Provincial.

As an old and highly valued member and Secretary of that Lodge hisserviees would be very much missed ; as Provincial Grand Secretary , he had filled his office with , so much zeal , efficiency , and industry , that he feared he should experience much difficulty in finding his equal . The R . AV brother concluded by expressing his entire approbation of the motiou . The AVorshipful Aiaster said , he felt convinced that it Avas quite unnecessary to submit this resolution to the vote except as a matter of formhe kneiv that every brother of that LodAvhether present or absent

, ge , , concurred in it . For himself , ho could bear AA'itness to the worth , uprightness , courtesy , and talent of their deceased brother , as well as to the true Masonic feeling AA'hich influenced all his actions ; it was AA'ith a feeling of poignant grief that he looked upon the void which his loss had left in the Lodge and in the province . The resolution AA'as carried unanimously . Upon the Lodge proceeding to consider the propositions ofthe Board of General Purposes with regard to the property of the Graft , the Prov . Grand Master addressed the brethren at considerable lengthanalyzing the

, financial statements of the proposers seriatim , aud expressing his opinion that much AA'hich was placed to the credit side of their account should , be transferred to the debit side . He doubted the policy of the change as suggested because he feared that the funds AA'ould be absorbed to such an extent as to prevent the Grand Lodge from carrying into execution other schemes , Avhich he thought calculated to effect much good , one of w-hich Avas a system of education in the Girls School , nofc uniform , but varied according to the capacity of each child . He considered that

if a child had a talent for music , drawing , or language , that such a natural gift should be cultivated , instead of its being trained as children of a meaner capacity . Ho quite agreed AA'ith others , that a change ivas required with regard to accommodation at the Grand Lodge ; ancl he believed that a library , reading room , and refreshment room , might be established in connection Avith Freemasons' Tavern , reserved exclusively for the Craft , and placed under the management of the proprietor , subject to certain conditions . Bro . J . R . Stebbing , P . M ., expressed his desire to support , as far as he could , the vieivs of the R . AV . brother Avho had just

addressed the Lodge ; although he did not quite agree Avith . some of his vieAvs . He had prepared a resolution , which he considered embodied the views of the R . AV . Prov . Master , which he Avould support , reserving to himself the right of coming '; to a different conclusion in the other Lodges AA'ith Avhich he Avas connected . He followed this course , because he believed Ave all ought to concede something to the opinions of others , consequently he begged to move , " That this Lodge is not satisfied that the extensive alterations and necessarily expensive management and outlay that would be required to carry out the firstsecondthirdand fourth

, , , propositions , can be met by the present surplus income ; and even if it could be so met , it Avould be at the loss of huge sums of money , which AA'ould otherwise be appropriated to the several Alasonic charities , the large sum of , £ 5 , 553 having been so given during the last nine years ; therefore it is resolved that tho followingreplies be forwarded to the President of the Board of General Purposes , acknowledging the call for increased accommodation ; but in clue consideration of the financial question doubting the propriety of carrying the extensive scheme suggested

into effect—Question 1 . Yes ; making it subject to the above remarks . 2 . Practicability doubted . 3 . Xot to cause any diminution of moneys voted to charities . 4 . Alany AVOUUI undoubtedly subscribe , aud some liberally , if this accommodation could be given . Lastly . This Lodge considers this proposition as the most feasible . " Tlie resolution being duly seconded , Bro . G . AI . Clarke said , he regretted having to differ ivith Bro . Stebbing ; they generally agreed , ancl he believed they should do so finallyupovi this question . Bro . Stebbing had told theta that he did not entirely

agree ivith the resolution he proposed , consequently he hoped it Avould bo Avithdraivn , and that ivhat he AA'as about to propose as an amendment might take the place of the original resolution . Bro . Stebbing said he should press his resolution . AA'hereupon Bro . Clarke moved that this question be referred to a sub-committeo , composed of the R . AV . Prov . Grand Aiaster ; the Deputy Prov . Grand AIaster ; the AVorshipful Master ; the Past Masters and AA ' ardens of the Lodge ; and that thoy send theiv report to the Committee of General Purposes . Bro . Passenger , S . AA ., considered tlie course recommended by Bro . Clarke preferable to passing theresolution proposed by Bro . Stebbing . He would recommend that the sub-eom-