House Committees And Their Rights.

tion of House and General Committeemen , would of cdtirse have followed ; had the amendment been carried ; an eventuality which Bro . Nunn prevented effectually by refusing ,

as Chairman , to allow it to be brought forward , on the ground that it was " against the laws . " We ask emphatically , and we trust the

Craft will repeat the question , What laws ? Not the printed laws by which the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls is supposed to be governed , for we have quoted these fairly and

fully wherever they bear upon the question , and they do not contain a word to show that thc House Committee has the faintest control , as such , over the more important of the points

entrusted to it by Bro . Symonds motion and Bro . Nunn ' s ruling . Were these laws of Thursday week evolved out of the internal consciousness ofthe Chairman of the day ? Or are they laws

which he intends to create at some future period yet unfixed , and which he holds himself justified in acting on before the formalities of framing ancl passing them arc gone through ? If there are such

laws as Bro . Nunn professed to be guided by , why is the knowledge of them restricted to the House Committee ? If there are no such laws , why was Bro . Parkinson ' s amendment

suppressed without discussion ? Pending an answer to these questions , we may remark that it happens fortunately , that this strange exercise of the " g iant ' s strength , " which our English reverence

for constituted authority places in the hands of every chairman of a public meeting , is not likely to have any pernicious effect , for it is impossible to doubt that the existing

House Committee will present an able and unbiassed report . But the precedent is dangerous and the example bad , and the thoughtful and moderate spirits among the House Committee ,

will agree that * no abiding strength or influence is obtained by snatching at greater powers than the Constitution , assigns , or by such questionable ruling as signalised the Chairmanship of Bro . Joshua Nunn .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS

( Kraft Utosonvs . METROPOLITAN .

LODGE OF ASAPH ( No . 1319 ) . —This dramatic and musical lodge met on Monday , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Charles Coote , W . M ., presiding . There were no candidates for any of the degrees of Freemasonry , and as it was the clay

for the installation of a new Master , the ceremony was at once proceeded with . Bro . Coote , following the example of all energetic Masters , proceeded in the usual form to instal Bro . J . M . Chamberlain , the W . M . elect , in the chair of K . S .

The ceremony was ably performed and called forth expressions of approval when it was concluded . The new W . M . then appointed as his officers , Bros James Weavsr , P . M ., 862 , P . P . G . Org ., Middlesex , S . W . ; E . Frewin , J . W ., Charles Coote , Jun ., Tresurer ; E . Stanton Jones , P . M ., Secretary ; J . S . Jeky ll , S . D . ; W . A . Tinney , J . D . j

W . H . Stephens , I . G . ; II . J . Tinney , Org ., E . Terry , D . C ., J . Gilbert , ! ' . The brethren afterwards adjourned to an excellently arranged banquet at the Freemasons' Tavern , provided by Bro . C . E . Francatelli , the manager . When the toasts were proposed Bro . John Hervey replied in very lively terms to the toast of the Grand Officers ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings

and Bro . F . Binckes made a short , apt and happy reply that of the visitors . Bro . C . Coote , P . M ., was presented with a valuable P . M . jewel , and a testimonial written on vellum in the following words , and framed and glazed : — " Lodge of Asaph , No . 1319 . This testimonial , accompanied with a P . M . jewel is presented to Bro . Charles

Coote , as a token of esteem and appreciation of the abilities evinced by him as W . M ., during his year of office , 187 i-2 , by the members of the above lodge , trusting that the Great Architect ofthe Universe may grant him health , happiness and long life to watch the prosperity of the lodge , of which he is one of the founders and second Master

signed on behalf ofthe members the 4 th clay of November , A . L ., 5872 , A . D ., 1872 . John Martin Chamberlain , W . M ., James Weaver , S . W ., Edward Frewin , J . W . " Bro . Coote made a suitable reply in acknowledgment of the gift , and expressed the gratification which both he and the members of his family felt for such a

recognition of the services he had rendered the lodge . During the evening there was a beautiful selection of vocal and instrumental music , in which Bros . Geo . Buckland , W . T . Wrighton , John Hodges , Baxter , Tinney , Lazarus , ancl Charles Coote took part , and the third year of this musical ancl dramatic lodge was entered upon under the most favorable circumstances .

STAR LODGE OF INSTRUCTION ( NO . 1275 ) . — The third anniversary banquet of the above ilourising lodge was held at Bro . Hobson ' s , Marquis of Granby , New Cross Road , on Tuesday evening , 29 th Oct ., ancl was a complete success . Over 50 brethren sat down to a first-rate spread , among

whom werejthe following : —Bros . Hogg , P . M ., P . G . S ., I . P . M . 1275 ; Keeble , W M . 127 ?; Pulley , P . M . ; C . G . Dillev , P . M . ; Brown , P . M ., Sisson , P . M . ; Darke , S . W . 1275 ; G . F . Guest , S . D . 1275 ; Shaw , J . D . 79 ; Green , 216 ; Kipps , I . G . and Org . 127 *; , . S . Org . 79 ; Roper , P . M . ;

Lomax , T . Hobson , Hills , David Rose , P . M . ; Sadler , Treverton , Stevens , 12 75- , Moriarty , Jobson , Macdonald , Myatt , 79 ; Daniels , Bolton , Munyard , Lewin , Chapman , C . Davidge , Sec , and many others . Visitors . —Bros . R . W . Little , P . G . Sec . Middlesex , and Elton Glover . After

the removal of the cloth , Bro . Hogg , who presided , supported by Bros . Keeble ancl Sadler , proposed the various loyal and patriotic toasts in that exceedingly happy manner so familiar to all who know him , ancl which were duly responded

to by the brethren . Bro . R . W . Little , who responded on behalf of the Grand Officers , in a ^ neat and fluent speech , congratulated the lodge on the evident success it had attained , in so short a period of time . Bro . Davidge ( the Sec . ) informed the brethren that there were 600 members '

names upon the books , many of whom held high positions in the Craft . They had had nearly 200 additions to their number during the past year , and they rarely opened the lodge with less than 30 present . The event of the evening was , however , the presentation of a very handsome silver

teapot to thc esteemed ancl beloved Preceptor , Bro . Dilley , P . M ., for the eminent services he has rendered the lodge since its formation . Bro . Dilley , in an affecting manner , returned an eloquent reply to this mark of his brethren ' s appreciation of his services , which from want of space

we are unable to give in extenso . Dunng the evening the musical portion of the brethren delighted their hearers bytheir various performances , ancl among them we must particularly mention Bro . Elton Glover , who was special ! } ' engaged for the occasion . He was in excellent voice ,

his singing was simply magnificent , and his rendering of Longfellow ' s " Village Blacksmith" and "The Sea is England ' s Glory" received a perfect ovation from the brethren , to whom it was a source of marvel that a professional possessing such a wonderful compass of voice should be

but comparatively little known amongst the Craft . Bro . Daniel caused much amusement by his flinn }* ' song , " Poor Mr . Wood , " and Bros . Munyard , Shaw , Ike , contributed their quota to the evening ' s entertainment , which wound up in perfect peace and harmony .

HAMPSHIRE . ALDERSHOT . —Alders / tot Camp Lodge ( No l 33 i ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held on the 31 st October , in the lodge room ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings

Royal Hotel . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . J . Fenn , W . M . the chair of K . S ., was occupied by Bro . C . Carnegie , I . P . M ., P . Prov . G . Purst . Hants , who was supported by the following officers : Bros . J . Newman , 6 97 , as P . M . ; Capt . Richardson , W . M . elect , S . W . ; A . McKenzie

J . W . ; M . Lucas , as Sec , ; A . J . Edmond , as S . D . ; R . Bennett , J . D . ; F . Anderson , LG . ; J . Marversly , as O . G . There were several visitors , among whom were Bros . Gold , 723 , and Warne , 1046 . The lodge was opened in form in the first degree , and a report from the Committee of

Reference was read , stating that the accounts for the past year had been audited and found correct , upwards of . £ 23 standing to the credit of the lodge , £$ have been given to the Masonic Benevolent Institution , by which two votes have been secured to the lodge for 1 < j years . The association for assisting the Masonic Charities

numbers 14 members , and is steadily progressing . The report was unanimously adopted . The lodge was opened in the second degree , and Bro . E . Harper , a candidate for the M . M . degree , was examined respecting his proficiency in the F . C . degree , which , proving satisfactory ,

he was entrusted ancl retired . The- lodge was opened in thc third degree , and Bro . Harper was raised to the sublime degree , the S . W . explaining the working tools , ancl the W . M . pro . tem . giving the charge , and putting round the questions appertaining to the degree . The lodge was closed

to the second degree , and resumed in the first degree , when Bro . Drew , a candidate for the F . C . degree , was examined respecting his proficiency in the former degree , which proving satisfactory , he was entrusted and retired . The lodge was then resumed in the second degree ,

ancl Bro . Drew was passed to the I . C . degree , the J . W . presenting the working tools . The lodge was then closed down to the first degree , when a letter was read from the Secretary of the Royal Sussex Lodge , Jersey , thanking the W . M . for raising Bro . Phillips and Scadden , members of

that lodge , to the sublime Degree , and enclosing their Grand Lodge certificates , which were then presented to them by the W . M . pro . tem . Bro . Capt . Richardson , R . E ., W . M . elect , presented a pair of elegantly carved columns to the lodge for the Senior and Junior Wardens . On the motion

of Bro . C . Carnegie , W . M ., seconded b y Bro . A . McKenzie , J . W ., avoteof thanks was unanimously accorded to Bro . Richardson for his appropriate gift . Bro . Martin R . Art ., was proposed as a joining member . Some other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed in peace , harmony , and brotherly love .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ]

LANCASTER . —Row / ei / Lodge ( i \ o . 1051 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Rooms , Athenruum , Lancaster , oa Monday , 4 th November , 1 S 72 . In the absence ofthe W . M ., Bro . Wilson Barker , who had been summoned from town on account of the serious

illness of a near relation , Bro . Dr . Moore , P . M ., P . G . S . B . of England , occupied the chair , there being also present Bros . W . Hall , L . R . C . P ., as I . P . M . ; W . J . Sly , S . W . ; Edmund Simpson , P . M . 281 , as J . W , ; James Taylor , S . D . ; Robt . Harger , as J . D , ; Richard Taylor , I . G . ; J . L .

Bradshaw , Thomas Jackson , F . C . ; Visitors , Bro . James Porter , P . M . 327 , Prov . G . S . D . Cumberland and Westmoreland ; fohnHatch , P . M . 281 ; William Hail , W . M . 282 ; J . H . Williams , 1353 , ; James Elleshan 1353 ; James Conlan , S . il . ; and John Watson Tyler . After the lodge

had been opened and regular business transacted , Bro . Newman Jackson underwent a satisfactory examination , ancl was in due time raised to the degree of Master Mason , by Bro . William Hall , P . M . 105 j , ancl next Henry Longman and George Sutton were respectively initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry by Wor . Bro .

James Porter , ancl W . Hall , W . M . 281 , the working tools being presented by Bro . W . J Sly , S . W . A vote of thanks was passed , on the motion of Hro . Moore , to Bros . Porter and Hall , for their services , and after the proclamation , which elicited hearty good wishes , on behalf of lodge 327 , 343 , 281 , and 1353 , the lodge was duly closed .