Provincial.

niturc , plate , & c , ancl then they would have to pay managers , waiters , domestics , cooks , & c- At present it was stated they paid five thousand pounds a year to the tenant for Masonic banquets , and though this included those of private Lodges , still tho amount was exceedingly high , and he really thought it might be done much lower . If brethren would drink champagne and claret let them pay for it out of their own pockets . AVhy not supply all the dinners upon a certain scale at so much head ? Of coursebefore anything was done in respect to alteration of

per , the building , estimates would be prepared ancl laid down for consideration . The R . AV Prov . Grand Master here referred to certain observations published on the question in the Masonic Observer , some of which he said he certaiuly could not ngreo with . Heobjected to the provincial brethren paying for the convenience and benefit of those in London ; many of the provincial brethren went but seldom to I louclou , and could not avail themselves of benefits regularly open to and enjoyed bthoso resident in the London district . He sincerely hoped no measure would

y be adopted by means of which the Masonic body might become involved . He really thought the best plan would be for the persons who had the care of the hall to provide whatever Masons may want , and they in return pay for whatever they received . Bro . Ford enquired if the meeting intended to consider the questions of the circular seriatim !¦ Bro . Stebbing called attention to tho fact that it was then past three o ' clock .

He should take but little part hi the discussion himself , because ho felt but little disposed to trust the executive of Graud Lodge with the exelusive management of anything . If brethren preseut confined their remarks to the contents of the circular they would save time and easily come to a conclusion . They must either approve of the principles set forth in the first four , or that . of the last of the questions . Bro . the Eev . G . R . Portal , after come introductory remarks , said the question luaiulv turned upon this—were ihe Craft to become tavern keepers or not . They

held this—that it would not be exactly a creditable thing tor Loclge to meet m a room , that the next moment might be occupied by a body of teetotallers . For his own part he was extremely averse to Grand Lodge becoming a body of tavern keepers . Thoy well knew that no club in the west of London answered , so far as tbo subscriptions of the actual members who partook of its advantages wero concerned only . The funds were made up from the pockets of all those who did not go and partake of the advantages aud conveniences . Again , a farming gentleman did not make so much bfarming his land himself as he did by letting it out to

y practical men . Even supposing the tavern keeping should pay , if in case he was dissatisfied with anything provided by a tenant , he should require better or go elsewhere , and it would be to the tenants' interest to servo things well ; but if they were merely dependent upon their own house steward , that officer could say , in answer to any complaint , ** ' I am backed up by those who appointed mo , and thoy will support me , therefore I care not if you go or stay . " Tho victualling department wouldunder such circumstancesbe made as much a party question as any

, , other matter . He approved of the victualling being left to the tavern lessee , who should supply what was required and be paid for it by the consumers the same as in any other tavern . The reverend brother proceeded to argue , that by saving expenses to the Board of General Purposes Fund there would bo all the more for application to benevolent purposes . Special grants of money had already been made from the one fund to the other , but it could not again bo the case if tho General Purposes Funds were unwisely squandered iu speculation , Ho concluded That it is

by proposing a resolution , which was afterwards limdificd as follows : — ' the opinion of this Provincial Grand Lodgo that a Masonic library of reference improved offices , and exclusive Lodge-room should be provided ; that the tavern should be increased , and a coffee-room opened ; that Grand Lodgo should nofc provide refreshments—and that as largo a sum as possible should be annually given from the fund of General Purposes to the Masonic charities . " Bro . W . Russ , P . M ., No . !) U , said he cordially concurred in the observation of the Rev . Bro , Portal , and with great p leasure seconded his resolution .