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Article HALF-YEARLY MEETING AND REPORT. ← Page 2 of 3 Article HALF-YEARLY MEETING AND REPORT. Page 2 of 3 →
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Half-Yearly Meeting And Report.
tered advancements being now 20 , 87 * ) . During the same period five warrants for new lodges were granted , viz .: No . 35 O Dunelm Durham . „ 357 Chiswick Kew Bridge . „ 358 Finnemore Natal .
„ 359 Excelsior Liverpool . ,, 360 St . Eilian Amlwch . In the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner the number of certificates issued was 89 , bringing the total registeied elevations to 1 S 86 . A warrant for a new Ark Lodge has b _ en granted to :
Finnemore Lodge , Natal , attached to Finnemore , No . 35 S . The M . W G . M . has been pleased to appoint the R . W . Bro . John Walker , M . A ., J . P ., Prov . G . M . of Gloucestershire , in succession to R . VV . Bro . Rev . C . Raikes Davy , who resigns in consequence of serious and continued illness . R . W . Bro . Col . Geo . S . Tudor , D L ., has been appointed Prov . G . M . of Staffordshire , vice R . W . Bro . Lieut .-Col . Foster Gough , LL . D .
The Board have great pleasure in announcing that the Most Worshipful Grand Master has been pleased to accept the office of representative from this Grand Lodge near the Grand Chapter of Scotland , and tbat Lord Henniker , P . G . M . M . M , has accepted the office of representative of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland near this Grand Lodge . . The Board have carefully considered the circumstances connected with the incorrect return from the Leopold Lodge , No . 235 , referred back to them by Grand Lodge in
June , and having heard the personal explanations of the W . M . and Secretary , recommend to Grand Lodge that Bro . Rev . R . P . Bent should be confirmed in the rank and privileges uf Pa-1 M aster on payment of a fee of two guineas for the necessary dispensation . On the application of the Secretary of the Russell Lodge , No . 23 , the Board agreed to condone the irregularity in the installation of VV .. M ., and to recommend Grand Lodge to confirm Bro . John T . Williams in the rank and privileges of P . M ., notwithstanding he had not completed the full term of 12 months , on payment of a nominal fine of half
a guinea . The returns of Picton Castle Lodge , No . 297 , have been laid before the Board , wherein the rank and privileges of P . M . are claimed for Bro . John James , who had not occupied the chair for the full terms of 12 months . The Board having carefully considered the whole of the circumstances connected with the case , recommended Grand Lodge to confirm Bro . John James in the rank and privileges of P . M ., on payment of a fine of two guineas .
The W . M . of the King Charles the Martyr Lodge , No . 267 , informed the Board that in his installation he had unconsciously violated Art . 64 , page 13 , Book of Constitutions , not having been qualified as VV M . of a Craft Lodge , and , through ignorance , not having procured the necessary dispensation ; at the same time expressing his deep regret at having committed a breach of the Constitutions . The Board recommended the M . W . Grand Master to issue a special dispensation to cover the irregularity on payment of a fine of one guinea .
The Board having been informed that the W . M . elect of Lebanon Lodge , No . 325 , had been installed without the presence of a P . M ., cancelled the so-called installation , and directed that the -utgoing W . M . should continue in office until his successor is legally installed . The Seventeenth Annual Festival of the " Mark Benevolent Fund " vvas celebrated at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday , 22 nd July last , under the presidency of R . VV . Bro . the Right Hon . the Lord fcgerton of Tatton , Deputy Grand Master , Prov . G . M . of
Cheshire , whose efforts , aided by S 6 brethren and one lady , acting as Stewards , the most numerous Board yet constituted in support of the Fund , resu'ted in the subscription of £ 1721 iGs . Gd . —more than double the largest amount ever previously received . In consequence of this success , the Board have been enabled to admit without election the whole of the candidates for educational grants , and , in accordance vvith the desire of a large number of brethren , recommend Grand Lodge to sanction the establishment of a fund fur granting annuities to aged and decayed Mark Master Masons and
their widows , and that such fund should be constituted by a grant of £ 1000 from the invested Fund of Benevolence , £ 105 specially given by Lord Egerton of Tatton , and one-third of all amounts subscribed at the last and future Benevolent Festivals . The Board further recommend that all monies so received should be invested , arid the interest only be appropriated to the purposes of the fund , it being proposed , as a beginning , to grant an annuity of £ 20 to each of two men , and £ 16 to each of two widows—to be elected by ballot .
A Moveable Grand Lodge was held on the 29 th of July , at Liverpool , under the presidency of the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , who was accompanied by a large number of Grand Officers , Present and Past , and vvas received by R . VV . Bro . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , P . G . W ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Lancashire , and the members of Provincial Grand . Lodge . The arrangements for the conduct of business were in every way satisfactory , and the visiting brethren were highly pleased with the hospitality extended to them .
The Board have completed the revision of the Book of Constitutions , upon which a Committee ol their body have been engaged for over 12 months , which revised Constitutions they confidently recommend to Grand Lodge for adoption . The Board recommend the vote of £ 52 ios . to the Preparatory School of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , enabling Grand Lodge to obtain the special voting privileges offered by that Institution . The Board have ordered the investment of £ 500 on account of the Educational Fund , and £ ' 300 on account of the Benevolent Fund , making the total Invested Funds as follows :
General Fund ... ... ... ... £ 2900 o o Benevolent Fund ... ... ... ... £ ' 2300 o o Educafonal Fund ... ... ... ... £ 1900 o o The Board have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the proceedings of the following Grand Chapters : Delaware , New Jersey , Florida , New York , Pennsylvania , Canada , Wisconsin , Missouri , New Hampshire , Nevada , Vermont , Ouebec , and Scotland , as well as a letter on the Quebec difficulty , couched in the most fraternal and courteous terms , from the Grand Holy Royal Arch .. hapter of Pennsylvania , in which while fully appreciating the difficulties in the case , they offer their assistance in their
arrangement . The Board have relieved the following cases : Mrs . E . ... ... ... ... ... £ 10 o o ,, J . B . ... ... ... ... ... 500 Bro . J . H . B . ... ... , 000 And recommend the following grants for confirmation by Grand Lodge : Mrs . E . E ., widow of Bro . J . H . E ., 12 ... ... £ 20 o o Bro . H . M ., 91 ... ... ... ... 25 o o „ R . C , 3 ... ... ... ... 30 o o
„ S . L . C , G 3 ... M ... ... 2 5 o o Mrs . E . M . W ., widow Bro . J . W ., 39 ... ... 20 o o „ H . G ., widow of VV . J . G ., 107 ... ... 10 o o Bro . 11 . M . VV ., 251 .. ... ... ... 20 o o Mrs . S . IL , widow of Bro . E . H ., 48 ... ... 1 5 o o ( signed ) G . R . PORTAL , Past G . M . M . M ., President . The Grand Treasurers accounts for the six months ending 30 th September , 1 SS 5 show the following results :
DR . GENERAL FUND . To Balance , 31 st March , 1885 ... ... ... ... £ 212 S 11 ,, Half-year ' s receipts ... ... ... ... ... 927 17 g „ Interest on investments ... ... ... ... 39 6 9
£ " 79 ' 3 5 GENERAL FUND . CH . ~ By ordinary expenditure ... ... ... £ 600 14 3 ,, G . I . French , banners and shields ... ... 40 14 G ,, Brooks and Co ., picture frame dealers ... ... 10 2 o £ 651 10 9 ,, Transferred by vote of Grand Lodge to Education Fund 62 9 o „ ,, „ „ Festival Fund 11 57 „ „ ,, „ Dewar Fund 253 iG o
———— 327 7 „ Balance at London and Westminster Bank .., ... ... 200 12 1 1179 ' 3 5
Half-Yearly Meeting And Report.
DR . BENEVOLENT FUND . To Balance 31 st March , 18 S 5 ... ... ... £ 4017 ° „ Due from Education Fund ... ... ... 7 11 7 — £ 4 S S 7 „ Half-year ' s receipts ... ... ... ... ... ' 211 4 G „ Interest on Investments ... ... ... ... 1 3 2 2
£ 1272153 BENEVOLENT FUND . CR . By Grants in relief ... ... ... ... ... 113 17 6 „ Transferred to Education Fund ... ... ... 51 c o 0 „ Purchase of £ 300 Cape of Good Hope 4 \ per cents . 308 o o
,, Expenses , Pevvtress , printing ... ... ... SSo £ 93 S 5 G „ Repaid Festival Fund ... ... ... ... ... 0 G o „ Balance at London and Westminster Bank ... ... ... 32 S 3 9
£ 1272 15 3 EDUCATION FUND . ¦ To Transfer from Benevolent Fund ... ... ... ... . £ s > o o o „ ,, General Fund by vote of Grand Lodge , June 2 nd , 1 SS 5 62 9 o „ Interest on investments ... ... ... ... 18 S 5 Overdrawn ... ... ... ••>•••2 5 * 5 7 £ 616 13 o
EDUCATION FUND . By Balance due to Benevolent Fund , March 31 st , 18 S 5 ... ... £ 7 " 7 „ Education Fees ... ... ... •••¦¦¦ 82 14 5 :,, Purchase of £ 500 Cape of Good Hope 4 i per cents . ... ... 510 o o „ Pewtress , printing ... ... ... ... ¦¦•8 7 o „ Kenning , medal die , & c . ... ... •¦•¦¦•S o o
£ Gi 6 13 o Audited and approved this 30 th day of October , 18 S 5 . ( Signed ) CHARLES E . SOPPET . The following recommendations , arising out of the report , were moved by Bio . the Rev . Canon PORTAL , Past Grand Master , and seconded and adopted : — ( a ) That V . W . Bro . Rev . R . P . Bent , P . G . C , be confirmed in the rank and privileges of Past Master .
.... „ ( 4 ) That Bro . John F . Williams be confirmed in the rank and privileges of Past Master . ( c ) That Bro . John James be confirmed in the rank and privileges of Past Master . ( rf ) That Grand Lodge sanction the formation of a fund for granting annuities to aged and decayed Mark Master Masons and the widows of Mark Master Masons . ( c ) That £ 1000 be voted to the Annuity Fund from the invested Fund of Benevolence .
( f ) That one-third of all subscriptions received at the last and future Festivals be granted to the Annuity Fund . ig ) That the sum of £ 52 ios . be granted to the Preparatory School Fund of the Royal Masonic Institution for Bovs , securing 20 votes in peipetuity . (_) Grants from the Benevolent
Fund—Mrs . E . E ., widow of Bro . J . H . E ., 12 ... ... £ 20 o o Bro . H . M . 91 ... ... ... ... 25 o o „ R . C , 3 » . •••- •••3 o o o „ S . L . C , 63 ... ... - •••25 o o Mrs . E . M . W ., widow of Bro . J . W . 139 ... ... * 20 o o „ H . G ., widow of Bro . W . J . G ., 10 7 ... ... 10 o o Bro . H . M . VV ., 251 ... ... ... ... 20 a _ Mrs . S . H ., widow of Bro . E . H ., 48 ... ... 15 o o
Bro . the Rev . Canon PORTAL , after carrying his motion— " That Grand Lodge sanction the formation of a fund for granting annuities to aged and decayed Mark Master Masons and the widows of Mark Master Masons " — said a point that arose was as to how such a fund was to be raised for the maintenance and assistance of aged and decayed Mark Masons and their widows . What the General Board proposed was , first of all , that £ ioo _ should be voted to the Annuity Fund from the invested Fund of
Benevolence . The invested fund at the present time amounted to £ 2678 . They had during the past five years spent on an average £ 120 a year in assisting cases as they arose . The last lestival produced the very large sum of £ f ] oo . That no doubt was owing , in the first place , to the very great exertions that were made in procuring Stewards , to the great exertions of those Stewards in procuring subscriptions , and to the very able advocacy of the fund on the part of the Deputy Grand Master . Still , notwithstanding
all those special reasons why that last festival was so successful , he thought that they might , at least , reckon that they never would have less than the sum ot £ 1000 at their annual festival ; and supposing that to be not an unfair estimate—and he was told it was fey no means an unfair estimate—and that they might reckon upon a good deal more , they would have ^ 333 handed over to the Benevolent Fund from the festival each year . Supposing that to be the case , thev could very well indeed afford to give £ 1000
from their present invested funds , and then leave ample for the purposes of the Benevolent Fund as the cases arose from year to year . He must call attention to page 3 of the report of the General Board to the exceedingly handsome subscription or donation from the Deputy Grand Master toward this fund for Aged and Decayed Mark Masons of 100 guineas . That would give them something over £ 100 above the capital lund to start with , which he hoped would enable them to admit at once two
men and two widows to be elected by ballot to this fund , and the whole sum they asked Grand Lodge to give would be invested , and the interest only applied for the purposes of the lund . The one thing he thought Grand Lodge should make themselves satisfied about was , that after giving £ 1000 from the Benevolent Fund they would have sufficient left for any cases of benevolence that might arise within the 12 months . That was a matter Grand Lodge were perfectly right to be satisfied about ; but he thought from
the figures he had given there would be no doubt about that . Their annual expenditure had never been more than . £ 120 a year . They might reckon on having £ 300 a year from the Festival Fund , and then they would have £ 1678 left invested . He had gone carefully into it , and the Board had gone carefully into it , and he had no hesitation at all in recommending Grand Lodge to give this sum , and to allow one-third of all subscriptions received as well as one-third of the subscriptions received last lime towards creating the nucleus lhat they wanted . It was intended that this sum should hear
be invested from year to year and the interest only spent . ( Hear , . ) Bro . F . DAVISON , P . G . Treas ., seconded the motion . The motion was carried . After the other recommendations had been carried and the report adopted , The M . W . G . M . M . M . said : Our next business is the nomination for the ensuing year of the most Worshiplul Grand Mark Master Mason , and I have a nomination to make which 1 think will not only be received with great satisfaction by this Grand Lodge , but by all Mark Master Masons . I have the greatest pleasure in proposing H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Half-Yearly Meeting And Report.
tered advancements being now 20 , 87 * ) . During the same period five warrants for new lodges were granted , viz .: No . 35 O Dunelm Durham . „ 357 Chiswick Kew Bridge . „ 358 Finnemore Natal .
„ 359 Excelsior Liverpool . ,, 360 St . Eilian Amlwch . In the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner the number of certificates issued was 89 , bringing the total registeied elevations to 1 S 86 . A warrant for a new Ark Lodge has b _ en granted to :
Finnemore Lodge , Natal , attached to Finnemore , No . 35 S . The M . W G . M . has been pleased to appoint the R . W . Bro . John Walker , M . A ., J . P ., Prov . G . M . of Gloucestershire , in succession to R . VV . Bro . Rev . C . Raikes Davy , who resigns in consequence of serious and continued illness . R . W . Bro . Col . Geo . S . Tudor , D L ., has been appointed Prov . G . M . of Staffordshire , vice R . W . Bro . Lieut .-Col . Foster Gough , LL . D .
The Board have great pleasure in announcing that the Most Worshipful Grand Master has been pleased to accept the office of representative from this Grand Lodge near the Grand Chapter of Scotland , and tbat Lord Henniker , P . G . M . M . M , has accepted the office of representative of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland near this Grand Lodge . . The Board have carefully considered the circumstances connected with the incorrect return from the Leopold Lodge , No . 235 , referred back to them by Grand Lodge in
June , and having heard the personal explanations of the W . M . and Secretary , recommend to Grand Lodge that Bro . Rev . R . P . Bent should be confirmed in the rank and privileges uf Pa-1 M aster on payment of a fee of two guineas for the necessary dispensation . On the application of the Secretary of the Russell Lodge , No . 23 , the Board agreed to condone the irregularity in the installation of VV .. M ., and to recommend Grand Lodge to confirm Bro . John T . Williams in the rank and privileges of P . M ., notwithstanding he had not completed the full term of 12 months , on payment of a nominal fine of half
a guinea . The returns of Picton Castle Lodge , No . 297 , have been laid before the Board , wherein the rank and privileges of P . M . are claimed for Bro . John James , who had not occupied the chair for the full terms of 12 months . The Board having carefully considered the whole of the circumstances connected with the case , recommended Grand Lodge to confirm Bro . John James in the rank and privileges of P . M ., on payment of a fine of two guineas .
The W . M . of the King Charles the Martyr Lodge , No . 267 , informed the Board that in his installation he had unconsciously violated Art . 64 , page 13 , Book of Constitutions , not having been qualified as VV M . of a Craft Lodge , and , through ignorance , not having procured the necessary dispensation ; at the same time expressing his deep regret at having committed a breach of the Constitutions . The Board recommended the M . W . Grand Master to issue a special dispensation to cover the irregularity on payment of a fine of one guinea .
The Board having been informed that the W . M . elect of Lebanon Lodge , No . 325 , had been installed without the presence of a P . M ., cancelled the so-called installation , and directed that the -utgoing W . M . should continue in office until his successor is legally installed . The Seventeenth Annual Festival of the " Mark Benevolent Fund " vvas celebrated at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday , 22 nd July last , under the presidency of R . VV . Bro . the Right Hon . the Lord fcgerton of Tatton , Deputy Grand Master , Prov . G . M . of
Cheshire , whose efforts , aided by S 6 brethren and one lady , acting as Stewards , the most numerous Board yet constituted in support of the Fund , resu'ted in the subscription of £ 1721 iGs . Gd . —more than double the largest amount ever previously received . In consequence of this success , the Board have been enabled to admit without election the whole of the candidates for educational grants , and , in accordance vvith the desire of a large number of brethren , recommend Grand Lodge to sanction the establishment of a fund fur granting annuities to aged and decayed Mark Master Masons and
their widows , and that such fund should be constituted by a grant of £ 1000 from the invested Fund of Benevolence , £ 105 specially given by Lord Egerton of Tatton , and one-third of all amounts subscribed at the last and future Benevolent Festivals . The Board further recommend that all monies so received should be invested , arid the interest only be appropriated to the purposes of the fund , it being proposed , as a beginning , to grant an annuity of £ 20 to each of two men , and £ 16 to each of two widows—to be elected by ballot .
A Moveable Grand Lodge was held on the 29 th of July , at Liverpool , under the presidency of the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , who was accompanied by a large number of Grand Officers , Present and Past , and vvas received by R . VV . Bro . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , P . G . W ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Lancashire , and the members of Provincial Grand . Lodge . The arrangements for the conduct of business were in every way satisfactory , and the visiting brethren were highly pleased with the hospitality extended to them .
The Board have completed the revision of the Book of Constitutions , upon which a Committee ol their body have been engaged for over 12 months , which revised Constitutions they confidently recommend to Grand Lodge for adoption . The Board recommend the vote of £ 52 ios . to the Preparatory School of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , enabling Grand Lodge to obtain the special voting privileges offered by that Institution . The Board have ordered the investment of £ 500 on account of the Educational Fund , and £ ' 300 on account of the Benevolent Fund , making the total Invested Funds as follows :
General Fund ... ... ... ... £ 2900 o o Benevolent Fund ... ... ... ... £ ' 2300 o o Educafonal Fund ... ... ... ... £ 1900 o o The Board have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the proceedings of the following Grand Chapters : Delaware , New Jersey , Florida , New York , Pennsylvania , Canada , Wisconsin , Missouri , New Hampshire , Nevada , Vermont , Ouebec , and Scotland , as well as a letter on the Quebec difficulty , couched in the most fraternal and courteous terms , from the Grand Holy Royal Arch .. hapter of Pennsylvania , in which while fully appreciating the difficulties in the case , they offer their assistance in their
arrangement . The Board have relieved the following cases : Mrs . E . ... ... ... ... ... £ 10 o o ,, J . B . ... ... ... ... ... 500 Bro . J . H . B . ... ... , 000 And recommend the following grants for confirmation by Grand Lodge : Mrs . E . E ., widow of Bro . J . H . E ., 12 ... ... £ 20 o o Bro . H . M ., 91 ... ... ... ... 25 o o „ R . C , 3 ... ... ... ... 30 o o
„ S . L . C , G 3 ... M ... ... 2 5 o o Mrs . E . M . W ., widow Bro . J . W ., 39 ... ... 20 o o „ H . G ., widow of VV . J . G ., 107 ... ... 10 o o Bro . 11 . M . VV ., 251 .. ... ... ... 20 o o Mrs . S . IL , widow of Bro . E . H ., 48 ... ... 1 5 o o ( signed ) G . R . PORTAL , Past G . M . M . M ., President . The Grand Treasurers accounts for the six months ending 30 th September , 1 SS 5 show the following results :
DR . GENERAL FUND . To Balance , 31 st March , 1885 ... ... ... ... £ 212 S 11 ,, Half-year ' s receipts ... ... ... ... ... 927 17 g „ Interest on investments ... ... ... ... 39 6 9
£ " 79 ' 3 5 GENERAL FUND . CH . ~ By ordinary expenditure ... ... ... £ 600 14 3 ,, G . I . French , banners and shields ... ... 40 14 G ,, Brooks and Co ., picture frame dealers ... ... 10 2 o £ 651 10 9 ,, Transferred by vote of Grand Lodge to Education Fund 62 9 o „ ,, „ „ Festival Fund 11 57 „ „ ,, „ Dewar Fund 253 iG o
———— 327 7 „ Balance at London and Westminster Bank .., ... ... 200 12 1 1179 ' 3 5
Half-Yearly Meeting And Report.
DR . BENEVOLENT FUND . To Balance 31 st March , 18 S 5 ... ... ... £ 4017 ° „ Due from Education Fund ... ... ... 7 11 7 — £ 4 S S 7 „ Half-year ' s receipts ... ... ... ... ... ' 211 4 G „ Interest on Investments ... ... ... ... 1 3 2 2
£ 1272153 BENEVOLENT FUND . CR . By Grants in relief ... ... ... ... ... 113 17 6 „ Transferred to Education Fund ... ... ... 51 c o 0 „ Purchase of £ 300 Cape of Good Hope 4 \ per cents . 308 o o
,, Expenses , Pevvtress , printing ... ... ... SSo £ 93 S 5 G „ Repaid Festival Fund ... ... ... ... ... 0 G o „ Balance at London and Westminster Bank ... ... ... 32 S 3 9
£ 1272 15 3 EDUCATION FUND . ¦ To Transfer from Benevolent Fund ... ... ... ... . £ s > o o o „ ,, General Fund by vote of Grand Lodge , June 2 nd , 1 SS 5 62 9 o „ Interest on investments ... ... ... ... 18 S 5 Overdrawn ... ... ... ••>•••2 5 * 5 7 £ 616 13 o
EDUCATION FUND . By Balance due to Benevolent Fund , March 31 st , 18 S 5 ... ... £ 7 " 7 „ Education Fees ... ... ... •••¦¦¦ 82 14 5 :,, Purchase of £ 500 Cape of Good Hope 4 i per cents . ... ... 510 o o „ Pewtress , printing ... ... ... ... ¦¦•8 7 o „ Kenning , medal die , & c . ... ... •¦•¦¦•S o o
£ Gi 6 13 o Audited and approved this 30 th day of October , 18 S 5 . ( Signed ) CHARLES E . SOPPET . The following recommendations , arising out of the report , were moved by Bio . the Rev . Canon PORTAL , Past Grand Master , and seconded and adopted : — ( a ) That V . W . Bro . Rev . R . P . Bent , P . G . C , be confirmed in the rank and privileges of Past Master .
.... „ ( 4 ) That Bro . John F . Williams be confirmed in the rank and privileges of Past Master . ( c ) That Bro . John James be confirmed in the rank and privileges of Past Master . ( rf ) That Grand Lodge sanction the formation of a fund for granting annuities to aged and decayed Mark Master Masons and the widows of Mark Master Masons . ( c ) That £ 1000 be voted to the Annuity Fund from the invested Fund of Benevolence .
( f ) That one-third of all subscriptions received at the last and future Festivals be granted to the Annuity Fund . ig ) That the sum of £ 52 ios . be granted to the Preparatory School Fund of the Royal Masonic Institution for Bovs , securing 20 votes in peipetuity . (_) Grants from the Benevolent
Fund—Mrs . E . E ., widow of Bro . J . H . E ., 12 ... ... £ 20 o o Bro . H . M . 91 ... ... ... ... 25 o o „ R . C , 3 » . •••- •••3 o o o „ S . L . C , 63 ... ... - •••25 o o Mrs . E . M . W ., widow of Bro . J . W . 139 ... ... * 20 o o „ H . G ., widow of Bro . W . J . G ., 10 7 ... ... 10 o o Bro . H . M . VV ., 251 ... ... ... ... 20 a _ Mrs . S . H ., widow of Bro . E . H ., 48 ... ... 15 o o
Bro . the Rev . Canon PORTAL , after carrying his motion— " That Grand Lodge sanction the formation of a fund for granting annuities to aged and decayed Mark Master Masons and the widows of Mark Master Masons " — said a point that arose was as to how such a fund was to be raised for the maintenance and assistance of aged and decayed Mark Masons and their widows . What the General Board proposed was , first of all , that £ ioo _ should be voted to the Annuity Fund from the invested Fund of
Benevolence . The invested fund at the present time amounted to £ 2678 . They had during the past five years spent on an average £ 120 a year in assisting cases as they arose . The last lestival produced the very large sum of £ f ] oo . That no doubt was owing , in the first place , to the very great exertions that were made in procuring Stewards , to the great exertions of those Stewards in procuring subscriptions , and to the very able advocacy of the fund on the part of the Deputy Grand Master . Still , notwithstanding
all those special reasons why that last festival was so successful , he thought that they might , at least , reckon that they never would have less than the sum ot £ 1000 at their annual festival ; and supposing that to be not an unfair estimate—and he was told it was fey no means an unfair estimate—and that they might reckon upon a good deal more , they would have ^ 333 handed over to the Benevolent Fund from the festival each year . Supposing that to be the case , thev could very well indeed afford to give £ 1000
from their present invested funds , and then leave ample for the purposes of the Benevolent Fund as the cases arose from year to year . He must call attention to page 3 of the report of the General Board to the exceedingly handsome subscription or donation from the Deputy Grand Master toward this fund for Aged and Decayed Mark Masons of 100 guineas . That would give them something over £ 100 above the capital lund to start with , which he hoped would enable them to admit at once two
men and two widows to be elected by ballot to this fund , and the whole sum they asked Grand Lodge to give would be invested , and the interest only applied for the purposes of the lund . The one thing he thought Grand Lodge should make themselves satisfied about was , that after giving £ 1000 from the Benevolent Fund they would have sufficient left for any cases of benevolence that might arise within the 12 months . That was a matter Grand Lodge were perfectly right to be satisfied about ; but he thought from
the figures he had given there would be no doubt about that . Their annual expenditure had never been more than . £ 120 a year . They might reckon on having £ 300 a year from the Festival Fund , and then they would have £ 1678 left invested . He had gone carefully into it , and the Board had gone carefully into it , and he had no hesitation at all in recommending Grand Lodge to give this sum , and to allow one-third of all subscriptions received as well as one-third of the subscriptions received last lime towards creating the nucleus lhat they wanted . It was intended that this sum should hear
be invested from year to year and the interest only spent . ( Hear , . ) Bro . F . DAVISON , P . G . Treas ., seconded the motion . The motion was carried . After the other recommendations had been carried and the report adopted , The M . W . G . M . M . M . said : Our next business is the nomination for the ensuing year of the most Worshiplul Grand Mark Master Mason , and I have a nomination to make which 1 think will not only be received with great satisfaction by this Grand Lodge , but by all Mark Master Masons . I have the greatest pleasure in proposing H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and