GRAND LODGE
of
ANTIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF IRELAND

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION ‑ THURSDAY 6th MARCH, 2014

at

THE SHERATON HOTEL, ATHLONE

Present:‑

There were also present:‑ the Provincial Grand Masters of Antrim, Armagh, North Connaught, South Connaught, Down, Meath, Midland Counties, North Munster, South Eastern and the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board; R.W. Brothers J. Kenneth Dunne, Robert S. Hackett, Thomas C.B. McBain and Harvey F.J. Heavener, Past Provincial Grand Masters; the Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Armagh, North Connaught, South Connaught, Midland Counties, Munster, South Eastern and Tyrone & Fermanagh; R.W. Brothers Cyril R. Foster, John Hadden and Edward C.W. Smith, Past Provincial Deputy Grand Masters; R.W. Brother Selwyn S. Davies, Past Senior Grand Warden; R.W. Brother Canon George N. Little, Past Senior Grand Chaplain; V.W. Brothers John L. Frazer, John O. Dunlop, Frank R.L. Arnold, Robert J. Robinson, Basil Elliott and Samuel H. Boyle, Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brother Arnold W.J. Smith, Past Assistant Grand Treasurer; V.W. Brothers William J. Johnston and Ivor A. Moloney. Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W. Brothers Robert R. Gyles and John J. Ramsay, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers.
And other Distinguished Brethren from many Lodges.

SISTER CONSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED

The following Grand Lodges were represented:‑ Scotland, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan Queensland, Austria, France, Germany, Italy. Latvia. Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain. Sweden, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii. Illinois, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nee=. Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island. South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas. Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Cuscatlan El Salvador, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Sao Paolo, Gabon. Guinea, Ivory Coast, China, Israel, the Dominican Republic; And :‑ The Prince Hall Grand Lodges of the Caribbean, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.

APOLOGIES FOR NON‑ATTENDANCE

Apologies for non‑attendance were received from:‑ The M.W. Grand Master; the R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain and the V.W. Grand Secretary for Instruction; the Provincial Grand Masters of Munster, Wicklow & Wexford and Natal; the Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Antrim, Meath. North Munster and Natal: R.W. Brothers Charles W. Olden, Robert J. Thomson, George Miskimmins, William W.T. Shortland and Alan Campbell, Past Provincial Grand Masters; R.W. Brother Arthur D.S. Moran, Past Grand Registrar; R.W. Brother Michael W. Walker, Past Grand Secretary; R.W. Brother William J. Dyer, Past Grand Director of Ceremonies: R.W. Brother the Right Rev. Samuel G. Poyntz, Past Senior Grand Chaplain; R.W. Brothers the Rev. Richard H. Bertram, the Very Rev. Philip J. Knowles and the Rev. W. Warren Porter, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; V.W. Brothers Gordon Morrison, Alan Stewart and Ivan Gillespie, Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brother Cecil Taylor. Past Assistant Grand Treasurer; V.W. Brothers J. Trevor Monteith, Arthur W. White, Dennis R. Millen and W. Trevor Morrow (Hon), Past Grand Stewards of Charities: V.W. Brother William T.H. Balmer, Past Grand Almoner; V.W. Brothers David Penpraze, Donald H. Finlay, Kwesi O‑P Ackah and Robin E.W. Newenham, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; and The Representatives of the Grand Lodges of Alberta, Western Australia. Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus. Estonia, Greece, Switzerland (Alpina), Turkey, Idaho, Oregon, Burkina Faso, Japan and the Philippines: and R.W. Brother S.W. McConnell, Past Grand Representative.

WELCOME

R.W. Brother Grey commenced proceedings by referring to the indisposition of the Grand Master, currently awaiting further health reports and diagnoses and instructed the Grand Secretary to transmit the best wishes of the Brethren of Grand Lodge to him.
He also pointed out that Grand Lodge was in the Province of South Connaught this day, and specifically Athlone to celebrate the 275th Anniversary of the Constitution of The Shamrock Lodge, No. 10 l. Athlone. The Provincial Grand Master suitably replied and welcomed all to the Province.

OBITUARIES

The Deputy Grand Master referred to the recent deaths of V.W. Brother Noel Gault, the Grand Master's Immediate Past Grand Standard Bearer; and R.W. Brother George Lutton, Past Foreign Grand Representative.  The memory of our departed distinguished Brethren was saluted.

MINUTES

The deferred Minutes of the Grand Lodge Communication of October 5th 2013 were put before Grand Lodge, the Deputy Grand Master stating that, in his opinion, they were a true and accurate reflection of what took place at that meeting. W. Brother Emerson, of Temple Lodge No. 51, stated that in his opinion they were not and that the abstentions on the day invalidated any perceived majority of the attendance, on the show of hands.
The Deputy Grand Master, supported by the Grand Registrar, said that therefore implied Grand Lodge Law No. 17 pertained - “a majority of votes of the members present” – which it did not: i.e. Minutes presented to Grand Lodge did not constitute a motion.

W. Brother Emerson spoke a number of times on the matter, on each occasion being listened to and rebutted by the Deputy Grand Master.
Finally, the Deputy Grand Master called for a show of hands, the Minutes having been proposed by R.W. Brother Geoffrey Ashton, Senior Grand Warden and seconded by R.W. Brother Robert J. Armstrong, Junior Grand Warden: the vote was 110 for their acceptance and 4 against, with the remainder of the Brethren abstaining. The Minutes were then signed by the Deputy Grand Master.

On the proposal of R.W. Brother Geoffrey Ashton, Senior Grand Warden, seconded by R.W. Brother Robert J. Armstrong, R.W. Junior Grand Warden, the Minutes of the December 27th 2013, Communication of Grand Lodge, which had been circulated, were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

REPORT OF THE GRAND LODGE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES

It was proposed, seconded and passed unanimously that Brothers David T. Young, Roger Matthews and Cecil Tilson be elected as the three Grand Lodge Board Representatives on the Grievance/Steering Committee for 2014.

It was proposed, seconded and passed unanimously that Brothers David T. Young, Brian Kershaw, William T.H. Balmer. Ivan Conner, Ian Kirkpatrick, John E.V. Smith and Ivan Boreland, be elected members of the Finance Committee for 2014.

It was agreed that the By‑Laws Committee and the Library Committee would comprise the Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Brother D. Barry Lyons and W. Bro. Morgan McCreadie; with Ms. Rebecca Hayes being a member of the latter.

A vacancy having arisen in the representation of the Grand Lodge of Italy, the Board recommended that the name of W. Bro. Andrew Lyall, Past Master of Lodge, No. 25 Dublin, and the Grand Lodge accountant, be sent forward for consideration to act as their Grand Representative here. The Deputy Grand Master personally endorsed this recommendation, having served as Representative himself and having vacated same for this purpose. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

A vacancy having arisen in the representation of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, the Board recommended the name of V.W. Bro. Kenneth H. O'Galligan, Past Master of Lodge No. 555, be sent forward for consideration to act as their Grand Representative here. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

A vacancy having arisen in the representation of the Grand Lodge of Switzerland (Alpina), the Board recommended the name of V.W. Bro. Edward J. Rea, Past Master of Lodge No. 67, Cork, be sent forward to act as their Grand Representative here.
Recommended to Grand Lodge.Confirmed.

A vacancy having arisen in the representation of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, the Board recommended the name of V.W. Bro. David Penpraze, Past Master of Lodge No. 636, Newtownabbey, be sent forward to act as their Grand Repesentative here. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

A vacancy having arisen in the representation of the Grand Lodge of Moldova, the Board recommended the name of W. Bro. J. Alan Hanna, Past Master of Lodge No. 168, Ballymacarrett, be sent forward to act as their Grand Representative here. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

A vacancy having arisen in the representation of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, the Board recommended the name of W. Bro. Arthur W. Graham, Past Master of Lodge No. 589, Londonderry, be sent forward to act as their Grand Representative here. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

A vacancy having arisen in the Grand Lodge of Costa Rica, the Board recommended the name of VW. Bro, William Oliver, Past Master of Lodge No. 941, Castlerock, be sent forward to act as their Grand Representati\ e here. Recommended to Grand Lodge.  Confirmed.

A vacancy having arisen in the Grand Lodge of Andorra, the Board recommended the name of W. Bro. Samuel Plews, Past Master of Lodge No. 235, Coleraine, be sent forward to act as their Grand representative here. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

Read letter from the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick, submitting the name of R.W. Bro. Clyde M. Townes, as a suitable Brother to act as our Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

The Board considered the issue of Brethren taking Leave of Absence from their Lodges, and it was agreed that the Grand Registrar would draw up a submission for presentation to the next meeting of the Grand Master's Council, in March.

The Board heard a report from its subcommittee set up to hear charges of Un‑Masonic conduct against a Brother of Tyrawley Lodge No. 217, Ballina and Abbey Concord Lodge No. 242, Boyle. The charges being confirmed, the Board agreed a suspension of one year. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

The Board heard a report from the Provincial Grand Secretary of Antrim, detailing his investigations into Lodge No. 633, Belfast and its failure to remit dues to Grand Lodge for the previous two years and to Provincial Grand Lodge for the last one. One Brother, in a position of trust formerly, appears to have been responsible for the non‑payments and to have admitted as much. The Lodge has given over a bank draft to Grand Lodge of £l,500 and is currently assembling the outstanding remaining amount.
In the singular circumstances, the Board recommends to Grand Lodge the retrospective approval of the Lodge Officers for 2013, when Leave to Install from Grand Lodge was not granted. Confirmed.

The Assistant Grand Master circulated a proposed wording for the Board to use in cases potentially involving suspension or expulsion and it was agreed to submit this as a notice of motion, to be confirmed for Grand Lodge approval, at the May meeting of the Board.
Conclusion of the Board Report.

COMMITTEE OF CHARITY

Grand Lodge approved, and confirmed a recommendation, from the Grand Lodge Committee of Charity, for a grant of €700 for a widow of a deceased Brother of Fidelity Lodge No. 125, Dublin, she having received the maximum grant of €500 from the Committee itself, in the first instance.

INSTALLATION OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF ARMAGH

V.W. Bro. R. David Hamilton, Provincial Grand Secretary, being in attendance, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented him to the Deputy Grand Master for Obligation, Investiture and Installation as Provincial Grand Master of Armagh. Brother Hamilton's sponsors were V.W. Brother George S. Robinson and R.W. Brother Sidney Conn: and his Chain Bearers were V.W. Brother Robert J. Newell and W. Brother Darryl McShane; all from Carleton Lodge No. 231, Portadown.
On having him placed in his chair, the Deputy Grand Master proclaimed Bro. Hamilton as follows: "Brethren, I hereby proclaim that this day R.W Brother David Hamilton, Provincial Grand Secretary, has been duty Obligated, Invested and Installed as the R.W. Provincial Grand Master of Armagh"; and he was saluted. R.W. Bro. Hamilton suitably replied and was acclaimed.

INVESTITURE OF FOREIGN GRAND REPRESENTATIVES

V.W. Bro. W. Bruce Thompson, Past Master of Lodge No. 719, Limavady, being in attendance and having produced his Patent of Appointment, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented him to the Deputy Grand Master for Investiture as Representative of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

W. Bro. Melville C.D. Goodchild, Past Master of Lodge No. 4, Dublin, being in attendance and having produced his Patent of Appointment, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented him to the Deputy Grand Master for Investiture as Representative of the Grand Lodge of Slovakia.

W. Bro. John S. Haynes, Past Master of Lodge No. 397, Dublin, being in attendance and having produced his Patent of Appointment, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented him to the Deputy Grand Master for Investiture as Representative of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas.

The newly invested Grand Representatives were conducted to their seats and saluted.

CHARITY COLLECTION

The Deputy Grand Master informed the Brethren that the host Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Brother Basil Fenton requested a Grand Lodge donation for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, and that he himself earlier in the day had met the Lady Mayor of Athlone, whose sister suffers from the disease, and presented her with a cheque for €500 for the Association. He, therefore, requested that today's Grand Lodge Charity collection be donated, en bloc, to this charity. The Brethren agreed unanimously; the Charity Collection amounted to €1,815.46.

THANKS

The Deputy Grand Master thanked the Provincial Grand Lodge of South Connaught for the excellent arrangements on the day and particularly praised the work of R.W. Brother Nigel Foley‑Fisher, W. Brother David Cleland and their assistants. He also thanked the staff of the Sheraton Hotel, who had been most helpful and efficient over both days.

GRAND LODGE CLOSED