UP
GRAND LODGE
of
ANTIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS
OF IRELAND

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION, THURSDAY, 6th DECEMBER, 2001
at
FREEMASONS' HALL, DUBLIN

Present:­

M. W. Grand Master    Eric N. Waller,  on the Throne
R.W. Assistant Grand Master William Mawhinney
R.W. Senior Grand Warden Alan S. Watt
R.W. Junior Grand Warden R. Stanley Johnston
R.W. Grand Treasurer Charles W. Olden
R.W. Grand Registrar Arthur D.S. Moran
R.W. Grand Secretary Michael W. Walker   
R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain Ven. E. Brian Snow
V.W. Senior Grand Deacon Harvey F.J. Heavener
V.W. Junior Grand Deacon George B. Crooks
V.W. Grand Superintendent of Works  David T. Young
V.W. Grand Director of Ceremonies Michael J. Ward   
V.W. Assistant Grand Treasurer Cecil Taylor
V.W. Assistant Grand Secretary D. Barry Lyons
V.W. Assistant Grand Secretary Michael R. McWilliam
V.W. Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies  Cecil D. Burns
V.W. Grand Steward Adam J. McKinley
V.W. Grand Sword Bearer Norman Humes
V.W. Grand Stewards of Charities Charles A. McCulloch
    Dennis R. Millen
V.W. Grand Almoner John F. Kerr
V.W. Grand Organist John N. Rowden
V.W. Grand Lodge Standard Bearer Richard H. Gray
V.W. Grand Master's Standard Bearer Donald H. Finlay
As V.W. Grand Inner Guard    Robert G. Quigley
V.W. Grand Secretary for Instruction Michael J. Ward

There were also present:- R.W. Brother R. Eric Fenelon, Past Deputy Grand Master; the Provincial Grand Masters of Armagh, North Connaught, Meath, Midland Counties, Munster, North Munster, South Eastern, Wicklow & Wexford and Zimbabwe; R.W. Brother Selwyn S. Davies, Chairman of the Metropolitan Board; R.W. Brother John Greer, Past Provincial Grand Master of North Connaught; the R.W. Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Antrim, North Connaught, South Connaught, Down, Meath, Midland Counties, North Munster, Tyrone & Fermanagh and Wicklow & Wexford; R.W. Brothers Rev. Charles McCurdy and Rev. Walter Herron, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; VW. Brothers Albert Topping, William G. McElwaine, Leslie V. Johnston and Charles R. Knipe, Past Grand Deacons; VW. Brothers Arthur W. White, Trevor Monteith, William J. Johnston, Samuel H. Boyle and Andrew McFetridge, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W. Brothers Bernard V.A. Woods and David A.R. Lovesy, Past Grand Almoners; and V.W. Brothers Robert J. Hunter, S. Gordon Leathern and Thomas A.D. Martin, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers.

The following Grand Lodges were represented:- Scotland, Alberta; Canada in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, South Australia, Victoria, New Zealand, Austria, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Cuscatlan of El Salavador, Ecuador, Benin, Gabon, the Ivory Coast, Mali, South Africa, China, the Philippines and the Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Connecticut and Ohio.

APOLOGIES FOR NON‑ATTENDANCE

Apologies for non‑attendance were received from:- M.W. Brother Lord Donegall, Past Grand Master; R.W. Brother George Dunlop, Deputy Grand Master; the Provincial Grand Masters of South Connaught and Tyrone & Fermanagh; R.W. Brothers Very Rev. Philip J. Knowles and Rev. Canon George N. Little, Junior Grand Chaplains; VW. Brother Samuel J. Patience, Grand Steward of Charities; VW. Brother Victor Whyte, Grand Almoner; VW. Brother William G. Manning, Grand Inner Guard; VW. Brother Robert J. Armstrong, Assistant Grand Secretary for Instruction; R.W. Brother Rt. Rev. Samuel G. Poyntz, Past Senior Grand Chaplain; R.W. Brothers the Ven. R. Clayton Stevenson, Rev. Canon K.W. Cochrane and Rev. Warren W. Porter, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; R.W. Brothers Daniel B. Fincher and William W. Hughes, Past Senior Grand Wardens; R.W. Brother Derek W.B. Torrie, Past Provincial Grand Master, South Eastern; R.W. Brother W. Charles McCollum, Past Grand Treasurer; V.W. Brothers Laurence J.T. West, John S. Dunlop, Gordon V. Bradshaw, John McLean and John N. Millar, Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Brother R.H.B. Mills, Past Grand Steward of Charities; VW. Brothers Cecil G. Oakes and D. Ronald R. Galbraith, Past Grand Almoners; V.W. Brother David M. Wright, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearer; R.W. Brothers T. Noel Bownes and Robert S. Hackett, Past Provincial Grand Masters; R.W. Brothers Douglas Wakefield and Harold Ross, Past Grand Representatives; and the Representatives of the Grand Lodges of Newfoundland, New South Wales, Estonia, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, Rhode Island, Mexico (York), Argentina, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Japan.

VISITING GRAND LODGE DELEGATION

Before Grand Lodge opened, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented R.W. Brother Andreas Spyropoulos, Assistant Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Greece, accompanied by R.W. Brother John Asteriou, Grand Secretary, to the Grand Master, before being conducted to their seats on the dais.

OBITUARY

Grand Lodge being opened, the Grand Master referred to the recent deaths of VW. Brother Robert J. Armstrong, Past Grand Steward of Charities; and R.W. Brother Rt. Rev. Clement Ekor‑Johnson, Honorary Past Grand Chaplain, Nigeria, whose memory was saluted.

WELCOME BY THE GRAND MASTER

The Grand Master welcomed all present, thanking them for their attendance, and in particular mentioning R.W. Brother Peter A. Birkett, Provincial Grand Master of Zimbabwe. The Grand Master also welcomed our visitors from the National Grand Lodge of Greece and the Assistant Grand Master, R.W. Brother Andreas Spyropoulos, suitably replied.

MINUTES On the proposal of the Senior Grand Warden, seconded by the Junior Grand Warden, the Minutes of the Quarterly Stated Communication of Grand Lodge held on October 6"', 2001, as circulated, were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

ELECTION OF THE GRAND OFFICERS FOR 2002

The following Brethren nominated by the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes as the Grand Officers for 2002, were elected:

R.W. Senior Grand Warden R. Stanley Johnston 
R.W. Junior Grand Warden James Kirk
R.W. Grand Treasurer Charles W. Olden
R.W. Grand Registrar Arthur D.S. Moran
R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain The Ven. E. Brian Snow
R.W. Junior Grand Chaplains Very Rev. Philip J. Knowles
  Rev. Canon George N. Little
V.W. Senior Grand Deacon Allen G. Megarry
V.W. Junior Grand Deacon Norman Humes
V.W. Grand Superintendent of Works David T. Young
V.W. Grand Director of Ceremonies Cecil D. Bums
V.W. Ass. Grand Director of Ceremonies Marcus O. Steenson
V.W. Grand Steward Richard H. Gray
V.W. Grand Sword Bearer William G. Manning
V.W. Grand Stewards of Charities Charles A. McCullough
  Samuel J. Patience
   Dennis R. Millen
V.W. Grand Almoners Alan RG.R. Patterson
  William M. Lee
V.W. Grand Organist John N. Rowden
V.W. Grand Lodge Standard Bearer Winston Patterson
V. W. Grand Inner Guard Alan R. Crowe

The Grand Master announced that he was re-appointing the Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Brother George Dunlop and the Assistant Grand Master, R. W. Brother William Mawhinney and that he had appointed W. Brother William J. Dixon, Past Master of Lodge No. 453, Callowhill, to be his Standard Bearer.

W. Brother Peter H. Mullock, FCA, Past Master of Loge No. 395, Dublin, was elected as Auditor of the Grand Lodge Accounts for the year 2001. '

CHARITY MOTION

Grand Lodge approved a Motion standing in the name of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes, that a grant of £2000 be made to the Victoria Jubilee Masonic Benevolent Fund.

NEW REPRESENTATIVES OF SISTER GRAND LODGES

R.W. Brothers Rodney L. McCurley, William S. Cummings, Alan Stewart and John Hobson, being in attendance and having produced their Patents of Appointment, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed processions and presented them to the Grand Master for investiture and formal presentation of their Patents of Appointment as Representatives of the Grand Lodges of Victoria, New Zealand, West Virginia and Mali, respectively. The newly invested Grand Representatives were conducted to their seats and were saluted.

GRAND LODGE AND METROPOLITAN BOARDS OF GENERAL PURPOSES

Grand Lodge approved the names of Brethren submitted as Representatives on the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes and the Metropolitan Board of General Purposes for 2002.

REPORT OF THE GRAND LODGE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES

The Board noted with regret, for reporting to Grand Lodge, the decision of the Brethren of Lodge No. 678, Belfast, and Lodge No. 737, The Mount, to return the Warrants to Grand Lodge.

The Board noted, for reporting to Grand Lodge, a letter from the Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Togo agreeing to the constitution of a third Irish Lodge within their Jurisdiction.

A vacancy having arisen in the Representation of the Grand East of the Netherlands, the Board recommended that the name of R.W. Brother George Dunlop, Deputy Grand Master Designate, be sent forward for consideration as a suitable Brother to act as their Grand Representative here. Confirmed.

A vacancy having arisen in the Representation of the Grand Lodge of Sweden, the Board recommended that the name of R.W. Brother Eric N. Waller, Grand Master Elect, be sent forward for consideration as a suitable Brother to act as their Grand Representative here. Confirmed.

Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, submitting the name of R.W. Brother Neville Hayward as a suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Denmark submitting the name of R.W. Brother Mads C. Urso, Grand Chancellor, as a suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

Read letter from the State Grand Lodge of Sao Paulo, Brazil, submitting the name of R.W Brother Augusto Knudsen as a suitable Brother to act as our Grand Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

The Board considered a charge of unmasonic conduct brought against Brother Derek J. Robinson of Lodge No. 277, Irvinestown, in that at Craigavon Court on February 23rd, 2001, he pleaded guilty to 17 charges of insurance fraud amounting to some £17,000 and using his professional status as a member of the Police Force to pervert the course of justice. Brother Derek J. Robinson was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment on four counts and one year's imprisonment on three counts, all to run concurrently. The Provincial Grand Lodge Board of Tyrone & Fermanagh considered the matter on September 26`h, 2001 finding that Brother Derek J. Robinson had indeed brought the Order into disrepute and recommended that he be expelled from the Masonic Order. The Grand Lodge Board so recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

The Board considered a charge of unmasonic conduct brought against W. Brother Thomas J. Mills, of Premier Lodge No. 529, Belfast, in that he was charged with, on a date unknown between November 22"a 1995 and October 7th, 1996, stealing the proceeds of a Bank of Ireland cheque No. 001059 in the sum of £1450 belonging to Mark Vaughan, contrary to Section 1 of the Theft Act (ICI.) 1969. At a Hearing in the County Court Division of Belfast, on his admission of guilt, Brother Thomas Mills was convicted, fined £500. and ordered to pay compensation of £800 in default of which 45 days imprisonment. The Standing Committee of the Provincial Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim held on Monday April 9`h, 2001, found that the charge of unmasonic conduct had been proved and recommended that W. Brother Thomas Mills be suspended during the pleasure of Grand Lodge. The Board concurred and so recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

The Board considered an application submitted via the R.W. Deputy Grand Master, following his recent visit to Gibraltar, requesting that the suspension imposed upon W. Brother James Laguea in October, 1997, be lifted. Read letter from W. Brother Gerard Laguea, son of the above, and received a report on this matter from the Deputy Grand Master. On further consideration, the Board recommended that Grand Lodge raise the suspension which had been imposed on W. Brother James Laguea. Confirmed.

The Board considered requests for dispensations under the terms of Grand Lodge Law No: 118 for W. Brother Jim Rosborough to serve as Secretary in Lodges Nos. 24, Lurgan and 979, Portadown, concurrently in the year 2002; for Brother T.E. Coulter to serve as Wor. Master in Lodge No. 697, Warrenpoint, and Senior Warden in Lodge No. 144, Kilkeel, concurrently in the year 2002; and for W. Brother Robert R. Green to serve as Wor. Master in Lodge No. 100, Londonderry, and as Senior Warden in Lodge No. 203, Magherally, concurrently, during the year 2002. On careful consideration of the requests and as the Provincial Authorities were in favour, in all cases, the Board recommended that Grand Lodge grant dispensations as requested. Confirmed.

NOTICE OF MOTION TO DISCONTINUE THE ST. JOHN'S DAY COMMUNICATION OF GRAND LODGE

The Board having considered a suggestion coming forward from the Grand Master's Cabinet and the Grand Master's Council, both of which Bodies were unanimously in favour, that the St. John's Day December 27`" Communication of Grand Lodge be discontinued and that the Officers of Grand Lodge be installed at the December Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge, and being unanimously in favour of this recommendation, the Grand Secretary handed in Notice of Motion on behalf of the Grand Lodge Board that Grand Lodge Law No. 7 be amended to that effect.

CONFERRAL OF HONORARY GRAND RANK

The Grand Master, with the concurrence of Grand Lodge, conferred the following Honorary Ranks :-

Past Grand Steward

V.W. Bro. Peter G. deV. Burgers - Past Provincial Grand Warden, South Africa Northern.

V.W. Bro. Norman Smithies - Hon. Past Provincial Grand Warden, South Africa Northern.

V.W. Bro. Charles N.D. Riddell - Past Master of Lodge No. 199, Cape Town.

V.W. Bro. Dennis A. Harrison - Past Master of Lodge No. 199, Cape Town.

V.W. Bro. Dennis B. Forster-Jones - Provincial Grand Warden, Zimbabwe. .

V.W. Bro. Derrick Meredith - Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden, Zimbabwe.

V.W. Bro. Sunand G. Rele - Past Master of Lodge No. 648, Bombay.

V.W. Bro. Behram S. Aga - Past Master of Lodge No. 464, Kanpur

V.W. Bro. Bomi A. Vaid - Past Master of Lodge No. 804, Bombay.

V.W. Bro. Moiz A. Hoosein - Past Master of Lodge No. 771, Bombay.

Past Grand Lodge Standard Bearer

V.W. Bro. Leslie K. Dawson - Past Master of Lodge No. 62, Tralee.

CHARITY COLLECTION The Charity Collection amounted to £325.

GRAND MASTER

The Grand Master said that he wished to thank all for their attendance at, and taking part in, his Installation on Thursday November 22nd. He said that, from all reports, it had been a great occasion and that everything had gone very well and to everybody's satisfaction. In particular he wished to thank the Grand Director of Ceremonies, V.W. Brother Michael J. Ward and the Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, Cecil D. Burns, for the most impressive way in which the Installation Ceremony and Grand Lodge Communication had been conducted.

The Grand Master indicated that, earlier in the day, he had convened his Grand Master's Council consisting of the Provincial Grand Masters. He had indicated to the Council that the first items he wished them to consider were membership, the possible suspension of the Ten Year Rule as far as Offices in Craft Lodges were concerned and the institution of a Quarterly Newsheet to be circulated with the notices for Grand Lodge Communications, in an effort to improve communication as widely as possible throughout the Craft.

The Grand Master also indicated that he would soon be meeting with the Chairmen of the Grand Lodge Charities and he referred to the Grand Master's 2000 Appeal which he understood to have now collected in the region of £160,000. He said that credit for this must go to R.W. Brother Dennis Millen who, in a difficult time, had taken on the administration of this Charity Appeal.

Grand Lodge Closed.