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United Grand Lodge.
princip le then adopted was to offer the matter to public competition , and they got a number of valuable designs . Having got the designs they placed them in St . Martin ' s Hall for a month , and invited the brethren to go and see them . Amongst the plans sent in was one with which they were all delighted ; there was a grand middle hall , but with entrances all round it quite incompatible with the purposes of such a hall . The building had to be
constructed under peculiar circumstances , they were bound to consider the requirements of Grand Lodge for its quarterly communications , and they were bound not to stop the business of the tavern : the hall had , therefore , been constructed at three different periods . As erected , the hall was not built from a single design , but was the combined work of several . Amongst the designs was one which , in some respects , was very admirable , and
although not accepted as a whole , it was very desirable that in some respects it should be adopted . They , therefore , purchased the plan , which cost them only about £ 25 . Brother Havers said he would earnestly ask Grand Lodge to refer this matter back to the Board of General Purposes , with instructions to them to obtain plans , and then to submit them to the brethren for their opinion . The building could not be completed for two
years , and for his own part he thought the Board of General Purposes was not the right body to deal with this matter—a committee of six or seven brethren would be more efficient ; and for the reason that there was nothing to be gained by hurry , nothing would be lost by waiting a couple of months inviting plans for consideration ; and he felt sure that the Grand Master would be pleased to appoint a Special Grand Lodge . It was most desirable
that the brethren who came to Grand Lodge should hear and take part in the proceedings . It would be necessary to make a building capable of containing 1500 brethren , with due regard to acoustic properties . In conclusion , he begged Grand Lodge to refer this matter back to a committee with instructions to invite plans , to be deposited with the Grand Secretary , to be decided upon on some future occasion .
Bro . BEACH thought that the brethren present in Grand Lodge must congratulate themselves upon having Bro . Havers amongst them again to advise them on a subject upon which his information aud opinion must be worthy of the greatest respect . Bro . Beach thought it desirable that there should be no great difference of opinion in a matter of this kind , and suggested that the Board of General Purposes should endeavour to fall in with the views of the brethren .
Bro . FRANK GREEN said Bro . Havers appeared to have answered Bro . R . Stewart ' s proposition . He thought it would be a great mistake to bring a large number of brethren to the consideration of this subject , and he considered that the Board of General Purposes was quite competent to decide what plans should be submitted tor inspection . Bro . BRACKSTONE BAKER , as an old member of the Board , supported Bro . Havers' motion that the Board of General Purposes should nominate a consultative committee .
Bro . R . STEWART said he did not propose to elect a large committee ; he proposed a committee of six to act with the Board of General Purposes . Bro . HENRY HACKER objected to Sir J . B . Monckton ' s proposition as extremely crude . Without giving any details as to how the result was arrived at he had only stated generally that the expense of erecting a larger hall would only be £ 500 a year more than at present . Another brother said the
Board had had before it the fullest information and was better able to judge than any outside person as to the removal or not from the present site , and he would impress upon the Board or committee that night be appointed to avail themselves of the opportunity of perfecting the mode of exit from the Temple . It would be in the recollection of the Grand Lodge upon the
occasion when the congratulations of Grand Lodge to her Majesty upon her escape from death at the hand of a would be assassin were determined upon , every available space was blocked even up to the chair ; and the thought had occurred to him at the time as to the terrible results that would have ensued should the brethren from any cause have been thrown into a state of panic .
Bro . Sir J B . MONCKTON said that perhaps he might be allowed to end the discussion in a manner that might be agreeable to all . First , the Board never had entertained the insane policy of having plans which would be adopted without being first submitted to Grand Lodge . Secondly , in reply to a learned brother who spoke from the middle of Grand Lodge he ( Bro . Monckton ) had meant to say that the increase
of £ 500 a year in the cost was after making every allowance . He would say one thing more ; he would ask Grand Lodge not to ignore the Board altogether ; let there be a Committee of seven , ten , or any number Grand Lodge pleased , but let half be elected by Grand Lodge , and half by the Board of General Purposes . The Committee would be a permanent body and everything would be brought before Grand Lodge .
Bro . HOLDEN said this was a matter of great importance , which would be best dealt with by referring it back to the Board of General Purposes . The functions of the Board were the dealing with the working out of Masonry , but if he wanted a building erected he should not think them the most suitable body to be entrusted with the work .
Bro . HAVERS said he would ask the leave of Grand Lodge to address to them one or two additional words . He wished to say that he thought the proposal of the Board of General Purposes a very proper one . He suggested that they should select four of the best business men they knew , and that the Board should also select four ; on this basis he recommended them to accept Bro . Monckton's proposal and withdraw his own .
Bro . / ENEAS MCINTYRE said that as the Board of General Purposes was a very large as well as a changeable body it would not be a convenient course to constitute them a building committee . A smaller permanent committee would be preferable , and he proposed as an amendment , " That this matter be referred to a committee consisting of eight members , four being nominated and appointed by Grand Lodge , and four by the Board ; the chairman to have a casting vote . "
This having been seconded Bro . STEWART said he could not allow this matter to stand over lor the Grand Master to nominate the four to be appointed by Grand Lodge , he must ask Grand Lodge to nominate . Bro . PHILBRICK saia that the motion of Bro . Stewart was to add . so
many to the Board of General Purposes . Having been a member of the Board for many years he ( Bro . Philbrick ) was competent to say that the combined body would be a great deal too large . He thought that this would be apparent to Bro . Stewart himself , and he ( Bro . Philbrick ) preferred Bro . Havers' proposition .
Bro . BINCKES suggested that Bro . Havers should be asked to assist . He strongly objected to the course adopted by the Board of General Purposes as expressed in motion No . 2 , as stated on the agenda paper , which suggested that the scheme of reconstruction should be referred back to the Board " for execution under the direction of the Grand Supt . of
United Grand Lodge.
Works , " which manifestly meant that Grand Lodge was to leave the matter entirely to the Board . He begged Grand Lodge not to give up their power altogether but adopt Bro . Havers' suggestion for the appointment of a committee to take evidence . The M . W . PRO G . M . said that the advantage of this discussion had been at least this—that it had sifted the opinion of Grand Lodge on what
was a very important matter , and it gave him an opportunity of saying with how much personal gratification he had listened once more to his most excellent Bro . Havers . His voice had been very often heard in their councils ; there was no man possessing more of the traditions of the Order or was more conversant with the practice of Grand Lodge , or who could give them better advice at a juncture like the present . He thought they owed
Bro . Havers a debt of gratitude for having come among them once more , and having spoken from his vast knowledge on the subject before them . He thought the discussion had brought matters to a harmonious point . There was no question whatever as to the original proposal of the Board of General Purposes , as it was originally misunderstood . Bro . Monckton had explained that it never was the intention to act upon the powers now given without
consulting further Grand Lodge . Grand Lodge , it was clear , must be consulted , and in order that this might be done Grand Lodge must pledge its power to some one committee . There was a concurrence of opinion that there should be a committee , and that part of that committee should be named by Grand Lodge . It remained to consider whether the whole or a part should be so named . ( Cries of " whole . " ) They were bound to bear in
mind two things—first of all , that the Board of General Purposes was selected by Grand Lodge every year out of the best of their members —( a voice : " No " ) —out of the best of their members , otherwise Grand - Lodge would act very improperly , to consider and carry on many important matters that arise during the year . His lordship said he was quite sure it was not the wish of Grand Lodge to cast a slight on the judgment of those whom they had
placed in that important position , therefore , it seemed to him to be a fair compromise between two conflicting opinions , that the Grand Lodge should nominate half and the Board of General Purposes should choose the other half . All such matters were matters of compromise . It was an essential condition that there should be give and take ; and he thought himself , though he did not wish to press it upon Grand Lodge for more than it was worth , that it
was a fair and reasonable compromise suggested in a conciliatory spirit . And as such he personally would be glad to see it adopted , and , what was mote important , he thought Grand Lodge might adopt it with perfect safety and prudence as regarded the result . His lordship said he thought it his duty not to withhold his opinion on that point ; he should wish to avoid all questions ot detail because these must be considered by the committee to be
appointed , and must afterwards come back for confirmation and ratification by this Grand Lodge . But he would venture to urge strongly upon those who consider this matter , that whilst they look to increased accomodation ( and he would freely admit from personal experience how very deficient the accommodation had sometimes been ) they must on the other hand remember that the place in which they met was for the conducting of business , and that
if itbe built too large and without reference to acoustic principles the inconvenience they would all suffer at ninety-nine out of every hundred of their meetings would be a most serious and irremediable consideration . It would now be his duty to submit to Grand Lodge the last—that which was really an amendment , but which was also a substantive proposal—to vote upon it . The proposal stood in this form : That this question be referred to a committee of eight , of whom , it went on to say , four were to be appointed by
Grand Lodge , and four by the Board of General Purposes . For the sake of convenience his lordship put the vote in a slightly altered form , viz ., that this question be referred to a ( committee of eight , of . whom four are to be appointed by the Board of General Purposes . That having been carried , it was proposed that the other four should be appointed b y Grand Lodge , which was also carried . The motion was then put as a whole , and carried unanimously .
Bro . HAVERS proposed that the matter to be referred should next be fixed—that they are to obtain evidence . This having been seconded b y Bro . B . Baker , the CHAIRMAN said that the question was that such committee be instructed to obtain and submit to Grand Lodge evidence and estimates for the rebuilding of Freemasons ' Hall , and to deposit them in Grand Secretary's office , or in some other
place , for the inspection of the Craft in general . The next question was as to the brethren to be nominated . The following names were proposed : —Bros . Gibson , Robinson , R . Stewart , Peirce , Burt , Greggs , Lovegrove , Smallpeice , and Lewis-Thomas . A show of hands was taken on each name , and the Chairman declared the result to be in favour of the appointment of Bros . Gibson , R . Stewart , Burt , and Lewis-Thomas . While the names were being proposed , Bro . Smallpiece protested , on
the ground that according to the Constitutions the names proposed for committees are to be submitted to the Board of Masters ; but the CHAIRMAN explained that the law referred to the large permanent committees , and not to committees such as that now proposed , which was for a special administrative duty . An appeal from a decision of the District Grand Lodge of Wellington , North Island , New Zealand , was heard and dismissed .
The GRAND MASTER in the chair said : as the Scrutineers of votes had not concluded their labours , he would receive their report in his private room . Grand Lodge was then closed . The following is the result of the elections for different Boards :
BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . Votes . Votes . Bro . John Laurence Mather , 1471 ... 294 Bro . Alfred Meadows , M . D ., 4 ... 1 S 3 „ Ralph Clutton , 631 231 „ William Bristow , G . S . L . ... ISJ „ Giovanni Paulo Festa , 1900 ... 222 „ Thomas Hastings Miller , 907 ... 177 „ Albert Escott , 1593 219 „ Sharon Grote Turner , 2 ... 154
„ Charles Atkins , 27 217 „ William H . Dean , 417 153 „ William Smallpeice , 969 " •190 „ George Henry Hopkinson , 14 ... 152 „ George Pitt-Lewis , 46 1 S 9 „ Hy . Rd . Cooper Smith , 1731 ... 143 The undermentioned were nominated by the Grand Master : V . W . Bros . Sir John B . Monckton , F . S . A ., President ; Sir Albert W . Woods ( Garter ); / Eneas J . Mclntyre , Q . C , M . P . ; Ralph Gooding , M . D . ; Frank Green , James E . Saunders , Frederick A . Philbrick , Q . C . ; John A . Rucker , Thomas Fenn , Robert Freke Gould , and Raymond Henry Thrupp .
COLONIAL BOARD . Bros . James Brett , P . M . 177 ; William George Lemon , P . M . 1601 ; Edward Letchworth , P . M . 197 ; James Henry Matthews , P . M . 143 ; Thomas Hastings Miller , P . M . 907 ; Griffiths Smith , P . M . 21 ; William Stephens , P . M . 1489 .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
United Grand Lodge.
princip le then adopted was to offer the matter to public competition , and they got a number of valuable designs . Having got the designs they placed them in St . Martin ' s Hall for a month , and invited the brethren to go and see them . Amongst the plans sent in was one with which they were all delighted ; there was a grand middle hall , but with entrances all round it quite incompatible with the purposes of such a hall . The building had to be
constructed under peculiar circumstances , they were bound to consider the requirements of Grand Lodge for its quarterly communications , and they were bound not to stop the business of the tavern : the hall had , therefore , been constructed at three different periods . As erected , the hall was not built from a single design , but was the combined work of several . Amongst the designs was one which , in some respects , was very admirable , and
although not accepted as a whole , it was very desirable that in some respects it should be adopted . They , therefore , purchased the plan , which cost them only about £ 25 . Brother Havers said he would earnestly ask Grand Lodge to refer this matter back to the Board of General Purposes , with instructions to them to obtain plans , and then to submit them to the brethren for their opinion . The building could not be completed for two
years , and for his own part he thought the Board of General Purposes was not the right body to deal with this matter—a committee of six or seven brethren would be more efficient ; and for the reason that there was nothing to be gained by hurry , nothing would be lost by waiting a couple of months inviting plans for consideration ; and he felt sure that the Grand Master would be pleased to appoint a Special Grand Lodge . It was most desirable
that the brethren who came to Grand Lodge should hear and take part in the proceedings . It would be necessary to make a building capable of containing 1500 brethren , with due regard to acoustic properties . In conclusion , he begged Grand Lodge to refer this matter back to a committee with instructions to invite plans , to be deposited with the Grand Secretary , to be decided upon on some future occasion .
Bro . BEACH thought that the brethren present in Grand Lodge must congratulate themselves upon having Bro . Havers amongst them again to advise them on a subject upon which his information aud opinion must be worthy of the greatest respect . Bro . Beach thought it desirable that there should be no great difference of opinion in a matter of this kind , and suggested that the Board of General Purposes should endeavour to fall in with the views of the brethren .
Bro . FRANK GREEN said Bro . Havers appeared to have answered Bro . R . Stewart ' s proposition . He thought it would be a great mistake to bring a large number of brethren to the consideration of this subject , and he considered that the Board of General Purposes was quite competent to decide what plans should be submitted tor inspection . Bro . BRACKSTONE BAKER , as an old member of the Board , supported Bro . Havers' motion that the Board of General Purposes should nominate a consultative committee .
Bro . R . STEWART said he did not propose to elect a large committee ; he proposed a committee of six to act with the Board of General Purposes . Bro . HENRY HACKER objected to Sir J . B . Monckton ' s proposition as extremely crude . Without giving any details as to how the result was arrived at he had only stated generally that the expense of erecting a larger hall would only be £ 500 a year more than at present . Another brother said the
Board had had before it the fullest information and was better able to judge than any outside person as to the removal or not from the present site , and he would impress upon the Board or committee that night be appointed to avail themselves of the opportunity of perfecting the mode of exit from the Temple . It would be in the recollection of the Grand Lodge upon the
occasion when the congratulations of Grand Lodge to her Majesty upon her escape from death at the hand of a would be assassin were determined upon , every available space was blocked even up to the chair ; and the thought had occurred to him at the time as to the terrible results that would have ensued should the brethren from any cause have been thrown into a state of panic .
Bro . Sir J B . MONCKTON said that perhaps he might be allowed to end the discussion in a manner that might be agreeable to all . First , the Board never had entertained the insane policy of having plans which would be adopted without being first submitted to Grand Lodge . Secondly , in reply to a learned brother who spoke from the middle of Grand Lodge he ( Bro . Monckton ) had meant to say that the increase
of £ 500 a year in the cost was after making every allowance . He would say one thing more ; he would ask Grand Lodge not to ignore the Board altogether ; let there be a Committee of seven , ten , or any number Grand Lodge pleased , but let half be elected by Grand Lodge , and half by the Board of General Purposes . The Committee would be a permanent body and everything would be brought before Grand Lodge .
Bro . HOLDEN said this was a matter of great importance , which would be best dealt with by referring it back to the Board of General Purposes . The functions of the Board were the dealing with the working out of Masonry , but if he wanted a building erected he should not think them the most suitable body to be entrusted with the work .
Bro . HAVERS said he would ask the leave of Grand Lodge to address to them one or two additional words . He wished to say that he thought the proposal of the Board of General Purposes a very proper one . He suggested that they should select four of the best business men they knew , and that the Board should also select four ; on this basis he recommended them to accept Bro . Monckton's proposal and withdraw his own .
Bro . / ENEAS MCINTYRE said that as the Board of General Purposes was a very large as well as a changeable body it would not be a convenient course to constitute them a building committee . A smaller permanent committee would be preferable , and he proposed as an amendment , " That this matter be referred to a committee consisting of eight members , four being nominated and appointed by Grand Lodge , and four by the Board ; the chairman to have a casting vote . "
This having been seconded Bro . STEWART said he could not allow this matter to stand over lor the Grand Master to nominate the four to be appointed by Grand Lodge , he must ask Grand Lodge to nominate . Bro . PHILBRICK saia that the motion of Bro . Stewart was to add . so
many to the Board of General Purposes . Having been a member of the Board for many years he ( Bro . Philbrick ) was competent to say that the combined body would be a great deal too large . He thought that this would be apparent to Bro . Stewart himself , and he ( Bro . Philbrick ) preferred Bro . Havers' proposition .
Bro . BINCKES suggested that Bro . Havers should be asked to assist . He strongly objected to the course adopted by the Board of General Purposes as expressed in motion No . 2 , as stated on the agenda paper , which suggested that the scheme of reconstruction should be referred back to the Board " for execution under the direction of the Grand Supt . of
United Grand Lodge.
Works , " which manifestly meant that Grand Lodge was to leave the matter entirely to the Board . He begged Grand Lodge not to give up their power altogether but adopt Bro . Havers' suggestion for the appointment of a committee to take evidence . The M . W . PRO G . M . said that the advantage of this discussion had been at least this—that it had sifted the opinion of Grand Lodge on what
was a very important matter , and it gave him an opportunity of saying with how much personal gratification he had listened once more to his most excellent Bro . Havers . His voice had been very often heard in their councils ; there was no man possessing more of the traditions of the Order or was more conversant with the practice of Grand Lodge , or who could give them better advice at a juncture like the present . He thought they owed
Bro . Havers a debt of gratitude for having come among them once more , and having spoken from his vast knowledge on the subject before them . He thought the discussion had brought matters to a harmonious point . There was no question whatever as to the original proposal of the Board of General Purposes , as it was originally misunderstood . Bro . Monckton had explained that it never was the intention to act upon the powers now given without
consulting further Grand Lodge . Grand Lodge , it was clear , must be consulted , and in order that this might be done Grand Lodge must pledge its power to some one committee . There was a concurrence of opinion that there should be a committee , and that part of that committee should be named by Grand Lodge . It remained to consider whether the whole or a part should be so named . ( Cries of " whole . " ) They were bound to bear in
mind two things—first of all , that the Board of General Purposes was selected by Grand Lodge every year out of the best of their members —( a voice : " No " ) —out of the best of their members , otherwise Grand - Lodge would act very improperly , to consider and carry on many important matters that arise during the year . His lordship said he was quite sure it was not the wish of Grand Lodge to cast a slight on the judgment of those whom they had
placed in that important position , therefore , it seemed to him to be a fair compromise between two conflicting opinions , that the Grand Lodge should nominate half and the Board of General Purposes should choose the other half . All such matters were matters of compromise . It was an essential condition that there should be give and take ; and he thought himself , though he did not wish to press it upon Grand Lodge for more than it was worth , that it
was a fair and reasonable compromise suggested in a conciliatory spirit . And as such he personally would be glad to see it adopted , and , what was mote important , he thought Grand Lodge might adopt it with perfect safety and prudence as regarded the result . His lordship said he thought it his duty not to withhold his opinion on that point ; he should wish to avoid all questions ot detail because these must be considered by the committee to be
appointed , and must afterwards come back for confirmation and ratification by this Grand Lodge . But he would venture to urge strongly upon those who consider this matter , that whilst they look to increased accomodation ( and he would freely admit from personal experience how very deficient the accommodation had sometimes been ) they must on the other hand remember that the place in which they met was for the conducting of business , and that
if itbe built too large and without reference to acoustic principles the inconvenience they would all suffer at ninety-nine out of every hundred of their meetings would be a most serious and irremediable consideration . It would now be his duty to submit to Grand Lodge the last—that which was really an amendment , but which was also a substantive proposal—to vote upon it . The proposal stood in this form : That this question be referred to a committee of eight , of whom , it went on to say , four were to be appointed by
Grand Lodge , and four by the Board of General Purposes . For the sake of convenience his lordship put the vote in a slightly altered form , viz ., that this question be referred to a ( committee of eight , of . whom four are to be appointed by the Board of General Purposes . That having been carried , it was proposed that the other four should be appointed b y Grand Lodge , which was also carried . The motion was then put as a whole , and carried unanimously .
Bro . HAVERS proposed that the matter to be referred should next be fixed—that they are to obtain evidence . This having been seconded b y Bro . B . Baker , the CHAIRMAN said that the question was that such committee be instructed to obtain and submit to Grand Lodge evidence and estimates for the rebuilding of Freemasons ' Hall , and to deposit them in Grand Secretary's office , or in some other
place , for the inspection of the Craft in general . The next question was as to the brethren to be nominated . The following names were proposed : —Bros . Gibson , Robinson , R . Stewart , Peirce , Burt , Greggs , Lovegrove , Smallpeice , and Lewis-Thomas . A show of hands was taken on each name , and the Chairman declared the result to be in favour of the appointment of Bros . Gibson , R . Stewart , Burt , and Lewis-Thomas . While the names were being proposed , Bro . Smallpiece protested , on
the ground that according to the Constitutions the names proposed for committees are to be submitted to the Board of Masters ; but the CHAIRMAN explained that the law referred to the large permanent committees , and not to committees such as that now proposed , which was for a special administrative duty . An appeal from a decision of the District Grand Lodge of Wellington , North Island , New Zealand , was heard and dismissed .
The GRAND MASTER in the chair said : as the Scrutineers of votes had not concluded their labours , he would receive their report in his private room . Grand Lodge was then closed . The following is the result of the elections for different Boards :
BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . Votes . Votes . Bro . John Laurence Mather , 1471 ... 294 Bro . Alfred Meadows , M . D ., 4 ... 1 S 3 „ Ralph Clutton , 631 231 „ William Bristow , G . S . L . ... ISJ „ Giovanni Paulo Festa , 1900 ... 222 „ Thomas Hastings Miller , 907 ... 177 „ Albert Escott , 1593 219 „ Sharon Grote Turner , 2 ... 154
„ Charles Atkins , 27 217 „ William H . Dean , 417 153 „ William Smallpeice , 969 " •190 „ George Henry Hopkinson , 14 ... 152 „ George Pitt-Lewis , 46 1 S 9 „ Hy . Rd . Cooper Smith , 1731 ... 143 The undermentioned were nominated by the Grand Master : V . W . Bros . Sir John B . Monckton , F . S . A ., President ; Sir Albert W . Woods ( Garter ); / Eneas J . Mclntyre , Q . C , M . P . ; Ralph Gooding , M . D . ; Frank Green , James E . Saunders , Frederick A . Philbrick , Q . C . ; John A . Rucker , Thomas Fenn , Robert Freke Gould , and Raymond Henry Thrupp .
COLONIAL BOARD . Bros . James Brett , P . M . 177 ; William George Lemon , P . M . 1601 ; Edward Letchworth , P . M . 197 ; James Henry Matthews , P . M . 143 ; Thomas Hastings Miller , P . M . 907 ; Griffiths Smith , P . M . 21 ; William Stephens , P . M . 1489 .