Provincial.

The effect of this ivould be , to adopt the larger number , thirty-one , on the committee ; not only having the AY . AI . as a charity member , but also appointing ; i delegate from each Lodge . A Brother , whose uame our correspondent could not catch , seconded the resolution . Bro . Beach , Prov . S . G . W ., said , for the purpose of arriving at a practical decision on the question , he ivould move as un amendment that Hie smaller uuinber be adopted in forming the committee . The smaller

number , he considered , would be found the most practical and efficient in ivorking , and were the much easier to be got together . Bro . 0 . Sherry , P . M ., No . t ) 0 , seconded the amendment of Bro . Beach . Bro . G . M . Passenger , S . AV ., No . 152 , called attention to the fact that , after much discussion , the motion at the Lodge of Emergency ivas unanimously carried . He believed it was a mistake to suppose that the best committee could begot from the smaller number of brethren . They would seldom got the atteudauee of more than fourteen or sixteen , and

that would not be found more than enough . Bro . H . Abraham observed that it was only surmise Avhen the number of the committee was reckoned as thirty-one ; because out of the fourteen names as last agreed to be added , some would be AV . Masters already nominated ; so that the real number would bo reduced to twenty . Bro . Deacon offered a few remarks , in the course of which he said his experience told him that small committees Avorked better than large ones . The amendment having been formally read by Bro . Stebbing , as

follows , — " That the minutes relating to the charities , at both meetings , be rescinded , and that the appointment of a charity steward from each Lodge , as suggested iu the last resolution , do constitute the charity committee , together with the Prov . Grand Master , Deputy Grand Chaplain , Grand Treasurer , and Grand Secretary . " ( Bro . Beach remarked that he merely moved ifc to provoke a discussion ) . Bro . Ford spoke iu reply . He said at the last meeting of the Grand Lodgo at AViuchcster , after a considerable period spent in discussion , and

carefully directing their minds to tho subject , they had arrived at a resolution expressing ifc to be a desirable thing that the charities committee should consist not only of the principal officers of the province , but the Masters and also a delegate , so that each Lodge should have two representatives on such committee . He only wished brethen to understand that at the last Grand Loclge that was the opinion come to after much consideration . He ventured to say that that day there hud not been made a single observation militating against the propriety or the

prudence of the resolution so agreed to . Ho hoped ancl trusted that Grand Lodge would not now alter that decision . In fact , nothing had been said scarcely requiring an observation from him , in reply , and as he thought nothing had been advanced calculated to induce the brethren to alter their decision , he would conclude by expressing a hope that they would hesitate before they did so . Tlie R . AV . Prov . Grand Master having put the question , there appeared on a division to be twenty-three for the motion , and ten against it . The resolution of the Loclge of Emergency was therefore confirmed . A large number of brethren did not vote at all .

GIUND LODGE AXD IDE PROVINCES . Bro . Ford , AV . M . No . 301 , and mayor of Portsmouth , saicl he ivished to make a proposition to Grand Loclge , but in consideration of . the great heat of the clay , and the probable anxiety of all to adjourn to another place , he would not detain them with any lengthened observations . His wish was neither to provoke a long discussion nor to give rise to any acrimonious feeling , but he knew there existed considerable dissatisfaction as to the representation of the provincial Lodges in the Grand Lodge at London , and he much wished something could be devised to place matters on a better footing . The R . AV . Prov . Grand Master : AVe cannot interfere with the appointments of the Grand Master .

Bro . Ford continued : If , Right AVorshipful sir , you think that is intended , 1 fear you do not exactl y understand ivhat my motion is . Me ( Bro . Ford ) did not in the least way propose to interfere with the junctions or privileges of any of the Grand Officers of England or the 1 rovmccs . The fact was , there existed a growing desire in that province that the country members should have some better representation in Grand Lodge . To give effect to that ivish he did not see thafc it was necessary to trespass upon any of the rights of the Most AVorshipful Grand MasterSuch ivould bo uumasonic

. a thing , and he should shrink trom it . The resolution he wished to have put ivas as follows : —' That a committee of this Prov . Grand Loclge be appointed to consider and report to a future meeting as to the best mode of improving the representation ofthe provinces iu the Grand Lodge of England . " He would most respectfully represent that this resolution did not interfere or trespass upon tho privileges of the Grand Master . On the contrary , if such a suggestion ivere adopted , all little feelings of unpleasantness would vanish , and things would besides be placed upon their proper footing . The R . AV . Prov . Grand Master said ho did not think he could receive the resolution .

_ Bro . Stebbing , addressing the Lodge , said , he bogged to submit that a similar course to that now asked tor hacl just been adopted in respect to the subject of charities , and that on a point of Order , the R . AV . Master ivas justified in receiving the motion of the AVorshipful brother Jl he thought fit . One of the objects of that motion would doubtless oe to suggest ( . ] , „( , a 3 ,, .,. y member of Grand Lodge ivas entitled to

attend quarterly communications , the notices noiv sent only to the Masters of Lodges a few days before the meeting , should be sent , ivith particulars , of business to bo done , direct to every brother so entitled to attend ; and then , ho ivould euguge to say thafc one hundred and fifty members of Grand Lodge , from that aud a neighbouring province of ivhich few noiv saw a notice , would regularly attend , and thafc great Masonic senate would not then be practically the Grand Lodge of London alone , as it now was , but of the provinces also ; and he might

add , that from the great talent aud energy existing amongst Masons iu the provinces , great good would eome of their more frequent association in Grand Loclge . The motion , also , might very properly be proposed in that province where no discord had ever existed , and where nothing unseemly ever occurred . ( Loud cries of hear , hear ) . He sincerely hoped the R . AA ' . Prov . Grand Master would alloiv the proposition to be submitted to the meeting , and he was convinced that the report of such a , committee would be invaluableand thafc Grand Lodge would be unanimous in

, passing the proposition . ( Loud cheering . ) Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , Prov . G . Chaplain , said , he felt it to be due to his office to lay before the R . AV . M . and the Lodge his reasons why the motion should be heard . The time hacl come ivhen brethren must speak out . AVe know ( said the rev . brother , addressing the chair ) that you , Right AVorshipful sir , are no party man , and that you hold the balance equally between the highest and fche lowest ; but the fact is , a great

number of provincial Masons are not satisfied with the share they havo in the transaction of business in Grand Lodge . I took the trouble to ascertain on one occasion the atteudauee of London and provincial brethren , when there ivere forty-six only from the provinces , aud two hundred and fifty London brethren present . The small attendance of the provincial brethren did not arise from any AA-anfc of interest in the proceedings ; but the distance from London and the want of personal notice of the intended business of Grand Lodge , aucl other difficulties

intervened . All that is now wanted is , to appoint a committee to make suggestions for some improvement in the arrangements . Perhaps it will be suggested to pay members from private funds , so as to ensure tlieir attending Grand . Lodge , and taking parfc in business affairs . It AA'ill be

for the R . AA . Prov , Grand Master to say , when tbe committee have drawn up their report , whether it was proper or not ; therefore , I trust the motion will not be refused . Though you , Right AVorshipful sir , may disapprove of the scheme , still ive may lay our heads together for improvement-. Bro . Deacon , D . Prov . G . M ., saicl their proceedings had hitherto been marked by perfect unanimity , and as this motion might possibly interrupt the samehe did not ivish to see it introduced . The AVorshipful

, Master , the two AA'ardens , and the Past Masters ivere all members of Grand Loclge , and if they did not attend it ivas tlieir own fault . If members had uo funds for necessary expenses , Jet their Lodge provide such for fchem . He hoped brethren would not adopt Bro . Ford's suggestion , and he was inclined fco think that Bro . Ford himself had nofc fully considered the . bearing of the motion he held iu his hands . Bro . Ford s . iicl he ivas sure the brother ivho last spoke hacl no grounds

for imputing to him hasty or ill considered motives . He quite adhered to the words and the full import of the motion he had introduced ; and he again most respectfully asked the R . AV . Prov . Grand Master to take ifc into his consideration . He begged most distinctly to deprecate in the most powerful Avords , any improper intention , or any ivish to bring about discord iu auy ivay whatever . ( Hear . ) Tho R . AV . Prov . G . M . observed that the AV . Ms ., the AA ardeus , and

the P . Ms of all Lodges ivere members of Grand Loclge aud expected to attend . If it was required , aucl Lodges thought proper to remunerate certain brethren for giving their attendance at Grand Lodge , he did not know anything iu the Book of Constitutions to prevent their so doing , as long as they paid up their dues to Grand Lodge . If Lodges sent representatives and remunerated them , they would then have that power in tlieir OAVII hands Avhich they HOAV complained of not possessing . Ho thought that the question having reference to the attendance of tho

AV . Ms . and AVardens in Grand Lodge ought rather to be brought before private Lodges than the Provinci . il Grand Loclge , and therefore he could uot receive the resolution . Bro . Stebbing and others then expressed their readiness to submit to the direction ofthe R . AV . Prov . Grand Master , ancl the subject dropped .

HANDSOME TUSTHKOTUI' ,. Bro . A . Fletcher , AY . M . of No . 4 G 2 , here rose , and addressing the chair , said , —Right AVorshipful sir , by your kind permission it has to day been assigned to me , as a most pleasing duty , to make this presentation , and although it might have been more effectually performed by others ivho , for a longer period than myself , have had the pleasure of the accpiaiivtiuico and friendship of tho worthy brother to whom we wish to clo honour ,

yet no one more highly appreciates his excellence than I do . His valuable services have at all times been cheerfully and ably rendered for the good of our noble and glorious institution , an institution venerable for its antiquity , sacred in its character , and benevolent in its purposes . In compliance with the request of the officers and brethren of the Lodge of Peace and Harmony , I have now the honour , in the capacity of W . M . of that Lodge , of presenting to our worthy Bro . Stebbing , P . M ., a testimonial from them . Then , addressing himself to Bro . Stebbing . Bro . Fletcher said : — llro . Stebbing , — I am commissioned by tho brethren of the