Festival Of The Girls School.

FESTIVAL OF THE GIRLS SCHOOL .

THE one hundred and thirteenth Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , to be celebrated on Wednesday next , under the presidency of the Pro Grand

Master of England the Earl Amherst , is looked forward to with considerable interest in different parts of the kingdom , but more especially so in Kent , where his lordship has been

beloved and respected for many years as Masonic ruler of the Province ; and we anticipate the Brethren under Earl Amherst ' s rule there will particularly distinguish themselves as a proof of loyalty and esteem for their worthy chief .

The task Earl Amherst has set himself , of advocating the claims of one of the Masonic Institutions , is not a new one to his lordship , and we can only hope that the result of his

previous efforts in this direction may not only be equalled on the present occasion , but that such a total may be collected as will convince his lordship that he is more popular than ever , and that the love of the Craft for the Institutions of the Order

is even stronger than it has shown itself to be in years gone by . We think we are justified in saying such a result is probable , in view of the number of Stewards working in

behalf of the Festival , the only matter for regret in this connection being the" absence of a really representative Board of Metropolitan representatives , little more than a fourth of the London Lodges being represented .

The Royal Masonic Institution for Girls is doing a good work , and the efforts of the Stewards of the year , and others working in connection with the coming celebration , may well be directed toward the continuance and even the extension

of that work . There are at the present time 264 girls being educated , clothed and maintained by the Institution , and that too in such a manner as . to fully qualify them for any position they may rise to in years to come . While rigid economy is

practised on every side nothing is neglected likely to . add to the comfort or improvement of the children , for whose future welfare the greatest concern is evinced by those who have the management of the Institution ; indeed , the only

complaints of which even whispers have been heard in recent years , is as to . whether the work is not being done " too well . " The Craft has answered this question in the past , by yearly subscribing the funds necessary to carry on the work ,

and even to allow of a huge surp ^ s being invested ; and great as are the needs of the Charity for the coming year , we have not the least doubt but that the outcome of Wednesday ' s

Festival will be such as to allow of the work being continued , with the same high standard of excellence and , it may be , permit of a substantial addition being made to the invested capital of the Institution .

While on the subject of this accumulation we should like to ask the supporters of the Charity what good they imagine is likely to- accrue if this surplus is allowed to go- on increasing year by year as it has done in the last decade ? We do not

wish to ignore the possibilities of the proverbial " rainy day " coming to upset the affairs of this Charity , as it has done other equally good Institutions ; but there is surely a limit even to prudence and forethough , when there are so many worthy objects around us 'on which to spend some of the

Festival Of The Girls School.

annual surplus . We think a sort of " sliding scale " arrangement might be introduced , providing for a half , or some other proportion , of each year ' s surplus income being spent on outside Scholarships , or in some equally advantageous manner ;

or even better still , commence the erection of a J unior or Senior School , on some eligible outside site , and so arrange for the permanent enlargement of the work of the Institution ,

without increasing the buildings at Chapham Junction , a course which we believe is regarded as being most undesirable , if not even impracticable in view of the crowded state of the locality .

The Province of Kent will , without a doubt , give a very good account of itself next Wednesday ; and as a result of the coming Festival we shall not be at all surprised if the Committee find themselves in possession of a very handsome

sum over and above what will be required for the year ' s Work of the Institution . Could there be any better recognition of such a contingency than by the purchase of a Kentish estate—doubtless there are many most desirable sites

which might be acquired—as the first step towards the removal of the School from London , a . necessity which is becoming more and more marked year by year . But until

the change is really found to be necessary the secondary School we have just referred to should alone be preceded with .

THE annual visit of Stewards to the Institution , and distribution of prizes to the successful pupils , will take place on Monday , the proceedings commencing at 4 o ' clock , with the singing of the National Anthem , after which there will

be the usual displays of calisthenics and marching , part songs and pianoforte selections by the pupils , followed by the distribution of prizes by the Countess . Amherst . Tea and

refreshments will be served at 5 o ' clock , after which visitors will have an opportunity of inspecting the Institution . At 6 o ' clock there will be a musical selection , the whole concluding with the singing of the National Anthem , at 7 o ' clock . ******************

Durham.

DURHAM .

A LARGELY attended meeting of the Masters , Wardens , and Past Masters of the Sunderland Lodges has just been held , to consider the arrangements for the visit of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham to Sunderland in September . Bro . J . D . Todd was voted to the chair .

It was unanimously resolved , on the motion of Bro . J . C . Moor , seconded by Bro . E . G . Watsonc . — "That the Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens of the several Lodges meeting in Sunderland , having learnt with much satisfaction

that Lord Barnard Provincial Grand Master-designate has expressed a desire to hold his first Provincial Grand . Lodge meeting in Sunderland , hereby assures his lordship that every effort will be made to give his lordship and members of the Provincial Grand Lodge a fitting reception . "

It was also agreed , on the motion of Bro . T . James , seconded by Bro . D . D . Smith , that a copy of this resolution be forwaroed to Lord Barnard , and to the Provincial Grand Secretary Bro . R . Hudson .

It was agreed , on the motion of Bro . H . T . Halfpenny , seconded by Bro . F . Forster , that the Mayor ( Bro . J " . G . Kirtley ) be asked to take the Chairmanship of the General Committee , consisting of the Masters ,- Wardens , and Past