Grand Lodge.

part of thc report relating to Bro . Havers is an embellishment . ( Laughter ) . It is tho first I have hoard of Bro . Havers having taken any part at all in tho meeting referred to . I am one o £ those who attended that meeting , and 1 did not meet Bro . Havers there . ( Hear , hear ) . When I attended it , I did not know that it was summoned for any special object whatever . ( Hear , hoar ) . I heard Bro . Roxburgh state that it was his wish to promote the interests of the Craft , and take counsel with the brethren as to what was best to be done ; and among other matters reference was made to tho Board of General Purposesaud is that—the privilege of

; every member of the Craft—to be denied to tho Graud Registrar of thc order . You will , 1 tun sure , admit that he has a right to take such counsel , and if so I would appeal practically to you —I would say that you have evidence before you that what has been done is not a , party move . Look to the loft hand side of tho list—the list of Masters . Only one of thc names placed there has boon heard of before iu connexion with what takes place in Grand Lodge , and his name was not placed on the list by us . They are till independent members of Grand Lodgeaud bonlputting

, y y one other name in nomination on tho list of Masters , it is practically admitted that , six out of the seven are unobjectionable . It is admitted on all sides that six of the names could not bo improved , and in that fact you have a proof that it is not quite so much a party list as it has been represented to be . ( Hear , hear ) . I stand here to protect your privileges , and not only yours but also those of the Grand Registrar . 1 f you disapprove of the names , you have in your own hands the remedy and can reject them . For the last twent it has been the practice to take the inion

y years op of different members in Grand Lodge as to who are the most fitting brethren to constitute the Board of General Purposes , aud there has been no question as to how the lists have been prepared . The real question is , are they fit and proper men . You are right to say that you will not be dictated to by a hole and corner meeting , but was the meeting so often referred to one of that kind . It was , if anything , too open , and characterized by too much straightforwardness . That seems to bo the objection to it ; and it is argued

that , because so many brethren were consulted , it was therefore a party Movement . Nothing was ever more straightforward , or more upright than tho conduct of Bro . Roxburgh , and I am bound to bear witness that he is actuated by but one feeling aud one wish—to [ render the best service to the Craft from his warm attachment to Freemasonry . I cannot but term what you have heard an assumption on facts which do not justify it—in fact , mere guesswork . The statement originally published was most incorrect , and though I have uot yet denied that

portion of it which refers to my name , 1 take this opportunity to say , that a statement more unwarrantably incorrect could not possibly have been put into print . ( Hear ,. hear ) . It is founded on something that did take place , but the facts have been so distorted , that when I read the report if could not help smiling ; indeed , I did not recognize the- meeting I attended , in that garbled and unfair statement of what took place . There is nothing in the conduct of Bro . Roxburgh which calls ou to censure him or

exyou press in the mild words of Bro . Biuckes , "your regret , " except it be your regret that the notice of motion should have been for thc time circulated amongst the members of tho Craft to his prejudice ' , and though I feel sure , your good sense will give a negative to tho motion , I would throw out the suggestion that you should do something more . As the charge has been put ou the agenda , and so circulated amongst tho brethren , I would suggest that you should go some steps further , aud instead of giving tho motion a cold negative—for h deserves better

Bro . Roxburg things of you—I would say , let us tell the Masons of England that he has faithfully discharged thc duties of his high office . ( Cheers ) . I believe the more we know of him tho bettor wo shall like him , and should ho continue to hold his present appointment we shall find iu him a most excellent officer . Bro . Roxburgh is comparatively to me a stranger , but I am so thoroughl y convinced , Masonic feeling aud nothing butMasoniefeelinginllueuced himindoin" as he has done and as he had a perfect right to do , that I hope you will not only give a negative to the motion , but do something more to vindicate his conduct aud prevent an indirect censure being passed upon him by Grand Lodge . ( Cheers ) . Bro . Blake believed nothing could be more injurious to tho cause of Masonry