Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

that they would agree with the statements he had put forward . He trusted that the Provisional Committee would not delay in providing them with sufficient class rooms 5 but in a few weeks' time , when he had been at work in the building , he should probably bo better able to help in the discussion of the matter . He might add that with the question of class rooms was associated the arrangements for cleaning

boots . The present room was very unsatisfactory j it was far away out of doors , and , beyond a small Btove , there was no arrangement for drying the boots . He felt that he ought to bring these matters at once before the Committee for consideration . In conclusion , the Head Master said— " Will you permit me to thank you for the great honour you have done me in olecting me as your Head Master , and to aB 3 ure

yoa that I will not spare myself in any way if only I can carry out your wishes , and make this a school of whioh every Mason will be proud . " Another report , of the 31 st January , stated that the Head Master had arranged with three ladies to teach and supervise the boys in the Preparatory Department , and respectfully requested the Committee to confirm the appointments . The

ladies were Miss Waller , Miss Shakspeare ( no relation to the Mr . Shakspeare on the staff ) , and Miss Meacook . The Head Master said he had agreed to give £ 50 a year to each of these ladies , though it was more than the sum allotted by tho Committee , yet it was the minimum sum for ladies of skill and experience , and he might add that he was yet a good deal below the

total sum allowed for the whole staff , as he was doing with one master less , and should save ou the drawing and drill arrangements . He begged to ask for leave to engage a carpenter at a weekly salary of not more than 30 s . He wanted to use him to teach the younger boys in the evenings , and in the day time some of the older boys who had not much chance of success in any public examination in

books . He believed ( judging from the amount of repairs and alterations wanting to be done ) that a carpenter would pay his own way in the bnilding . But a large part of his wages could be at onee provided for out of the wages of the assistant porter . He did not think that they required two house porters , and in any case he would aBk for leave to dismiss one of them in due course . The playing

field was qnite insufficient for the games of the boys . He would suggest , therefore , that a part , at all events , of the gronnd now devoted to kitchen garden in the front field be turfed over and added to the field . He asked for this now as it would soon be too late in the season to put turf down . A good deal of turf could be got from the edgo of the upper field , and , if they began at once , most of the

laying could be done by their own gardeners . Three footballs formed the stock of material for winter games . Might he ask for £ 10 to bo spent gradually , as it was wanted to provide material for out-door and in-door games . Tho Head Mastor then appealed to tho Committee or their friends for puzzles , draughts , dominoes , and other guinea that thoir children had grown out of to give to the small

boys of the Institution . Dealing with the Head Master ' s house , the report went on to Bay : " There seems , unfortunately , no chance of the Head Master ' s house being ready for some time . The repairs havo not yet been begun , owing to the work at the infirmary . There seems , then , nothing for it but that I should reside for some time in the main building . I cannot say that I liko this arrangement , but

considering the circumstances of tho School , it seems the only thing to do . " The last paragraph of the report states that the medical officer recommended the re-engagement of the trained nurse who had already served in the infirmary for three months . He ( the modical officer ) thought highly of her . The engagement would be a weekly one , and at the former rate of

£ 10 a year . The report of the 21 st February stated that thero were 2-i ' S names on the list , of these 12 were absent , from various causes , leaving 231 actually present at School . Seventeen new boys arrived that day . The whole number is divided into nine forms , six in tho main building , and three iu the preparatory . Owing to the late arrival of the new boys , he had not been able to print a school roll

in forms , but he hoped to forward a copy in the conrse of a few days to each member of the Committee . A time table of work was appended to tbe report . It was ( the Head Master said ) anything but perfect he hoped to make it much more " modern " in its range after Midsummer . There were 37 boys learning the piano , under Mr . Dutton . Edward Tilderly had been appointed carpenter

at a salary of 30 s per week , on a monthly engagement . As the Committee had wished , he had interviewed the Drawing Master , Mr . Silvester , and he did not recommend that he should be retained after Midsummer . There was a silver cornet presented to tho Institution . The instrument was missing , and he had twice applied to the late bandmaster , but had received no answer . The Hoad

Master asked the Committee to instruct him as to the next step in the matter . He begged to acknowledge the gift of tale books from Bro , Langton , and a box of games from Bro . A . E . Austen , of South Africa , through Bro . Langton . I am sincerely obliged for these gifts , and have already found them very useful and muoh appreciated by the boys . Furniture was required for the Assistant Master ' s

Bitting room , the late occupant having damaged or destroyed a great deal , and there was a good deal wanted in the infirmary . They suffered a good deal of inconvenience , and lost a good deal of time , through the arrangements for the return of the boys at the beginning of terms . He asked would it not be better for tbe circular which arranged the time for return , and which should give a good deal of other

information , to be issued from tbe Institution ? The report then went on as follows : " I should like to bring the caBe of a boy named Richardson before thB Committee , He stammers dreadfully , and cannot take much part in form work . He is so defective in other respects that he has to sloep in the infirmary . He is fortunately leaving at Midsummer , but I question very much

if he ought ever to have been allowed to enter this Institution . Surely he is a fit case to be educated outside the Institution . I have had forwarded to me Mr . Cooper ' s valuation of the books and stationery , with a list of both . It is very misleading , in this respect—it values tho books in the library » Wt stgie at £ 1298 . I presame he . means they cost that sum .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

The actual value of the books is very small indoed , because—I ., a large number are thoroughly antiquated , ar . d ( educationally ) are so much waste paper—they havo not been need for years ; II ., of many only single copies , or very fevv cop es exist ; III ., thero aro such numbers of systems in each subject as to mnko it impossible to use

tho majority of them ; IV ., in many cased there are a fow copies of quite new books , which have apparently never been introduced into the School at all , and wo can fiud no used copies of tho same works ; V ., some are utterly unfit ( and must always have been unfit ) , for use in such a School as this . I should recommeud the Committee to

nominate some of their number to investigate the whole matter—to get rid of the clearly useless books , to try and exchange or sell those in good condition which we shall not use . It is olear that we must nee np as far as passible the books we have £ jofc , even if our teaching suffers a little from it ; woed out the multitude of

systems , so as to avoid addiug to bad stock , and gradually to work towards a single system in oach snbject running throughout the School . But dearly the first step is in get rid of the undoubtedly worthless stock which fills our shelves , iu some places eight deep , and gathers dirt of all kinds . Of course there are hundreds and

hundreds of good books—French , German , Latin , and English authors , & c . —which should bo carefully preserved , as no doubt they will one day be used again . I beg to ask for payment of a bill to Sohoolbred's , aa stated in the accompanying account book . I hope the Comuiittoj will forgive the irregularity of ray ordering the articles without

leave . Bat I am sure the Committee will understand that the case was urgent , and that owing to the freshness of my arrival here , I could not foresee the want . Tho bills aro for brooms for the boys to sweop the playgrounds with , nail aud clothes brushes , and wastepaper baskets for the class rooms . There is a bill for sundry articles

used by the engineer . I trust that the additional class rooms will be put ia hand as soon as possible , as the School is suffering a good deal from the want of theai . The bath room and the lavatories up aud down stairs are , I believe , under present consideration . The tailor has delivered the new suits , but a large number have

been returned for alteration ? , a not surprising result , seeing that the measurements were taken six months ago . The new boys will require a suit of clothes each . Would it be possible for them to have these under the new contract , so as to start the change in style of clothes , and avoid getting any more of tbe present suits P I have

said nothing about the condition of the boys or the general arrangements of the Institution . There are many matters whioh I am considering , for there are many bad practices and arrangements . I am sure the Committee would prefer me to wait quietly , and improve these slowly , after I have thoroughly

investigated the , whole system . I make these remarks only to show that I am quite aware of grievous faults , suoh as , amongst boys , waste at meals and of clothes ; and , amongst the staff , waste of gas , waste of water , and waste of labour , and to say that it will take a considerable time to effect much chauge iu these things . In

the same way , to excite a better tone amongst the boys , to reduce the lisclessneas in play and work , tbe fear ( which has led to a general untruthfulness ) , the slovenliness of manners and dress—all

this will take a long time and hard work . I do not expect any great results for a couple of years , but I hope we shall show some improve * ment every month . My staff of Masters oud Mistresses have worked splendidly so far , and they all seem excellent teachers and disciplinarians .

During the discussion that ensued consequent on these reports , Bro . Cumberland raised the question as to the Head Master ordering articles without the authority of tho Committee , and then as to two new boys not being np to the required standard . The Chairman explained

that tho articles ordered by the Head Master were absolutely necessary ; among them were brushes . Bro . Cumberland said it was the system he objected to . Bro . Binckes said , with regard to the two boys who were not tip to the required standard , one was from

the Isle of Man , and one was from West Yorkshire . The information of what standard was requisite was sent to their friends , and the answer was returned , —the boys were not able to comply with the requirements . Bro . Cumberland said he objected to the present

system . Answers had to be given before a child was placed on the list that they were qualified ; they were not qualified if they were not up to the standard which these boys could not reach after they had been elected . Bro . C . H . Webb suggested that other boys should bo taken in in

place of these two . Bro . Binckes said that in the case of the boy from the Isle of Man , the Lodge was going to send him np for the 21 st March ; they resented the interference of the mother . One boy was placed on the list for October , and £ 5 was granted for outfit to a boy who has left tho

Institution . Bro . Masters wonted to know what was going to be done about the missing silver cornet ? That was not tne first thing that was missing . He thought some action ought to be taken . Bro . Binckes said the cornet had been in tho bandmaster ' s charge , along with the other

instruments . He bad written a sharp letter to the bandmaster that day , telling him that if the cornet was not forthcoming he must prepare for some action being taken . Brother Scurrah said he had presented a cornet , which cost £ 5 ; that was missiug too . A vote of thanks to the Chairman , ulosed the proceedings ,