The Masonic Mirror.

tenant to continue so at a less rent than they would take from ¦ a stranger . He would then apply himself to certain objections which might be raised to tho resolution which he was about to propose . He might be told that by his resolution they would take out of the hands of the Board of General Purposes tho power which from time immemorial belonged to them . Now ,

at the first blush that might seem to be so , but he would endeavour to show that that was not true . According to the " Book of Constitutions" they were to be entrusted with the management and carrying out of alterations and improvements . JThat no doubt was true , but this was quite an exceptional case . Grand Lodge considered that , as the Board of General

Purposes , from its changeable nature , was not a proper body to be entrusted with the erection of the new building , it was determined that a subordinate body should have charge of the -building . As to letting the building the Board of General Purposes could not let it unless they came to Grand Lodge at ¦ every step , but if a person who wanted to take the premises

-suggested certain alterations by which the business could be ¦ carried on more satisfactoril y the committee could agree to them , if they did not increase the cost . That the Board of General Purposes could not do . He knew the Board of General Purposes well , and he could safely say that no jealousy whatever was felt on behalf of the Board of General Purposes in

. giving to the Building Committee the power which properly belonged to them . He next came to another objection which had been raised , that Grand Lodge ought not to part with this power out of its own hands , but against this objection he thought there existed stronger reasons than as to the last . In a body composed ^ of upwards of 500 men they could not settle such a point as that , it would cause great delay , which was fatal in all business transactions . AVhether Bro . Shrewsbury

¦ was to bo their tenant or not , he said that he had then a stock on the premises worth £ 15 , 000 , and if he was not to be their ¦ future tenant he ought to have ample notice so as to give him time to dispose of his stock . If he was to he their tenant , then she ought to have proper time allowed to make such alterations and additions as were required for the new building . He ( Bro .

Havers ) said that Grand Lodge , as men of business , were bound to give him an answer , for even a ' stranger would not be content to wait for six months , and to have his offer canvassed in such a way . If Grand Lodge should determine to retain the power in its own hands , and it should also approve of the recommendations of the committee , then so much time would be lost ;

% utif they rejected their recommendation they might accept a tenant whom the committee could not approve , and thus another difficulty would be created . He might be asked why the . committee asked for that power then , and why they could not wait for six months , but he might say that they believed the present new buildings would be finished iu November next

, and he hoped that it would be fit for the transference of the offices of the Grand Secretary in May . He hoped to see the buildings completed by next April twelvemonths , and as they must come to some arrangement in the early part of the next year , be thought the sooner they come to some definite arrangement the better . Every day the committee had additional

reasons to see the prospect of a great success , but it required time to develop their resources , and they ought not to push on the work too fast . The only feeling of the committee was , that as they had commenced the work they ought to be allowed to crown it , and that Grand Lodge would delegate to them those powers which they felt , as a popular body , they were unable

to deal with themselves . He concluded by moving— " That the committee be , and are hereby empowered , to take the necessary steps on behalf of Grand Lodge , for the letting of the present

and future tavern and premises in Middle-yard , upon such terms and conditions as may seem to them to be just aud advantageous . " Bfo . ADLABD seconded the motion , believing that it was the only proper course that Grand Lodge could adopt . The PRESIDENT OV THE BOAED OE GENERAL PURPOSES said there Was no feeling of jealousy whatever between the Board of

General Purposes and the Building Committee ; and , indeed , the Board had never had the subject referred to brought under its consideration . He imagined that he spoke the sentiments of the Board when he said that he believed this matter was better left in the hands of the Building Committee than it would be in that of the Board over which he had the honour to preside .

At the same time he might remark that seven members of the Building Committee were members of the Board of General Purposes , and of course they formed a powerful element iu the decisions of that committee . Bro . DOME , Prov . G . M . for Surrey , hoped in any arrangements that were come to that the Trustees of the property

would be consulted , tliat they should have fair and not an exacting vent , and a good tenant . Bro . HAVERS said , as one of the Trustees of the property , the committee intended to adopt the course which Bro . Dobie had proposed . Bro . Colonel COLE , S . G . AV ., said he had never heard that the Building Committee had the smallest interest iu the letting of the tavern . He had heard a whisper of the rumours which had

been referred to , and he thought they could only have existed in the mind of Bro . Havers , but he could see no reason why they should receive Bro . Shrewsbury on his paying a lower rent than any other tenant . If that was the principle upon which the Building Committee acted he thought that Grand Lodge would not be satisfied with their proceedings . Some might wish to have a change , others might wish to keep the

present tenant , but there ought to he neither favour or affection either one way or the other . It had been stated that there would be a difficulty if tho matter was to be left in the hands of Grand Lodge , as any determination it might come to would have to be confirmed three months hence , but that must be the case with Bro . Havers' resolution , and he could not see

how that difficulty would be got over . A BROTHER , whose name we could not learn , agreed with their brother , the Senior Grand Warden , that if 'his subject was left in the hands of the Building Committee they should select the tenant without any feeling of favour or affection , but circumstances might arise which would justify the committee

in not taking the highest offer . The committee ought to weigh all the circumstances , and not be allured by the highest offer , for if the business was not properly carried on it would not he merely the tenant , but their property might suffer from it . He was content to leave the matter in the hands of the committee , in whom they had full confidence . The G . MASTER pat the motion , and it was carried unanimously .

REPORT OE THE ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION non AGED FREEMASONS AND THEIR WIDOWS . The annual report of the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their AVidows was laid before Grand Lodge . GRAND LODOE OE IRELAND . The G . MASTER said the following resolution , passed by the

Grand Lodge of Ireland on the 7 th April , 1864 , has been received from the Lord Naas , representative of the Grand Lodge of Ireland in the Grand Lodge of England , viz .: — " That a communication be addressed by the Grand Lodge of