Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
J . Mackintosh , A . H . Gowenloch , J . Brander , AV . Pare , — AVilliams , — Andrews , D . Liebenhals , and AV . B . Favr . Apologies were received from Bros . John W . Brown , P . Anderson , James AA . Browne , W . M . Benwell , S . Fenn , A . G . Pendleton , R . T . Lattey , AV . Swinhoe , I . Taylor , C . F . Jacobson , and AV . A . Mitchell .
The PEOV . G . MASTER addressed the District Grand Lodge as follows : — " Brethren , —I cannot open Grand Lodge to-night without remarking on the unavoidable scantiness of the attendance of its members . It is never usual to see a large gatheriifg of Masons ^ either in District Gi-and Lodge , or in any private lodge at this season of the year . The weather is so intensely oppressiveand the climate so dangerousthat all who have the
-, , oppor tunity of doing so ,-desert the capital for other places , leaving behind those only whose calls of business or of duty positively prohibit them from taking a holiday . But Grand Lodge has suffered to an unusual extent this year , so much so that out of twenty grand officers in all , no less than eleven , or more than half the number , have been removed by death , sickness , or duty . This circumstance alone furnishes a good answer to those who
would wish to establish Provincial Grand Lodges in local provinces , where the number of European residents would be insufficient to maintain a Grand Lodge , even in the absence of casualties , unless , indeed , a purple instead of a blue apron were to be conferred upon every brother as soon as he were raised to the degree of a Master Mason . "Every brother in Calcutta must have been grieved to hear
of the loss which this Grand Lodge has sustained , in common with the private lodges of which they were such useful members , in the _ deaths of Bros . Callan and Baxter . They will both dwell long iu our memories , as hearty companions and zealous Freemasons ; and it will take time to accustom ourselves to their absence from our pleasant Masonic gatherings in Calcutta . " From the Provincial Grand OfficersI regret to
, announce the absence , on duty , of Bro . Dove , Grand Registrar , and of Bro . Powell , who had taken up the duties of Provincial Grand Secretary , in the place of Bro . Hoff , himself also absent on duty , while others are away either on the sick list or on trips of pleasure , and thus , as I have stated , the Grand Lodge is , for a time , deprived of the services of more than one-half the number of its officers .
_ " We have to-night to consider one report only , viz , from the Finance Committee , by which you will see that our finances are still in a bad position , for although the abstract of the Grand Treasurer ' s accounts shows a balance of Rs . 779-4-7 at our credit , it must be remembered that we are indebted to the Fund of Benevolence Rs . 2 , 875-0-2 , a debt , whicli I , for one , am very anxious to see paid off . " In consequence of several representations being made to
me of great delay iu getting Grand Lodge certificates for brethren who have taken their Master Mason ' s degree , I have asked the Grand Secretary to furnish me with blank certificates under the provisions laid down in page 57 of the Constitutions ( Ed . 1861 ) , so that they may be furnished to brethren as soon as they Lave been " raised . " These certificates are signed and sealed in England , but have the spaces for the name of the holder left blank
, in order that they may he filled up in this country . Lod ges taking advantage of these certificates must bear in mind that they will not , under any circumstances , be granted , except upon actual payment of the fee as prescribed in the Constitutions , and that Masters must invariably transmit to the Grand Secretary in Loudon , a duplicate of any return or payment made to the District Grand Lod and their attention
ge ; is accordingly specially invited to pars . 3 to 5 inclusive , at pp . 57 and 58 , of the Constitutions under this head . I need scarcely say that this will be found very convenient in the case , for instance , of a brother leaving the port shortly after taking his degree ; but it must be understood that lodges wishing to take certificates in this manner must do so in all cases , as it would be inconvenient—indeed would lead to considerable confusionlod
were ges to take some certificates from me and others from the Grand Secretary's office . The fee for registration of Masons made m colonial or foreign offices is , as you are aware , seven shillings and sixpence , or Ks . 3-12 ' ; while the fee for a brother joining any such lod ge is two shillings and sixpence , or Rs . 1-4 ; but should be require a Grand Lodge certificate , then the full fee of seven shillings aud sixpence is required to be paid . Considering the expense of overland postage and other incidental items that will fall upon the District Grand Lodge , I would suggest that a charge be made of
Rs . 4 for registration , and Rs . 1-8 for joining ; indeed , without some such additional charge , the duty cannot be performed without the District Grand Lodge being put to an expense whicli would not be advisable in the present state of its finances . " I have to announce the arrival from England of the warrant for the Rock of Gwalior Lodge , at Mora ' r in Gwalior , numbered 1 , 066 on the registry of the Grand Lodge of England . " I have to report the exclusion of Bro . A . Von AValstab
from Lodge St . Luke ( No . 848 ) , in Fort AVilliam , for nonpayment of dues , notwithstanding repeated applications made to " aim . " The report of the Finance Committee was read . Theaccounts of the Provincial Grand Treasurer showed a balance in the District Grand Lodge of Rs . 779 , and in the Fund of Benevolence of Rs . 2 , 470 . The Committee recorded the
following observations : — "The Finance Committee think that bills for contingent charges of the Secretary ' s Office , should not be submitted to the committee ; and it was suggested that it be put to the Provincial Grand Lodge for inquiry if the sum of Rs . 200 , allowed to the Provincial Grand Secretary , was not intended to cover ordinary contingencies . "The Finance Committee observe with regret that there
arestill many outstandings from some of the Calcutta lodges ,, though they think it due to the Provincial Grand Treasurer to notice prominently the great reduction that has been made in them through his exertions . The lodge most in arrears is
Excelsior , which has paid no house-rent since October 1862 , while their subscription to the Musical Instrument Fund is unadjusted from the same date . Their returns for the 4 th quarter of 1864 , and for the first two quarters of the current year , have not yet been submitted , while those for the remaining portion of 1864 appear to have heen only recently sent in , as they have not been passed by the Provincial Grand Secretary . The coinmittee suggest that the AVorshipful Master be requested
to show cause why the lodge should not be erased under the 36 th by-law of the District Grand Lodge . The committee observe that Lodges Star in the East and Industry and Perseverance are also considerably in arrears , while the Lodges True Friendship and Courage with Humanity have paid all clues up to date . "The Finance Committee notice that the lighting of the banquet room is somewhat deficient , and would suggest that
two more gaseliers be added , and , if necessary , the plated candelabra be disposed of to meet the expenses of the same . " Bro . ROBERTS moved " that the accounts be passed as correct , " and took the opportunity of apologising for his absence from the last meeting of the Finance Coinmittee . Monday was always a day of heavy work for him , and with the best intentions he had found it impossible to get away in time to attend . Bro . ABBOTT proposed as an amendment "that the accounts he not received as correct . " In those accounts certain payments made by Lodge Excelsior had not been credited , and , as one of tbe Past Masters of that lodge , he could not suffer them to
pass . Bro . KEIGHET , AV . M . of Lodge Excelsior , rose to place before the Grand Loclge facts in support of Bro . Abbott ' s statement , but he wished first to know whether he was to connect the accounts with the remarks subsequently made by the Finance Committee on Loclge Excelsior . Bro . ROBERTS thought it would be better to take the recommendations of the Finance Committee first , leaving
theaccounts to be brought forward after they had heard Bro . Keighly's explanation ; and with this view he withdrew his motion . The PEOV . G . SECRETARY then read the first suggestion of the Finance Committee ( respecting the salary of the Secretary ) . After an explanation from the Prov . G . M . that a writer was paid by the Secretary out of his salary , but that the cost of a
peon was paid by the Provincial Grand Lodge ; and from Bro-Mills that it appeared from the accounts that the cost of stationary expended did not exceed Rs . 4 or 5 per month , Bro . W . Judge proposed , and Bro . Roberts seconded , that the Provincial Grand Secretary be expected , out of his salary of 200 rupees per month , to pay all charges for stationary , exclusive of books and postage . Carried unanimously . The PROV . G . SECEETAHY read the second clause of the recommendations of the Finance Committee . Bro . ABBOTT moved as an amendment " that the report be not received , as it was incorrect . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
J . Mackintosh , A . H . Gowenloch , J . Brander , AV . Pare , — AVilliams , — Andrews , D . Liebenhals , and AV . B . Favr . Apologies were received from Bros . John W . Brown , P . Anderson , James AA . Browne , W . M . Benwell , S . Fenn , A . G . Pendleton , R . T . Lattey , AV . Swinhoe , I . Taylor , C . F . Jacobson , and AV . A . Mitchell .
The PEOV . G . MASTER addressed the District Grand Lodge as follows : — " Brethren , —I cannot open Grand Lodge to-night without remarking on the unavoidable scantiness of the attendance of its members . It is never usual to see a large gatheriifg of Masons ^ either in District Gi-and Lodge , or in any private lodge at this season of the year . The weather is so intensely oppressiveand the climate so dangerousthat all who have the
-, , oppor tunity of doing so ,-desert the capital for other places , leaving behind those only whose calls of business or of duty positively prohibit them from taking a holiday . But Grand Lodge has suffered to an unusual extent this year , so much so that out of twenty grand officers in all , no less than eleven , or more than half the number , have been removed by death , sickness , or duty . This circumstance alone furnishes a good answer to those who
would wish to establish Provincial Grand Lodges in local provinces , where the number of European residents would be insufficient to maintain a Grand Lodge , even in the absence of casualties , unless , indeed , a purple instead of a blue apron were to be conferred upon every brother as soon as he were raised to the degree of a Master Mason . "Every brother in Calcutta must have been grieved to hear
of the loss which this Grand Lodge has sustained , in common with the private lodges of which they were such useful members , in the _ deaths of Bros . Callan and Baxter . They will both dwell long iu our memories , as hearty companions and zealous Freemasons ; and it will take time to accustom ourselves to their absence from our pleasant Masonic gatherings in Calcutta . " From the Provincial Grand OfficersI regret to
, announce the absence , on duty , of Bro . Dove , Grand Registrar , and of Bro . Powell , who had taken up the duties of Provincial Grand Secretary , in the place of Bro . Hoff , himself also absent on duty , while others are away either on the sick list or on trips of pleasure , and thus , as I have stated , the Grand Lodge is , for a time , deprived of the services of more than one-half the number of its officers .
_ " We have to-night to consider one report only , viz , from the Finance Committee , by which you will see that our finances are still in a bad position , for although the abstract of the Grand Treasurer ' s accounts shows a balance of Rs . 779-4-7 at our credit , it must be remembered that we are indebted to the Fund of Benevolence Rs . 2 , 875-0-2 , a debt , whicli I , for one , am very anxious to see paid off . " In consequence of several representations being made to
me of great delay iu getting Grand Lodge certificates for brethren who have taken their Master Mason ' s degree , I have asked the Grand Secretary to furnish me with blank certificates under the provisions laid down in page 57 of the Constitutions ( Ed . 1861 ) , so that they may be furnished to brethren as soon as they Lave been " raised . " These certificates are signed and sealed in England , but have the spaces for the name of the holder left blank
, in order that they may he filled up in this country . Lod ges taking advantage of these certificates must bear in mind that they will not , under any circumstances , be granted , except upon actual payment of the fee as prescribed in the Constitutions , and that Masters must invariably transmit to the Grand Secretary in Loudon , a duplicate of any return or payment made to the District Grand Lod and their attention
ge ; is accordingly specially invited to pars . 3 to 5 inclusive , at pp . 57 and 58 , of the Constitutions under this head . I need scarcely say that this will be found very convenient in the case , for instance , of a brother leaving the port shortly after taking his degree ; but it must be understood that lodges wishing to take certificates in this manner must do so in all cases , as it would be inconvenient—indeed would lead to considerable confusionlod
were ges to take some certificates from me and others from the Grand Secretary's office . The fee for registration of Masons made m colonial or foreign offices is , as you are aware , seven shillings and sixpence , or Ks . 3-12 ' ; while the fee for a brother joining any such lod ge is two shillings and sixpence , or Rs . 1-4 ; but should be require a Grand Lodge certificate , then the full fee of seven shillings aud sixpence is required to be paid . Considering the expense of overland postage and other incidental items that will fall upon the District Grand Lodge , I would suggest that a charge be made of
Rs . 4 for registration , and Rs . 1-8 for joining ; indeed , without some such additional charge , the duty cannot be performed without the District Grand Lodge being put to an expense whicli would not be advisable in the present state of its finances . " I have to announce the arrival from England of the warrant for the Rock of Gwalior Lodge , at Mora ' r in Gwalior , numbered 1 , 066 on the registry of the Grand Lodge of England . " I have to report the exclusion of Bro . A . Von AValstab
from Lodge St . Luke ( No . 848 ) , in Fort AVilliam , for nonpayment of dues , notwithstanding repeated applications made to " aim . " The report of the Finance Committee was read . Theaccounts of the Provincial Grand Treasurer showed a balance in the District Grand Lodge of Rs . 779 , and in the Fund of Benevolence of Rs . 2 , 470 . The Committee recorded the
following observations : — "The Finance Committee think that bills for contingent charges of the Secretary ' s Office , should not be submitted to the committee ; and it was suggested that it be put to the Provincial Grand Lodge for inquiry if the sum of Rs . 200 , allowed to the Provincial Grand Secretary , was not intended to cover ordinary contingencies . "The Finance Committee observe with regret that there
arestill many outstandings from some of the Calcutta lodges ,, though they think it due to the Provincial Grand Treasurer to notice prominently the great reduction that has been made in them through his exertions . The lodge most in arrears is
Excelsior , which has paid no house-rent since October 1862 , while their subscription to the Musical Instrument Fund is unadjusted from the same date . Their returns for the 4 th quarter of 1864 , and for the first two quarters of the current year , have not yet been submitted , while those for the remaining portion of 1864 appear to have heen only recently sent in , as they have not been passed by the Provincial Grand Secretary . The coinmittee suggest that the AVorshipful Master be requested
to show cause why the lodge should not be erased under the 36 th by-law of the District Grand Lodge . The committee observe that Lodges Star in the East and Industry and Perseverance are also considerably in arrears , while the Lodges True Friendship and Courage with Humanity have paid all clues up to date . "The Finance Committee notice that the lighting of the banquet room is somewhat deficient , and would suggest that
two more gaseliers be added , and , if necessary , the plated candelabra be disposed of to meet the expenses of the same . " Bro . ROBERTS moved " that the accounts be passed as correct , " and took the opportunity of apologising for his absence from the last meeting of the Finance Coinmittee . Monday was always a day of heavy work for him , and with the best intentions he had found it impossible to get away in time to attend . Bro . ABBOTT proposed as an amendment "that the accounts he not received as correct . " In those accounts certain payments made by Lodge Excelsior had not been credited , and , as one of tbe Past Masters of that lodge , he could not suffer them to
pass . Bro . KEIGHET , AV . M . of Lodge Excelsior , rose to place before the Grand Loclge facts in support of Bro . Abbott ' s statement , but he wished first to know whether he was to connect the accounts with the remarks subsequently made by the Finance Committee on Loclge Excelsior . Bro . ROBERTS thought it would be better to take the recommendations of the Finance Committee first , leaving
theaccounts to be brought forward after they had heard Bro . Keighly's explanation ; and with this view he withdrew his motion . The PEOV . G . SECRETARY then read the first suggestion of the Finance Committee ( respecting the salary of the Secretary ) . After an explanation from the Prov . G . M . that a writer was paid by the Secretary out of his salary , but that the cost of a
peon was paid by the Provincial Grand Lodge ; and from Bro-Mills that it appeared from the accounts that the cost of stationary expended did not exceed Rs . 4 or 5 per month , Bro . W . Judge proposed , and Bro . Roberts seconded , that the Provincial Grand Secretary be expected , out of his salary of 200 rupees per month , to pay all charges for stationary , exclusive of books and postage . Carried unanimously . The PROV . G . SECEETAHY read the second clause of the recommendations of the Finance Committee . Bro . ABBOTT moved as an amendment " that the report be not received , as it was incorrect . "