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Correspondence.
Thero aro other features of the scheme which may justify this arrangement . Messrs . Spiers and Pond gi-.-o up their present banqnetting room and kitchen , but theso aro more than made good by removing the kithen to tho top of the building , and by granting them tho whole of the space under tho new temple . Tho gain to Grand Lodge would be the present kitchen , to bo used as a
snpperroom , and the banqnetting hall . To unite the latter with the destroyed buildings so as to form a grand Temple , wonld cost £ 16 , 400 , less insurance £ 6 , 400 , leaving £ 10 , 000 to be provided . Does this sum include the restoration of the damaged statue , provide for replacing the burned pictures as far as possible , aud for a new organ ? What allowance has been made for loss during the work of alterations and
rebuilding ? I presume that Mr . Bacon ' s rent would cease directly the contemplated arrangement was signed ; we know that Messrs . Spiers and Ponds' increased rent would not begin until all the alterations had been completed . Between tho two periods a considerable time wonld elapse , and unless this and other contingencies have been provided for I fear the preseut scheme would greatly
exceed the estimates put forth . Of course Messrs . Spiers and Pond would pay any increase of rates that might occur . It is hardly likely that the parish authorities will allow such an opportunity for increasing the assessment to pass . Thoy will naturally say an outlay of £ 50 , 000 means an increased value , and we must share in the advantage . Did the
Committee take this matter into thoir consideration ? All these are points , Sir , which require the most thoughtful study . If I have raised some matters that have escaped notice , if I have called attention to the snbject in such a way as to attract attention , my labour will not have been in vain . Like the Craft in general , I desire that the work that has become necessary should be done well and at a fair rate . I do not believe in the cheap and nasty theory ;
I have no sympathy with " screws , " and cannot tolerate meanness . At the samo time I cannot escape from the condition of prudence which the teaching of the Craft enjoins , and which is necessary in all the affairs of life . I hope the whole question will be thrashed out between this and December , and that when the work to be done has been determined upon , it will be carried out with skill and punctuality . Yours fraternally , WATCHMAN .
RE-BUILDING THE TEMPLE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Publicity having been given to my intention to submit a motiou for consideration at the ensuing Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , in relation to the rebuild , ing of the Temple , I think it advisable to afford further information at once , thereby placing beyond doubt before your readers what my
ideas on the subject are , and probably saving valuable time , as well in the interval between this date and the 5 th December next , as on the occasion of the Grand Lodge meeting of that date . Eoughly expressed , and snbject to other wording , my proposition will be , that under the direction and authority of tbe Grand Superintendent of Works ( who shall not thereby be precluded from
submitting his own designs ) , those architects , being members of our Order , who may be desirous to compete , shall be invited to send plans and designs for tho new building to the already constituted building committee . That prizes of the respective values of , say , thirty ( or fifty ) guineas , twenty ( or thirty ) guineas , and ten ( or twenty ) guineas , be offered for the three most approved designs .
That the said designs shall be sent in under mottoes , the names of the respective architects remaining undisclosed until after selection , and the approximate cost of each design shall be stated . That they shall be exhibited for one month , and the selection of the prize designs be made , by ballot , by Master Masons ( the details of the method of such ballot are of the most simple and effectual kind , and
need not be explained in this letter ) . That the Building Committee be requested to report , afc such date as may be determined , the result of such ballot , with the names of the successful competitors , and their own opinion as to the advisability or otherwise of accepting one or other of the prize designs . In the event of this proposition , or some modification thereof .
which will ensure the reception of competitive designs being accepted , ifc will almost , as a matter of course , follow that the designer of the plans which will be ultimatel y approved of by Grand Lodge will be the architect of the new building , under the direction and superintendence of our own Chief Officer of Works , should he nofc
be himself the successful competitor . Tenders from some of the moat eminent contractors should be invited in the manner customary wheu edifices of importance are to bo erected ; and so , in the result , we may hope to have a building worthy of our great English Craft as a body , and of the important work which will be carried on within its walls .
It would not become mo to enter now into arguments on behalf of my proposition ; at the proper time I shall be able to adduce excellent reasons for its adoption . Meanwhile , others should be free to form their opinions , and to be prepared with counter arguments if they see fit . By the way , a question put by the Worshipful Bro . Henry
Maudslay P . G . D ., & c . seems to be worth y of consideration before it is finally settled upon what part of the propert y of Grand Lodge the New Temple shall be erected . It there are premises westward of the present ruined Temple , which can be adapted for the new building , it may be found advantageous both in respect of economy and
increased convenience to utilise them . Particulars of a survey lead me strongly to believe that the loss which would result from the absorption of Bacon ' s Hotel , as proposed by the Buildino * Committee , need nofc be incurred ; and that altogether far better arrangements could be made towards the west than towards the east of the present Grand Lodge Offices and Lodge Booms . These particulars are at the
Correspondence.
service of any brother who would care to be acquainted with them , and would see me on tho subject . In conclusion , ifc is to be hoped that the members of Grand Lodge generally will seo the propriety and policy of not too greatly hastening a decision on such an impor . tant matter as this , for it is not only in the present interests of our Order , in regard to our " home , " that we should bo concerned , but the probable requirements of future generations of Freemasons demand from us a dutiful and careful consideration .
Yours truly and fraternally , JAMES STEVENS P . M . 1216 , P . Z . Clapham , S . W ., 10 th September 1883 .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I regret that I was unable to be present at the last meeting of Grand Lodge , as I was particularly anxious to hear what was said in support of the proposal , submitted by the Special Building Committee , for the re-building of our Masonic Temple . The little experience I have had in building
matters has taught me to look upon any estimate submitted by a builder as very little short of a delusion and a snare . I know the building trade has a bad name for not working to estimate , and my dealings with representatives of it has certainly induced me to think that the bad namo is more than deserved . What , I ask , is the margin we are to allow on the expenditure of the £ 40 , 400 which the Committee
recommend ? Upwards of forty thousand pounds to be spent in building operations—and this is the proposal : — £ 15 , 000 for rebuilding Bacon ' s Hotel , £ 5 , 000 for removal of Tavern kitchen , £ 4 , 000 for fittings , & c , and £ 16 , 400 for re-building enlarged Temple ! What a chance for " extras , " and with a body like the Freemasons of England to find the money ! Eeally , the question of
our new Temple , and other buildings , is a most serious one , and it is to be hoped that before operations are commenced every precaution against failure will be adopted . By failure I mean to imply , not exactly failure in finishing the work , bufc rather , failure in finishing it at a price near what is proposed . The question as to the advisability or otherwise—from a financial
point of view—of accepting the proposed scheme , is one which must also receive serious attention . The brethren of the Craft are asked to expend £ 30 , 000 in alterations and additions to tbe Tavern , for which they will secure an annual improved rental of £ 440 ! That is investing money at less than one and a half per cent ., and seeing that the Committee propose to pay three per cent , for their loan , ifc is ,
on the face of the proposal , a bad speculation . I suppose the breth . ren may look upon the work from a speculative point of view , as well as from one of convenience . I think it would be worth while con . sidering the advisability of restoring the Temple to its former size , which could be done without any cost to the Craft , as the Insurance is said to be sufficient for the purpose . Tbe expenditure of some
£ 1 , 000 , £ 2 , 000 , or even £ 5 , 000 in addition , might perhaps give some further accommodation , and the Craft would be spared the great outlay now suggested , which to my mind wonld exceed £ 50 , 000 before the work was thoroughly completed . It is very easy to speak of an amount of forty thousand pounds , or to express it on paper , but I am of opinion that the Craft would not add lustre to its name by such a lavish outlay on a building which they only use some four
or five times a-year . The proper course , to my way of thinking , would be to invite suggestions as to what could be done for , say , £ 3 , 000 . An offer of a premium of £ 100 or £ 150 forthe best proposal would , I think , be sufficient to call forth something of service to the Craft , and the whole subject could be easily disposed of . Of one thing I am certain , —the outlay proposed is far above what ought to be spent .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully , DELTA .
OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have often wondered whether the offices of Senior and Junior Grand Wardens especially are sinecures , merely complimentary posts to be conferred upon brethren without fche conditions of labour attached to every other position in Grand Lodge . I believe I am correct in saying thafc the 25 th April last
was looked forward to with great interest , thafc being the day fixed for the Annual Communication , when the lisfc of Oflicers for the year was announced . I find at the top of that lisfc Bro . the Earl of Milltown S . G . W ., and next to him Bro . the Eight Hon . Col . Stanley J . G . W . The position of the Moat Worshipful Grand Master ia well understood , against which no voice of complaint can fairly be raised .
The Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , is well known for the interest ho takes in the Craft and the time he devotes to the work of Grand Lodge . Other Officers of importance are usually in their places , and show by their presence that they appreciate the honour that has been conferred npon them . The Grand Wardens , however , are exceptions to the rule , why , I cannot understand . It is very well to have honours , but they entail responsibility and labour , and to the
unless the holders of the offices I have named are equal demauds of duty , it ought to be a question of the future whether the useful as well as the ornamental should nofc be a necessary qnalification for tbe posts of S . G . W . and J . G . W . I do nofc think that either of the brethren I have named has attended Grand Lodge since their appointment ; and while I have every respect for those brethren wuo have acted as deputy for them , I do not think ifc rig ht that two o tbe most important and honourable offices in the Craffc should nearly
always be filled by proxies . Truly and fraternally yours , M
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
Thero aro other features of the scheme which may justify this arrangement . Messrs . Spiers and Pond gi-.-o up their present banqnetting room and kitchen , but theso aro more than made good by removing the kithen to tho top of the building , and by granting them tho whole of the space under tho new temple . Tho gain to Grand Lodge would be the present kitchen , to bo used as a
snpperroom , and the banqnetting hall . To unite the latter with the destroyed buildings so as to form a grand Temple , wonld cost £ 16 , 400 , less insurance £ 6 , 400 , leaving £ 10 , 000 to be provided . Does this sum include the restoration of the damaged statue , provide for replacing the burned pictures as far as possible , aud for a new organ ? What allowance has been made for loss during the work of alterations and
rebuilding ? I presume that Mr . Bacon ' s rent would cease directly the contemplated arrangement was signed ; we know that Messrs . Spiers and Ponds' increased rent would not begin until all the alterations had been completed . Between tho two periods a considerable time wonld elapse , and unless this and other contingencies have been provided for I fear the preseut scheme would greatly
exceed the estimates put forth . Of course Messrs . Spiers and Pond would pay any increase of rates that might occur . It is hardly likely that the parish authorities will allow such an opportunity for increasing the assessment to pass . Thoy will naturally say an outlay of £ 50 , 000 means an increased value , and we must share in the advantage . Did the
Committee take this matter into thoir consideration ? All these are points , Sir , which require the most thoughtful study . If I have raised some matters that have escaped notice , if I have called attention to the snbject in such a way as to attract attention , my labour will not have been in vain . Like the Craft in general , I desire that the work that has become necessary should be done well and at a fair rate . I do not believe in the cheap and nasty theory ;
I have no sympathy with " screws , " and cannot tolerate meanness . At the samo time I cannot escape from the condition of prudence which the teaching of the Craft enjoins , and which is necessary in all the affairs of life . I hope the whole question will be thrashed out between this and December , and that when the work to be done has been determined upon , it will be carried out with skill and punctuality . Yours fraternally , WATCHMAN .
RE-BUILDING THE TEMPLE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Publicity having been given to my intention to submit a motiou for consideration at the ensuing Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , in relation to the rebuild , ing of the Temple , I think it advisable to afford further information at once , thereby placing beyond doubt before your readers what my
ideas on the subject are , and probably saving valuable time , as well in the interval between this date and the 5 th December next , as on the occasion of the Grand Lodge meeting of that date . Eoughly expressed , and snbject to other wording , my proposition will be , that under the direction and authority of tbe Grand Superintendent of Works ( who shall not thereby be precluded from
submitting his own designs ) , those architects , being members of our Order , who may be desirous to compete , shall be invited to send plans and designs for tho new building to the already constituted building committee . That prizes of the respective values of , say , thirty ( or fifty ) guineas , twenty ( or thirty ) guineas , and ten ( or twenty ) guineas , be offered for the three most approved designs .
That the said designs shall be sent in under mottoes , the names of the respective architects remaining undisclosed until after selection , and the approximate cost of each design shall be stated . That they shall be exhibited for one month , and the selection of the prize designs be made , by ballot , by Master Masons ( the details of the method of such ballot are of the most simple and effectual kind , and
need not be explained in this letter ) . That the Building Committee be requested to report , afc such date as may be determined , the result of such ballot , with the names of the successful competitors , and their own opinion as to the advisability or otherwise of accepting one or other of the prize designs . In the event of this proposition , or some modification thereof .
which will ensure the reception of competitive designs being accepted , ifc will almost , as a matter of course , follow that the designer of the plans which will be ultimatel y approved of by Grand Lodge will be the architect of the new building , under the direction and superintendence of our own Chief Officer of Works , should he nofc
be himself the successful competitor . Tenders from some of the moat eminent contractors should be invited in the manner customary wheu edifices of importance are to bo erected ; and so , in the result , we may hope to have a building worthy of our great English Craft as a body , and of the important work which will be carried on within its walls .
It would not become mo to enter now into arguments on behalf of my proposition ; at the proper time I shall be able to adduce excellent reasons for its adoption . Meanwhile , others should be free to form their opinions , and to be prepared with counter arguments if they see fit . By the way , a question put by the Worshipful Bro . Henry
Maudslay P . G . D ., & c . seems to be worth y of consideration before it is finally settled upon what part of the propert y of Grand Lodge the New Temple shall be erected . It there are premises westward of the present ruined Temple , which can be adapted for the new building , it may be found advantageous both in respect of economy and
increased convenience to utilise them . Particulars of a survey lead me strongly to believe that the loss which would result from the absorption of Bacon ' s Hotel , as proposed by the Buildino * Committee , need nofc be incurred ; and that altogether far better arrangements could be made towards the west than towards the east of the present Grand Lodge Offices and Lodge Booms . These particulars are at the
Correspondence.
service of any brother who would care to be acquainted with them , and would see me on tho subject . In conclusion , ifc is to be hoped that the members of Grand Lodge generally will seo the propriety and policy of not too greatly hastening a decision on such an impor . tant matter as this , for it is not only in the present interests of our Order , in regard to our " home , " that we should bo concerned , but the probable requirements of future generations of Freemasons demand from us a dutiful and careful consideration .
Yours truly and fraternally , JAMES STEVENS P . M . 1216 , P . Z . Clapham , S . W ., 10 th September 1883 .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I regret that I was unable to be present at the last meeting of Grand Lodge , as I was particularly anxious to hear what was said in support of the proposal , submitted by the Special Building Committee , for the re-building of our Masonic Temple . The little experience I have had in building
matters has taught me to look upon any estimate submitted by a builder as very little short of a delusion and a snare . I know the building trade has a bad name for not working to estimate , and my dealings with representatives of it has certainly induced me to think that the bad namo is more than deserved . What , I ask , is the margin we are to allow on the expenditure of the £ 40 , 400 which the Committee
recommend ? Upwards of forty thousand pounds to be spent in building operations—and this is the proposal : — £ 15 , 000 for rebuilding Bacon ' s Hotel , £ 5 , 000 for removal of Tavern kitchen , £ 4 , 000 for fittings , & c , and £ 16 , 400 for re-building enlarged Temple ! What a chance for " extras , " and with a body like the Freemasons of England to find the money ! Eeally , the question of
our new Temple , and other buildings , is a most serious one , and it is to be hoped that before operations are commenced every precaution against failure will be adopted . By failure I mean to imply , not exactly failure in finishing the work , bufc rather , failure in finishing it at a price near what is proposed . The question as to the advisability or otherwise—from a financial
point of view—of accepting the proposed scheme , is one which must also receive serious attention . The brethren of the Craft are asked to expend £ 30 , 000 in alterations and additions to tbe Tavern , for which they will secure an annual improved rental of £ 440 ! That is investing money at less than one and a half per cent ., and seeing that the Committee propose to pay three per cent , for their loan , ifc is ,
on the face of the proposal , a bad speculation . I suppose the breth . ren may look upon the work from a speculative point of view , as well as from one of convenience . I think it would be worth while con . sidering the advisability of restoring the Temple to its former size , which could be done without any cost to the Craft , as the Insurance is said to be sufficient for the purpose . Tbe expenditure of some
£ 1 , 000 , £ 2 , 000 , or even £ 5 , 000 in addition , might perhaps give some further accommodation , and the Craft would be spared the great outlay now suggested , which to my mind wonld exceed £ 50 , 000 before the work was thoroughly completed . It is very easy to speak of an amount of forty thousand pounds , or to express it on paper , but I am of opinion that the Craft would not add lustre to its name by such a lavish outlay on a building which they only use some four
or five times a-year . The proper course , to my way of thinking , would be to invite suggestions as to what could be done for , say , £ 3 , 000 . An offer of a premium of £ 100 or £ 150 forthe best proposal would , I think , be sufficient to call forth something of service to the Craft , and the whole subject could be easily disposed of . Of one thing I am certain , —the outlay proposed is far above what ought to be spent .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully , DELTA .
OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have often wondered whether the offices of Senior and Junior Grand Wardens especially are sinecures , merely complimentary posts to be conferred upon brethren without fche conditions of labour attached to every other position in Grand Lodge . I believe I am correct in saying thafc the 25 th April last
was looked forward to with great interest , thafc being the day fixed for the Annual Communication , when the lisfc of Oflicers for the year was announced . I find at the top of that lisfc Bro . the Earl of Milltown S . G . W ., and next to him Bro . the Eight Hon . Col . Stanley J . G . W . The position of the Moat Worshipful Grand Master ia well understood , against which no voice of complaint can fairly be raised .
The Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , is well known for the interest ho takes in the Craft and the time he devotes to the work of Grand Lodge . Other Officers of importance are usually in their places , and show by their presence that they appreciate the honour that has been conferred npon them . The Grand Wardens , however , are exceptions to the rule , why , I cannot understand . It is very well to have honours , but they entail responsibility and labour , and to the
unless the holders of the offices I have named are equal demauds of duty , it ought to be a question of the future whether the useful as well as the ornamental should nofc be a necessary qnalification for tbe posts of S . G . W . and J . G . W . I do nofc think that either of the brethren I have named has attended Grand Lodge since their appointment ; and while I have every respect for those brethren wuo have acted as deputy for them , I do not think ifc rig ht that two o tbe most important and honourable offices in the Craffc should nearly
always be filled by proxies . Truly and fraternally yours , M