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Grand Mark Lodge.
GRAND MARK LODGE .
The summer half-yearly Communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales , and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , was * tWd on Tuesday evening , at Freemasons' Tavern . The Earl of Limerick , Past Grand Alaster , presided ; Bro . S . Rawson , Past Grand Master for China , occupied the
post of Deputy Grand Master ; and the Rev . J . R . Portal , M . A ., Past Grand Master , the post of Past G . Master . The following brethren were also present -. —Most Worshipful Bros . Right Honourable thc Earl cf Limerick , P . G . M ., as G . M . ; Rev . George Raymond Portal , M . A ., Prov . G . M . for Hants and the Isle of Wight , P . G . M . ; R . VV . Bro ! . Samuel Rawson , Prov . G . M . for China , as
Dep . G . M . ; Rev . C . R . Davy , Prov . G . M . for Gloucestershire ; Lord Henniker , G . S . W . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Warden , as G . J . W . ; W . E . Gumbleton , P . G . W . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . W . ; and Dr . Henry Hopkins , P . G . W . ; V . W . Bros . T . J . Sabine , G . M . O . ; R . J . Mure , G . S . O . ; Raymond H . Thrupp , G . J . O . : Wm . Roebuck , P . G . M . O . ; Thomas Meggy , P . G . M . O . ; R . de M . Lawson , P . G . S . O . ;
James Stevens , P . G . J . O . ; Rev . H . J . Hatch , G . Chaplain ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chaplain ; Rev . T . F . Ravenshaw , P . G . Chaplain ; Frederic Davison , G . Treasurer ; I-I . C . Levander , G . Registrar ; Frederick Binckes , P . G . W ., G . Secretary ; and D . M . Dewar , P . G . S . O ., G . Asst . Sec ; W . Bros . Benjamin Smith , G . S . D . ; Alfred Williams , G . S . D . ; Capt . Thos . Hargreaves , G . J . D . ; Robert Berridge ,
G . Dir . of Cer . ; S . Rosenthal , P . G . Dir . of Cer . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . Dir . of Cer . ; Walter Spencer , P . G . Asst . D . of C ; Capt . Charles Hunter , G . Sword Bearer ; Hyde Pullen , P . G . Sword Bearer ; J . B . Shackleton , G . Standard Bearer ; W . T . Belcher , Mus . Doc , G . Organist ; F . H . Cozens , P . G . Organist ; James Salmon , G . Inner Guard ; Thomas Poore , P . G . Inner Guard ; Rev . Daniel Ace , D . D ., Grand
Steward ; O . H . Pearson , G . Steward ; T . W . Murky , G . Steward ; Henry Massey , P . G . Steward ; Charles Pulman , P . G . Steward ; Joseph Tomlinson , P . G . Steward ; Frank Richardson , P . G . Steward ; C . T . Speight , G . Tyler . With the following Provincial Grand Officers : —VV . Bros . Wm . Hickman , D . Prov . G . M . of Hants anil the Isle of Wight ; Thomas Trollope , M . D ., D . P . G . M . of Sussex ;
Lord Arthur Hill , Piov . G . S . Warden of Sussex ; Major Chas . Harding , Prov . G . J . Warden of Middlesex and Surrey ; Richard Eve , P . Prov . G . S . Warden , Hants and thc Isle of Wight ; George Smith , P . Prov . G . J . Warden of Sussex ; R . L . Loveland , P . Prov . G . J . Warden of Hauls and thc Isle of Wight ; William White , Prov . G . S . O . of West-Yorkshire ; Edward Digglc , Prov . G . J . O . of
Lancashire ; Rev . VV . Staimon Moses , M . A ., Prov . G . Chaplain of Middlesex and Surrey ; Rev . A . A . Bagshawe , Prov . G . Chaplain of Lancashire ; Charles Hammerton , Prov . G . Treasurer of Middlesex and Suircy ; G . J . Brownlow , Prov . G . Reg . of Marks of Middlesex and Surrey ; VV . T . Clarke , Prov . G . Secntary of Sussex ; J . K . Le Feurpe , Prov . G . Secretary of Hants and the Isle of Wight ; T . I .
Armstrong , P . G . A . Sec . of Northumberland anil Durham ; Thomas Benham , Piov . G . J . D . of Hants and the Isle oi Wight ; Chas . S . Lane , P . P . G . G . J . D . of Northumberland and Durham ; John Barker , Prov . G . Supt . if Works West Yorkshire ; J . II . Banks , Prov . G . Asst . D . of C . Cumberland and Westmorland ; T . J . Pulley , P . P . G . Standard Bearer Hants and thc Isle of Wi ght ; Dr . E . Passawer ,
Prov . G . I . Guard Aliddlesex and Surrey ; J . VV . Burgess , I ' . P . G . L Guard Cheshire and North Wales ; Edwin Gilbert , Prov . G . Steward Middlesex anti Surrey ; John Close , P . P . G . Steward Middlesex and Surrey ; Charles Jacques , P . M . Old Kent Lodge ; Charles Horsley , P . M . St . ' Maik Lodge , i ; R . P . Spice , W . M . Keystone Lodge , 3 ; F . VV . Ramsay , W . M . Carnarvon Lotlge , f ; J . L . Thomas , P . M . Thistle
Lodge , 8 ; C . T . Sparks , P . M . Southwaik Lodge , 22 ; A . Middleton , VV . M . St . Andrew ' s Lodge , 34 ; H . R . Cooper-Smith , W . M . University Lodge-, 3 ^ ; VV . J . Hickman , P . M . St . Andrew ' s Lodge , ( 13 ; Lieut .-Col . S . IT . Gierke , VV . M . Studholme Lodge , 197 ; J . M . P . Montagu , P . M . Studholme Lotlge , 197 ; Edward Margrett , VV . M . Leopold Lodge , 23 S ! - B * Wilson , W . M . Royal Naval Lodge , 239 ; H .
Venn , S . W . Oltl Kent Lotlge ; T . C . Walls , S . W . Hammersmith Lodge , 211 ; Edwin M . Lott , S . VV . Trinity College Lodge , 234 ; James Moon , J . W . Old Kent Ledge ; Henry Lovegrove , J . W . Brixton Lodge , 234 ; E . ]' . Hoare , | . 0 . Trinity College Lodge , 244 ; W . Sell word , St c . Aldet ' shot Military Lodge , 54 ; Henry Baldwin , Sec . Brixton Lotlge , 234 ; Henry Oakshette , I . G . Grosvenor Lodge , 144 ; and
C . H . Pike , Grosvenor Lodge , 144 . After the opening of the Grand Lod ge , thc Karl cf Limerick was salutetl in due form . The Earl of Limerick ihcn rose , and saitl that before proceeding to the business of the evening he thought it right , as he had bien commissioned b y Lord Skelmersdale to do so , to express his lordship ' s regnt that hc
was unable to be present . Not very long ago he was suffering I'om a severe illness , from which he had only lately recovered sufficiently to barely discharge his public duties for about a fortnight before Parliament adjourned for the Whitsun recess . He had not yet completely recovered his strength , and he was obliged to take some rest since Parliament had adjourned . All who were acquainted with the Grand Mark Master knew that it was not his custom
to shirk his duties , anil lhey were sure hc would have been present if he possibly coultl . 'i he circumstances , however , were entirely beyond his own control , and the brethren would excuse- his lordship '! - presence . He ( Lord Limerick ) IMS also commissioned by thc Earl of Donoughmore , Dep . Grand Master , to apologise for his noii-altciiilaiicc . Lord
Donoughmore had only re-turned within the last three or four days from Bulgaiia , where he hatl been acting on a commission , and hc had at the present time so much public duty to perform in npoiting on that commission and thc result of his labours iu Bulgaria , besides a great deal of private business , that it was entirely impossib ' c for him to
Grand Mark Lodge.
attend this Grand Lodge , and he hoped the brethren would accept his expression of regret for his enforced absence . Grand Secretary then read the minutes of the halfyearly Communication cf 3 rd Dec , 1878 , and of the emergency meeting of 18 th Feb ., 1 S 79 , which were several ' y put and confirmed . The following report of the General Board was afterwards taken as read , and received and ordered to be entered on the minutes .
REPORT OF GENERA * . BOARD , TUESDAY , 3 RD J , 1879 . Duiing the six months terminating on 31 st of March last , the number of certificates issuetl was 640 , thus bringing thc roll of advancements to 12 , 413 . In thc same period there were issued ten warrants for new lodges , viz .: — No . 2 " 15 , Leopold , Reading .
„ 23 6 , Clapton , London . „ 237 , St . Andrew's , Rochester . ,, 238 , Prince Leopold , London . „ 239 , Royal Naval , London . „ 240 , Roval Keystone , Jamaica . „ 241 , Watford , Watford . •,, 242 , Phoenix , Jamaica .
„ 243 , St . Ethclbert , Hereford . „ 244 , Tiinity College , London . A reference to the accounts appended will show—£ s . d . Amount received in the six months for fees , & c 690 18 3 And that on 31 st March , there were
balances—In favour of the General Fund ... ... 143 6 8 „ „ Benevolent Fund ... . . 76 14 10 „ „ Benevolent Fund , Educational Branch ... ... ... ... 100 o o Since the last half-yearly Communication , two new provinces have been constituted , viz ., Gloucestershire and
Dorset . As Provincial Grand M . Master of Gloucestershire , R . VV . Bro . Rev . C . Rex Davy , was installed at Cheltenham , on Saturday , 8 th March , the GrantI Secretary presiding , by special nomination of thc M . W . Grand M . M . M . R . W . Bro . Montague Guest was installed as Provincial Grand M . Master of Dorset , at Weymouth , on Wednesday , 30 th Aptil , by thc M . W . Past Grand M . Master , the Rev .
G . H . Portal . In each c-isc thc assembly of brethren was numerous and influential , and it is confidently believed that by the constitution of thc two province's , the interests of the Order in the respective localities will be considerably advanced . The M . W . Grand M . Master has becn pleased to place the Provinces of Lincolnshire and Sussex under the charge of thc Grand Registrar .
The Board announce with great gratification lhat the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Quebec has addressed a formal communication , with recognition of this Grand Lodge as Supreme Head of Mark Master Masons . Thc Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois , U . S . A ., has expressed a wish to interchange representatives , nominating as its representative near this Grand Lodge R . VV . Bro .
Charles Fitzgerald Matier , P . G . W ., and proposing as representative of this Grand Lodge near that Grand Chapter , M . E . Comp . Samuel VV . Waddle , Deputy Grand High Priest . The Board recommends Grand Lodge to approve the conferring of the rank of Past Master on the following brethren : —
Dhanjtebhoy J . Camadore , Ramsay Lodge , No . 180 , Murree ; Major G . B . Wolseley , Garnet Lodge , No . 228 , Dinapore ; Lord Ossuiston , Frontier Lodge , No . 204 , Peshawur ; on thc recommendation of R . VV . Prov . G . M . of Bengal , they not having served the office of W . Master for twelve months , owing to the peculiar and difficult circumstances in which the lodges have been placed in
consequence of the war in Afghanistan . The Board recommends a grant of £ 50 to the daughter of thc late Bro . J . M . C , to be disposed of in such man r . er . as the Board may direct ; and £ 20 to Bro . G . N ., under the same conditions . A Grand Lodge of Emergency was held at No . 2 , Red Lion-squaie , on Tuesday , iSth February last . The Right
Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , M . W . G . M . AI ., on the throne , when a vote of condolence with Her Most Gracious Majesty was unanimously adopted , as printed with the report of half-yearly proceedings , to which the following gracious reply has been received : — " Captain Edwards presents his compliments to Mr . Dewar , and is commanded by thc Queen to thank the
Mark Master Masons of England and Wales , and the Colonies and Possessions of thc British Crown in Grand Lodge assembletl , for their address of condolence , and to express Her Majesty ' s sincere appreciation of thc kind sympathy therein conveyed on the death of her dear daughter , Princess Alice , Grand Duchess of Hesse . " Windsor Castle ,
" 28 th February , 1879 . " The Assistant Grand Secretary having undertaken the duty of Steward at the ensuing Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , the Board recommends that they be allowed to place the sum of £ 21 on his list . The General Board unanimously recommends that the sum of £ 50 be given as a gratuity to the Assistant Grand Secretary , Bro . Dewar , in recognition of his exertions in
recovering long-standing arrears due to Grand Lotlge , amounting to upwards of , ( . ' 500 . The Boartl recommends lhat the words " in one or more payments within twelve months " hc omilted in Law VI ., and that the words " in sums of not less than £ 3 5 s . each " be a . ilcd to Law IX . of thc Education Bye-laws . ( Signed ) G . R . PORTAL , PAST G . M . M . President . May , 1879 .
Grand Mark Lodge.
The Grand Treasurer ' s accounts for the six months to the 31 st March are subjoined , which show : GENERAL FUND . Balance from 30 th September , 1878 ... £ 231 3 g Half-year ' s receipts ... ... £ 670 2 1 Dividends 20 16 2 690 18 - >
£ 9 " 1 9 Half-year ' s disbursements : Purchase of £ 300 New Zealand 3 per cent . Consols ... £ 308 3 o Expenditure ... ... ... 470 10 1 778 13 1
Balance on 3 tstMarch , 1879 £ i . _ 6 8 BENEVOLENT FUND . Balance from 30 th September , 1878 ... £ 78 17 11 Receipts for half-year £ 98 t ; 10 Dividends ... ... ... 24 9 7 122 15 3
£ 201 1 3 4 Disbursements ... ... ... £ 24 18 6 Transferred to credit of Education Branch Fund ... ... 100 o o 124 18 fi
Balance on 31 st March , 1 S 79 £ 76 14 10 EDUCATIONAL FUND . Balance at Credit ... £ 100 o o Examined and found correct . ( Signed ) THOMAS MEGGY , Auditor . 21 st April , 1879 .
Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , M . A ., P . G . M ., moved thc approval of thc following recommendation : — To confer the rank of Past Master on Bro . Dhanjccbhoy J . Camadore , Ramsay Lodge , No . 180 ; Major G . B . Wolseley , Garnet Lodge , No . 228 ; Lord Ossuiston , Fron . tier Lodge , No . 204 ; on thc recommendation of the R . W .
Prov . G . M . of Bengal ; and in doing so hc said , Grand Lodge was no doubt aware that no one could confer this rank but Grand Lodge . Thc circumstances under which they were asked to do this were that owing to the late Afghan war the three brethren named , who were Masters of their lodges at the time , were sent to the front , and their
lodges were lift without any Masters . The consequence would have been that when the Masters returned their year of office was at an end . There lodges in India had a very short allowance of Past Masters , and there were no P . M . ' s who could conduct thc working of thc lodges . The Provincial Grand Master authorised some one to act
for them , but in order that they might not lose their rank of Past Master , as they would have had to do if they had not served twelvemonths , he recommended Giand Lodge to confer on them the rank of Past Master . The General Board who had considered the matter agreed entirely in the recommendation of the Provincial Grand Master , to whom all the circumstances had been disclosed , and it
was on this knowledge that hc made thc recommendation . Bro . S . Rawson , Acting D . G . M ., seconded the motion , which was then put and carried . Bro . the Rev . G . lt . Portal , P . G . M ., then moved the following grants from Benevolent Fund ;—£ 50 to thc daughters of Uro . J . M . C . ; £ 20 to Bro .
G . N . The first grant was seconded by Bro . Thomas Meggy , and the second by Bro . James Stevens . , Both grants were unanimously adopted . Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal also moved that thc following alterations be made in the bye-laws cf the Educational
Branch : — 1 . That in Law VI ., the words " in one or more payments within twelve months " be omitted . 2 . That in Law IX ., the words " in sums of not less £ 5 5 s . each " be added . Law VI ., he said , as it present stood , read thus : —
" A donation of five guineas , in one or moic payments within twelve months , gives five votes for life at every election , and constitutes the donor a life subscriber . Representations had been made to the General Board that there was great inconvenience in this rule , which enabled a subscriber to separate his payments and distribute them over
different periods , provided the whole five guineas were paid in twelve months . It had been thought most convenient that the payment should be made in one sum , if the privilege of Life Subscribers was to to be obtained . The motion , having been seconded by Bro . Alfred Williams , was carried .
Bro . Portal , in moving the second recommendation , to add to Law IX ., the words " in sums of not less than £ 5 5 s . each , " said that this alteration followed upon the one that had already been santioned , and granted to lodges the same privileges on payment of double the amount paU by individuals . The brethren would be glad to learn that a beginning had becn made with the Educational Fund , and
that one boy had been elected to be educated under it . A brother who had becn himself aschoolmaster had fallen into decay . He was a Manchesttr Mark brother , and had been very anxious that his son shoultl be sent tothe Manchcstei Grammar School . This Educational _ und hatl enabled the brethren lo grant his request , and as long as his boy conducted himself properly , lie woultl receive his education at the Manchester Grammer School .
Bro . C . K . Matier seconded the motion . Bro . S . Rawson thought thc brethren had not sufficiently considered the alteration . He thought that every inducement should be offered to lodges to subscribe , and that if they made donations in different sums till they amounted
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Grand Mark Lodge.
GRAND MARK LODGE .
The summer half-yearly Communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales , and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , was * tWd on Tuesday evening , at Freemasons' Tavern . The Earl of Limerick , Past Grand Alaster , presided ; Bro . S . Rawson , Past Grand Master for China , occupied the
post of Deputy Grand Master ; and the Rev . J . R . Portal , M . A ., Past Grand Master , the post of Past G . Master . The following brethren were also present -. —Most Worshipful Bros . Right Honourable thc Earl cf Limerick , P . G . M ., as G . M . ; Rev . George Raymond Portal , M . A ., Prov . G . M . for Hants and the Isle of Wight , P . G . M . ; R . VV . Bro ! . Samuel Rawson , Prov . G . M . for China , as
Dep . G . M . ; Rev . C . R . Davy , Prov . G . M . for Gloucestershire ; Lord Henniker , G . S . W . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Warden , as G . J . W . ; W . E . Gumbleton , P . G . W . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . W . ; and Dr . Henry Hopkins , P . G . W . ; V . W . Bros . T . J . Sabine , G . M . O . ; R . J . Mure , G . S . O . ; Raymond H . Thrupp , G . J . O . : Wm . Roebuck , P . G . M . O . ; Thomas Meggy , P . G . M . O . ; R . de M . Lawson , P . G . S . O . ;
James Stevens , P . G . J . O . ; Rev . H . J . Hatch , G . Chaplain ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chaplain ; Rev . T . F . Ravenshaw , P . G . Chaplain ; Frederic Davison , G . Treasurer ; I-I . C . Levander , G . Registrar ; Frederick Binckes , P . G . W ., G . Secretary ; and D . M . Dewar , P . G . S . O ., G . Asst . Sec ; W . Bros . Benjamin Smith , G . S . D . ; Alfred Williams , G . S . D . ; Capt . Thos . Hargreaves , G . J . D . ; Robert Berridge ,
G . Dir . of Cer . ; S . Rosenthal , P . G . Dir . of Cer . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . Dir . of Cer . ; Walter Spencer , P . G . Asst . D . of C ; Capt . Charles Hunter , G . Sword Bearer ; Hyde Pullen , P . G . Sword Bearer ; J . B . Shackleton , G . Standard Bearer ; W . T . Belcher , Mus . Doc , G . Organist ; F . H . Cozens , P . G . Organist ; James Salmon , G . Inner Guard ; Thomas Poore , P . G . Inner Guard ; Rev . Daniel Ace , D . D ., Grand
Steward ; O . H . Pearson , G . Steward ; T . W . Murky , G . Steward ; Henry Massey , P . G . Steward ; Charles Pulman , P . G . Steward ; Joseph Tomlinson , P . G . Steward ; Frank Richardson , P . G . Steward ; C . T . Speight , G . Tyler . With the following Provincial Grand Officers : —VV . Bros . Wm . Hickman , D . Prov . G . M . of Hants anil the Isle of Wight ; Thomas Trollope , M . D ., D . P . G . M . of Sussex ;
Lord Arthur Hill , Piov . G . S . Warden of Sussex ; Major Chas . Harding , Prov . G . J . Warden of Middlesex and Surrey ; Richard Eve , P . Prov . G . S . Warden , Hants and thc Isle of Wight ; George Smith , P . Prov . G . J . Warden of Sussex ; R . L . Loveland , P . Prov . G . J . Warden of Hauls and thc Isle of Wight ; William White , Prov . G . S . O . of West-Yorkshire ; Edward Digglc , Prov . G . J . O . of
Lancashire ; Rev . VV . Staimon Moses , M . A ., Prov . G . Chaplain of Middlesex and Surrey ; Rev . A . A . Bagshawe , Prov . G . Chaplain of Lancashire ; Charles Hammerton , Prov . G . Treasurer of Middlesex and Suircy ; G . J . Brownlow , Prov . G . Reg . of Marks of Middlesex and Surrey ; VV . T . Clarke , Prov . G . Secntary of Sussex ; J . K . Le Feurpe , Prov . G . Secretary of Hants and the Isle of Wight ; T . I .
Armstrong , P . G . A . Sec . of Northumberland anil Durham ; Thomas Benham , Piov . G . J . D . of Hants and the Isle oi Wight ; Chas . S . Lane , P . P . G . G . J . D . of Northumberland and Durham ; John Barker , Prov . G . Supt . if Works West Yorkshire ; J . II . Banks , Prov . G . Asst . D . of C . Cumberland and Westmorland ; T . J . Pulley , P . P . G . Standard Bearer Hants and thc Isle of Wi ght ; Dr . E . Passawer ,
Prov . G . I . Guard Aliddlesex and Surrey ; J . VV . Burgess , I ' . P . G . L Guard Cheshire and North Wales ; Edwin Gilbert , Prov . G . Steward Middlesex anti Surrey ; John Close , P . P . G . Steward Middlesex and Surrey ; Charles Jacques , P . M . Old Kent Lodge ; Charles Horsley , P . M . St . ' Maik Lodge , i ; R . P . Spice , W . M . Keystone Lodge , 3 ; F . VV . Ramsay , W . M . Carnarvon Lotlge , f ; J . L . Thomas , P . M . Thistle
Lodge , 8 ; C . T . Sparks , P . M . Southwaik Lodge , 22 ; A . Middleton , VV . M . St . Andrew ' s Lodge , 34 ; H . R . Cooper-Smith , W . M . University Lodge-, 3 ^ ; VV . J . Hickman , P . M . St . Andrew ' s Lodge , ( 13 ; Lieut .-Col . S . IT . Gierke , VV . M . Studholme Lodge , 197 ; J . M . P . Montagu , P . M . Studholme Lotlge , 197 ; Edward Margrett , VV . M . Leopold Lodge , 23 S ! - B * Wilson , W . M . Royal Naval Lodge , 239 ; H .
Venn , S . W . Oltl Kent Lotlge ; T . C . Walls , S . W . Hammersmith Lodge , 211 ; Edwin M . Lott , S . VV . Trinity College Lodge , 234 ; James Moon , J . W . Old Kent Ledge ; Henry Lovegrove , J . W . Brixton Lodge , 234 ; E . ]' . Hoare , | . 0 . Trinity College Lodge , 244 ; W . Sell word , St c . Aldet ' shot Military Lodge , 54 ; Henry Baldwin , Sec . Brixton Lotlge , 234 ; Henry Oakshette , I . G . Grosvenor Lodge , 144 ; and
C . H . Pike , Grosvenor Lodge , 144 . After the opening of the Grand Lod ge , thc Karl cf Limerick was salutetl in due form . The Earl of Limerick ihcn rose , and saitl that before proceeding to the business of the evening he thought it right , as he had bien commissioned b y Lord Skelmersdale to do so , to express his lordship ' s regnt that hc
was unable to be present . Not very long ago he was suffering I'om a severe illness , from which he had only lately recovered sufficiently to barely discharge his public duties for about a fortnight before Parliament adjourned for the Whitsun recess . He had not yet completely recovered his strength , and he was obliged to take some rest since Parliament had adjourned . All who were acquainted with the Grand Mark Master knew that it was not his custom
to shirk his duties , anil lhey were sure hc would have been present if he possibly coultl . 'i he circumstances , however , were entirely beyond his own control , and the brethren would excuse- his lordship '! - presence . He ( Lord Limerick ) IMS also commissioned by thc Earl of Donoughmore , Dep . Grand Master , to apologise for his noii-altciiilaiicc . Lord
Donoughmore had only re-turned within the last three or four days from Bulgaiia , where he hatl been acting on a commission , and hc had at the present time so much public duty to perform in npoiting on that commission and thc result of his labours iu Bulgaria , besides a great deal of private business , that it was entirely impossib ' c for him to
Grand Mark Lodge.
attend this Grand Lodge , and he hoped the brethren would accept his expression of regret for his enforced absence . Grand Secretary then read the minutes of the halfyearly Communication cf 3 rd Dec , 1878 , and of the emergency meeting of 18 th Feb ., 1 S 79 , which were several ' y put and confirmed . The following report of the General Board was afterwards taken as read , and received and ordered to be entered on the minutes .
REPORT OF GENERA * . BOARD , TUESDAY , 3 RD J , 1879 . Duiing the six months terminating on 31 st of March last , the number of certificates issuetl was 640 , thus bringing thc roll of advancements to 12 , 413 . In thc same period there were issued ten warrants for new lodges , viz .: — No . 2 " 15 , Leopold , Reading .
„ 23 6 , Clapton , London . „ 237 , St . Andrew's , Rochester . ,, 238 , Prince Leopold , London . „ 239 , Royal Naval , London . „ 240 , Roval Keystone , Jamaica . „ 241 , Watford , Watford . •,, 242 , Phoenix , Jamaica .
„ 243 , St . Ethclbert , Hereford . „ 244 , Tiinity College , London . A reference to the accounts appended will show—£ s . d . Amount received in the six months for fees , & c 690 18 3 And that on 31 st March , there were
balances—In favour of the General Fund ... ... 143 6 8 „ „ Benevolent Fund ... . . 76 14 10 „ „ Benevolent Fund , Educational Branch ... ... ... ... 100 o o Since the last half-yearly Communication , two new provinces have been constituted , viz ., Gloucestershire and
Dorset . As Provincial Grand M . Master of Gloucestershire , R . VV . Bro . Rev . C . Rex Davy , was installed at Cheltenham , on Saturday , 8 th March , the GrantI Secretary presiding , by special nomination of thc M . W . Grand M . M . M . R . W . Bro . Montague Guest was installed as Provincial Grand M . Master of Dorset , at Weymouth , on Wednesday , 30 th Aptil , by thc M . W . Past Grand M . Master , the Rev .
G . H . Portal . In each c-isc thc assembly of brethren was numerous and influential , and it is confidently believed that by the constitution of thc two province's , the interests of the Order in the respective localities will be considerably advanced . The M . W . Grand M . Master has becn pleased to place the Provinces of Lincolnshire and Sussex under the charge of thc Grand Registrar .
The Board announce with great gratification lhat the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Quebec has addressed a formal communication , with recognition of this Grand Lodge as Supreme Head of Mark Master Masons . Thc Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois , U . S . A ., has expressed a wish to interchange representatives , nominating as its representative near this Grand Lodge R . VV . Bro .
Charles Fitzgerald Matier , P . G . W ., and proposing as representative of this Grand Lodge near that Grand Chapter , M . E . Comp . Samuel VV . Waddle , Deputy Grand High Priest . The Board recommends Grand Lodge to approve the conferring of the rank of Past Master on the following brethren : —
Dhanjtebhoy J . Camadore , Ramsay Lodge , No . 180 , Murree ; Major G . B . Wolseley , Garnet Lodge , No . 228 , Dinapore ; Lord Ossuiston , Frontier Lodge , No . 204 , Peshawur ; on thc recommendation of R . VV . Prov . G . M . of Bengal , they not having served the office of W . Master for twelve months , owing to the peculiar and difficult circumstances in which the lodges have been placed in
consequence of the war in Afghanistan . The Board recommends a grant of £ 50 to the daughter of thc late Bro . J . M . C , to be disposed of in such man r . er . as the Board may direct ; and £ 20 to Bro . G . N ., under the same conditions . A Grand Lodge of Emergency was held at No . 2 , Red Lion-squaie , on Tuesday , iSth February last . The Right
Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , M . W . G . M . AI ., on the throne , when a vote of condolence with Her Most Gracious Majesty was unanimously adopted , as printed with the report of half-yearly proceedings , to which the following gracious reply has been received : — " Captain Edwards presents his compliments to Mr . Dewar , and is commanded by thc Queen to thank the
Mark Master Masons of England and Wales , and the Colonies and Possessions of thc British Crown in Grand Lodge assembletl , for their address of condolence , and to express Her Majesty ' s sincere appreciation of thc kind sympathy therein conveyed on the death of her dear daughter , Princess Alice , Grand Duchess of Hesse . " Windsor Castle ,
" 28 th February , 1879 . " The Assistant Grand Secretary having undertaken the duty of Steward at the ensuing Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , the Board recommends that they be allowed to place the sum of £ 21 on his list . The General Board unanimously recommends that the sum of £ 50 be given as a gratuity to the Assistant Grand Secretary , Bro . Dewar , in recognition of his exertions in
recovering long-standing arrears due to Grand Lotlge , amounting to upwards of , ( . ' 500 . The Boartl recommends lhat the words " in one or more payments within twelve months " hc omilted in Law VI ., and that the words " in sums of not less than £ 3 5 s . each " be a . ilcd to Law IX . of thc Education Bye-laws . ( Signed ) G . R . PORTAL , PAST G . M . M . President . May , 1879 .
Grand Mark Lodge.
The Grand Treasurer ' s accounts for the six months to the 31 st March are subjoined , which show : GENERAL FUND . Balance from 30 th September , 1878 ... £ 231 3 g Half-year ' s receipts ... ... £ 670 2 1 Dividends 20 16 2 690 18 - >
£ 9 " 1 9 Half-year ' s disbursements : Purchase of £ 300 New Zealand 3 per cent . Consols ... £ 308 3 o Expenditure ... ... ... 470 10 1 778 13 1
Balance on 3 tstMarch , 1879 £ i . _ 6 8 BENEVOLENT FUND . Balance from 30 th September , 1878 ... £ 78 17 11 Receipts for half-year £ 98 t ; 10 Dividends ... ... ... 24 9 7 122 15 3
£ 201 1 3 4 Disbursements ... ... ... £ 24 18 6 Transferred to credit of Education Branch Fund ... ... 100 o o 124 18 fi
Balance on 31 st March , 1 S 79 £ 76 14 10 EDUCATIONAL FUND . Balance at Credit ... £ 100 o o Examined and found correct . ( Signed ) THOMAS MEGGY , Auditor . 21 st April , 1879 .
Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , M . A ., P . G . M ., moved thc approval of thc following recommendation : — To confer the rank of Past Master on Bro . Dhanjccbhoy J . Camadore , Ramsay Lodge , No . 180 ; Major G . B . Wolseley , Garnet Lodge , No . 228 ; Lord Ossuiston , Fron . tier Lodge , No . 204 ; on thc recommendation of the R . W .
Prov . G . M . of Bengal ; and in doing so hc said , Grand Lodge was no doubt aware that no one could confer this rank but Grand Lodge . Thc circumstances under which they were asked to do this were that owing to the late Afghan war the three brethren named , who were Masters of their lodges at the time , were sent to the front , and their
lodges were lift without any Masters . The consequence would have been that when the Masters returned their year of office was at an end . There lodges in India had a very short allowance of Past Masters , and there were no P . M . ' s who could conduct thc working of thc lodges . The Provincial Grand Master authorised some one to act
for them , but in order that they might not lose their rank of Past Master , as they would have had to do if they had not served twelvemonths , he recommended Giand Lodge to confer on them the rank of Past Master . The General Board who had considered the matter agreed entirely in the recommendation of the Provincial Grand Master , to whom all the circumstances had been disclosed , and it
was on this knowledge that hc made thc recommendation . Bro . S . Rawson , Acting D . G . M ., seconded the motion , which was then put and carried . Bro . the Rev . G . lt . Portal , P . G . M ., then moved the following grants from Benevolent Fund ;—£ 50 to thc daughters of Uro . J . M . C . ; £ 20 to Bro .
G . N . The first grant was seconded by Bro . Thomas Meggy , and the second by Bro . James Stevens . , Both grants were unanimously adopted . Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal also moved that thc following alterations be made in the bye-laws cf the Educational
Branch : — 1 . That in Law VI ., the words " in one or more payments within twelve months " be omitted . 2 . That in Law IX ., the words " in sums of not less £ 5 5 s . each " be added . Law VI ., he said , as it present stood , read thus : —
" A donation of five guineas , in one or moic payments within twelve months , gives five votes for life at every election , and constitutes the donor a life subscriber . Representations had been made to the General Board that there was great inconvenience in this rule , which enabled a subscriber to separate his payments and distribute them over
different periods , provided the whole five guineas were paid in twelve months . It had been thought most convenient that the payment should be made in one sum , if the privilege of Life Subscribers was to to be obtained . The motion , having been seconded by Bro . Alfred Williams , was carried .
Bro . Portal , in moving the second recommendation , to add to Law IX ., the words " in sums of not less than £ 5 5 s . each , " said that this alteration followed upon the one that had already been santioned , and granted to lodges the same privileges on payment of double the amount paU by individuals . The brethren would be glad to learn that a beginning had becn made with the Educational Fund , and
that one boy had been elected to be educated under it . A brother who had becn himself aschoolmaster had fallen into decay . He was a Manchesttr Mark brother , and had been very anxious that his son shoultl be sent tothe Manchcstei Grammar School . This Educational _ und hatl enabled the brethren lo grant his request , and as long as his boy conducted himself properly , lie woultl receive his education at the Manchester Grammer School .
Bro . C . K . Matier seconded the motion . Bro . S . Rawson thought thc brethren had not sufficiently considered the alteration . He thought that every inducement should be offered to lodges to subscribe , and that if they made donations in different sums till they amounted