Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents hut we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

THE CONSTITUTIONS AND NEW GRAND LODGES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Your proposals for an addition to the Book of Constitutions in the matter of preparing the way for remaining English lodges to throw in their lot with already existing Grand Lodges abroad are very opportune , and ought to be taken up by the authorities , as the void is very apparent to the few who take any interest in such an important question .

My object now , though , is to direct attention to what I may term a sort of anachtonism in the procedure now supposed to govern the foundation and recognition of Colonial Grand Lodges , which I well remember pointing out to the Board of General Purposes at its inception about three years since . Firstly , then , you will observe that Article 2 I 8 B speaks of a new Grand Lodge being an accomplished fact ; then it proceeds to lay down a string of

regulations following the act of recognition , namely , summoned meetings , within six months of the recognition , of the members of each lodge , to decide whether they shall continue under the Grand Lodge of England or not . If the decision be to join the new Grand Lodge , then the English warrant has to be returned to the Grand Secretary , with a copy of the minutes and si gnature book of the members attending the meeting .

And , finally—I quote the clause— " No second meeting shall be called to discuss the above questions without the special leave of the Grand Master . " Now , it must surely occur to everyone who will take the sli ghtest trouble to consider the question , that the procedure , as now set forth in our Book of

Constitutions , is , to use a homely simile , a case of " putting the cart before the horse . " In other words , it is a rank absurdity to first of all recognise a new Grand Lodge as a sovereign and supreme body , and then , six months later , proceed to order the constituent lodges of such Grand Lodge to do and perform certain acts , when all the time they are not English lodges .

The incongruity of the procedure has been strikingly illustrated in the case of the new Grand Lodge of Western Australia , indeed , I was informed , not a fortnight ago , on excellent authority , that the numbered regulations under Article 2 I 8 B had not been complied with by any one of the 35 lodges embracing the new Grand Lodge , although the warrants have all been returned .

To the lay mind many of the subtleties and sinuosities of the law are beyond conception , and I may be pardoned for classing the foregoing as one of the latest enigmas in connection with English Masonic jurisprudence . —Yours fraternally ,

W . F . LAMONBY February 18 .

"MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE" ( COMMUNICATED ) . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother As a constant reader since the days of your predecessor , " The Masonic Magazine and Mirror , " I have become much interested in the weekly dissertations on the above topic , and would ask your learned young friend , the

correspondent , to favour your readers with his views on the correctness or otherwise of his orthography , February 5 th , 1 9 , Page 67 , re bylaw or byelaw ? being at variance with " The Book of Constitutions" and the . regulations of Supreme Grand Chapter of the Holy Royal Arch—should become a sufficient matter for open discussion in your columns . It is an open secret that the secretaries of some big railways , and certain Parliamentary draftsmen , fall into the like error . Thanking you in anticipation , —I remain , yours , fraternally , JOHN RICHARDSON , P . M . 2695 , P . Z ., & c . February 20 th .

General Committee Of Grand Lodge And Board Of Benevolence.

GENERAL COMMITTEE OF GRAND LODGE AND BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The quarterly meeting of the General Committee of Grand Lodge and the monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence were held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . J . H . Matthews , President of the Board of Benevolence , Bro . D . D . Mercer , Senior Vice-President , and Bro . Henry Garrod , Junior Vice-President , occupied their usual positions ; and Bros . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , W . Lake , Asst . G . Sec , W . Dodd , G . S . Recknell , and H . Sadler , G . Tyler , represented the Grand Secretary ' s

department . The other brethren present were—Bros . C . J . R . Tijou , J . S . Pointon , F . W . Hannah , J . H . Whadcoat , S . H . Goldschmidt , James Block , W . Kipps , W . M . Bywater , Lieut .-Col . G . E . E . Blunt , E . W . Nightingale , W . H . Caton , G . M . E . Hamilton , E . W . Pillinger , John Ellinger , J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . j Charles Henry Stone ,

Major Henry Wright , L . V . Durell Suley , R . W . Forge , Thomas W . Haydon , William H . Stocks , Charles W . Cole , S . Chisholm , W . Williams , Lorenzo Faull , John Hills , H . Massey , F . Stiitzer , R . Leslie , S . Badham , T . W . Pilling , J . W . Burgess , W . Radcliffe , H . W . Mitten , F . C . Foster , George G . Hiscocks , Ernest Frederic Debenham , J . Leach Barrett ,

f . VV . Graham , F . J . Holdsworth , Henry Parkinson , John Finch , Samuel Cohen , j . Campbell , Henry Humphries , E . D . Richards , James Grose , William Henshaw , G . Mentasti . T . M . Lamble , Henry R . Edkin , Edward Hall , Alfred Booth , F . L . Palmer , G . T . Fishenden , J . J . L . Linton , Frank E . Bailey , R . E . F . Lander , A . W . Dyke , Alfred Collman , J . H . Merrett , T . H . Parry , S . J . Cowley , F . Evans , S . Rashley , Baron D . Barnett , and A . T . Duck .

At the Committee of Grand Lodge the agenda for Grand Lodge of March 0 was laid before the brethren . At the Board of Benevolence the brethren first confirmed recommendations made at the last meeting in January to the then Grand Master to the amount of , £ 450 . The new list contained the names of 35 petitioners , who

were qualified through lodges in the London district , and at Poona , Clare , Valetta ( Malta ) , Chatham , Singapore , Liverpool , Bootle , Teddington , Douglas ( Isle ol Man ) , Malta , Allahabad , Sandhurst ( Victoria ) , P ' areham , Grays , Wolverton , Grand Lodge , N . S . W ., and Leicester . Five of these cases were dismissed , and three were deferred . A total sum of £ 830 was

General Committee Of Grand Lodge And Board Of Benevolence.

voted to the remainder . Grand Lodge was recommended to approve of ^ 150 being granted in one instance , £ 75 in another , and ^ 50 in four cases . The Grand Master was recommended to approve of £ 40 being granted to one petitioner , ^ 30 to each of four candidates , and ^ 25 to each of two petitioners , and eight grants were made of ^ 20 each , one of . £ 10 , and five of £ 5 each .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Industry Chapter , No . 48 . The regular meeting of this chapter was held at Gateshead on Thursday , the 14 th instant , when the following companions were present : Comps . W . C . A . Holzapfel , M . E . Z . ; A . Dodds , H . ; T . A . Moffitt , J . ; H . Jackson , I . P . Z . ; R . Whitfield , P . Z . ; T . R . Jobson , P . Z ., as S . N . ; W . Dalrymole , Treas . ; W . E . Peacock , S . E . ; J . Armstrong , P . S . ; J . T . Pragnell , * st A . S . ; W . W . Nichols , 2 nd A . S .: R . Ferry , Oig . ; J . Curry , Janitor : John Carr , Stwd . ; E . Scurfield , and others .

Three members of the chapter bavin ? died recently , it was resolved that votes and letters of condolence be sent to the families of Comps . J . G . Smith , P . Z ., T . Tindale , and J . H . Grant . Bro . Jas . Routledge , 2674 , previously balloted for , being in attendance , was duly exalted in the Degree by Comp . Holzapfel , M . E . Z . It was resolved , on the motion of Comp . R . Whitfield , P . Z ., seconded by Comp . Jobson , that a set of new robes and sceptres be purchased for the three Principals . It was also agreed to give a donation of £ 5 to the Northern Counties Orphanage , and to purchase a safe for the chapter records .

Rowley Chapter , No . 1051 . A meeting of this chapter took place on the iSth instant , at Lancaster , Comp . Wearing , M . E . Z ., presiding . The election of officers for the ensuing year took place , and resulted as follows : Comps . Harrison , M . E . Z . ; Gorton , H . ; Jackson , J . ; R . Stanton , P . Z .. S . E . ; Barrow , S . N . j C . Wolfendale , P . S . ; E . Ireland , A . S . ;

and Longman , P . Z ., Treas . ; The Treasurer presented his accounts for the last year , when it was found that the chapter was in a very satisfactory condition . Comp . Stanton , P . Z ., S . E ., mentioned that Comp . Garnett , P . Z ., would be acting as Steward for the Boys' School as well as the other Institutions , when most of the companions promised to support him with subscriptions . The chapter . was then closed .

Gladsmuir Chapter , No . 1385 . INSTALLATION OF COMP . J . E . OVERED . Thc installation meeting was held at the Red Lion Hotel , Barnet , on Friday , the 15 th instant , when there were present : Comps . W . Baddeley , M . K . Z . j J . E . Overed , H . j W . J . Batho , acting J . j W . Lewis , P . Z ., P . Prov . G . Asst . Saj ., Scribe E . ; F . G . Mason , 1 st A . S . j F . Plowright , 2 nd A . S . j M . E . Woodrow , P . Z . j R Cranston , P . Z . ; G . Blizard Abbott , P . Z . j and Dr . Haskins , Org . Visitors : Comps the Rev . Dr . O . C . Cockrem , P . Z . 404 , Prov . G . Scribe E . j and A . Shillin g .

The summons convening the meeting having been read , and the minutes of the October convocation having been read and confirmed , the chapter proceeded to the election of a Treasurer in place of the late Comp . J . Brittain , P . Z ., Prov . G . J ., who had died since his re-election to the office , the choice of the companions unanimously falling upon Comp . Cranston , P . Z ., who gracefully acknowledged the honour . Comp . W . Baddeley having vacated the chair of First Principal in favour of Comp . R .

Cranston , the latter installed the M . E . Z . elect , Comp . J . E . Overed as M . E . Z . for the ensuing year , after which Comp . the Rev . Dr . Cockrem inducted Comp . W . J . Batho into the chair of J . Comp . A . S . Graddage , H . elect , was unable to attend the meeting owing to the dangerous illness of his father , and his installation as Second Principal was postponed till a future meeting . The following companions were invested as officers for the ensuing year , namely : Comps . W . Lewis , P . Z ., Scribe E . j R . Cranston , Treas . j F . G . Mason , Prin . Soi . ; Plowright , 1 st A . S . j Dr . Haskins , and Mitchell

( for R . H . Goddard ) , Janitor . Votes of condolence with the relatives of the late Comps . J . Brittain , P . Z ., and W . J . Boyce , Scribe N . elect , who had died since the last meeting having been passed , and a P . Z . ' s jewel voted with acclamation to Comp . W . Baddeley as a mark of esteem from the chapter on his retirement from the chair of ' / .., and presented to and acknowledged by that companion , and Comp . A . Shilling having been proposed as a joining member , chapter was closed and adjourned till June . The companions afterwards dined together under the presidency of Comp . Overed , and spent a quiet but pleasant evening together .

Bisley Chapter , No . 2317 . INSTALLATION OF COMP . J . W . H . LITTLEBOY . The regular convocation of this chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Woking , on Thursday , the 14 th instant , when there were present Comps . VV . S . Jackson , M . E . Z . i

J . W . H . Littleboy , P . Z ., H . ; A . M . Kennett , J . j J . B . S . Lancaster , P . Z ., S . E . j W . A . Shaw , S . N . j J . B . VVood , H . B . Osburn , A . H . Gale , R . F . Gould , P . Z ., anel C . T . Tyler , P . Z ., Prov . G . S . E . ( Hon . Members ) . Visitors : Comps . H . J . Bidwell , P . Z . 2120 J Alfred Gibbs , M . E . Z . 777 ; D . C . Robinson , Treas . 137 , - and R . Clemetson .

Bro . Henry Alfred Whitburn , W . M . 2317 , who had been elected at a previous meeting , being in attendance , was ihen duly exalted to the Supreme Degree of a Royal Arch Mason . The next business was the installation of the Principals elect—Comps . J . W . H . Littleboy , P . Z ., A . M . Kennett , and W . A . Shaw , who were severally inducted as M . E . Z ., H ., and J ., respectively , the ceremonies of installing the Second and Third Principals being performed by the Prov . G . S . E . The other officers for the year are

Comps . J . B . S . Lancaster , P . Z ., Scribe E . j Michael Carteighe , Scribe N . j James Webb , P . Z ., Treas . j J . B . Wood , P . S . j II . B . Osburn , 1 st A . S . j J . B . Walker , 2 nd A . S . ; A . H . Gale , D . C . j and G . J . Mason , Janitor . A resolution expressing deep sorrow at the greatly to be lamented death of her Majesty the Queen having been recorded , the chapter was closed . The companions afterwards dined together .

Duke of Fife Chapter , No . 2345 . The election convocation of this chapter was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , E . C , on Wednesday , the 13 th instant , when then were present Comps . John Mitchell , M . E . Z . j S . G . Bonner , P . Z ., as H . ; J . Smith , S . N ., as J . j Charlie Woods , J . ; F . W . Sinclair , S . E . j A . Harvey , P . Z . j Geo . Taylor , P . S . ; Andrew Robertson , Treas . j E . Brindley , 2 nd A . S . j J . A . Barton , Org . ; C . Patrick , Janitor ; A . Caink , W . Greatorex , C . J . Fitch , and Bruce Kench .

The M . E . Z . moved , and Comp . Bonner seconded , "Thischapter desires to place on record deep regret at the loss to the nation by thc death of our late illustrious Sovereign , Queen Victoria , and of great sympathy with his Majesty the King , G . Z , and the Royal Family . " The M . E . Z . spoke most feelingly to the motion , which was carried in silence . Comp . Morris , H ., apologised for absence through illness , and asked to be relieved for the present of Masonic work . The chapter heard this news with much regret . The elections resulted thus ( all being unanimous ) : Comps . Charlie

Woods , M . E . Z . ; Jas . Smith , H . j E . Brindley , J . ; Robertson , Treas . ; Sinclair . S . E . j W . Greatorex , S . N . ; G . Taylor , P . S . ; Bcckworth , ist A . S . ; Barton , 2 nd A . S . ; Innocent , Stwd . ; Patrick , Janitor ; and rjassett and Barrow , Auditors , The S . E . was instructed to express regret at the cause of absence of Comps . Folkard , P . Z ., and Wyer , P . Z . Comp , Charlie Woods raised the question of alteration of byelaws , and having obtained an unanimous opinion in favour , gave notice of motion accordingly . It was unanimously resolved to present a P . Z . ' s jewel to the M . E- " ' ( Comp . John Mitchell ) for his valuable services . All R . A . business being ended , the companions dined together .