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1863 , he pointed out on that occasion be should ask for the sum of £ 25 , 000 , but he was then happy to say that be should be able to diminish the sum required from £ 25 , 000 to £ 19 , 000 , and the reason of that was , that they had received the sum of £ 5 , 000 as the premium for the new lease , aud they had also kept within the mark in all their speculations . He contended that it was perfectly right that they should borrow their own

money , without being obliged to seek extraneous aid ; the Fund of Benevolence would be benefited , and they would be sure to pay the money back . The time for repayment wonld commence six months after the completion of the building . Therefore , when the building had been completed six months , from that moment would commence the repayment . He ( Bro . Havers )

had told the brethren , two years ago , that the building would cost £ 45 , 000 , but that sum Avould not include the necessary repairs to tbe hall in which they were assembled . He then believed that they would be able to keep within that sum , and they would not draw it unless it was absolutely wanted . He , however , entertained a strong opinion that the whole amount

would be repaid in less than ten years , and he then asked them for £ 19 , 000 rather than run the risk of coming to them for an afterclap ; for in three months they would have to pay the contractor £ 5 , 000 , as by that time he would have completed the first section of his contract . He Avas sorry that ho had been obliged to occupy their time so long , but , as be bad

laboured , so he would continue to labour in their service ; and if there was any explanation required on any point he bad not touched upon , he should be most happy to give it . He then moved — " That , for tho purpose of completing the new buildings , a sum not exceeding £ 19 , 000 be raised by borrowing the same from the Fund of Benevolence , on mortgage of the freehold property belonging to the society ; and that interest be paid

thereon , at the rate of four per cent , per annum . " Bro . MASON seconded the resolution which Bro . Havers had proposed , and if he rightly interpreted the feelings of Grand Lodge , he believed that they gave their approval to everything that the Committee had done up to the present time . Bro . Havers had said that , in the outset , they had to depend upon tbe promises of himself and the Committee ; but they

could then judge of him and tbe Committee by their works . Those . Avorks were really marvellous , and did the Committee credit and honour for the manner iu whicli they hud been conducted from the first to the present time . These works would be an honour to the Craft ; and aslie believed Grand Lodge approved of what Bro . Havers and the Committee had done , it

required but few words to impress upon them the propriety of tbe resolution which had been proposed . They ivere sure that the funds would be properly appropriated , and he had great pleasure in seconding the resolution , hoping to see the works completed , and that something more substantial than a hearty A ote of thanks would be accorded to the Committee .

Bro . AA TNN wished to put a question as to whether , in the event of this money being borrowed from the Board of Benevolence , that could be done without interfering with the claims of their poorer brethren . Bro . CLABON said there Avas a time when he had his doubts Avhether money intended for benevolence ought not to remain

sacred by being invested in the public funds ; but be bad since changed his mind , and from figures he had before him he believed that no poor brother ran the risk of losing a single penny by the Committee borrowing from this fund . As to the Board of Benevolence , they had last year invested £ 10 , 000 , and the contributions of members last year amounted to £ 3 , 300 , without the dividends , and these contributions of members alone had been found quite sufficient to meet for the period all the

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claims upon the Board of Benevolence . Tho dividends were all invested , and therefore it Avas absurd to suppose that poor Masons were not safe , or that they would not have all thoy required . It was his opinion that this motion might not only 10 safely carried , but it might be carried with great benefit to the charity . The D . G . MASTEE put the resolution , which was unanimously

carried . Bro . HAA'EHS said be bad next to move tbe second resolution -. — "That the necessary mortgage deeds be prepared ; and that the trustees of the funded and freehold property bo , and they are hereby , instructed to execute the same , and see that tbe provisions therein are duly carried out ; and that the full amount

of Stock , which may be sold out from tbe Fund of Benevolence for tbe purpose of this loan , shall be reinstated to that Fund . " He said the only remark he had to make was as to the last paragraph which had been added to the resolution , so that the fund of the Board of Benevolence would not be injured . Bro . Cox seconded the motion , which was put , and also agreed to unanimously . Bro . HAA-EES moved the next resolution , as follows : — "That the Building Committee be , and they ar hereby

autborised to use such surplus money as may arise from the Fund of General Purposes ; and to draw for a further sum , not exceeding £ 19 , 000 , now to be borrowed from the Fund of Benevolence , at such times and in such amounts as may be required in the progress of the works ; and , in like maimer , to repay to the Fund of Benevolence the amount borrowed , by

such yearly or half-yearly instalments as shall hereafter be found convenient . " Tbe D . G . MASTEB put the resolution , which was unanimously agreed to . He said , as the resolutions had been agreed to , he would then say that they bad his entire concurrence ; but before he had refrained from stating his opinion , so that be

might not influence Grand Lodge iu the proposals that were made to them . He believed the means for raising the money were tbe best that could be adopted ; and ho was glad to find that his opinion had been confirmed by the unanimous decision of Grand Lodge . He might be permitted to speak of tbe great gratification he had received that evening in inspecting the

works in progress , which reflected great credit on tbe Building Committee , and bo believed that thoy would raise a temple for Freemasonry that should be worthy of the reputation of their ancient Craft .

REPOET OE THE AUDITOE OE GEAND LODGE ACCOUNTS . The report of Bro . It . P . Harding of the receipts and disbursements of Grand Lodge during the year was presented and received . There being no other business , Grand Lodge was closed in due form and with solemn prayer at half-past nine o'clock .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

MOUNT LEBANON LODGE ( NO . 73 ) . —This prosperous lodge held its usual monthly meeting on Tuesday , the 21 st ult ., at the Green Man Tavern , Tooley-street , Southwark ( Bro . C . A . Cathie's ) . The lodgo Avas opened by Bro . Henry Moore , W . M ., . assisted by Bros . C . J . Gooddy , S . W . ; G . Morris , J . W . ; E . Harris , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Donkin , P . M ., Sec . ; T . J . Sabine , S . D . ; F . H . Ebswortb , J . D . ; T . J . C . Powell , I . G . ; F . AValters , P . M . Dir . of Cers . ; M . A . LoewenstarkAV . S . ; E . N . Levy

, , , I . P . M . ; AVills , Meagher , Marshall , R , Fenn , R . Stevens , J . Gale , Davis , Jackson , D . liose , G . Free , G . Drapper , Harrison , Goulty , D . Barclay , C . T . Bass , A . P . Stedman , and very many others too numerous to mention . Amongst a large number of visitors we noticed Bros . G . Brown , P . M . and Treas .,