The Masonic Mirror.

with the committee as to the third . The business of the committee was not to ask about names , and all tbey had to do was to decide upon the merits . Some newspapers had very improperly published the names , but to the credit of the FREE-. MASONS' MAGAZINE , which had the same opportunity of publishing the reports , it honourably refrained from doing so ; for , true to its principles , it would not do that which might prove to be an injury to Freemasonry . He said it would

be quite impossible for the Grand Lodge to form a competent opinion . upon this subject , and therefore they had selected the committee for the purpose . He thought they had been rather hardly used , for they had as yet had no opportunity of stating why they had selected these plans . He hoped that they would consider the committee had done their duty , and therefore he asked Grand Lodge to accept the decision of that committee which they had themselves selected . They had done tbe work

entrusted to them to the best of their ability , ancl , having selected plans and . referred them to two architects , who had confirmed their opinion , he asked Grand Lodge to allow them to get over the first resolution , and then they could go into the merits of the whole case . Bro . Fox conscientiously believed , that if the proposition which had emanated from their talented brother on the dais was

carried , it would most completely consolidate Freemasonry , and that they should rest satisfied with the distinguishing symbols rather than ask for the names of the authors by whom those plans were produced . He urged that they should place the most complete reliance upon the honour and integrity of the committee , and that was the reason why he had come to the determination to second the proposition . A BROTHER asked the indul of Grand Lodto a

gence ge young Mason , and said he was afraid if they passed the first resolution it would bind them to a plan of which thoy were not competent then to form an opinion . Bro . SARGOOD said that the explanation which had been given by Bro . Havers was an additional reason why they should take time to see whether the committee were to be trusted . ( Oh , oh ) He asked them what the resolution to which

. was they were about to pledge themselves . Why , it was that Grand Lod g ' e do proceed to consider and decide upon the adoption , or otherwise , ol a design , distinguished by its motto , or symbol only , and before tbe name of its author is declared .

Bro . SIMPSON said it appeared to him that Bro . Sargood had altogether mistaken the question , and the only motion before them was , whether they should consider and decide upon a plan which was distinguished by its motto or symbol only . Bro . SARGOOD said that Bro . Havers had admitted that the object of tbe committee , in maintaining secresy , had been frustrated , as the names of thecompetitors had been published , and , thereforehe thought the manner in which they were then

, going on was nothing but a farce . Under these circumstances he should oppose the resolution . Bro . MASON said , the report did the committee great honour , although the principle of secrecy had not been maintained as to the authors , but that had nothing to with the excellence of the designs . He therefore trusted that they would decide upon the plan , therefore , without calling for the names , ancl with a

becoming and masonic feeling . Bro . JONES rose to second the amendment , moved by Bro . Sargood . Tbe GRAND MASTER said , that Bro . Sargood had not moved any amendment . Bro . SARGOOD said , he was willing to move it then . The GEAND MASTER said , he had not moved any amendment , and he could not do

so then , but could vote against the resolution . Bro . HAVERS said that be would now move the third resolution , and , on the part of the committee , announced that they had awarded the first prize to the plan distinguished b y the motto "L'Union fait la Force . " The second prize to the plan distinguished by the motto , " Stability , " and the third to one marked , " Experientia , " and he would then ask the Grand Secretary to read the opinion of the consulting architects upon them .

Grand Lodge , proceed to explain as briefly as he could the plans , and if there should be any shortcomings on his part , as he might have to occupy their attention for a considerable length of time , he claimed their indulgence , as he was suffering from ill-health , having been at work night and day for them and his own professional labours , but he hoped to give them clear and explicit reasons for arriving at their decision . The Grand Lodge having deputed to them certain duties , they

applied themselves to the examination of the subject . First they took into consideration all the requirements of the Masonic body ; second , all the requirements of tbe tavern and tbe public ; and , thirdly , the cost . In order to obtain the opinion of every class , they invited brethren to write to them , or to attend their meetings , and they also circulated a letter , inviting the brethren to give them all the information in their power ; they also requested the tenants of the tavern to give them

information as to what they required ; and , having done that , they went carefully over the cost which would be necessary to cover the ground with a building adequate to the wants of the Craft . Inthe instructions which they published for architects , they did not limit tlie cast , and say that such an amount should not be exceeded , as it was too often the practice of architects to make the design fit the cost specified . The estimates varied from £ 18 , 000 to £ 40 , 000 , but for the five principal desi the highest estimate was £ 40000

gns , , and the lowest £ 38 , 680 . Having ascertained what was required , they determined that there should be two separate buildings , one with a stone front , and devoted solely to Masonic purposes , and the other for the tavern property , as it was considered that the public might be admitted to the use of parts of tho building , there being ground of sufficient space to occupy for Freemasonry , the building having a noble elevation , and also having ample accommodation for the tavern . He did not like

to practise any sham , for it would he wrong to call it a temple for Freemasonry , and at the same time allow the public to use it as a tavern . Therefore , they gave the architect instructions to place the temple on the west side , and for which he would give the reasons , and which he believed that every member of Grand Lodge would consider to be sound . London lodges were not on the increase , as there had been but few new warrants in past years , aud , therefore , they knew the requirements for London , and they were not likely to be more than they were at present . They also knew the accommodation required by the G . Master , Grand Officers , G . Secretary and his officers , but it was a very different thing as regarded the tavern . There was a very strong feeling that if this part

of the building was properly carried out , it would prove a great commercial success , and in a few years they would require to extend it . If they were to build the tavern on the west side , they bad not an inch of ground on which they could extend it ; but if they built on the east side , they had land in their own hands which did not at present pay more than 2 | per cent ., and on taking that they could nearly double the tavern in extent . The brethren would remember , on the last occasion they asked permission of Grand Lodge to enter into for the of

arrangements purchase a piece of ground to get a back access to their property , and it appeared to be the opinion of some brethren that because they worked to obtain this back access that Grand Lodge were about to become their own caterers , but he believed that if ever Grand Lodge should adopt that course , that it must end in nothing but misfortune . Now , there was a request made by the G . M . that there should bo no mention made in the public press as to this property being required ; and the FBEE - had most

SCASOUS'M AG AZIXE faithfully complied with that suggestion , but it did appear in several papers , and the consequence was that the tenants asked an enormous sum for the purchase of the property . They wished to enlarge their kitchens so as to be able to have banquets served up in the same way as was done at the Mansion House . Some proposed to erect a splendid Masonic temple on the site of the present hall , while others wished to make a clean sweep , but he was opposed to any interference with their hall , as it would destroy all its old associations

. He was enthusiastic for its maintenance , but he wished to see their ancient lodge fitted up as a dignified home for Freemasonry and proper accommodation afforded whereby they could meet a friend at any hour of the daj ' . They laid down in their instructions that the hall should be maintained , but in no other way did they fetter the architect , but the retention of the hall was made imperative . As it was at present they could accommodate fifty lod and chaptersand within one mile there were twent

ges , ythree lodges , and within one mile and a-half , twenty-nine lodges . With the enlargement proposed they would be able to accommodate ninety-six lodges and chapters . He believed in the first instance thejcould increase from fifty tn seventy lodges , and probably they could get a great many more . He then went into a variety of financial calculations with a view of showing that a great increase could be derived from contributions of lodges , subscribers to the coffee-room , and the rent of the tavernand by borrowing £ 21000 from the Board

; , of General Purposes , and at some future time £ 20 , 000 or £ 25 , 000 from the Board of Benevolence , the whole amount required would be raised . Having gone into several details , he said the first duty of the committee was to judge of the plans as the authors had placed them before them , and then to consider whether they were

The GEAND SECRETARY then read the report , in which it was itated that tbe undersigned had carefully considered the designs submitted to , them for the Freemasons' buildings , and it was their opinion that first in order was the plan bearing the motto , " L'Union fait la Force , " the second , with tbe motto , " Stability , " and the third , the plan distinguished by a double triangle . Bro . HAVERS said he would then , with the permission of