UP |
GRAND LODGE of ANTIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED
MASONS OF IRELAND
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION
SATURDAY, 4th OCTOBER, 2003
at
The Provincial Masonic Hall, Rosemary Street, Belfast
Present:‑
| M.W. Grand Master |
Eric N. Waller on The Throne |
| R.W. Deputy Grand Master |
George Dunlop |
| R.W. Assistant Grand Master |
William Mawhinney |
| R.W. Senior Grand Warden |
James Kirk |
| R.W. Junior Grand Warden |
Robert J. Thomson |
| R.W. Grand Treasurer |
Charles W. Olden |
| R.W. Grand Registrar |
Arthur D. S. Moran |
| R.W. Grand Secretary |
Michael W. Walker |
| R.W. Director of Ceremonies |
Cecil D. Buns |
| R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain |
Ven. E. Brian Snow |
| R.W. Junior Grand Chaplains |
Very Rev. Philip J. Knowle |
| . |
Rev. Canon George N. Little |
| V.W. Senior Grand Deacon |
Richard H. Gray |
| V.W. Junior Grand Deacon |
William G. Manning |
| V.W. Grand Superintendent of Works |
David T. Young |
| V.W. Assistant Grand Secretary |
D. Barry Lyons |
| V.W. Assistant Grand Secretary |
Michael R. McWiliam |
| V.W. Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies |
Marcus O. Steenson |
| As V.W. Grand Steward |
Ralph B. McGuckin |
| V.W. Grand Sword Bearer |
Alan R. Crowe |
| V.W. Grand Stewards of Charities |
Charles A. McCullough |
| . |
Samuel J. Patience |
| . |
Dennis R. Millen |
| V.W. Grand Almoner |
William M. Lee |
| . |
Alan R. G. R. Patterson |
| V.W. Grand Organist |
John N. Rowden |
| V.W. Grand Lodge Standard Bearer |
Cecil P. Tilson |
| V.W. Grand Master's Standard Bearer |
Peter D. G. Read |
| V.W. Grand Inner Guard |
Gordon Morrison |
| V.W. Grand Secretary for Instruction |
Michael J. Ward |
| V.W. Asst. Grand Secretary for Instruction |
Robert J. Armstrong |
There were also present:‑ the Provincial Grand Masters of
Antrim, Armagh, North Connaught, South Connaught, Londonderry & Donegal, North
Munster, Tyrone & Fermanagh and Wicklow & Wexford; R.W. Brothers William J.E.
Dukelow, T. Noel Bownes and John Greer, Past Provincial Grand Masters; the
Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Antrim, Armagh, North Connaught, Down,
Londonderry & Donegal, Meath, North Munster, Tyrone & Fermanagh, Wicklow &
Wexford and South Africa Northern; R.W. Brothers William E. Wood and Michael R.
Bicknell, Past Grand Directors of Ceremonies; R.W. Brothers The Rev. Canon
Richard H. Bertram, The Rev. Charles McCurdy, The Rev. Canon Kenneth W. Cochrane
and The Rev. W. Warren Porter, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; V.W. Brothers R. Ian
E. Wilson, Albert Topping, Leslie V. Johnston and John N. Millar, Past Grand
Deacons; V.W. Brothers Charles R. Knipe and Mervyn W. Morrison, Honorary Past
Grand Deacons; V.W. Brother Ralph B. McGuckin, Past Grand Superintendent of
Works; V.W. Brothers James I.A. Davison, Trevor Monteith, William J. Johnston,
J. Ardle Agnew and Andrew McFetridge, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W.
Brothers David A.R. Lovesy, Edward C.W. Smith and Victor Whyte, Past Grand
Almoners; V.W. Brothers Dr. Norman Jackson, Robert J. Hunter and S. Gordon
Leathern, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; and R.W. Brothers C. Bamford and
Robert McAuley, Past Grand Representatives.
SISTER CONSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED
The following Grand Lodges were represented:‑ Scotland,
Alberta, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Victoria, Western
Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Alaska,
Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Connecticut, Georgia,
Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New
Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee,
Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Argentina, Grand Orient of Brazil, Chile,
Ecuador, Peru, Sao Paolo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, the Ivory Coast,
Madagascar, Mali, the Philippines, the State of Israel, the Dominican Republic
and the Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Colorado and Ohio.
APOLOGIES FOR NON-ATTENDANCE
Apologies for non‑attendance were received from:- M.W.
Brother Lord Donegall, Past Grand Master; R.W. Brother R. Eric Fenelon, Past
Deputy Grand Master; the Provincial Grand Masters of Down, Meath, the Midlands,
Munster and South Eastern; the Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Antrim, Armagh
and South Connaught; R.W. Brothers David McKee and Michael J. Ward, Past Grand
Directors of Ceremonies; R.W. Brother The Rt. Rev. Samuel G. Poyntz, Past Senior
Grand Chaplain; R.W. Brother The Rev. Walter Herron, Past Junior Grand Chaplain;
V.W. Brother Arthur T. Pollock, Past Grand Deacon; V.W. Brothers Arnold J.
Cooke, Gordon V. Bradshaw and Samuel H. Boyle, Honorary Past Grand Deacons; V.W.
Brothers William W. Hughes, Arthur W. White and Herbert A. Walsh, Past Grand
Stewards of Charities; V.W. Brother Bernard V.A. Woods, Past Grand Almoner; V.W.
Brothers David M. Wright and Donald H. Finlay, Past Grand Master's Standard
Bearers; the Representatives of the Grand Lodges of British Columbia, New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Tasmania, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Alpina of
Switzerland, Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York,
Cuscatlan El Salvador; and R.W. Brothers Henry Robinson, Harold Ross, Norman
Lush, Douglas Wakefield and Thomas G. Anderson, Past Grand Representatives.
OBITUARY
Grand Lodge being opened, the Grand Master referred to
the recent deaths of R.W. Brother Reginald John Burton, Honorary Past Grand
Deacon, and Past Provincial Assistant Grand Master of Zimbabwe; V.W. Brother
Harold St.L. Taylor, Honorary Past Grand Deacon, South Africa Northern; and R.W.
Brother Robert C.N. Johnson, Representative of the Grand Lodge of the State of
Washington, whose memory was saluted.
WELCOME BY THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER
OF ANTRIM
R.W. Brother Adam J. McKinley, Provincial Grand Master of
Antrim, welcomed the Grand Master, Grand Officers and Members of Grand Lodge to
the Province of Antrim on his own behalf and on behalf of the Province of Down
whose Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Brother Robert J. Armstrong, was unavoidably
absent. The Grand Master, in reply, thanked R.W. Brother McKinley for hi's
welcome and indicated his regret that R.W. Brother Robert Armstrong could not be
present as he was recovering from an operation.
MINUTES
It was proposed, seconded and passed unanimously that the
Minutes of the Quarterly Stated Communication of Grand Lodge held on June 5th,
2003, as circulated, be taken as read, confirmed and signed.
INVESTITURE OF NEW GRAND
REPRESENTATIVES
R.W. Brothers Alexander McL. Spiers, Robert G. Simpson,
Robert Winters, Edward T. Preston, Victor Chambers and William C. Colhoun, being
in attendance and having produced their Patents of Appointment, the Grand
Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented them to the Grand
Master for investiture and presentation of their Patents of Appointment as
Representatives of the Grand Lodges of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Minnesota,
the Grand Orient of Brazil, Peru and Madagascar, respectively. The newly
invested Grand Representatives were conducted to their seats and were saluted.
GRAND OFFICERS FOR 2004
The Grand Officers for 2004, as nominated by the Grand
Lodge Board of General Purposes at the June Communication of Grand Lodge were
elected, along with the Auditor of Grand Lodge accounts for the year 2003:-
M.W. Grand Master
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Eric N. Waller
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R.W. Senior Grand Warden.
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Robert J. Thomson
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R.W. Junior Grand Warden
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John Greer Past Provincial Grand Master of North
Connaught
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R.W. Grand Treasurer
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Charles W. Olden
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R.W. Grand Registrar
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Arthur D.S. Moran
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R.W. Grand Director of Ceremonies
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Cecil D. Burns
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R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain
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The Rev. Canon George N. Little Past Junior Grand
Chaplain
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R.W. Junior Grand Chaplains
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The Ven. John G. Murray Archdeacon of Cashel & Ossory
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The Rev. Selwoode Graham Provincial Grand Chaplain,
Londonderry & Donegal
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V.W. Senior Grand Deacon
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Winston C. Patterson
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V.W. Junior Grand Deacon
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Alan R. Crowe
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V.W. Grand Superintendent of Works
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David T. Young
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V.W. Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
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Marcus O. Steenson
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V.W. Grand Steward
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Cecil P. Tilson
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V.W. Grand Sword Bearer
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Gordon Morrison
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V.W. Grand Stewards of Charities
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Roger Matthews Past Master of Lodge No. 760
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Robert Bankhead Past Master of Lodge No. 754
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Robert T. McCaffrey Past Master of Lodge No. 334
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V.W. Grand Almoners
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Alan R.G.R. Patterson
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William M. Lee
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V.W. Grand Organist
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John N. Rowden
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V.W. Grand Lodge Standard Bearer
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Kenneth Abernethy Past Provincial Senior Grand
Warden,Down
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V.W. Grand Inner Guard
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Robert J. Robinson Past Provincial Senior Grand
Warden,Armagh
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W. Brother Peter H. Mullock, F.C.A. Past Master of Lodge
No. 395, Dublin, was elected Auditor of the Grand Lodge Accounts for the year
2003.
Immediately following his election, the Grand Master
announced that he was re-appointing R.W. Brother George Dunlop as his Deputy
Grand Master; R.W. Brother William Mawhinney as his Assistant Grand Master; and
W. Brother Samuel W.J. Craig, a Past Master of Richhill Lodge No. 328, as his
Standard Bearer for 2004. The Grand Master's announcement was greeted with
acclamation.
MOTION TO AMEND GRAND LODGE LAW NO. 163
Grand Lodge approved a Motion, notice of which was handed
in at Grand Lodge in June 2003, in the name of the Grand Lodge Board of General
Purposes, to amend Grand Lodge Law No. 163 to upgrade the precedence of
Provincial Grand Directors of Ceremonies to keep them in line with the Grand
Director of Ceremonies following the amendment to Grand Lodge Law No. 5, by
inserting in line 19, after the word "Secretaries" the words "Directors of
Ceremonies".
REPORT OF THE GRAND LODGE BOARD OF
GENERAL PURPOSES
The Board noted with regret, for reporting to Grand
Lodge, the return of the Warrants of Lodges Nos. 207 and 880, The Mount.
Vacancies having arisen in the Representations of the
Grand Lodges of India, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Norway and Venezuela
the Board recommended that the names of R.W. Brother William Mawhinney, W.
Brother Robert E. Patterson, V.W. Brother R. Victor Whyte, V.W. Brother William
J. Johnston and W. Brother Thomas H. Beattie, respectively, be sent forward for
consideration by the above-mentioned Grand Lodges as suitable Brethren to act as
their Grand Representatives here. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
Read letter from the National Grand Lodge of Denmark,
submitting the name of R.W. Brother Jens E. Lassen, Grand Chancellor, as a
suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand
Lodge. Confirmed.
Read letter from the National Grand Lodge of Iceland,
submitting the name of R.W. Brother Thordur Oskarsson, Grand Secretary, as a
suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand
Lodge. Confirmed.
Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Kansas, submitting
the name of Brother Christopher D. Tomlinson as a suitable Brother to act as our
Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered a request for the suspension imposed
on a Brother of Lodge No. 323, Benoni, South Africa Northern, in March 2002, to
be lifted. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered a request for dispensation under the
terms of Grand Lodge Law No. 118, submitted by Lodge No. 1003, Dublin.
Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered a charge of unmasonic conduct
brought against Brother Joseph McCready of Lodge No. 203, Magherally, and
Brother Gilbert Beck of Loyal Blue Lodge No. 119, Banbridge, in that they were
both accused of stealing alcohol and/or money from the Banbridge and District
Masonic Social Club. Following a letter dated February 17th, 2003, from the
Banbridge Masonic Institute, advising the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down that
the two Brethren had both accepted Adult Cautions from the Police Service of
Northern Ireland, the Provincial Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes met on
the 9th April, 2003, to consider the case. Read report thereon from the
Provincial Grand Lodge Board, recommending that Brothers McCready and Beck both
be expelled. The Board so recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered a charge of unmasonic conduct
brought against W. Brother Howard A.D. Reid of Tyre Lodge No. 724, Newtownards,
in that he had been convicted on eight counts of making indecent photographs of
children contrary to the Protection of Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1978
and sentenced to three years imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months. Read
report thereon from the Provincial Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes
recommending the expulsion of Brother Reid. The Board so recommended to Grand
Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered a charge of unmasonic conduct
brought against W. Brother Herbert Grant of Ulster Star Lodge No. 133, Comber,
in that the Lodge charged the named Brother with misappropriation of Lodge
funds. The Provincial Grand Lodge Board met on the 4th September, 2003, to
consider the case. Brother Grant did not attend the hearing but copies of
correspondence from him were read to the meeting. Following deliberation the
Provincial Grand Lodge Board recommended that Brother Grant be expelled.
Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered a request to extend the boundaries
of the Province of Jamaica to include the Bahamas now that Providence Lodge No.
928, will be constituted in November, 2003. Local Brethren from all
Constitutions were in favour of this move. The Board recommended approval.
Confirmed.
ELECTION OF THE BOARDS OF MANAGEMENT OF
THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS
Grand Lodge approved the election of the Brethren, as
nominated by the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes, to form the Boards of
Management of the following Masonic Benevolent Institutions:-
The Management Committee of the Masonic Girls Benefit
Fund in accordance with paragraph 4(d) of the Scheme for the Regulation of the
Charity.
B. Bradshaw
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R. Mark
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P. Mullock
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W.T. Brown
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D. McNulty
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J.W. Patching
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S.J.P. Holt
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I. Miller
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D.H. Weir
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The Management Committee of the Masonic Boys Benefit Fund
in accordance with paragraph 4(d) of the Scheme for the Regulation of the
Charity.
T.H. Beattie
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G.E.J. Field
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Rev. E. Hunter
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T. Monteith
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J. Bell
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D.H. Finlay
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L. Johnston
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T.A. Wilson
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R. Ensor
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G.F. Ginnelly
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D.J. McIntyre
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L.N. Woods
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L.G. Evans
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E.G. Hodgett
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T. McNeill
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The Board of Governors of the Victoria Jubilee Masonic
Benevolent Fund in accordance with Rule 3(b).
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W.T.H. Balmer
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I. Gawley
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D.R. Millen
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W.W.T. Shortland
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A. Barklie
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R. Gordon
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JR.P. Mitchell
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K. Spring
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W. Dickson
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N. Humes
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J.W. Nicholson
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J. Stanley
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N. Fenton
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J. Kelly
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R.J. Patterson
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R.V. Whyte
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J. Finkel
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N. McElwee
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R.W.J. Robertson
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D. Williams
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The Board of the Masonic Welfare Fund.
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D. Atkinson
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R.R. Gyles
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B. O'Byrne
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A. Treadwell
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D. Benson
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J.R. Hadden
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A.R.G.R. Patterson
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D.C. Webster
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J. Crowley
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W.J. Johnston
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C.E. Ruttle
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S. Weafer
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J.I.A. Davison
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T.C.B. McBain
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W.W.T. Shortland
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J.F. Wood
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B.A. Eve
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D.R. Millen
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J. Strong
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GRAND LODGE OF INSTRUCTION
Grand Lodge approved the election as members of the Grand
Lodge of Instruction of V.W. Brother James Gilchrist, Past Master of Lodge No.
659, Belfast; and V.W. Brother John A. McKay, Past Master of Lodge No. 940,
Coleraine.
NOTICE OF MOTIONS
The Grand Treasurer handed in Notice of Motions to
subscribe €2,500 to the Masonic Charities under the Provisions of Grand Lodge
Law No. 29; and to increase the Grand Lodge dues from E22.50 to €25 as from
January 15th, 2004.
CONFERRAL OF HONORARY GRAND RANK
The Grand Master with the concurrence of Grand Lodge
conferred the following Honorary Ranks:
Past Junior Grand Warden
R. W. Bro. Ralph D. Seligman
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Past Provincial Grand Master of Bermuda, Honorary
Past Grand Deacon
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Past Grand Deacon
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V. W. Bro. Wyndham G. Morgans
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Provincial Grand Master, Southern Cape.
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V.W. Bro. Derrick V. McKoy
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Provincial Grand Master, Jamaica and the Bahamas.
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V.W. Bro. Sitansu B. Chatterjee
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on promotion from Past Grand Steward, India
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V. W. Bro. Rabindra N. Mitra
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on promotion from Past Grand Steward, India
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V.W. Bro. William A. Ramsden
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on promotion from Past Grand Steward, Natal
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Past Grand Steward
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V.W. Bro. Dr. Dant C. Anath
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Past Master of Lodge No. 925, Mauritius
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V.W. Bro. Lindsay Descombes
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Past Senior Grand Warden, GLNF, Mauritius
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V.W. Bro. Dr. Ram Bhageerutty
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Past District Junior Gd. Deacon, Transvaal, (UGLE)
Mauritius
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V.W. Bro. Arnold B. Walton
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on promotion from ODGR, Adelaide.
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V.W. Bro. Arthur W.J. Wood
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Provincial Grand Warden, Zimbabwe
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V.W. Bro. Mario Vella Gatt
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on promotion from ODGR, Malta.
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V.W. Bro. Benjamin Muscat
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on promotion from ODGR, Malta.
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The Grand Master indicated that, in addition to the names
already put forward, he wished to add his personal recommendation for the
conferral of the Honorary Grand Rank of Past Grand Steward of Charities on W.
Brother Trevor Morrow, Past Chairman of the Victoria Jubilee Masonic Benevolent
Fund, whose years of diligent work on that Committee had led to the present very
satisfactory situation with regard to the treatment of, and help provided for,
our widows and distressed Brethren. Grand Lodge approved the Grand Master's
recommendation with acclamation.
REPORTS ON THE MASONIC CHARITIES
R.W. Brother William W.T. Shortland reported on the work
of the Victoria Jubilee Masonic Benevolent Fund and the Masonic Welfare Fund;
R.W. Brother Leslie Johnston reported on the work of the Masonic Girls Benefit
Fund and the Masonic Boys Benefit Fund; R.W. Brother Cecil P. Tilson reported on
the work of Masonic Havens Limited; and R. W. Brother Dennis R. Millen reported
on the final distribution of monies collected under the Grand Master's
Millennium Fund. The reports of all four Brethren will be printed in the Annual
Report of Grand Lodge for the year 2003.
REPORT BY THE GRAND MASTER
The Grand Master, in his personal report to Grand Lodge,
thanked the Brethren who had reported on the Masonic Benevolent Institutions,
remarking that these Funds were in good order and he wished them well in their
important and valuable work. The Grand Master regretted that consideration of
proposals concerning the operation of the Funds had been somewhat delayed
through the unfortunate indisposition of R.W. Brother Sam Boyle but he hoped and
expected that Brother Boyle would soon be able to resume the remit, as his
appointee, to oversee direction of the Masonic Charities and that progress would
recommence.
The Grand Master went on to outline to the Brethren his
attendance at various functions since his report in June covering such items as
the Round Ireland Tractor Run in support of charity, the Press release by the
Police Service of Northern Ireland with regard to registration of notifiable
organizations, the Masonic Golf Competition, his visit to the Provincial Grand
Lodge of North Munster which meeting had been held in the almost completed new
Masonic Centre there, the Constitution by him of Oracle Lodge No. 1003, in
Dublin only two days before and his making himself available to the media
including the BBC Talk Back Show and the Press on the previous day. The Grand
Master ended his report by thanking the Provincial Grand Master for allowing him
to use his office for the media meetings on the day before and he encouraged the
Brethren to attend the Installation Communication of Grand Lodge to be held at
12 noon in Freemasons' Hall, Dublin, on Saturday December 6th.
The Grand Master welcomed in particular, R.W. Brother
Cecil F.M. Bates, Provincial Deputy Grand Master, South Africa Northern, to this
meeting of Grand Lodge and R.W. Brother Bates, in reply, conveyed the greetings
and loyalty of the Brethren in the Province of South Africa Northern.
THANKS TO ORGANIZING BRETHREN
The Grand Master thanked V.W. Brother John L. Frazer,
Provincial Grand Secretary, and the many Brethren involved in helping with the
arrangements for lunch and this meeting of Grand Lodge.
DONATION TO THE MASONIC BENEVOLENT
INSTITUTIONS
The Grand Secretary reported that he had received a
cheque for £250 from W. Brother David O. Donaldson, Chairman of the Masonic
Bowling Association, for application to the Masonic Benevolent Institutions.
This was the second half of the Masonic Bowling Association's contribution to
the Charities, the first and equal moiety having been presented via Supreme
Grand Chapter two weeks earlier.
CHARITY COLLECTION
The Charity Collection amounted to €996.
Grand Lodge closed. |