India.

The motion was then put , and carried unanimously . Bro . JUDGE said that if the sum paid by the Lodge Excelsior did not appear in the accounts submitted by the Finance Committee , it would be necessary that they should be amended . He would therefore propose " that the accounts be referred back to the Finance Committee for amendment . "

Bro . ROBERTS said that , as the sum in question was placed in suspense , the accounts did not show all the money actually received during the quarter ; he therefore seconded the motion " that the accounts should be referred back to the Finance Committee . " . « - Bro . ABBOTT explained why he was unable to attend the meetings of the Finance Committee . They were held at a most inconvenient hour , an hour when , as a professional man ,

he was always most busily engaged , and if , as Grand AVarden , he was expected to attend at that hour , he should be compelled to resign his office . With regard to his other obligations as a Mason , he had always been earnest in their fulfilment . He must again express his opinion that the Finance Committee had acted with discourtesy in not communicating with him before issuing their report . The PEOV . G . MASTER inputting the motionremarked that

, , it became the members to consider how , if the dues of lodges were not paid , the business of Grand Lodge was to be conducted . As it was , they had great difficulty in keeping above water . Economy was being observed in all their outgoings , but still it was a constant struggle in consequence of the heavy outstandings which , with the Constitutions before them , never ought to be allowed to exist , ancl would not exist if the Masters of lodges only did their duty . It was equall also

y necessary , , that help should be given in the conduct of business . It was no doubt often inconvenient for members to attend committees , but they must have committees , or the business of Masonry could not be carried on . The motion was then put and carried .

The 3 rd par . of the report having been read , Bro . ROBERTS said , he , for one , should be extremely sorry that the Grand Lodge should part with what was undoubtedl y tbe finest service of plate in Calcutta . If additional gaseliers were necessary , by all means have them , if they could afford to do so , but let them , under any circumstances , retain almost the only valuable ornament appertaining to the Grand Lodge . The PROV . G . MASTER said thatif the Grand Lodwould

, ge leave the matter in his hands , he would endeavour to put up the two additional gaseliers without sacrificing any of the property of the lodge . He quite agreed with Bro . Roberts that it would be a pity to sell their service of plate . He regretted that they had not more property of an ornamental character ; but to show how little encouragement they offered to any one to make presents , he would state thathe saw the

other day a very beautiful Scotch mull which had been presented by their late Provincial Grand Master , Bro . General Ramsay , in a most pitiable condition , almost destroyed by insects . He had appointed their late Bro . Baxter custodian for the express purpose of taking care of their property , and he hoped , now that he was gone , some other brother , whose taste lay in that direction , would come forward and undertake the duties .

It was agreed to leave the matter in the hands of the Grand Master . Bro . ROBERTS here suggested that for the future the hour and clay of meeting of the Finance Committee he left in the hands of the President . This was assented to , ancl there being no other business before the lodge , it was closed in clue form at nine o'clock , p . m .

THE BANQUET . About thirty brethren sat down to the banquet . The Prov . G . MASTER proposed "The Health of Her Majesty the Queen , " speaking in eloquent terms of the way in which she had brought up her family , ancl associated them with her in all matters interesting to her subjects . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm .

Bro . ABBOTT , S . G . AV , then gave " The Health of the Earl of Zetland , Grand Master of the Order . " ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . JUDGE proposed tbe next toast , " The Health of the Grand Masters of Scotland ancl Ireland , " which was well received . Bro . CRICHTON , AV . M . of Loclge St . Andrew in the East , returned thanks , expressing the great pleasure he felt at the harmony ancl unity of feeling which existed between Scotch and

English Masons , bound together , as they were , in one bond of universal brotherhood . Bro . ROBERTS said that the Craft had found a man whom all must acknowledge a marvel in energy in the cause of Masonry ; he alluded to their Provincial Grand Master ( loud cheers ) , and he proposed his health as one who , nothing dismayed , stood firm to his colours in spite of every discouragement . Stedfast of purpose , energetic in action , honest in principle , swerving not

in the course he marked out for himself , such was the brother who , he was free to confess , had taken the wind out of his ( the speaker ' s ) Masonic sails . Their Grand Master deserved all the honour they could render him , and his toast would have , he felt assured , a hearty reception . The toast was drunk with hearty applause . The PROV . G . MASTER returned thanks . Some apology , he saidwas due for the manner in which matters had been

con-, ducted upstairs this evening . He was no lawyer . If he had been , doubtless he would have been an ornament to the profession . —( Laughter . ) But what with propositions and amendments , he scarcely knew how the question before them stood . However , he was far from complaining of the work which Freemasonry threw upon him—he loved it . It was by his own seeking that he was placed in the honourable position , he said , and so long as he possessed health his best energies would be expended

for the good of Masonry . Some rather critical questions were now pending . At this moment a feeling existed that there should be a Grand Lodge in every district where two or three lodges were working . This was the idea iu Burmah . He ( the Prov . G . M . ) was about to visit Rangoon and Moulmein , and hoped then to be able to explain his views , and the views of all the Calcutta Masons , that it would be detrimental to Calcutta , and no advantage to the lodges in Burmah , to have

a Grand Lodge there . Even in Calcutta it was no light task to keep up the efficiency of the Grand Lodge . There were many Masons here , leading men in society , who , in spite of their Masonic oaths to act as true and faithful Masons , had deserted lodge and neglected to support the society which it was their duty to uphold . It remained for them ( the faithful ones ) to stick to it all the more closely . For himself , he wouid say that many of his dearest friendships had arisen in Masonry , and he

should be ungrateful indeed if he allowed his interest in it to cool . It would hold a high place in his affections so long as he lived , ancl at his dying moments he still hoped to say—I love Masonry . Reverting to the work upstairs , his sole desire had been to bring a somewhat disagreeable matter to a pleasant termination , and Bro . Keighly ' s handsome conduct had made it comparatively easy to do so . The Prov . G . M . concluded with a hearty wish for more prosperous times for Masonry , larger meetings , and the wide diffusion of true Masonic spirit .

The PEOT . G . MASTER again rose to propose " The Health of the Grand Officers , " at the head of whom stood their respected fellow citizen , Bro . Roberts , their Deputy Provincial Grand Master . Bro . Roberts had always acted with an energy and zeal in Masonry which was highly commendable . The Grand Officers were all loved and respected among them . They were selected as men who had the true spirit of Masonry in them , and well had they justified his selection .

The toast was received with loud applause . Bro . ROBERTS responded to the toast . They had all done , he said , their best to fulfil the duties of their office satisfactorily . The PEOT . G . MASTER then proposed " The Health of the-Grand Stewards , " eulogising them for the excellent arrangements of the evening . Bro . BRUCE LANE returned thanks .

The PEOT . G . MASTEE , in proposing the next toast , said , he regretted that he had not the power of conferring the purple collar as an honorary mark of distinction on Masons in the province who had rendered important services to Masonry . The Mofussil lodges laboured under difficulties of which they had no experience in Calcutta , and it was only when a Master gifted with great energy presided over them , that they coulcl enjoy

prosperity . He would give the toast "The Mofussil Lodges , " and had much pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Money , the Master of Loclge Star of Orissa , at Cuttack , who was present on this occasion , and who had worked well ancl energetically for Masonry . Bro . MONEY returned thanks . Soon after this the Provincial Grand Master gave the parting toast , and the brethren separated after passing a pleasant and social evening .