The Grand Lodge Of Ulster.

4 th . From Comps . Samuel Cochrane , as Z . ; John Wyer , as H . ; John Wm . Folkard , as J . ; and six others lor a chapter to be attached to the Duke of Fife Lodge , No . 2345 , Clapham Common , to be called tbe Duke of Fife Chapter , and to meet at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , London . 5 th . From Comps . Samuel Slack , as Z . ; George Henry Locking , as H . ; William Mathers , as f . ; and 14 others for a chapter to be attached to the St . Oswald Lodge , 910 , Pontefract , to be called the St . Ossvalrl Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Pontefract , in the Western Division of Yorkshire .

6 th . From Comps . Felix Henry Gottlieb , Past Grand Standard Bearer , as Z . ; Robert Douglas Hesvett , as H . ; James Ruthven Macfarlane , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Perak Jubilee Lodge , No . 2225 , Taiping , Perak , to be called the Perak Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Taiping , Perak , Malay Peninsula . 7 th . From Comps . Michael Arthur Mclnerny , as Z . ; Henry Gardiner , as H . ; Alfred Molony , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Warrant Officers Lodge . No . 2346 , London , to be called the Warrant Officers Chapter , and to meet at Freemasons' Hall , London .

Sth . From Comps . William Ernest Dring , as Z . ; John Glass , as H . ; Robert Martin , as J . ; and 10 others for a chapter to be attached to the Chigsvell Lodge , No . 453 , Chingford , to be called the Chigsvell Chapter , and to meet at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , in the County of Essex . 9 th . From Comps . Clement Vincent Hasvorth , as Z . ; Herbert Andresv , as H . ; James IBottomley , as J . ; and nine others , for a chapter to be attached to the Clemency Lodge , No . 2341 , Oldham , to be called the Unity Chapter , and to meet at the Freemasons' Hall , Union-street , Oldham , in the Eastern Division of Lancashire .

ioth . From Comps . William Alfred Scurrah , as Z . ; Henry Longman , as H . ; Harry Robert Graham , as J . ; and seven others , for a chapter to be attached to the St . Pancras Lodge , No . 2271 , London , to be called the St . Pan eras Chapter , and to meet at the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Pancras , London . nth . From Comps . Major Thomas William Richardson , as Z . ; Robert Anthony Gowan , as H . ; Robert Roy , as J . ; and seven others , for a chapter to be attached to the King Solomon Lodge , No . 2029 , London , to be called the King Solomon Chapter , and to meet at the Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen-street , London .

The foregoing petitions , being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted . The Committee have also to report that they have received a memorial from the Principals and members of the Royal Burmah Chapter , No . 832 , Rangoon , Burma , praying for a charter of confirmation , the original charter being in such a dilapidated state through damp as to be scarcely legible . The Committee recommend that a charter of confirmation be granted to the above-named chapter .

The Committee have likewise to report that tbey have received a memorial from the companions of the Domatic Chapter , No . 177 , London , praying for a charter authorising them to wear a centenary jesvel in accordance with the Royal Arch Regulations , Rule 102 . The memorial being in form , and the chapter having proved an uninterrupted existence of 100 years , the Committee recommend that the prayer thereof be granted .

The Committee have further received memorials , with copies ' of minutes , for permission to remove the follosving chapters : — Sacred Delta Chapter , No . 216 , from the Masonic Hall , to the Adelphi Hotel , Liverpool . The Yarborough Chapter , No . 554 , from the Green Dragon , Stepney , to the London Tavern , Fenchurch-street , in the City of London . The Committee being satisfied of the reasonableness of the above requests , recommend that the removal of these chapters be sanctioned .

The application of the Royal Edward Chapter , No . 604 , Lyttleton , Canterbury , N . Z ., which had seceded from its allegiance to the Grand Chapter of England , and is new working under the so-called Grand Chapter of Nesv Zealand , for permission to retain possession of its charter , and svhich svas referred back to the Committee of General Purposes for further consideration at the last convocation of Grand Chapter , svas further considered by the Committee , who recommend that the application be not granted . The Committee , taking into consideration the proposed increase in the number

of Grand Officers of Grand Lodge , and being of opinion tbat the Officers of the Supreme Grand Chapter should be increased to a similar extent , recommend : — That , subject to the confirmation of the minutes of the last Grand Lodge , an addition be made to the Grand Officers appointed by the Most Excellent the First Grand Principal , by the appointment of a Deputy Grand Registrar , to rank immediately after the Grand Registrar , a Deputy Grand Sword Bearer , tsvo additional Grand Standard Bearers , tsvo

additional Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies , and that the same take effect tfter the confirmation of the minutes of the meeting of Grand Chapter , in the month of May next . That , in Provinces and Districts numbering 40 lodges and upsvards , the Grand Superintendents shall be emposvered to appoint , annually , tsvo additional Provincial or District Grand Standard Bearers . In Provinces and Districts numbering 70 lodges and upsvards , the Grand

Superintendents shall be emposvered to appoint tsvo additional Provincial or District Grand Standard Bearers , and two additional Provincial or District Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies . In Provinces and Districts numbering 100 lodges and upsvards , the Grand Superintendents shall be empowered to appoint a Provincial or District Deputy Grand Registrar , a Provincial or District Deputy Grand Ssvord Bearer , two additional Provincial or District Grand Standard Bearers , and tsvo additional Provincial or District Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies .

and that the Grand Superintendents of Provinces or Districts be emposvered to appoint such Provincial or District Grand Chapter Officers at the first meeting for the annual appointment of officers for the several Provincial and District Grand Chapters after the confirmation of the minutes of Grand Chapter . The following chapters having exalted candidates before the expiration of 12 months from the dates of raising , in violation of Rule 73 of the Book of Royal Arch Regulations , the Committee ordered the candidates to be re-obligated , and the chapters to be severely reprimanded .

The Vale of Jehosaphat Chapter , No . 291 , Highbridge , Somersetshire . The Clapton Chapter , No . 1365 , London . The Segontium Chapter , No . 606 , Carnarvon . ( Signed ) ROBERT GREY , Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . President . 18 th January , 1893 .

On thc motion of Comp . ROBERT GREY , seconded by Comp . F ' RANK RICHARDSON , all the recommendations , including the removals of chapters , were carried . Comp . ROBERT GREY , with reference to the application of the Royal Albert lidward Chapter , No . 604 Lyttleton , Canterbury , New Zealand

, , said this matter was referred back on the last occasion to the Committee of Genera l . Purposes , and as the Grand Lotlge of New Zealand svas not ^ cognised by Grand Lodge of England , neither svas the Grand Chapter of Nesv Zealand recognised b y Grand Chapter . He therefore moved that this chapter be not allowed to retain possession of their charter .

The Grand Lodge Of Ulster.

Comp . FRANK RICHARDSON seconded the motion , which was then put and carried . The ACTING M . E . G . Z . said the next resolution was proposed in consequence of thc increase in the number of Grand Officers by Grand Lodge , and it ss * as thought , not unjustly , that Grand Chapter required some iddilion to those svho held office . It svas also thought that in some Prov .

Grand Chapters some increase might be required in the offices svhich svere beld . TbttTCsobsAiows on Vbc paper were different resolutions , and he thought Ihcy should be kept separate . As regarded the first , there was no doubt about the advisability of granting the additional offices that were recommended , and he would ask the Grand Scribe E . to read the first recommendation .

This having been read , it was seconded by Comp . Philbrick , and carried . Thc ACTING M . E . G . Z . said that with reference to the second resolution he had this suggestion to make . The proposition was that the increase of officers in Provincial Grand Chapters should be dependent on the number of lodges in thc province . Now , he did not think that svas quite a fair way

in which to look upon it . There might be a province with many lodges but few chapters in comparison . There might be another province where the lodges and the chapters bore a more equal proportion , and he thought the number of officers should be dependent on the number of chapters in a province rather than on the number of lodges . Therefore he would suggest

that the Committee of General Purposes should make such an alteration in their recommendation as would carry that into effect , and he would move that the Committee of General Purposes make the alteration in the second resolution , so as to make the number of thc Provincial Grand Officers in Provincial Grand Chapter dependent on the number of chapters in the

province . Comp . PHILBRICK , Q . C , G . Reg ., seconded . It was quite certain it would not disturb Masonry in a province if it were made dependent on the number of chapters instead of on the number of lodges . But he quite agreed , having seen somesvhat of the work of Provincial Grand Chapters , that it svould be a mistake to regulate the right or status of any companions

who wished for office in Provincial Grand Chapter by the number of lodges in the province where the proportion of chapters was not what it should be to the number of lodges . The Royal Arch was the cope-stone of the Craft , and if a province worked up the Royal Arch , the additional number of officers might be an encouragement to the increased working of the Royal Arch Degree .

Comp . ROBERT GREY said the Committee of General Purposes would be ready to lall in with the views expressed in Grand Chapter . Comp . THOMAS FENN asked to be allowed to suggest that the whole of the questions be referred back to the Committee of General Purposes . The resolution confined itself more to the number of chapters . The ACTING M . E . G . Z . said he was quite willing to ' fall in with the idea .

The motion was carried . Comp . H . J . P . DUMAS said the amended resolution would not be ready for the next meeting in May . Comp . PHILBRICK said it would not affect the provinces . I Most of them would be meeting later .

ihe ACTING M . E . G . Z . said he understood there was no further business before Grand Chapter , but he wished to make one suggestion . There was one matter in Royal Arch Masonry of which he had never been quite sure what svas the reason or cause for its establishment , that svas the exclusion of companions svho sverc not installed Principals from chapters during tbe ceremony of opening . There was no particular secret divulged during the

period , and he did not knosv that there was particular reason for uninstalled companions being excluded during the ceremony . However , he thought it worthy of consideration , and he would ask the Committee of General Purposes to take it into consideration to sec whether the present custom coultl not be abolished . It might make the Royal Arch chapter more popular if thc companions were not excluded from the chapter during the opening .

Comp . Rev . C W . SPENCER STANHOPE enquired whether that could not come under a suggestion of his own in his Province of Cheshire about the revision of the ritual , which he had had to stop in consequence of his official position . He thought their worth ) ' Scribe E . knesv something about it . Would it not be desirable to defer it all until the w ole matter was gone into of the revision of the ritual ' !

Comp . THOMAS FENN said this question of the ritual of the Royal Arch had been brought before him and other companions some years ago—he believed through a lasv case—thc question that chapters should not be open to all companions at the opening . After all it was thought better not to make an alteration . If they svere going to alter thc ritual of the Royal Arch thev woultl soon alter it off the face of the earth . It would not bear it .

I hc meaning and the object of the thing originally was that after the opening by Installed Principals , they might be properly clothed , and in a dignified position , and in their scats , when the other companions werc admitted to the chapter , to salute them . This svould be spoiled if the dignity of the proceedings were taken away . There was no secret divulged certainly , but he hoped Grand Chapter would be chary of making an alteration .

Comp . ] . It .. Li" FEUVRE suggested that it was more a question of ritual than of procedure . The ACTING M . E . G . Z . said he did not make a formal motion on the subject , but hc thought it was for the Committee of General Purposes to consider svhether it was advisable or not . If they didjiot think it advisable they svould not recommend it .

Comp . I IIOMAS FT'NN said the Committee might be asked to give reasons why it should be done . He had attempted to give reasons—lie did not say he had proved that his reason was a correct one . He had seen himself , in writing , a communication made to the Duke of Sussex at the time the ritual

was adopted in 1 S 34 , and it ssas strictly laid down that the proceedings should be that which was adopted at the present day . The object to his mind ssas evidently the one he had given , viz ., that the Principals of the chapter should appear in a dignified position svhen the companions were admitted to salute them .

Comp . C . N . M'INTYRE NORTH , 1275 , thought , as a young member of Supreme Grand Chapter , that what they would have to consider would be not an alteration of the ritual . With the various workings since 20 or 30 years ago it had got slightly mixed . If the members of Grand Chapter would take the meaning of the thing in the chapter , they svould find that the ritual would , satisfy any reasonable enquirer . They mi ght consider whether some of the explanation given was any explanation at all . Grand Chapter was then closed .