally moved the re-election of the Prince of Wales as Grand Master . The proposal was seconded by Bro . Malcolm Morris P . G . Steward , and on being put by the Earl of Lathom was agreed to amid general manifestations of approval . H . R . H . was then formally proclaimed by Bro . J . D . Langton Deputy G . Dir . of Cers . as Grand Master for the ensuing year .

Bro . James Stephens P . M . 2308 proposed the election of Alderman Walter Vaughan Morgan P . M . 96 as Grand Treasurer . Bro . J . Gordon Langton P . M . 96 seconded the nomination , and there being no opposition Bro . W . V . Morgan was declared duly elected .

Bro . W . Woodward explained that the Brother he had had the pleasure of nominating for the office—Major Clifford Probyn —had withdrawn his candidature at the request of many friends , who felt a contest for the post was undesirable . He hoped next year to again appeal to the Craft on behalf of Major Probyn , and trusted he would then receive the support of his Masonic Brethren .

The Report of the Board of Benevolence was submitted , and , on the proposition of Bro . J . H . Matthews , seconded by Bro . C . J . R . Tijou , agreed to . The Report of the Board of General Purposes , as given in our last week ' s issue , was received , and on the proposition of Bro . Loveland-Loveland , seconded by Bro . J . J . Thomas , the recommendation therein contained was agreed to .

His Honour Judge Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Registrar then brought forward the proposals standing in his name , dealing with the question of the establishment of independent Grand Lodges by colonial and other Brethren , and his suggestions were seconded by Bro . Thos . Eenn .

Bro . Richard Eve P . G . Treasurer proposed as an amendment that the matter be referred to the Board of General Purposes , as was the usual custom when an alteration was desired in the Constitutions of Grand Lodge , and quoted Rule 266 of the Constitutions in support of his contention . His amendment was seconded by Bro . John Glass .

General Laurie gave his experiences , as Grand Master of Nova Scotia , from 1865 to 1868 , and said that Lodges working under different jurisdictions in the one district , with variations in ritual and other forms , were apt to bring about a state of

chaos that might easily become a disgrace and a scandal . He supported the original proposals , and hoped that Colonial District Grand Lodges might be allowed to exercise their discretion on all matters affecting their individual interests .

Bro . Philbrick explained that no change was intended in the existing rules but , rather , concessions were being proposed to Colonial Lodges so as to put their Brethren on terms of equality with those at home . On a show of hands Earl Amherst , who now occupied the chair of Grand Lodge , as Earl Lathom had been compelled to

United Grand Lodge.

leave , declared that the amendment was lost , but as there appeared to be a difference of opinion the Deacons were told off to count , with the result that 148 voted for the amendment and 248 against it .

Bro . Rev . R . J . Simpson P . G . C . felt that , while Grand Lodge had the fullest confidence in the judgment and legal ability of Bro . Philbrick , many Brethren required time to fully consider the important propositions he had submitted to Grand Lodge . He felt it would be better if Bro . Philbrick called into consultation the members of the Colonial Committee of Grand

Lodge and others who had expressed themselves in this matter , and bring up a report at the next quarterly meeting . His amendment really was that the motion be read in three months time , when tbe Brethren would have had an opportunity of considering the different points , and it would probably be that the motion would go forth as the unanimous opinion of Grand Lodge .

Bro . Philbrick agreed to the appointment of a Sub-Committee , which was then nominated , to consist of Bros . Philbrick , General Laurie , Thomas Penn , Richard Eve , and the Colonial Committee of the Board of General Purposes , they to report at the next Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge .

The appeal of Bro . R . W . Bourne P . M . 32 was then brought up by Bro . Philbrick , who explained the case and moved that if Bro . Bourne was in attendance he be heard in Grand Lodge . ' It appeared the appellant made serious charges against the founders of the Lancastrian Lodge , in London , and when he was called

upon to substantiate them , or apologise , he neglected to do so . He was a subscribing member of a Lodge in Liverpool , and the Earl of Lathom , as Grand Master of the Province , appointed a Committee to enquire into the case ,, summoning Bro . Bourne to attend at Liverpool , which he failed to do , making the excuse

that he was in London . The Earl of Lathom then instructed the Committee to hold a meeting in London , and the appellant was summoned thereto , but again Bro . Bourne absented himself , and as he refused to apologise or explain his position Lord Lathom suspended him from all Masonic privileges until he should do so . It was stated the appellant was not in attendance ,

and that the basis of his appeal was that he disputed the jurisdiction of his Provincial Grand Master , who , it will be remembered , was the first Worshipul Master of the Lancastrian Lodge , in regard to which the trouble arose . Bro . Philbrick argued that as Bro . Bourne was still a subscribing member of a Liverpool Lodge he was within Lord Lathom ' s jurisdiction , and he therefore moved that the appeal be dismissed .

This course was seconded by Bro . R . Horton-Smith , Q . C ., Deputy Grand Registrar , while Bro . J . J . Lambert P . Prov . G . R ; West Lanes , supported , by still further explaining the case as it concerned Lord Lathom .

On being put to Grand Lodge the Brethren agreed to dismiss the appeal . Bro . J . A . Farnfield Treas . R . M . B . I . proposed that the alteration of Rule 1 of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ,

as agreed to at a special meeting of Governors and Subscribers on 10 th February last , be approved of , and this having been seconded by Bro . George Fairchild was agreed to . The business being thus completed Grand Lodge was closed .

Mark Grand Lodge.

MARK GRAND LODGE .

THE Quarterly meeting was held on Tuesday , at Mark Masons' Hall , under the presidency of the Earl of Euston Pro Grand Master . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was re-elected to the position of Grand Master , and Bro . G . H . Parke was elected , without opposition , as Grand Treasurer for the year .

The report of the General Board , given in extenso in our last issue , was , on the proposition of the President Bro . Loveland Loveland , seconded by Bro . Frank Richardson , taken as read and agreed to .