Grand Lodge.

principle in the recommendation of the Board , that four clerks should have au increase of salary , especially when that increase was not a largo one . Ono of them was from £ 150 to £ 200 , another from £ 109 to £ 135 , another from £ 100 to £ 115 , and the last from £ Si to £ 100 a-year . He saw no reason why the report should be sont buck to the Board or why these officers

should wait for an increase of salary . It seemed to him that the plan sacrificed nothing , or had it anything to do with the general principle . Bro . AVIELXAMSON , G . S ., J . W ., suggested that it would be agreeable with the general feeling of Grand Lodge if they were at once to increase the salaries of the officers ; and he further

suggested to Bro . Havers that he should withdraw the amendment , and afterwards refer the whole of the salaries of the remaining officers in the Grand Secretary ' s department to the Board of General Purposes . The G . REGISTRAR said before Grand Lodge divided on the question , he wished to remind the right worshipful brother

( Bro . Victor AA illiamson ) that the Board of General Purposes consisted of twenty-nine members , and on the occasion when the report was agreed to , only fifteen were present , and of that number only nine voted for the adoption of this report . Since he had been a member of the Board he had never seen the recommendation of a sub-committee carried with such

precipitation as this report . AVhen the report came up from the subcommittee it had never boon circulated amongst the members of the Board , and therefore it had not received due consideration . Ho ( the Grand Registrar ) , did not know that this report was coining on , and of all the members only fifteen were present , so that it could not he taken as the recommendation

of the Board . ( Cries of " Divide , divide . " ) He was almost tempted to think that the Grand Lodge was not a deliberative assembly , but that the members of it had merely come there to vote . He insisted on his right as a member of Grand Lodge to state his views , but if they were not in consonance with those of the majority , of course they would not be adopted .

He thought that it would be bettor to come to some general resolution as to the clerks in the Grand Secretary ' s office , so that those who were hereafter appointed might know what they had to expect . The G . MASTER then put the question , and the oiigin . il motion was carried hy an immense majority amidst loud

cheering . The recommendations contained in the report were put seriatim , and unanimously agreed to . The G . MASTER then put the question , ancl the original motion was carried by an immense majority amidst loud cheering . The recommendations contained in the report were put seriatim and unanimously agreed to .

THE NEW MASONIC BUILDINGS . The report of the Building Committee was taken as read . Bro . HAA-EES then moved that it be received and entered on the minutes , ancl said ho wished it had been more satisfactory . If any explanation of it was required he should be most happy on the part of his colleagues to give it . No question being put , the motion was unanimously agreed to . There being no other business , Grand Lodge was closed in clue form and with solemn prayer .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DURHAM . HARTLEPOOL . —St . Helens Lodge ( No . 531 . )—On Thursday evening , the 1 st inst ., tho regular meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , when there was nearly twenty of the

brethren present , including several visitors . The AV . M . presided , supported by Bros . James Graves , P . M ., and Prov . S . G . D . ; Stonier Leigh , S . AV ., and Hon . Sec ; L . M . Hill , J . AV . ; Thomas Forbes , Treas , and others . After the conSrmation of the minutes a ballot was taken for Mr . B . Roome , and Mr . G . Carter , who were both unanimously accepted . While the candidate was preparing for initiation , the Secretary reported to the lodge that though the state of their funds would not allow of a vote

being made from them to any of the Charities , they had succeeded in raising , by tbe donations of a few of the brethren , ten guineas , which it was intended to devote to the Boys' School at the coining festival . Mr . Roome was then introduced and initiated into tiie secrets ancl mysteries of ancient Freemasonry by tho W . M ., who also gave the usual charge . A committee of the AA . !! ., P . M . 's ancl AA ardens having been appointed to consider several proposed alterations of the by-laws as suggested by 7

tho R . AA . Prov . G . M ., and report to the next lodge . A candidate was proposed for initiation , ancl the lodge was closed in love and harmony ivith solemn prayer , the brethren retiring for a short time to the anteroom for the usual refreshment .

ISLE OF AVIGHT . COTVES . —Medina Lodge ( No . 35 ) . —This old ancl flourishing lodge held its monthly meeting on Thursday , March 1 st . The presiding officers being Bros . C . Airs , AV . iJ ., in the chair ; G . F . Sutton , S . AA . ; T . Giles , J . AV . ; Michelson , S . D . ; S . Marks , J . D . ; J . H . Smith , J . G . The proposition of Bro . T . AV . Faulkner , P . M ., Prov . J . G . AV . ( the respected Treasurer ) , " That the annual subscritions to the Charities be doubled this year , " was

p unanimously confirmed with the other minutes of the previous lodge . A ballot was then successfully taken for the admittance of a candidate for our ancient mysteries . The AA orsbipful Master then presented Bro . S . H . Harris , Prov . J . G . D ., with a P . M . 's jewel , for the able and efficient manner he had discharged the duties of A \ . M . for the past year , and expressing in very eulogistic terms the pleasure it gave him in being the medium

of conveying to Bro . Harris this mark of the esteem and respect of bhe brethren of his lodge . Bro . S . H . Harris , in returning thanks for tbe honour conferred upon him , assured the brethren that he would always look with grateful remembrance upon the present handsome testimony of their kind feelings towards him ; he was most happy in having met with their approbation , ancl should always deem it his duty to use every exertion to promote

the welfare of the Medina Lodge . In conclusion , he would say that it was to the cordial co-operation , which he had at all times received from the officers ancl brethren of his lodge that he was mainly indebted for that success which had led to the present gratifying occasion . No other business offering itself , the AA . ? J . closed the lodge in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the "Dolphin Hotel , " when Bro . C . Airs having liberally provided for their comfort , a very pleasant evening was spent .

AA ALES ( SOUTH ) . SWANSEA . —Indefatigable Lodge ( No . 237 . )—The usual meeting of this lodge took place o-i Tuesday , the 27 th ult . There were present , the respected AV . M ., Bro . Charles Bath ; Bros . E . J . Morris , D . P . G . M . ; Lawrence Snllock , S . AA . ; AVilliams , J . AA . ; the Rev . C . S . Heai-tly , Chap . ; Bro . Noad , Sec ; together with a large attendence of brethren . The ballot was taken for the Rev . Dennis Carrolsecond Master of the Grammar Schoolancl

, , Mr . G . B . Haynes , attorney , clerk to the Board of Guardians , who ware both unanimously elected . Bro . \ A ybert Reeve , lessee of the theatre . Bro . John Josiah Evans , ancl Bro . John Richardson Francis , wero passed to a higher degree , ar . d Bros . Jules Mesnier , and Alfred Baker , were raised to tho sublime degree of M . M . During the proceedings , Bro . AVilliams , J . AV ., Secretary of the Powell testimonial , stated that the amount

contributed towards the testimonial to be presented to the respected Treasurer of the lodge , Bro . Powell , had reached upwards of £ 25 , and lie suggested whether it was not time for the committee to consult Bro . Powell ' s feelings as to the shape which the testimonial should take . The matter was ultimately left- in the hands of Bro . AVilliams , to confer with Bro . Powell thereon , with the view to a satisfactory arrangement . The lodgo soon afterwards closed in perfect harmony , and the evenins terminated most agreeably .

YORKSHIRE ( NORTH'AND EAST ) . STOKESLEY . — Cleveland Lodge ( No 543 . )—On Monday evening , the 5 th inst ., the usual monthly meeting of this lodge was