The Grand Lodge Property.

THE GRAND LODGE PROPERTY .

TO THE EDITOR OP TIIE PItEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEROIi . DEMI SIR AXB BROTHER , —I have to request that you will do me the favour to publish the accompanying copy of a letter which I have felt it my duty to send to the Editors of the Builder aud the Building News , with only such variations as are requisite to meet the manner in which the statement is put forward in the respective

papers . It is somewhat remarkable that tlie statement which appears as a paragraph in the latter , with an apparently editorial comment at foot , is published in the same words in the former paper with the identical editorial comment forming the last sentence of a letter signed "A . B . " As we should by all means avoid allowing a public

principle to merge into a personal question , I refrain from making any comment upon this apparently disingenuous proceeding further than to express a firm belief that no good Mason has had anything to do with it . I am , dear Sir and brother , yours fraternally ,

March 10 th , 1863 . JOHN HAYERS . To the Editor of the Building News . Sir , —My attention has been directed to a paragraph in the last number of the Building News , containing a statement , in reference to the competition for designs for the new buildings at Ereemasons' Hall , which is likely to be exceedingly injurious to the Society . The following is the statement : —

" A correspondent informs us that he felt disposed to become a competitor , on the assumption that the usual course would be adopted of appointing the architect of the best design to superintend the works . But , to his great surprise , he found on enquiry that the architect would have to be satisfied with the premiums offered , as the committee had no power to employ any one but the Masonic officer , known as the Grand Superintendent of Works . "

The paragrajih further goes on to make some extracts from our laws as to the Board of General Purposes and the Grand Superintendent of Works . Iu relation to this I have only to state that the Grand Lodge , which is the supreme authox'ity , has by special resolution , and upon the recommendation of the Board of General Purposes , placed the whole subject , in reference to the

pi'oposed new buildings , in the hands of the committee , and has authorised them to obtain the assistance of any persons , architects or others . It is evident that your correspondent has not read the printed paper containing the ' instructions to architects , a copy of which I herewith send you and beg to direct your attention to the following passage : —

"The designs and plans selected to be in all cases the property of the committee , who do not bind themselves to carry them out or to employ the architect of such design as they may approve , but in case they do so the premium , under such circumstances , will merge into the commission . "

It would appear by the statement of your correspondent as if it were intended to be conveyed to you and the public , that his enquiry had been made of some competent authority , e . g ., of our Secretary , Mr . Gray Clarke , or of the Committee . I have ascertained that no such inquiry has been made of the former , aud , therefore , no such information given , and upon the part of the

Committee I desire to give the statement alluded to the most unqualified denial . The committee are fully aware that well employed architects will not be at the trouble and expense of preparing designs for the purpose of obtaining only the premiums offered , and they entertain the most confident impression that such arrangements will be made as will be satisfactory to the successful competitor .

The Grand Lodge Property.

I cannot believe that any architect would intentionall y impose upon you , or do aught to prevent , or stifle , competition , but as the result of the paragraph must , if not contradicted , be injurious to us and prejudicial to the object in view , I have to request that you will give this letter as prominent a place in your next number as that accorded to the original statement ,

I have the honour to be your obedient servant , JOHN HAVERS , Chairman of the Committee . Freemasons' Hall , March 10 th .

ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITIONS . COMPETITIONS . ( From the Buiiaer ) ( From the Building News . ) FBEEJTASOJJS' HAH . Last week our journal con- Sir ,- —Last week your journal tained an advertisement offer- contained an advertisement ing premiums for designs for offering premiums for designs

the improvement of the Pree- for the improvement of the masons' property in Great Freemasons' property in Great Queen-street , Lincoln's Inn Queen-street , Lincoln's Inn Fields . A correspondent in- ' Pields , for wliich I felt disposed forms us that he felt disposed to become a competitor , on the to become a competitor , on assumption that the architect the assumption that the usual of the best design was to course would be adopted of superintend the work ,

appointing the archietect of But , to my great surprise , I the best design to superintend found on inquiry that the the works . But , to his great architect would have to he surprise , he found on inquiry satisfied with the premium that the architects would have offered , as the committee have to be satisfied with the pre- no power to employ any one nnums offeredas the com- but the massive * officer

, mittee had no power to employ known as the "Grand Superany one but the Masonic officer intendent of Works ; " in proof known as the "Grand Super- of which I was referred to the intendent of Works . " In proof following extract' taken from of this he was referred to the folio 39 of the Booh of Confolloivine- extract taken from siitiitions .-

—folio 39 or the Boole of Con- " The Grand Superintendent stitntions : — of Works is to advise with the " The Grand Superintendent Board of General Purposes on of Works is to advise with the all plans of buildings or edi-Board of General Purposes on fices undertaken by the Grand all plans of buildings or edi- Lodge , and furnish estimates ; fices undertaken by the Grand he is to superintend their con-Lodge , and furnish estimates ; struclionand see that they

, he is to superintend their con- are conformable to the plans struclion , and see that they as approved . He is , at the are conformable to the plans first meeting of the Board of as approved . He is at the first General Purposes in every meeting of the Board of General year , to report on the state of Purposes in every year to re- repair of the edifices of the port on the state of repair of Grand Lodge , and make such

the edifices of the Grand further reports from time to Lodge , and make such further time as he may deem expereports , from time to time , as dient . " he may deem expedient . " T would , in conclusion , state We would state that the that the office of " Grand office of "Grand Superintou- Superintendent of Works" is dent of Works" is filled by an filled by an architect of

conarchitect of considerable ability siderable ability and standing and standing in the profession , in the profession ; and that and that the Booh of Constitu- the _ Boo 7 i : of Constitutions cowlions contains the laws by tains the laws by which the which the Masonic body is Masonic body is governed , governed . A . B .

Dr. Knipe, Bros. A. F. A. Woodford And Matthew Cooke.

DR . KNIPE , BROS . A . F . A . WOODFORD AND MATTHEW COOKE .

TO TIIE EDITOIl OP THE 1 'JtEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEEOB . DEAK SIB AXD BUOTIJBR , —Permit me to change thevenue , from the columns of "Notes and Queries" to that of Correspondence , in this instance only and , for a clear understanding of the subject , allow me to reproduce , as briefly as possible , what has hitherto appeared iu the Magazine regarding Dr . Knipe together with portions of