MASONIC GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9093, 18 April 1891, Page 5 (Supplement)

MASONIC GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND.

THE DEPRIVATION OF SIR R. STOUT,

The quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England was held in the Temple, Great Queen street, on March 4th. Bro. W. W. B Beacb, M.P., Provincial Grand Master of Hants, was Acting Grand Master; Bros. Sir 0. GoldDey ond Colonel the Hon. S. G. Calthorpe were the Wardens; Bro. Sir Burdett was Past Grand Master. His Rojal Highness the Grand Master, through the Grand Master m the chair, made a communication to the effect that he regretted to inform Grand Lodge that he had received a report from the District Grand Lodge of Wellington, New Zealand, showing that Bro. Sir. Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., Past Assistant Grand Master of Ceremonies of the EnglUfc Grand Lodge, and District Grand Master of Otago and Southland, had obtained a warrant from the Grand Orient of France to establish a lodge under it jn New Zealand, and had, under that authority, recently opened a lodge in the town of Wellington, in that colony, of which lodge ho was Master. On receipt of this information the Giand Master directed the Grand Secretary to address Bro. Sir Robert Stout on the subject, and to call on him for an explanation of the grounds on which he felt hjmself justified in thus taking part in an invasion uf British territory by a foreign Maionic body, and especially by one many of whose members had be™ declared by a solemn resolution of the Grand Lodge of England on March 6th, 1878,-not to be true and genuine brethren, in consequence of the French Orient having admitted professors of atheism to the craft against the 'eCoßnlß^ principles of ancient Freemasonry. The Grand Master submitted the matter to Grand Lodge for its consideration and derision. A togtotfer torn Sir Robert Stout acknowledging the facts of the oase and justifying his freedom of act.on,on the ground that the French Orient was a different body, ns much as Oddfellows would be, to the English Grand Lodge. . , The Grand Registrar (Bro. F. A.Philbnck, Q.C.) said the invasion of the colony by a warrant f com a Grand Lodge in all circumstances in. accord with ancient Freemasonry would not be justified; but the case was far worse from the fact that the warrant had been obtained from a body with whom, unfortunately, the great body of Freemaßons throughout the world could not be in accord. The Grand Registrar, amid general cheers, said that Grand Lodge must support the Grand Master's action in bringing this matter before them, and moved—" That Sir Robert Stout be deprived of his rank under

Grand Lodge of England ; also, that a communication should be made to the Grand Master of Ireland, of which Sir Robert Stout was also a

The Acting Grand Master remarked that the Grand Lodge would look with a lenient eye upon transgressions caused by inadvertence, but this was not an act of that character. It waß an act committed by ods who should have set an pxaniDle to others, and hid been justified in words which all regretted. The Grand Lodge would adhere to the ancient landmarks of the order.—(Cheers.) . Tha resolution was carried unanimously.

The eleotion of his Royal Highness tho Princo of Wales as Grand Muster for too year ensuing was then proposed by Bro. Aird, Past Master ot Priuce of Wales Lodge, and the proposal waa necotuled by Sir George Taubman Golducy, a Past Master below tho dais, and curried, amid ohecrs, with unanimity. Garter King-of-Arma proclaimed the Prince duly elected Grand Master for the year ensuing. Brother Georgo Everett, a Past Mastor of Lodge 177, waa elected Grand Treasurer for tile year. Grand Lodge then dealt with grants proposed to be made, and all recommended woro apfrovoil. .