Grand Lodge Of England.

amongst the brethren , for if there were the brethren would be sure to hear of it from tho Board . The Grand Master put the motion , which was unanimously agreed to . THE BUILDING CO -I- MITTEE . Bro . Havers moved that the report of the Building

Committee be taken as read , which was agreed to . He afterwards , in moving that it be received and entered ou the minutes , said that the only substantive motion which arose out of the report was in these words : —" That the rent of the Dalhonsie and Moore Lodge Rooms be reduced to one guinea each for each meeting , such reduction to take place from the 1 st January ,

1869 . " At tho last Grand Lodge a notice was made for the reduction of the rent of these rooms , which after a discussion ¦ was referred hack to the Building Committee , who were directed to report to the Grand Lodge . The Building Committee had accordingly carefully considered the subject , and taking also into consideration the wishes of small lodges , they proposed to

reduce tho rent of those rooms to one guinea . If it had been less there should have been nothing further to say upon it , but ho found on the paper a notice by Bro . King , W . M ., No . 172 , — " That a proportionate reduction ba made in the wliolo of the lodge rooms used for lodge purposes , as well as the Dalliousie and Moore . " A reduction of the rooms was impossible , but he

presumed Bro . King meant a reduction in the rent . Now , he must resist that mation , and any motion at present for the reduction of the fees paid for the use of those rooms , as the Committee had done what they thought to be right and just to the Craft in the charges they made for lodges who occupied their rooms . As regarded the Zetland and the De Grey Booms , it

was said that two guineas was too large a sum for them to pay , but he was surprised that lodges that met so numerously in them should consider that sum too much for them to pay . He belonged to one of the smallest lodges in the Craft , for it

numbered not more than 20 members , and they did not consider Ave per cent , for a lodge room too much to p _ y out of their income . In taverns they were charged more than double for such accommodation , and then in these rooms they were provided with furniture and all the usual paraphernalia of a lodge , besides lighting and warming , for which we had nothing to pay . AU this was provided , and there was the wear and

tear of removal of furniture from one room to another , and when all this was provided and it cost a lodge only 10 or 12 guineas a year , would any one tell how that was too large a sum . They provided the furniture , and they warmed and lighted these large rooms for two guineas a night , and when they considered that the income of some of these large lodges

• was from £ 200 to £ 300 a year , he thought they could scarcely object to the cost to them for the lodge room of 10 or 12 guineas a year . He would ask any one then present how much of tho income of lodges was spent in creature comforts . We should say it was about 80 per cent ., and that being so would they grudge 10 or 12 guineas for rent for a lodge room . He

moved'Let the rent ofthe Dalliousie and Moira lodge rooms bo reduced to one guinea each for each meeting , such reduction to take place from the 1 st January 1869 . " The motion having been seconded , — Bro . Udnll , P . G . D ., considered that two guineas a night for the use of those large rooms was too large a sum , and the lodge

to which he belonged had very superior furniture of their own , which they were obliged to warehouse . He said that they ought to be placed in a position so as not to be compelled to get rid of their furniture in their own house . To pay for meetings ill that place was inconsistent , for it was by their own money that he building had been obtained . He should oppose the charges

on these rooms , but should not object to pay a small sum for some time for their monthly meetings . His lodge had firstrate furniture , aud therefore , he said it was altogether inconsistent that they should have to pay 1 G or IS guineas a year for the use of a room in their own house . Bro . Grisseft sa ' ui , if Bro . Ui . all ' s argument was good for

anything , they ought not to pay any rent at all . They ought however , to pay any rent that was fairly due , and he looked upon Bro . Udall ' s argument as fallacious . ; Ho believed that Bro . Havers ' s motion was deserving of support . Bio . J . R . Simpson , G . Chap ., said many years ago when the Grand Master presided at York , as Prov . Grand Master , he

heard him lay down the principle that they ought to provide private places for holding lodges , rather than they should be held at taverns . His lordship having enunciated that principle , he supported the view taken by Bro . Udall . After some further discussion the motion of Bro . Havers was

put and agreed to . A special report was brought up from the Committee on the Fund of Benevolence , recommending various changes in the administration . Bro . Clabon said be had boon g iven to understand , that it was considered the report had not been sufficiently circulated , and having consulted the other members of the Committee , he

thought it would be better to defer the consideration of it until the meeting in June . A rather sharp discussion ensued upon the report , and Bro . J . R . Stebbing said that portion of the scheme which restricted the total capital of the Board of Benevolence to £ 26 , 000 would meet with his most strenuous opposition .

The subject was postponed until the June meeting , and it was ordered that a copy of the report should be sent to all lodges . The report of Bro . Harding , Auditor of Grind Lodge accounts for the year , was received .

THE BUILDING COMMITTEE . Bro . Brackstone Baker moved— " Tho buildings in con . ncctiou with tbe Freemasons' Hall being now completed , and the old hall repaired aud redecorated , ' that a committee of members of Grand Lodge be appointed to consider and report upon a suitable recognition of tho eminent services rendered to

the Craft by the chairman and his colleagues of the Building Committee . ' " Ho at some length entered into the services they had rendered the Craft in carrying out the work in which they had been engaged . Bro . Clabon seconded the motion , which was agreed to , and the following committee was appointed : —Bros . Clabon , Mason ,

Hogg , Eraser , Tomkins , Bennoch , E . Cox , and Baker . GRAND LODGE MEETING IN SEPTEMBER . Bro . John Symouds , P . Assist . G . Dir . of Cers ., moved an alteration iu the Book of Constitutions to alter the meeting of Grand Lodge from September to October , but after a short discussion the proposition was negatived . TIIE CHARITY JEWEL .

Bro . Joseph Smith , P . G . Purst ., moved , — " That as the present qualification for the Charity Jewel acts adversely to the interests of the 'Royal Masonic Be . ievolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , ' it is expedient that the privilege of wearing the same be extended , aud that brethren having served as Stewards to the Festival of any two of the

Masonic Institutions be entitled to wear such jewel ; and that brethren serving the office for three Institutions be entitled also to wear a clasp on the ribbon by which such jesveHs suspended . " He said his wish was to put those who served as Stewards for the