Grand Lodge.

relations with the Grand Lodge of Canada . He ( Bro . Evans ) had always heen of opinion that the decision of the Grand Lodge of Canada , adverse to the St . Lawrence Lodge , had been based on an imperfect knowledge of tho real facts of the case , and that , if the whole truth could be once brought under the consideration of the Masonic authorities in Canada , they must come to the same conclusion to whichafter careful

consi-, very deration , the Colonial Board had come . He was happy to find that such had been the case , and that this much vexed question was now satisfactorily disposed of , and in a manner which evidenced the truly Masonic principles which actuated the M . AA . the Grand Master of Canada .

NOMINATION OF GRAND MASTER . Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . AVOODFORD said he wished to address Grand Lodge , and to invite its attention for a few moments , and as he felt a diffidence in doing so , as a provincial brother , he entreated their kind consideration . He begged most respectfully to nominate as Grand Master for the ensuing year their distinguished brother the Earl of Zetland . ( Cheers . ) The mention of his name naturally recalled their thoughts to the

twofold character in which he stood before them . As a landowner in the county in which he ( Bro . AVoodford ) lived , he was looked up to for the truth ancl honour which had marked his long career , and as a landlord , he was actuated by the kindest feelings towards a numerous and contented tenantry . He now passed from those excellent qualities to his Masonic duties , and during the 18 years he had presided over them , every brother must have been deeply impressed with a sense of his kindness

while under his firm but temperate rule , and no brother would contradict him when he alluded to the extent to which their Order had progressed while he had held that office . In private lodges they required iu the person who was to preside over them , prudence , discretion , and consideration , to infiueuce him in promoting ancl assisting the brethren over whom he presided , ancl ho would ask them if the Earl of Zetland did not possess all these qualifications in a most eminent degree . While lie had

watched and maintained the landmarks of their Order , he had ever respected the feelings of Grand Lodge so fin- as could be doneconsistently with their regulations . Remembering gratefully the past , and anticipating a brighter future , in which Masonry should find a more suitable home in ivhich their ceremonies could he better carried out , he begged to nominate the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland as Grand Master for the ensuing year

BOARD OF BENEV OIENCE . The members of the Board of Benevolence for the ensuing year were then elected . THE GRAND LODGE PROPERTY . The scrutineers appointed to examine the balloting papers for members for the Committee on the Grand Lodge Property , reported the votes to be as follows : —¦

Bro . John Hervey , P . S . G . D , and P . M . No . 7 244 „ John Savage , P . S . G . D ., ancl P . M . No . 19 ... 244 „ Joseph Rankin Stebbing , P . M . No . 152 242 „ John Havers , J . G . AV ., ancl P . M . No . 5 240 „ George Plucknett , ( No . 324 ) P . M . No . 70 ... 22 S „ Henry Grissell , J . AV . No . 2 190 „ John Llewellyn Evans , S . G . D . ancl P . M . No . 54 188

The other votes stood as follows -. — „ Alexander Dobie , Prov . G . M . Surrey , aud P . M . No . 1 151 „ Herbert Lloyd , P . S . G . D ., and P . M . No . 14 ... 101 „ AVilliam A ' errall , P . M . No . 338 88 „ Joseph Taylor , P . M . No . 58 58 „ Stephen Barton AVilson , P . J . G . D ., ancl P . M . No . 125 49

„ Harcourt , Dr . George , D . Prov . G . M . Stin-ev , P . G . S . B ; .. 41 „ Colonel Western , P . M . No . 2 31 „ Charles Tyler , P . M . No . 79 14 „ David Henry Stone , P . M . No . 1 12 „ Henry Wellington Vallance , P . M . No . 275 ... 7 The D . G . MASTER declared the first seven to be duly elected upon the Committee .

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE . The report of the Board of Benevolence for the last quarter was presented , in which all recommendations for the following grants were agreed to , viz : —

The widow of Bro . T . J . S ., of the Royal York Lodge of Perseverance ( No . 7 ) , London ... £ 30 0 0 Bro . P . B ., ofthe Caledonian Lodge ( No 156 ) , London 50 0 0 B -o . T . IJ ., ofthe Lodge of Fidelity ( No . 813 ) , Southwold 30 0 0 Bro . IC . T . of the Lodge of Union ( No . 45 ) ,

Chichester 30 0 0 Bro . L . L . of the St . James ' s Union Lodge London 30 0 0 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GENEHAI . PURPOSES . The PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD moved that the report be taken as read , which was agreed to . He then moved the adoption of the first recommendation , viz ., that in consequence of Bro . Mossthe junior clerk in the Grand Secretary ' s officehaving

, , heen for some time past under mental incapacity for the discharge of his duties , ancl such incapacity continuing , his situation has of necessity been declared vacant . The Board , under the circumstances , recommend that Grand Lodge do grant out of the Fund of General Purposes the sum of fifty-four pounds twelve shillings ( being equivalent to half a year ' s salary ) to Mrs . Eliza Moss , the wife of Bro . George Percy Moss , late a clerk in the Grand Secretary ' s office , towards the support of herself and

family in the painful position in which she is placed , owing to the mental malady with which her husband has heen and continues afflicted . The G . REGISTRAR seconded the motion . Bro . STEBBING considered the sum proposed to be quite inadequate ; and although he did not intend to propsse an amendment , he hoped that if the motion were agreed to , it would be with an understanding that the subject should be again brought before Grand Lodge , if the state of the family should render it necessary . The motion was unanimously agreed to .

RENUMBERING OF LODGES . The PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES said he had now to propose the second paragraph of the report , which was as follows : — "The Board have had their attention directed to the question of renumbering the lodges , a period of thirty years having elapsed since the last renumbeiing took place , and in the meantime nearly three hundred lodges having become extinct , either

by surrender of Warrants or by erasure in consequence of failing to make the returns required by the Boole of Constitutions . The Board find that there are at present in the London district 148 lodges ; in the Provinces at home 504 lodges ; in the Channel Islands 11 lodges ; in the Colonies and Foreign parts 271 lodges ; and in regiments 6 loclges , making a total of 940 lodges , whereas by the numbers printed in the Freemason ' s Calendar there ivould appear to be 1235 lodges on the llegistoy

of the Grand Lodge . Under these circumstances the Board suggest to Grand Lodge that it would be convenient to resolve' That the numbers of all lodges now on the Register of Grand Lodge be brought forward in regular succession where necessary by filling up the numbers which have become vacant either by reason of the voluntary surrender of AA arrants , or of erasure of loclges from time to time . '"

Bro . HORTON SMITH seconded the motion . Bro . HYDE PUXLEN ssvicl this was a matter of great importance to brethren in the provinces , as they loved the number of their mother lodge , ancl ivould do anything rather than it should he altered . He suggested that the brethren should have the option of progressing , or retaining their present number . Were such to be done , the number of lodges would be gradually filled up , and the object of the Board of General

Purposes ivould be answered , but ho would give to every lodge the opportunity of retaining its own particular number . Bro . STEBBING said that Bro . Hyde Pullen was , on behalf of the provinces , against the motion , but he on behalf of the provinces was in favour of it . He was in favour of it in the interests of truth , for it was no use humbugging and making a parade that they had upwards of twelve hundred loclgeswhen their real number was below a thousand . He

, belonged to lodge No . 152 ancl if the alteration was made he expected it would be brought clown thirty or forty , and , therefore , he cordially supported the motion . Bro . the Rov . J . HUYSHE concurred in the remarks of Bro . Stebbing , as ho was desirous of moving downwards , and he hoped the motion ivould be carried . Bro . SAVAGE said , they could not do better than close up the numbers according to the resolution .