Provincial.

many recipieuts of relief were relying upon the interest of the Benevolent Fund . Bro . Sherry said therewereatpresentonly forty-six . Bro . Larkin , J . \ V ., made some remarks in unison with the former speakers . He asked if the question could not be generally discussed in all the Lodges . The AA . M . said they could not exactly tell ; but through the medium of the Freemasons' Magazine the mooting of the question might become known ; and once noticed , other Lodges might be moved to proceed in the matter . Bro . Sherry said the fact waswhat was everybody ' s

, business , generally proved to be nobody ' s . He mentioned , as an example of this , that the state of their institutions was anything but creditable to the fraternity , and simply b * eause some one did not call attention to existing faults . Now he had visited tho asylum for aged and decayed Masons , at Croydon , on the 26 th January , and the 11 th February . Here were homes for thirty-four individuals ; but the state of the place was anything but satisfactory according to his judgment . The domestic arrangement of the institution was not what it should beand efficient

, management and superintendence on the spot was evidently wanting . This was not an exception in the affairs of the Order ; there were many cases iu which neglect were plainly visible . Bro . Jacob revived tho discussion on the appropriation of vested capital . Bro . Sherry said , many parties who had subscribed to tho fund for forty years , were not able to get a penny from it . He had only mentioned the subject in order that it might find vent in discussion . Bro . Jacob hoped the members of that Lodge would do their best to induce others to support the

suggestion for spending all moneys above what was actually necessary to be kept in hand , and that could be easily known . The provincial Lodges first discussing the point , it would easily soon be brought forward iu Grand Lodge . Freemasons were not to be held up as misers , hoarding their funds , and refraining from making a good use of them ; it was their principle to spend their money with a liberal hand in relieving the necessitous among their body . Bro . Oakshott said he should be happy to second any motion , if it was thought they could do anything in the

matter . Bro . Sherry said he feared they could . not do any more at present ; the attention of those iu London could surely be directed to the fact that the question had been spoken upon . Bro . Gerrard thought it should be directly communicated to the Grand Lodge , that the opinion existed that such a large sum should not lie unemployed . The AA . M . said he thought what had already been done , would be sufficient to call attention to , and eventually lead to a general discussion of this important subject . Bro . Everitt was disposed to think that if Grand Lodge were applied tothey would tell us we had no voice in the matter . Bro . Jacob observed

, that they had a voice in tho matter ; at any rate they possessed influence in the . election of the Board ; and tho provincial Lodges , 'by union , could make themselves effective . He did not think it would be out of place for the Lodge of Economy to petition the Board of Benevolence , as far as regarded the matter under discussion . Bro . Everitt— " That might effect our purpose , even if the petition were merely ordered to lie on the table . " Bro . Sherry was of opinion , that those in London wished the provinces to be better represented . They might first go to the Board

of Benevolence , who in turn might appeal to the Board of General Purposes . He had no doubt something would be done in the matter before long . It was preposterous for the Board to keep so much money out of good use . The subject then dropped . The AA ' . M . then called attention to the business which was entered for discussion at the Grand Lodge , on the ensuing AA cdnesday , and laid before the Lodge the questions sent down , from the Board of General Purposes , to the provinces , to ascertain the general opinion on various points . The suggestions for enlarging the

premises in Great Queen-st ., and the various opinions as to its appropriation , were then discussed . Bro . Higgs said it was his opinion , the Masons might have a large building , withataverninthe centre , to make up a certain nunibcrof beds ; the houses on either side might be let off for the present time , and be taken to again hereafter when necessary . The Temple , large coffee room , library , & c , all under a Masonic brother to be elected to the post , must of course be exclusively for the use and accommodation of Masons . Bro . Sherry said , when they looked at the receipt of £ 1300 . a year from the letting of part of the property , they ( the Masons ) must feel it a