A Question Of Privilege.

A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE .

IT will be seen from the report given below of the proceedings at the assembly on Wednesday , that Bro . Eye ' s appeal led to considerable excitement in Grand

Lodge . As he was really fighting for the privileges of freedom of discussion it is gratifying to know that he was successful , and that in future it must be recognised that the head of the General Committee of Grand Lodge

has not quite so much power as he has been known to assume on more tbau one occasion when propositions have been submitted not quite in accord with his views . We shall revert to the subject later on .

United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

THE saying that " the unexpected generally happens " has passed into a proverb , and it was certainly verified at the Quarterly Communication of

Grand Lodge , which was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday . As the Brethren were assembling in the Temple tne paucity of attendance was a subject of comment , and many remarked that there was nothing

of importance among the items of business to be transacted . But they had reckoned without their host —impersonated on this occasion by Bro . Eichard Eve P . G . T . —for the meeting proved to be one of great interest and , as will be presently seen , evoked no little excitement .

Bro . Col . Gerard N . Money , C . B ., Provincial Grand Master of Surrey presided , being supported by Bro . Col . Le Gendre Starkie Prov . G . M . East Lancashire as Pro Grand Master , Eev . C . J . Martyn P . G . C . as S . G . W ., and Eev . J . Studholme Brownrigg P . G . C . as J . G . W .

The chair of the Deputy Grand Master was vacant , but the " purple" of Grand Lodge was well represented , although , as before intimated , representatives of tbe " blue" were not numerous , the attendance generally contrasting greatly with that of the last Quarterly

Bro . Sir G . D . Harris P . G . D . Chairman of the Colonial Board presented the Eeport of that body , which was also accepted , it being agreed that the Warrants of the twelve Lodges mentioned therein should be cancelled , and their names erased from the Eoll of Grand Lodge . Bro . W . E . L amonby then brought forward the motion standin g in his name . He said : This notice of motion

meeting , when several Brethren were crowded out . The minutes of the regular and of the special Grand Lodge meetings were read and confirmed ; the replies of Her Majesty the Queen , and of H . E . H . the Grand Master , to the addresses of congratulation voted to them

at the latter being also read . The grant from the Board of Benevolence to the late Bro . Jackson was rescinded in consequence of that Brother ' s decease , but the recommendation of £ 50 to a Brother of Lodge No . 10-16 was confirmed .

Bro . Loveland Loveland President of the Board of General Purposes presented the Eeport of that Board , which was accepted and ordered to be entered on the minutes .

United Grand Lodge.

and the facts that give rise to it , are very simple , and may be disposed of in a few words . Most of the Brethren will be aware that there is , and has been for some years , an unrecognised and so called Grand Lodge of New Zealand . In cases of this kind it is frequently

the fact that seceders stick at nothing , in order to coerce loyal Brethren to their way of thinking , and one of their methods is to make away with a Lodge ' s Warrant , and thereby cripple it in its work . The Lodge referred to in this notice of motion has had its Warrant stolen , and

consequently is brought to a standstill . Unfortunately Article 126 of our Constitutions does not provide for a case of this particular kind , for , though the warrant is practically lost , technically , the Grand Eegistrar rules it is stolen , and that therefore the M . W . Grand * Master has no power to issue a Warrant of confirmation . The

only way out of the difficulty is to assimilate Article 126 to these circumstances . Bro . Loveland Loveland seconded the motion , but at the same time thought it right that he should say that Bro . Lamonby was misinformed with regard to the holding of the Grand Eegistrar whom he had seen , and he certainly did not learn from him that he held that this particular Warrant was stolen . Bro . S . E . Baskett moved an amendment , introducing the word " stolen " after " lost . " Bro . Lamonby ' s motion was put and carried . The motion standing in the name of Bro . Peter Le Page was not brought forward , as that Brother was again absent , and it is hoped we have now heard the last of his proposal . Bro . Eichard Eve ' s appeal was then taken . Bro . Eve , in making the Appeal said his reason for it was that when his notice of motion was given to the General Committee , in May last , it was ruled out of

order by the acting Chairman of the Committee , whereas it ought to have been put to the vote of the Committee . His notice was to ask the question in Grand Lodge " what steps had been taken by the Grand Secretary or the Colonial Board to give effect to the resolutions of

Grand Lodge on 7 th of June 1893 , in respect of the Cambrian Lodge of Australia , No . 656 , and , if found necessary , to move * . That the Colonial Board and the Grand Secretary be instructed to take prompt action to assist the loyal Brethren of the Cambrian Lodge of

Australia , No . 656 , in upholding their rights , and that the M . W . Grand Master be respectfully requested to use his gracious influence in inducing the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales to give the Cambrian Lodge , No . 656 , friendly and fraternal recognition . "

The President of the Board , after consulation with the Grand Eegistrar , ruled that it was out of order . The end of the notice was put to the Committee , but the first and second portions were not . Eule 53 was clear :

" The General Committeo shall direct that any notice of motion which , in its judgment , is scandalous , irregular , or not within the cognizance of tho Grand Lodge , shall be omitted from the list of business to bo brought before the

Grand Lodge , and , in such case , the Chairman is specially to report the same , with a copy of the notice , to the Grand Master ; the member who gave notice of the ' motion shall also bo informed thereof before the meeting of the Grand Lodge . "

The Brethren had heard the notice he had read , and ho would ask thorn catogorically whether there was in