Custodians Of Lodge Funds.

CUSTODIANS OF LODGE FUNDS .

ANY question associated with the control of Lodge funds is exceptionally difficult to deal with , hecause it is next to impossible to offer any remark upon the subject without appearing to cast a doubt , either upon the personal character or the integrity of those who have charge of Lodge money . No matter

how sincere the motive , or how harmless the comment offered , in the hope of creating greater safeguards with which to surround the funds of our Lodges , there are many who at once jump to the conclusion that some one is being specially attacked , and they are ready with opposition , not because they object to the principle involved in the proposal , but because they are afraid of hurting the feelings of some among them .

An instance of this occurred at an important meeting this week , where a Provincial Grand Treasurer retired from office after holding the appointment for a period of thirty-six years . A successor was regularly elected , and then arose a question as to the desirability of opening a special account for the Lodge funds , and surrounding them with a

safeguard in the form of a counter signature by the Provincial Grand Secretary on each cheque drawn . The brethren of Surrey who were assembled on this occasion—for our readers will recognise that it is the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey we are referring to—immediately jumped to the conclusion that a slight was intended , by this proposition , to the newly-elected Treasurer , and on the spur of the

moment they would probably have speedily rejected anything of a restrictive character . Indeed , the proposer of the resolution was at once asked to withdraw that part of his suggestion relating to the countersigning by the Provincial Grand Secretary ,

and , in view of the apparent opposition to it , he consented . Then followed a discussion on the several points of the case , and ultimately many of those present seemed to recognise that an alteration such as was suggested might be made purely on its merits , and without any desire to reflect on the position or character of any one individual interested in the subject .

"When it was argued that no such restrictions had been imposed in the past it was pointed out that it would have been very difficult to make any alteration during the tenure ol office of Bro . George Price , the retiring Treasurer , but now that a fresh appointment had been made there was no reason why iresn

rules should not be laid down , especially as the state of the Province is so different now to ' what it was 36 years back , when Bro . Price first assumed charge of the Provincial funds . It may be imagined that a discussion such as this led to comments of a varied and conflicting character , and when one Brother incautiously remarked that he felt Provincial Grand Lodge should not put temptation in

Custodians Of Lodge Funds.

the way of any one by entrusting him with several hundred pounds of corporate funds , he was received with a strong outburst of scorn—but why ? Here are public funds to be dealt with , and no man of business capability can possibly take offence if he is asked to give security for such amounts . It is not a question

of confidence or the opposite , but one purely of principle ; and no matter whother the amount be pence , shillings or pounds , as public funds they should be surrounded with some safeguard , else we are neglecting what should be the aim of every Mason—to set an example to the world at large in all matters which can possibly have any influence on the general public , or in which outsiders can point to Freemasonry as an example . i

The mover of the proposition to surround the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey with some additional safeguards approached the subject purely from a public standpoint . He expressed a hope that

Grand Lodge would some day make it compulsory for every Lodge under its rule to keep a separate banking account , and forbid Lodge funds being mixed up with the private affairs of any individual member . There is little hope of this coming about , for the very reason we have already given ; the Craft would not calmly discuss the subject , because of the fear of offending the

susceptibilities of existing custodians ot Lodge monies , while it might be further urged that no necessity existed for altering an arrangement that had worked so well in the past , and which was now only objected to on principle ; but this feeling that nothing will be done does not do away with the necessitv for something of the sort ; and if

it is not attempted as a general matter by an edict of Grand Lodge , there is no reason why individual Lodges should not discuss the matter for themselves , and , without any intention of offering a slight , or questioning the integrity of their Treasurer , see that their funds are placed in the condition that all corporate funds should be—as free from risk of loss as it is possible to make them .

Supposed Freemasonry In The South Seas.

SUPPOSED FREEMASONRY IN THE SOUTH SEAS .

A Lecture delivered by Bro . John Gaggin in the Doric Lodqe , No . 151 .

WOR . Sir and Brothers , —This is the first time I havo had tho pleasure of attending this Lodge , and mooting you all . I am a total stranger to most of you , and am unaccustomed to this sort of thing , so , perhaps , under the circumstances , you will excuse any shortcomings on

my part . Perhaps a few may be aware that I havo spent some twelve years of my life iu the South Seas , Circumstances caused me dnring a great part of . that period to

mix very intimately with the natives . I lived among them for years—and the nearest white waa about ten miles awaymuch more so than the generality of the planters , and thus