The Quarterly Communication Of Grand Lodge.

moved that Article 209 , referring to the responsibility of a Lodge for the arrears of a joining member due to the Lodge from which he had been excluded , be nonconfirmed , on the ground that other rules met tho case . The motion was lost .

Bro . H . H . Riach , S . W . 1118 , moved the nonconfirmation of Article 297 , carried at the instance of Bro . Lord Holmesdale , and which provided that the blue collars should be Avorn under the Provincial Grand Collars . Bro .

Riach contended for the priority of the light blue collar ; and Grand Lodge , by a very large vote , endorsed his view . Bro . Sir John Monckton then moved that the Revised Book of Constitutions be confirmed as a whole , which was

carried amid strong manifestations of approval . The Pro Grand Master remarked that he had the satisfaction to state that the vote had been carried without contradiction , meaning that the new rules had received the unanimous assent of the brethren present .

Bro . Major Harding , P . M . 231 , nominated H . R . H . Bro . the Prince of Wales as Grand Master for the ensuing year , and gave notice that he should formally move his

reappointment at the next Quarterly Court of Communication . The brief remarks of Bro . Harding were cordially received , and the fate of his motion is not only a foregone conclusion , but a most agreeable anticipation .

Bros . John Derby Allcroft and Horace Brooks Marshall were nominated for the office of Grand Treasurer . Some doubt was felt whether the nominations could be made at that meeting , lout the Pro Grand Master observed that , as the new rules had been passed , he was of opinion that

they were in order . We presume it will be competent to nominate any other brother for this post of honour between this and the next Quarterly Communication , but probably the better plan would be to limit the contest to two brethren—that is , if the friends of Bro . Allcroft persist

in running him , —one being the present holder of the office , and the other a brother equally eligible , such as we take Bro . Marshall to be . We cannot help feeling that the

promoters of Bro . Allcroft ' s candidature are taking an unwise conrse in setting up a claim to the monopoly of an honorary office , against an understanding well understood , if not expressed , in a formal manner .

Bro . James Brett P . G . P . having been nominated Senior Vice-President of tho Lodge of Benevolence , he was elected nnopposed . There was a contest for the post of Junior

Vice-President , which resulted as follows : Brother C . A . Cottebrune P . G . P . —322 , Bro . J . H . Matthews P . M . 143—237 , Bro . H . Garrod P . M . 749—207 , Bro . Cottebrune was therefore elected . The names of the Twelve Past Masters

elected to serve on the Lodge of Benevolence will be found in the Agenda paper already referred to . The grants recommended , amounting to £ 645 , were confirmed . The report of the Board of General Purposes was taken as read , was received and entered on the minutes , and the action recommended agreed to .

The despatch of business , considering the crowded state of the Hall and the many inconveniences attendant thereon , had been excellent up to this period , thanks to the tact and good management of the Pro G . Master , nor was it now to be hindered by any unseemly wrangling or opposition .

Nevertheless , the subject of the re-buildmg of the Temple was approached with some apprehension , nor was this feeling lessened by the speech Bro . Sir John Monckton made in moving the resolution ( No . 2 ) which stood in his name . Virtually it proposed to embody in action the

report of the Special Building Committee , and although this view was challenged , it was generally accepted that the mover , as Chairman of that Committee , had at least the courage of hia convictions , and was prepared to recommend that the costly scheme suggested by the Committee

should be carried out . Bro . Sir John Monckton claimed to act in his own personality , and not as a member of the Committee , which was defunct . He referred in detail to what had been done , and in the course of his remarks observed that Messrs . Spiers and Pond , so far from seeking

any alteration , desired nothing better than to be left alone . Brother Raynham Stewart seconded the motion . Then Bro . G . E . Webster moved the amendment ( No . 3 ) that stood in his name . He made a temperate and well-argued speech , and was received with such approval as to make it

an augury of success . Bro . Havers seconded the amendment in a speech that completely settled the fate of the motion . Without being personally offensive , it was as strong a rebuke as could well be administered . He pointed out that Grand Lodge were asked to lay out £ 30 , 000 from which the Craft was to get no advantage . He alluded to

the l-ecommendations of the Special Building Committee , such as the enlarging of the Temple , the building of a new banquetting hall , removing the kitchen to the top of the building , converting the present kitchen into a supper room , and the purchase of Bacon's Hotel , and observed

that although they would get an increased rental of £ 800 per anuum , they would lose £ 350 received from Mr . Bacon , thus reducing the total increase per annum to £ 450 , being about one and a quarter per cent , upon the outlay . He ventured to say that no bnsiness man in the City would

enter upon such a speculation . He was well acquainted with the cost of Freemasons' Hall , from experience . The original outlay was £ 27 , 000 , and in exchange they got £ 5 , 000 premium , which reduced the capital cost to £ 22 , 000 . At first they received £ 1 , 200 a year rental ,

afterwards increased to £ 1 , 800 , but subsequently reduced to the original sum ; why he did not know . They got then seven per cent , for their outlay , and now it was proposed to lay out £ 30 , 000 for no real advantage , to say the least , with the prospect of getting one and a quarter per cent .

for their money . Bro . Havers objected to granting a lease for fifty years , and said that all experience was against erecting immense halls in which people could not hear . The old Temple was large enough for all ordinary purposes , and he hoped that the brethren would pause before

sanctioning an outlay , the extent of which was only problematical Those familiar with building operations did not need to be told tbat estimates were generally exceeded , and if the outlay of £ 30 , 000 was sanctioned Grand Lodge mig ht find that it was necessary to supplement it with nearly as much

again . There was no answer to this speech , and Bro Webster ' s amendment , with tho exception of the last sentence referring to the leasing of property belonging to Grand Lodge , which was withdrawn , was carried with loud cheers . This was looked upon as a victory for the

country members , who have worked so assiduously m this matter , and may be regarded as a set-off to their defeat with regard to the status of Past Masters' question . Bro . Havers then moved that the Special Building Committee

be re-appointed to carry out the resolution arrived at , and that the following brethren be added to the Committee : — Bro . T . W . Tew S . G . D . Dep . G . M . Wes , t Riding of Yorkshire , Bro . Clement Royds , and Bro . Sir Jabez Goldney , M . P ., Dep . P . G . M . Wiltshire . We believe this motion was

agreed to ; if so , it was sub silentio , for it certainly was not put , although there could be no doubt as to its acceptance . The proposition was well received , especially by the Provincial members , who could see in it a further recognition

of themselves as an important factor in Masonic affairs Bro . Stevens' motion ( No . 1 ) was rejected by an overwhelming majority , and Bro . Smith withdrew his resolution , although he was informed that it could not be put , as ten o ' clock had arrived and no fresh business could

then be entered upon . There was a motion by Bro . Lieut .-Colonel Creaton relative to the granting of £ 70 for providing the Institution at Croydon with coals during the winter , but it was not put . We presume the money will be taken from the Fund of General Purposes , and an indemnity asked for at a future meeting .

As will be seen from the foregoing , the business transacted was of a very onerous character , and although we have already called attention to the tact and judgment displayed by the Pro Grand Master , we cannot refrain from again saying that but for his courtesy and firmness ,

his knowledge of the conduct of public business , and his unwearied exertions , it would have been impossible to get through the work . Notwithstanding the inconvenience endured by most of those present , good feeling prevailed ,

and a disposition existed to overcome the difficulties that presented themselves . In this matter , too , the officers exerted their influence with praiseworthy diligence , and deserve all credit for their courtesy and efficiency .

Our space is filled , and we cannot enter upon the question of the reinstatement of the Temple in its details . The course is somewhat cleared by the action already determined upon , but there yet remain matters of interest that ought not to be overlooked . There is the library and

museum question , the portrait gallery , and improvements in the Temple . We fear that these things will be overlooked , and that simple rebuilding will be entered upon only . At present , however , we must defer further reference .