Memoranda by Grand Secretary.

It has not been the custom hitherto for the Grand Secretary to give any report further than the audited Balance-sheets and Financial and Statistical Tables, laid before the Grand Lodge at its Annual Session.

The exhaustive address of the Grand Master supplies nearly all the information regarding the Order which can be given, but the G.S. being more closely connected with Lodges and Lodge Secretaries it becomes almost a necessity that he should make some remarks more especially addressed to the latter.

As, hitherto, some Secretaries have shown great zeal, and an intelligent desire to increase the usefulness of their Lodge and promote the welfare of the Order; these lighten the work of the G.S. and render his duties comparatively pleasant and easy; others, again, by a want of energy and lack of interest in the work render the efforts of the Grand Lodge, to arrive at proper statistics of the Order, almost nugatory.

It would be invidious, where many are excellent and all are zealous, to particularize any of the former, but a glance at the Statistical Tables will at once disclose the latter. It will be noticed that some Lodges whose dues are paid regularly. are behindhand with the financial and statistical information. Very little time devoted each six months to the lie turn-sheet so carefully compiled by the late Grand Secretary, Bro. Boyd, would supply all the information required by the Grand Lodge.

The following is a summary of the position of the Grand Lodge as at June, 1878, a comparison of which with that of last year will show a very considerable and satisfactory rate of progress:—

Grand Lodge

Relating to Sub. Lodges.

From these figures it will be seen that £150 has been added to the Grand Lodge funds, despite an unprecedentedly heavy death rate. The membership shows an increase of 147, while two new Lodges have been added to the Order. While some Lodges show the Management Fund at debit to the Sick Fund, others evidently do not allocate these Funds. The Grand Lodge would impress upon Lodges which have overdrawn the Management Fund the suicidal policy of allowing this to happen. Under the new scale of contributions an ample margin is allowed for management, while Initiation Fees and Fines are thrown page 22 in, therefore reckless expenditure can only account for the state of matters, and the necessity of Lodges compelling their Secretaries to divide the funds, and by levy, entertainments, or some other means, to relieve the Management Fund from its indebtedness, is strongly insisted upon by the Grand Lodge Executive.

Lodges are also strongly recommended to examine carefully as to the character of candidates, and thus to guard against the introduction of men into the Order who are likely to become a burden on their Lodge from the effect of their own misconduct. This matter was strongly brought under the notice of the late Executive, in more than one instance, in connection with claims against the Funds of the Order. It may be pointed out that in pursuing this line of policy, and guarding against the introduction of improper characters, members would only be protecting their own interests and providing that the provision which they are making against sickness and death may not be squandered.

"Wm. Reid, Grand Secretary.