United Grand Lodge Of England.

Thc app licant stated his case , but the Grand Lodge unanimously , after i lon ° " and patient hearing , dismissed the appeal . On thc motion of Bro . RAYNHAM W . STEWART , P . G . Deacon , seconded by Bro . W . ROEBUCK , P . G . Steward , Grand Lodge passed the following resolution : That one thousand pounds ( £ 1000 ) be paid from the Fund of General Purposes of this Grand Lodge to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys' Preparatory School Building Fund , towards defraying thc cost of fittings and furniture for the new buildings now approaching completion . .

The following motion of Bro . RAYNHAM W . STEWART , P . G . Deacon , was also carried : That the sum of . £ 70 be given from the Fund of General Purposes ; that the money he p laced in the hands of the Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , to supply the inmates of the Institution at Croydon with coals during the winter season . Grand Lodge was then closed .

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS .

The half yearly communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales , and the Colonics and Dependencies of the British Crown , was held on Tuesday evening , in the large hall of Freemasons'Tavern . The Earl of Kintore , M . W . G . M . M . M ., presided . Among the brethren present were Lord Egerton of Tatton , D . G . M . ; Lord Henniker , P . G . M . ; the Marquis of Hertford , and Rev . Canon Portal , P . G . M . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros .

Right Hon . the Earl of Limerick , P . G . M . ; Col . Chas . Lyne , P . Dep . P . G . M . M . Monmouth ; Jack Sutcliffe , Prov . G . M . Lincolnshire ; Rev . Canon Tristram , Prov . G . M . Northumberland and Durham ; T . Trollope , M . D ., Prov . G . M . Sussex ; Sir C . J . Palmer , Bart ., P . G . W . ; L . A . Homfray , P . G . M . M . Monmouth ; S . Geo . Homfray , Deputy P . G . M . M . Monmouth ; W . J . Hughan , P . G . W . ; and others . There were also present Bros . Lord J . Taylour , G . S . W . ; G . P . Brockbank , G . J . W . ;

H . Venn , G . M . O . ; J . S . Cumberland , G . J . O . ; Rev . Dean Currie , and Rev . F . H . Richardson , G . Chaps . ; F . Davison , G . Treas . ; F . Richardson , G . Reg . ; F . Binckes , G . Sec . ; C . W . Duke , G . S . D . ; E . L . Shepherd , G . J . D .: R . Berridge , G . D . of C . ; Bryant , G . Std . Br . ; W . Ganz , CO . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W . ; W . Morris , G . I . G . ; E . II . Thiellay , C . F . Hogard , H . Stephens , W . E . Stewart , and F . VV . Driver , G . Stwds . ; E . F . Storr , A . Tisley , James Terry , George Kenning , Col . Randle , Ford Somerset , D . P . G . M . M . ; \ V . Kelly , Leicestershire , Northants and Derbyshire ; J .

Walker , Dep . P . G . M . M . M . Gloucestershire ; Rev . J . Studholme-Brownrigg , Prov . G . M . Buckinghamshire ; Sir Francis Burdett , P . G . M . Middx . and Surrey ; Chas . Stephens , Dep . P . G . M . Berks and Oxon ; A . F . Godson , P . G . M . M . M . VVorcester ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . W . ; Edward Margett , P . G . S . D .,- J . L . Thomas , P . G . S . D . ; R . L . Loveland , P . G . Stwd . ; J . Stevens , P . G . J . O . ; S . Mattison , P . G . D . ; O . H . Pearson , P . G . S . O . ; J . M . P . Montague , P . G . W . ; A . Williams , P . G . D . ; VV . March , P . G . S . ; G . Kirchhoffer , P . G . O . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . W . ; T . Pulley ,

P . G . S . D . ; ] . Le Feuvre , P . G . M . O . ; T . C . Walls , P . G . S . B . ; R . J . Mure , P . G . O . ; T . Railing , P . G . D . ; Henry George , P . G . S . ; A . Thrale Perkins , P . G . S . D . ; T . Taylor , P . G . S . ; W . Watkins , P . G . S . B . ; C . E . Soppet , P . G . S . ; G . Powell , P . G . S . ; D . P . Cama , J . L . Mather , T . Cubitt , G . P . Festa , Dr . Mickley , Gardiner , R . D . Driver , E . J . Hoare , William M . Reynolds , Jubal Webb , J , J . Berry , J . L . Anderson , Donald Glass , Dr . Matthews , Francis Knight , E . L . P . Valerian ! , G . Graveley , Dr . L . Powell , VV . A . Scurrah , and Rev . V . S . Vickers , and others .

Alter the opening of Grand Lodge and thc saluting of the G . M . and D . G . M ., the minutes were read and confirmed . The following report of the General Board was adopted , and the recommendations therein made were agreed to .

REPORT OF THE GENERAL BOARD . The number of certificates issued in the half-year ending 31 st March last , was S 09 , the largest number as yet granted in a similar period , the total of registered advancements being now 20 , igd . During the same period ten warrants for new lodges were granted , viz : — No . 34 6 , Tristram , Newcastle-on-Tyne . „ 3 + 7 , Albert Edward , St . Thomas , Danish VV . L

„ 34 S , Fidelity and Unanimity , Taunton . „ 349 , Aldershot Army and Navy , Aldershot . „ 350 , Temperance in the East , Poplar , E . » 35 i > Saint Anne ' s , East Looe , Cornwall . „ 35 2 « Prince Leopold , Ripon . „ 353 > Dove Valley , Ashbourne . „ 354 , Rose and Lily , Waltham Cross . ,, 355 Royal Savoy , London .

, In the Degree of Ark Mariner , the number of certificates issued was 127 , bringing the total registered elevations to 1797 . Warrants for new Ark Mariner Lodges have been granted to Noah Lodge attached to Ramsay Lodge , 1 S 0 , Murree , Punjab ; Byron Lodge attached to Newstead Lodge , T . I ., Nottingham ; Stella Lodge attached to Star of Burmah Lodge , SS . Rangoon , B . B . The M . W . Grand Master has been pleased to appoint the R . W . Bro . Rev . John Fairclough , Prov . Grand Mark Master of British Burmah .

The R . W . Bro . J . Woodall Woodall , J . P ., has been re-appointed Prov . Grand Mark Master of North and East Yorkshire for a further term of three years . The Board has the melancholy duty of recording its deep regret at the loss of V . W . Bro . H . C . Levander , who for upwards of ten years discharged the duties of Grand K-gistrar in a manner highly advantageous to the best interest of Grand Lodge . It having been reported to the Board that a brother had been installed in the chair of VV . M . who had not served the office of VV . M . in a Craft Lodge , and who had not

procured the necessary dispensation ( article 64 , page 13 , Book of Constitutions ) , the uoard recommmending the M . W . Grand Master to issue a special dispensation to cover this irregularity , and inflicted a fine of two guineas on the lodge . A petition has been presented from Derwent Lodge , 2 S 2 , supported by the R . W . I rov . Grand Master of Cumberland and Westmorland , praying that the Board would recommend Grand Lodge to condone certain irregularities in the installation of Bros . Loverdale and Salkeld , who , by unintentional error and inadvertence , had onlv filled

. hi V ten montbs eacl ' - T ,, e Board having carefully considered the wnole of the circumstances connected with the case , has pleasure in recommending Grand M . to con ( irm Bros - Coverdale and Salkeld in the rank and privileges of Past '" aster , on payment of a fine of two guineas each . tin t P ' ition has bee ! 1 Presented by the Leopold Lodge , 235 , stating that the installati on ot 188 4 was unavoidably postponed , and that in consequence of inadvertence and »__ ess « the then '" stalled VV . M ., Rev . R . P . Bent , P . G . Chap ., only served 11 ¦ ««•¦ in ineair

__ , _ c _ ot VV . M ., and praying Grand Lodge to confirm Bro . Bent in the rnn privileges of P . M . The Board has carefully considered the reasons for this course , and begs to recommend it to Grand Lodge on payment by the lodge of a fine of t , vo guineas . CrxJi *? , oard , , S rets exceedingly to announce that by the failure of the bankers of Thn u V K > . Messrs . Ridgway and Sons , a severe loss will fall upon the various funds . ¦ » e balances in Messrs . Ridirwavs' hands

were—General Fund /* R , .. n Benevolent Fund ... ... . . %% ' 2 ° Educational Fund " c . o 0 Dewar Fund „ , " , r , „ Festival Fund ... " . "" < ° Duke of Albany Fund ( balance of ) ... . ' . ' . "' . \ " s iS 9

the _ fe ° J , i r t l mcnt has , yc , « . received from the Official Receiver ^ Bankruptcy , but GeneraTpund o " f Grand Lod e amounts mentioned be made good __ om the

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

An account has been opened at the London and Westminster Bank , Limited , Bloomsbury Branch , and the Board requests that all cheques , & c , may be crossed thereto . The Board has to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of proceedings of the following Grand Chapters : Michigan , Maine , Maryland , Ohio , Illinois , Missouri , and Colorado .

Several of these deal with the question of exclusive jurisdiction with reference to the Grand Chapter of Quebec , and all of them support the action of that Grand Chapter , as was to be anticipated though the manner in which the question is treated varies considerably , and the Board begs to express its appreciation of the Masonic courtesy which distinguishes some of the reports on the subject . No fresh step has been taken by the Executive of Grand Lodge since the last half-yearly communication , owing to the action of the Grand Lodge of Quebec in severing all intercourse with the United

Grand Lodge of England and the lodges under its jurisdiction . As all Mark Masters in Quebec holding under this jurisdiction , are Master Masons under the United Grand Lodge , this action of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , to be followed no doubt by the Grand Chapter , would render useless all attempts at an arrangement for the present . This Grand Lodge can only continue to reassert the principles which have always guided the Grand Lodges of Great Britain and Ireland , viz . : That a minority of lodges cannot be coerced by a majority into joining a new organisation . That a Grand Lodge to be a

lawful body must be constituted in accordance with the laws of the State . And , as regards the Mark Degree , that Mark lodges have a right to a separate charter or warrant , should they desire it , and ought not to be compulsorily merged in the more modern degree of Royal Arch Mason . The seventeenth anniversary Festival in aid of the Mark Benevolent Fund is appointed for Wednesday , 22 nd July , and the R . VV . Bro . the Lord Egerton of Tatton , Deputy Grand Master , Prov . Grand M . M . M . of Cheshire , has most kindly consented to preside—with every prospect of success , which , it is hoped may be assured by the sympathy and support of the members of the Mark Degree .

There are now twelve boys and five girls receiving the advantages of the educational branch . The reports of progress are in all cases highly satisfactory . The Board has presented the silver medal to David William Russell Symon , now being educated at King Edward VI . Grammar School , Southampton , of whose progress an exceptionally favourable report has been presented by the Head Master . The Board recommends that the Grand Director of Ceremonies for the time being ' , should , for the future , bean ex-officio Member of the General Board . The Board has relieved the following cases :

Bro . J . L . . 63 ... ... ... ... £ 5 0 o „ M . E ., 11 S ... ... ... ... 500 „ VV . P ., 176 ... ... ... ... 10 o o And recommends the following grants for confirmation by Grand Lodge ; £ 50 to C . R ., daughter of Bro . S . R ., Old Kent .

I . 25 to Bro . J . A ., ., 4 . £ 25 to Bro . J . C . C , 59 . J 20 to Bro . M . E . 8 . ( Signed ) . G . R . PORTAL . Past G . M . M . M ., President . The Invested Funds are as follows :

General Fund ... ... ... ... £ 2000 o o Benevolent Fund ... ... ... ... 2000 o o Educational Fund ... ... ... ... 1400 o o The Grand Treasurer's accounts for the six months ending 31 st March , 1 SS 5 , show the following results : D _ . GENERAL FUND . To Balance 30 th Sept ., 1 SS 4 ... ... ... / . ' 213 o 3 „ Half-year ' s receipts ... ... ... "" noi . 11 '

„ Interest on investments ... ... ... ( . 3 13 g _ C"S 3 7 2 DR . BENEVOLENT FUND . To Balance 30 th Sept ., 1 SS 4 ... ... ... ^' 403 G 7 „ Half-year's receipts ... ... ... yg t ; G „ Interest on investments ... ... ... 50 15 1 „ Cash received on account of Festival Fund ... G G o

£ 557 5 " » EDUCATION FUND . ~ To Balance 30 th Sept ., 1 SS 4 ... ... ... £% (> 2 9 „ Transferred from Benevolent Fund ... ... 91 10 C > „ Interest on investments ... ... ... 23 2 S „ Balance from Benevolent Fund overdrawn ... 7 11 7 J . I . S 7 0

GENERAL FUND . CR . By Ordinary expenditure ... ... £ 533 6 9 ,, George Kenning , Jeweller , &_ .... ... 2 S 17 o „ Spencer and Co . do . ... ... 15 G fi o „ Hughan Testimonial ... ... 10 10 o „ Homann and Son , Decorators ... ... 154 4 G

— S 83 4 3 „ Cash at Ridgway and Sons at date of Receiving Order in Bankruptcy ( subject only to a dividend ) .., ... S 7 14 o „ Overdrawn Dewar ' s Fund ... ... 2 19 o „ Balance at London and Westminster Bank 209 9 11 212 8 11

£ ** sj 7 2 BENEVOLENT FUND . C ~ By Grants in Relief ... ... ... £ 103 o o „ Transferred to Education Fund ... ... 91 10 G „ Expenses , Pewtress , Printing ... ... o it 6

„ Cash at Ridgway and Sons at date of Receiving Order in Bankruptcy ( subject only to a dividend ) ... ... ... . q 8 1 „ The late D . M . Dewar ... ... , , g „ Due from Education Fund ... ... 7 11 7 „ Balance at London and Westminster Bank 40 17 o 4 S 8 7

£ 557 5 2 EDUCATION FUND . By Education Fees _ ... ... , „ „ , f 7 ^ g 6 „ Expenses , Pewtress , Printing ... ... ... " * u g o „ Cash at Ridgway and Sons at date of Receiving Order in Bankruptcy ( subject only to a dividend ) ... ,., 62 9 o

£ •¦& 7 6 Audited and Approved this ist day . of May , 1 SS 5 . ( Signed ) CHARLES E . SOPPET , Auditor . It was also agreed that the loss suffered b y the Educational and Benevolent Funds should also be made good out of the General Funds .

The Earl of KINTORE then said : Before my year ' s term of office expires I seize the last minute of it to give myself the great pleasure of asking Bro . Lord Henniker to allow me to confer upon him a Past Grand Master ' s jewel from this Grand Lodge , in recognition of the eminent services which he rendered to it during his three years of office . We know that Bro . Lord Henniker ' s aspirations were ahvays of the highest , that the interests of this