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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVON. ← Page 2 of 3 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVON. Page 2 of 3 →
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Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.
contests , for tbe excellent reason that it waa necessary to first pay our debts before incurring greater liabilities . For the purpose ot the elections named—girls and boys—April 9 th aud lltb , aud tor payment of debts , I received from Devon , through Bro . J . B . Gover , the following votes : —234 boys , and girl * 114 , with au 10 U lent by Bro . J . VV . Hughan , of Cornwall , ou Lincolnshire , for 100 boys votes ,
making a total from Devon of 443 votes . Add to these 204 boys votes repaid us by Warwickshire ou their IOU to Devon , held by myself , yon will find I had in hand 652 votes to repay 1 , 500 . Foreseeing this deficiency I had previously arranged with other provinces for the loau of voces . I need scarcely say how important it is , it credit is to be maintained , to be ready and prompt at time for
repayment . I , therefore , ou first day of the elections , the 9 cu April , repaid the following provinces votes as follows : —To Cheshire , 300 boys ; Dorset , 276 boys and 67 girls ; Shropshire , 100 boys ; North Wales , 100 boys . I was prepared witb the 93 boys and 67 girls due tu Berkshire , but was requested to retain same , that province having nu candidate for those elections . Thus the votes repaid by me ou A ord
9 th were 843 , and for which I hand in vouchers in form of the 10 IPs g iven by me on behalf of Devon when the votes wero borrowed . These lOU ' s it will be observed , are cancelled . I have stated no child was selected by this Committee for either of these elections in April lase , by reason of having to pay our previously boi rowed votes . At the same time , there were on the list of candidates from Devon
tbe names of three children , duly qualified for admission on election . I will now show how a good work was accomplished , aud a profit made by nse of the votes I had in band after repayments of debts . One ot tbe three children named as a duly qualified Candidate from Devon , although not selected by this Committee , through a relative , Bro . Phillip fiawle , who appears to be in a good social position , applied to
me on the day of election for aid in form of votes . I explained how we were situated ; that officially I could nod give the votes to a candidate , even from Devon , unless that candidate had been selected by the committee , and intimating that if he personally was prepared to do anything—that is , would give a guarantee to the Secretary of the R . M . I . G . for fifty guineas—I , through my
influence , wonld obtain sufficient votes to elect the girl Bawle . This he agreed to do . The guarantee was written ont , handed to the Secretary at once . I went to work , and without pledging the Province obtained on my responsibility the votes . Having taken up the case at 1 . 30 on the day of election—in fact , after the elections had commenced—before the poll closed at three o ' clock we had polled
1 , 229 votes , and elected the child Rawle , the highest polling at that election 2 , 064 votes . By this election the Province is relieved of a candidate , at the same time placing to Devon the credit of fifty guineas with the Institution in liquidation of my Stewards' list for 1880 , and for whioh Devon will have the votes for future elections . Having taken up this case under circumstances stated
entirely on my own responsibility , and without consultation with auy one—not even Bro . Gover , who I fancy was rather more surprised at the result than most people—I , therefore , most respectfully state to the committee , should they demur to my action in this matter or repudiate the transaction , I will relieve them of the onus of repaying the votes by doing so out of my own resources . At
the same time let it be well understood , and this will be seen at the conclnsion of this report , that although Devon has elected six candidates into the Great Masonic Charities during twelve months , a result far in excess of its voting power as a province , and even with this last girl elected , U . T . Rawle , Devon stands free from debt to other provinces , and to all others excepting the votes due to myself . The next election was that of the R . M . B . I . for Aged
Masons and Widows , May 1881 . For this election , had circumstances been favourable , I should have polled all votes for Bro . Gregory , of Exeter . I received from Devon , through Bro . Gover , for use at this election , 414 aged masons votes , and widows 263 , total from Devon 677 . Repaid Warwickshire 300 aged masons and 100 widows votes ; these votes , with my own and sundry others , made a total for use at this election of 1119 . Tbe official list of
candates issued by the Institutions for this election showed an approved list of 61 applicants , bnt only seven vacancies—or in other words , seven only to be elected out of 61 . These seven vacancies were to be competed for by every Province in England . I merely mention the fact , because on this list of 61 applicants for seven vacancies , Devon found six widows asking to be admitted , aud all eligible . From the
fact of the small number of vacancies , and although the number was increased to fifteen on the day of the election , this election remains the most difficult that has yet taken place . Upon this occasion one ' s widow ' s vole was worth four men ' s votes , and many exchanges were made , even five and six men ' s for one widow ' s vote . The reason of this difference in value was that twenty-five aged
Masons were to be elected ont of a listof thirty-five . Even then had I been prepared to make a great sacrifice , I conld probably have elected a widow ; but in the interests of the Province I was not pre . pared to make it . Look at the figures . I had 736 men ' s votes and 333 widows . Out of these I repaid to South Wales forty widows ' , and to Cumberland 220 men ' s—see cancelled towns for same . The residue
of votes left after these payments , with the rate of exchange as stated , would have only produced half sufficient votes to elect a widow . I should then have had to have borrowed 500 orfi 00 widows 'thus to have sacrificed onr men ' s votes at four to ono , and borrowed widows' at a premium would have been burning the candles at both sods , while the probability is at next election men ' s votes will be worth more than widows' , rnd that a widow will be elected
for half the number of votes used at this election . I therefore Utilised our men ' s votes at their full value , having them all for use at next election . As stated , I held 736 men ' s and 383 widows' votes total , 1119 . Repaid South Wales 40 , and Cumberland 220 . I then jent tbe Province of Monmouth 535 Benevolent votes . To Bro . John instable , on behalf of Bro . Hughan , I lent 444 aged Masons' votes , and to Cumberland 104 men's , vouched for by the respective IOU ' s ere handed in . In concluding my report , here is given the votes due w > Uevon Dy various Provinces , with our indebtedness to Sister Pro .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.
vinoes , with whom we work on the principle of doing the greatest amount of good to the largest possible number : —Total Benevolent votes due to Devon , 1 , 0 , 33 . Bro . J . Torry Seoietary K . M . B . I . owes Devon 104 boys' voces , aud the Provinco of Dorset owes Devon 110 boys ' , making a total duo to Devon of 1 , 297 voces . Devon o * ves co kVorcestersuire—repayable iu April 1832—457 boys' votes aud 30 y
girls' ditto ; to Cheshire , 29 boys '; to Bro . Liuzel 33 boys voces ; and to Monmouthshire , 326 girls' ; aud to Bro . Hanker , 137 boys' votes ; being a total of 1 , 291 votes . The above aro exclusive of the votes due Dy Devon to myself , viz . —Boys' 128 : Widows' 3 b' # ; aged Masona 224 ; and for these I am personally responsible . At tne same time it doubtless will be bums in mtud chat duriug the twelve mouths
covered by the use of the votes shown , through the excellent organi . zatiou of the Committee of Petitions , nnd thoakiitut manipulation of tbe votes in question , Devon haa contrived to place on tne Funds or into the Institutions six candidates from tho Province at a real ex . peudituvo of about 6000 votes , anti by the organization and skilful management referred Co , tney have nothing to pay tor a , large
moiety of these borrowed votes . The candidates trom Devon who have been elected receive between them annually £ 1 , 250 . This report was received and adopted , aud Bvo . Godfcsohalk was warmly thanked for his management , and congratulated on his suecessful efforts . It was resolved that the report be printed tor distribution amongst the Lodges , and that in future reports be , if possible
printed before the meeting . Bro . Godtachalk proposed that the sum of fifty guineas be given to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for A ^ ed Masons ' Male Fund , fifty guineas to the Widows * Fund , and ° fifty guineas to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls—There was an amendment that the sum of fifty guineas be given respectively to the widows , boys , and girls . The original motion was , however carried by a large majority , and the amounts were ordered to be '
placed on the list of Bro . Godtachalk as Steward , and for the benefit ot the Province to liquidate his open Stewards' lists . There were four petitions for relief , and the Committee voted tbe following sums : —The sum of £ 5 to the widow of a late brother of Lodge 112 and recommended a further grant from P . G . Lodge of £ 8 ; the snm of £ 5 to the widow of a late brother of Lodge 494 ; the sum of £ 5 to
the widow of a late brother of Lodge 156 , and recommended a further grant of £ 8 from P . G . Lodge ; and the sum of £ 5 to the widow of a late brother of Lodge 120 D , and they recommended a further grant from the P . G . Lodge of £ 5 . There were three candidates for the votes of the Province for the London Schools , and after discussion during which the Secretary deprecated the growing practice of the friends of candidates sending circulars to Lodges and subscribers
the tendency of which was to weaken the voting powers of the Committee , whilst after all they must at last depend on it , the boy Sidney Sowdon , whose late father was a member of Lodge 372 , was unanimously adopted . The report to the P . G . Lodge was then prepared and adopted , and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman . By direction of tbe Committee of the Associated Lodges luncheon wis provided at the Temple for the brethren who came from a distance .
The Annual Meeting of Grand Lodge , was held at tbe Mechanics ' Institute , under the presidency of the Prov . G . M . Viscount Ebrington The attendance of brethren from all parts of the province was very large . The minntes of the meetings held at Barnstaple and Torrington were read by Bro . Brewer ( tbe Secretary ) , and dul y confirmed . Bro . Moon ( the P . G . Treasurer ) presented the accounts , which
reported a total of receipts of £ 419 ; and a balance after meeting all liabilities of £ 198 in favour of tbe Province . The statement of the Fortescue Annuity Fund exhibited receipts during the year amount , mg to £ 357 , and , after meeting all disbursements , there remained an available balance in the hands of the P . G . Treasurer of £ 67 . The amount invested in Consols and other securities on this account was
reported to be £ 2 , 229 . Bro . Gover presented the report of the Committee of Petitions on their proceedings during the past year . They bad been snccessfnl , he stated , in electing the candidates of the Province on the foundations of the great Masonio Charities , bat to accomplish this very satisfactory result they had not received the support of all the Lodges . This was muoh to be regretted . Whilst
i he Province included 2 , 500 subscribing members , only 1 , 520 had been represented in the names that had passed through the com . mittee . The consequence was that fully 600 votes had either been lost altogether , or had been diverted into other channels , whioh , so far as the interests of the Province were concerned , was even worse . At the meeting held that day various suras were voted in relief of
the families of deceased or distressed Masons , a catalogue of whioh w . is now read for approbation . The committee had also determined to propose that sums of fifty guineas each shonld be voted to tbe Masonic Institntion for Aged Masons , the Masonic Institntion for the Widows of Masons , and the Masonic Institution for Girls . A brief discussion ensued on the reading of the report . Bro . Simon Hyne
thought that some proportion of these contributions mi ght legitimatel y be applied to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund . He moved a resolution to that effect , namely , the sum of £ 20 , with a view of testing the feeling of the meeting . Bro . Lethbridge seconded the motion . Bro . the Rev . W . Whittley , however , whilst acknowledging tbe hearty good feeling of those who bad proposed the
amendment , remarked th < t the brethren identified with the management of the Devon Edncational Fund could not be blind to the fact that it was receiving liberal aid in answer to its appeals for assistance . They re . mernbered that th ? Province rec 'ived noless than £ 1250 annuall y from the Great Central Charities it was proposed to assist in this way , and the brethreu ought to do their utmost for them when tho treatment
the Province received was so generous . The report of the Committee was adopted , the mover and seconder of the amendment alone dis-* entin ; j . Bro . S . Jones propo *; I t ! ie election of Bro . Stocker as P . G , Treasnrer for the ensuing year , and be was unanimously elected . In reply , Bro . Stocker acknowledged with warmth the confidence that tiad been reposed iu him , and undertook to do his utmost to justify the selection . Bros . Curteis and Passmore were re-elected to audit
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.
contests , for tbe excellent reason that it waa necessary to first pay our debts before incurring greater liabilities . For the purpose ot the elections named—girls and boys—April 9 th aud lltb , aud tor payment of debts , I received from Devon , through Bro . J . B . Gover , the following votes : —234 boys , and girl * 114 , with au 10 U lent by Bro . J . VV . Hughan , of Cornwall , ou Lincolnshire , for 100 boys votes ,
making a total from Devon of 443 votes . Add to these 204 boys votes repaid us by Warwickshire ou their IOU to Devon , held by myself , yon will find I had in hand 652 votes to repay 1 , 500 . Foreseeing this deficiency I had previously arranged with other provinces for the loau of voces . I need scarcely say how important it is , it credit is to be maintained , to be ready and prompt at time for
repayment . I , therefore , ou first day of the elections , the 9 cu April , repaid the following provinces votes as follows : —To Cheshire , 300 boys ; Dorset , 276 boys and 67 girls ; Shropshire , 100 boys ; North Wales , 100 boys . I was prepared witb the 93 boys and 67 girls due tu Berkshire , but was requested to retain same , that province having nu candidate for those elections . Thus the votes repaid by me ou A ord
9 th were 843 , and for which I hand in vouchers in form of the 10 IPs g iven by me on behalf of Devon when the votes wero borrowed . These lOU ' s it will be observed , are cancelled . I have stated no child was selected by this Committee for either of these elections in April lase , by reason of having to pay our previously boi rowed votes . At the same time , there were on the list of candidates from Devon
tbe names of three children , duly qualified for admission on election . I will now show how a good work was accomplished , aud a profit made by nse of the votes I had in band after repayments of debts . One ot tbe three children named as a duly qualified Candidate from Devon , although not selected by this Committee , through a relative , Bro . Phillip fiawle , who appears to be in a good social position , applied to
me on the day of election for aid in form of votes . I explained how we were situated ; that officially I could nod give the votes to a candidate , even from Devon , unless that candidate had been selected by the committee , and intimating that if he personally was prepared to do anything—that is , would give a guarantee to the Secretary of the R . M . I . G . for fifty guineas—I , through my
influence , wonld obtain sufficient votes to elect the girl Bawle . This he agreed to do . The guarantee was written ont , handed to the Secretary at once . I went to work , and without pledging the Province obtained on my responsibility the votes . Having taken up the case at 1 . 30 on the day of election—in fact , after the elections had commenced—before the poll closed at three o ' clock we had polled
1 , 229 votes , and elected the child Rawle , the highest polling at that election 2 , 064 votes . By this election the Province is relieved of a candidate , at the same time placing to Devon the credit of fifty guineas with the Institution in liquidation of my Stewards' list for 1880 , and for whioh Devon will have the votes for future elections . Having taken up this case under circumstances stated
entirely on my own responsibility , and without consultation with auy one—not even Bro . Gover , who I fancy was rather more surprised at the result than most people—I , therefore , most respectfully state to the committee , should they demur to my action in this matter or repudiate the transaction , I will relieve them of the onus of repaying the votes by doing so out of my own resources . At
the same time let it be well understood , and this will be seen at the conclnsion of this report , that although Devon has elected six candidates into the Great Masonic Charities during twelve months , a result far in excess of its voting power as a province , and even with this last girl elected , U . T . Rawle , Devon stands free from debt to other provinces , and to all others excepting the votes due to myself . The next election was that of the R . M . B . I . for Aged
Masons and Widows , May 1881 . For this election , had circumstances been favourable , I should have polled all votes for Bro . Gregory , of Exeter . I received from Devon , through Bro . Gover , for use at this election , 414 aged masons votes , and widows 263 , total from Devon 677 . Repaid Warwickshire 300 aged masons and 100 widows votes ; these votes , with my own and sundry others , made a total for use at this election of 1119 . Tbe official list of
candates issued by the Institutions for this election showed an approved list of 61 applicants , bnt only seven vacancies—or in other words , seven only to be elected out of 61 . These seven vacancies were to be competed for by every Province in England . I merely mention the fact , because on this list of 61 applicants for seven vacancies , Devon found six widows asking to be admitted , aud all eligible . From the
fact of the small number of vacancies , and although the number was increased to fifteen on the day of the election , this election remains the most difficult that has yet taken place . Upon this occasion one ' s widow ' s vole was worth four men ' s votes , and many exchanges were made , even five and six men ' s for one widow ' s vote . The reason of this difference in value was that twenty-five aged
Masons were to be elected ont of a listof thirty-five . Even then had I been prepared to make a great sacrifice , I conld probably have elected a widow ; but in the interests of the Province I was not pre . pared to make it . Look at the figures . I had 736 men ' s votes and 333 widows . Out of these I repaid to South Wales forty widows ' , and to Cumberland 220 men ' s—see cancelled towns for same . The residue
of votes left after these payments , with the rate of exchange as stated , would have only produced half sufficient votes to elect a widow . I should then have had to have borrowed 500 orfi 00 widows 'thus to have sacrificed onr men ' s votes at four to ono , and borrowed widows' at a premium would have been burning the candles at both sods , while the probability is at next election men ' s votes will be worth more than widows' , rnd that a widow will be elected
for half the number of votes used at this election . I therefore Utilised our men ' s votes at their full value , having them all for use at next election . As stated , I held 736 men ' s and 383 widows' votes total , 1119 . Repaid South Wales 40 , and Cumberland 220 . I then jent tbe Province of Monmouth 535 Benevolent votes . To Bro . John instable , on behalf of Bro . Hughan , I lent 444 aged Masons' votes , and to Cumberland 104 men's , vouched for by the respective IOU ' s ere handed in . In concluding my report , here is given the votes due w > Uevon Dy various Provinces , with our indebtedness to Sister Pro .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.
vinoes , with whom we work on the principle of doing the greatest amount of good to the largest possible number : —Total Benevolent votes due to Devon , 1 , 0 , 33 . Bro . J . Torry Seoietary K . M . B . I . owes Devon 104 boys' voces , aud the Provinco of Dorset owes Devon 110 boys ' , making a total duo to Devon of 1 , 297 voces . Devon o * ves co kVorcestersuire—repayable iu April 1832—457 boys' votes aud 30 y
girls' ditto ; to Cheshire , 29 boys '; to Bro . Liuzel 33 boys voces ; and to Monmouthshire , 326 girls' ; aud to Bro . Hanker , 137 boys' votes ; being a total of 1 , 291 votes . The above aro exclusive of the votes due Dy Devon to myself , viz . —Boys' 128 : Widows' 3 b' # ; aged Masona 224 ; and for these I am personally responsible . At tne same time it doubtless will be bums in mtud chat duriug the twelve mouths
covered by the use of the votes shown , through the excellent organi . zatiou of the Committee of Petitions , nnd thoakiitut manipulation of tbe votes in question , Devon haa contrived to place on tne Funds or into the Institutions six candidates from tho Province at a real ex . peudituvo of about 6000 votes , anti by the organization and skilful management referred Co , tney have nothing to pay tor a , large
moiety of these borrowed votes . The candidates trom Devon who have been elected receive between them annually £ 1 , 250 . This report was received and adopted , aud Bvo . Godfcsohalk was warmly thanked for his management , and congratulated on his suecessful efforts . It was resolved that the report be printed tor distribution amongst the Lodges , and that in future reports be , if possible
printed before the meeting . Bro . Godtachalk proposed that the sum of fifty guineas be given to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for A ^ ed Masons ' Male Fund , fifty guineas to the Widows * Fund , and ° fifty guineas to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls—There was an amendment that the sum of fifty guineas be given respectively to the widows , boys , and girls . The original motion was , however carried by a large majority , and the amounts were ordered to be '
placed on the list of Bro . Godtachalk as Steward , and for the benefit ot the Province to liquidate his open Stewards' lists . There were four petitions for relief , and the Committee voted tbe following sums : —The sum of £ 5 to the widow of a late brother of Lodge 112 and recommended a further grant from P . G . Lodge of £ 8 ; the snm of £ 5 to the widow of a late brother of Lodge 494 ; the sum of £ 5 to
the widow of a late brother of Lodge 156 , and recommended a further grant of £ 8 from P . G . Lodge ; and the sum of £ 5 to the widow of a late brother of Lodge 120 D , and they recommended a further grant from the P . G . Lodge of £ 5 . There were three candidates for the votes of the Province for the London Schools , and after discussion during which the Secretary deprecated the growing practice of the friends of candidates sending circulars to Lodges and subscribers
the tendency of which was to weaken the voting powers of the Committee , whilst after all they must at last depend on it , the boy Sidney Sowdon , whose late father was a member of Lodge 372 , was unanimously adopted . The report to the P . G . Lodge was then prepared and adopted , and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman . By direction of tbe Committee of the Associated Lodges luncheon wis provided at the Temple for the brethren who came from a distance .
The Annual Meeting of Grand Lodge , was held at tbe Mechanics ' Institute , under the presidency of the Prov . G . M . Viscount Ebrington The attendance of brethren from all parts of the province was very large . The minntes of the meetings held at Barnstaple and Torrington were read by Bro . Brewer ( tbe Secretary ) , and dul y confirmed . Bro . Moon ( the P . G . Treasurer ) presented the accounts , which
reported a total of receipts of £ 419 ; and a balance after meeting all liabilities of £ 198 in favour of tbe Province . The statement of the Fortescue Annuity Fund exhibited receipts during the year amount , mg to £ 357 , and , after meeting all disbursements , there remained an available balance in the hands of the P . G . Treasurer of £ 67 . The amount invested in Consols and other securities on this account was
reported to be £ 2 , 229 . Bro . Gover presented the report of the Committee of Petitions on their proceedings during the past year . They bad been snccessfnl , he stated , in electing the candidates of the Province on the foundations of the great Masonio Charities , bat to accomplish this very satisfactory result they had not received the support of all the Lodges . This was muoh to be regretted . Whilst
i he Province included 2 , 500 subscribing members , only 1 , 520 had been represented in the names that had passed through the com . mittee . The consequence was that fully 600 votes had either been lost altogether , or had been diverted into other channels , whioh , so far as the interests of the Province were concerned , was even worse . At the meeting held that day various suras were voted in relief of
the families of deceased or distressed Masons , a catalogue of whioh w . is now read for approbation . The committee had also determined to propose that sums of fifty guineas each shonld be voted to tbe Masonic Institntion for Aged Masons , the Masonic Institntion for the Widows of Masons , and the Masonic Institution for Girls . A brief discussion ensued on the reading of the report . Bro . Simon Hyne
thought that some proportion of these contributions mi ght legitimatel y be applied to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund . He moved a resolution to that effect , namely , the sum of £ 20 , with a view of testing the feeling of the meeting . Bro . Lethbridge seconded the motion . Bro . the Rev . W . Whittley , however , whilst acknowledging tbe hearty good feeling of those who bad proposed the
amendment , remarked th < t the brethren identified with the management of the Devon Edncational Fund could not be blind to the fact that it was receiving liberal aid in answer to its appeals for assistance . They re . mernbered that th ? Province rec 'ived noless than £ 1250 annuall y from the Great Central Charities it was proposed to assist in this way , and the brethreu ought to do their utmost for them when tho treatment
the Province received was so generous . The report of the Committee was adopted , the mover and seconder of the amendment alone dis-* entin ; j . Bro . S . Jones propo *; I t ! ie election of Bro . Stocker as P . G , Treasnrer for the ensuing year , and be was unanimously elected . In reply , Bro . Stocker acknowledged with warmth the confidence that tiad been reposed iu him , and undertook to do his utmost to justify the selection . Bros . Curteis and Passmore were re-elected to audit