Article VII.

Penalties.

Sec. 1. No member shall, on the first night of his membership, take part in the proceedings.

Sec. 2. Any member who is in arrears in the sum of sixteen shillings and threepence, whether the same be for dues, fines, or assessments, shall not be entitled to sick benefits or medical attendance until after such arrearages shall have been paid; nor be entitled to vote or speak on any question or resolution before the Lodge; and no member who has been expelled, suspended, or ceased membership, and afterwards re-instated, shall receive sick benefits until one month after such re instatement; and no member who is in arrears to the Lodge in the sum of sixteen shillings and threepence (16s 3d) page 72 whether the same be for dues, fines, or assessments, shall be entitled to vote at any election for officers.

Sec. 3. Every Elective Officer, who shall be absent, or shall neglect the duties required by the Constitution or Bye-Laws, without a sufficient excuse—to be determined by the Lodge—shall be fined two shillings and sixpence; every appointed officer absent as above shall be fined one shilling. Should the Secretary fail to have his books in the Lodge, at the opening of the Lodge, he shall be subject to a fine of ten shillings. Any Officer neglecting to attend special meetings convened in legal form, after having been notified of the same, in open Lodge or otherwise, shall be subject to the same fines and penalties as for non-attendance at regular meetings. Any member appointed on a committee and neglecting the duties of the same, shall be subject to a fine of one shilling. Any member of the Visiting Committee neglecting to visit the sick, as provided for in Section 4 of Article VI. of these Bye-Laws, shall be subject to a fine of two shillings and sixpence. Any member neglecting, when duly notified, to watch with the sick, or attend to his duty, or fail to furnish a substitute, shall be fined five shillings for each offence.

Sec. 4. Excuses for non-attendance to duty or at Lodge meetings shall be rendered in open Lodge, and their merits determined upon by the Lodge. Absence from the city, sickness of self or family, attendance upon the sick or burial of the dead, attendance as a juror, or under the commands of the Government, or pressing business, shall be legal excuses for non-attendance; but without any of these excuses, the fine shall be enforced: provided, that the fine may be remitted by the vote of a majority of the members present.

Sec. 5. Any brother disregarding the authority of the Noble Grand, by persisting in using improper language, or conducting himself in a disorderly manner, shall be deemed guilty of contempt, and the Noble Grand or the Lodge shall have the power to inflict on him such penalty as the nature of the offence requires, as provided for in Sec. 3 of Article 8 of the Constitution.