50 YEARS AGO

Compiled from the Buffalo Quarterly Journal December 1953

The delegates at the December Grand Lodge meeting were promised a special treat at the March 1954 meeting. Nothing less than a personal appearance by the Grand Lodge Solicitor. This was due to the fact that it had been agreed that the Report of the Special Committee, who had prepared their recommendations on the examination of Grand Lodge work, would be presented at the meeting.

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The Consultative Committee Report (of which the G.L.E. are not now members) put forward a draft "Constitution for the Order". It was agreed that it should be signed by Bros. L. R. N. Percey (Grand Treasurer) and G. J. Smith (Grand Secretary) on behalf of the G.L.E.

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The Journal Editor (Bro. M. W. Payne) said he had come to a very important decision to withdraw from that position at the end of 1954. A Report given by him was allowed to remain on record without decision.

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The Election of the Deputy Grand Primo had one very unusual feature. One of the favourites (Bro. Harry Charlesworth) was in hospital in Huddersfield when the ballot took place. There were only two ballots, the second one coming out in Bro. Charlesworth's favour by 290 votes to 190. The result was immediately communicated to him by telephone.

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A Report, plus photograph, of the record of Bro. George Champion, then aged 81, who was initiated in 1902, and became City Waiter of the Joseph Oldham Gunning Lodge 4798 when it was inaugurated in 1923 and was still doing the job in 1952. He carried out a similar duty in the Knight's Chapter from 1928 to 1940. The name of the Lodge was still in the current Directory, but unfortunately we cannot recall Bro. George ever reached his personal century after such long service to his Lodge and the Order.

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Bro. Pat Saxton, later to become Grand Primo in 1968, wrote in to report on the progress of a young lady whose name is given as "Rosalind" who had been one of "OURS". By this time she was a "grown-up" and had a pleasing educational career at College. The main point in the report was that she had replied to the toast of "The Ladies and Visitors" at the P.G.L. Dinner. We know where Bro. Pat is, but would also like to know where "Rosalind" is.

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A paragraph draws attention to two Brothers who had served together in Egypt in 1948. One was Bro. M. McGinn (a P.P.G.P.) and Bro. Tom Leader, who was raised to the Second Degree by him and subsequently to the Third Degree back in this country. Again, we know where Bro. McGinn is as he was featured in "Men of Worth" in June of this year. But is Bro. Leader still around?

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The W. H. Rose Lodge 945 of the Leeds Province recorded its 50th anniversary held on 12th October 1953. As the name is still recorded in the current Directory we wonder if we shall receive news that will enable to announce some recognition of their 75th birthday.

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News was given that Bro. A. L. H. Walker, who was later Grand Primo in 1961, had announced that he would relinquish the office of P.G. Secretary (West Herts.) at the end of the year. The Journal said that his successor would find the administrative machine well oiled and working smoothly.

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A presentation was made to Bro. M. W. Payne (Grand Primo 1934 and current Journal Editor) of his portrait in oils on behalf of the Brethren of South Wales. They requested that the portrait should be hung at our headquarters at Grove House in Harrogate, where it hangs to this day.