United Grand Lodge Of England.

record their votes for the respective candidates . At the close of the poll it was found that no fewer than 2 , 717 voting cards had been issued , a number far in excess of anyprevious contest . At six o ' clock Grand Lodge was again declared open , and after the scrutineers for the ballot had been obligated , the

usual business was proceeded with . The Pro Grand Master announced that the Election of a Grand Master was the first business on the agenda . W . Bro . Judge Lumley Smith in proposing the present Grand Master for re-election , said it was his privilege to propose in Grand

Lodge the re-election of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and Strath earn as Grand Master of the Order . It was a proposal which he knew would be accepted by the brethren with the utmost unanimity , and he was quite sure , therefore , that seeing the mass of business that Grand Lodge had to get through it was necessary for him to say but a very .. few

words . His Royal Highness has now been Grand Master for four years . In those four years it must

be admitted that the dignity of his high office has been maintained , and the

prosperity of Freemasonry had continued uninterrupted . During that time ,

however , an event had occurred which was fresh in all their minds—he referred to the

serious accident which had but recently befallen his Royal Highness . That

accident was one which , judging from experience , might have been attended with

fatal results , but it had pleased the G . A . O . T . U . that that event should only have

a good result , inasmuch as it had been the means of drawing out a very great manifestation , not only

from Masons , but from all England , of the popularity his Royal Highness enjoyed . It was a fitting opportunity to take of congratulating his Royal Highness on his providential escape , and of expressing the hope that his Royal Highness might return from the voyage he had taken enjoying renewed health and vigour . Without

impertinence he thought he might also offer , in the name of the brethren , his heartiest felicitations to his Royal Highness on the announcement that had been made of the forthcoming marriage of his daughter . He would conclude by proposing that his Royal Highness be elected Grand Master for the

ensuing year . The motion having been seconded , it was put to the vote and carried by acclamation , whereupon W . Bro . Frank

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Richardson , Grand Director of Ceremonies , proclaimed His Royal Highness Grand Master in the customary manner . The Pro Grand Master then said that he was taking the unusual course of moving a resolution without notice because the announcement of which he wished to speak had been made two clays after the meeting of the Committee of Grand

Lodge , and it was , therefore , impossible to have acquainted the brethren beforehand . He proposed to move that a sum of money not exceeding 250 guineas be expended in a wedding present to her Royal Highness . They would agree with him that it was an occasion tlv . it called for recognition by Grand

Lodge , for not only was the Princess the eldest daughter of their Grand Master , but King Oscar of Sweden , the grandfather of the bridegroom elect , was himself an ardent Freemason , the Protector of the Swedish Order , and a Past Grand Warden of their own Grand Lodge . He , therefore , moved that that sum be voted , and that his Roval Highness be asked

to decide later what form the presentation should take . The Deputy Grand Master

seconded the motion , which , he said , would express the sentiments not only of

all members of their own jurisdiction , but of everyjurisdiction throughout the

world . The motion was carried amid much

enthusiasm . After the motion of the president of the Board of Benevolence , W . Bro .

J . H . Matthews , confirming the various grants which had been made by that

body during the quarter , Bro . Sir Arthur Collins , K . C , proceeded to move the

adoption of the report of the Board of General Purposes so far as it referred to Freemasons' Tavern , to the effect that

—in view of the expiration of the lease to Messrs . Spiers and Pond , at Michaelmas next , the question of re-leasing the premises had been very carefully considered , and the Board had arrived at the decision to recommend the acceptance of the offer of Messrs . J . Lyons & Co ., of a rental of £ 3 000 per annum for

, a period of fourteen years , and the Board be authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £ 30 , 000 , which was considered necessary for the reconstruction and redecoration of the Tavern . He thought they were such as to be accepted , and he moved that that portion of the report be adopted .

Bro . Frank Richardson said it became his duty as Chairman of the Premises Committee to second the resolution . He assured the brethren that the proposals contained in the report had been arrived at by substantial majorities of the