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Article PROJECTED EXTENSION OF THE GIRLS' SCHOOL. Page 1 of 1 Article PROJECTED EXTENSION OF THE GIRLS' SCHOOL. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Projected Extension Of The Girls' School.
PROJECTED EXTENSION OF THE GIRLS' SCHOOL .
IN our last issue we drew the attention of onr readers to what we consider a most extravagant and uncalled for expenditure of the funds of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . We then pointed out that the proposition to lay out the sum of £ 6 , 500 in the purchase of
three-quarters of an acre of land , together with the house erected thereon , should be rejected , at the time the confirmation of the vote is asked fen ' , by the general body of subscribers , on the ground that , by purchasing additional premises , the brethren of the present day are pledging the
generosity of the future generation far beyond the limits of propriety . The expense of maintaining the Schools , even in their present extent , requires that a considerable sum of money be annually subscribed by the Graft ; and although we entertain no fear that tbe future generation will bo less
liberal than their predecessors , still we think that , on a question of spending their own money , the brethren of the future should be left with an opportunity of deciding a
little for themselves , rather than be burdened with large establishments which must either be maintained at a great cost or disposed of at a sacrifice should the receipts at any time fall off so as to need the curtailment of the annual
expenditure . As we so often repeat , it is our earnest desire to see the number of children educated and clothed by the Institutions largely increased , but we think that the time has now arrived when the desired object can best be attained by paying a sum of money for the education and clothing
of children among their own friends , in addition to and away from those in the Schools erected by the two Institutions . In the hope that we may induce some of the subscribers to the Girls School to' take a personal interest in the question , wo again refer to it , and shall now more
especially devote ourselves to a consideration of the subject from a financial point of view . "We assume it will be generally admitted that the Institution should not be called upon to pay more for the ground than any other purchaser . This point being conceded , we ask our readers to put a price
on land in the neighbourhood of the School . As we do not profess to have more than a vague idea on the subject , we have consulted several competent authorities , with the result of having almost as many opinions as we have replies ; but on one point all agree—that ground in the
neighbourhood of Battersea Rise is not worth more than £ 1 , 200 an acre ; most give a much lower sum as the market value . As , however , we do not wish—nor is there much necessity—to press the matter too hard , we will accept the highest estimate , and value the plot at
the rate of £ 1 , 200 an acre . The land being some trifle over three-quarters of an acre in extent , the value may therefore be considered , according to this estimate , at about £ 1 , 000 . Tbe next item for consideration is that of position , and here of course arises the main
obstacle . Some will urge that the site is worth a large premium ; others , that for the purposes to which it is intended to be put , position is an item that should never be paid for , unless it be for the purpose of conducing to the health and comfort of the residents . Bro . Lieut . Colonel
Creaton , the proposer of the motion , pointed out that the acquisition of this plot would confer the advantage of securing for the Institution an entrance in the main road near the railway station . We fail to see that this is an advantage worth paying for to any extent . All who have visited the School must know that the distance between it
Projected Extension Of The Girls' School.
and the railway station is so small as to be unworthy of serious consideration , especially when we remember that the number of visitors is very small , except on such occasions as the periodical inspection by the Stewards . Even then we doubt if a dozen guests could be found who really
complained of the distance from the railway station . Surely our esteemed Brother does not ask the Institution to pay any considerable sum for this—questionable—advantage . We must , therefore , fall back on the plea that tbe purchase is desirable in order to prevent the School being
hemmed in by buildings . At the time the ground on which the present School at Battersea Rise stands was purchased , one of the principal arguments used in its favour was that it was open , and not liable to future obstruction ; now we see that this argument was in a measure wrong , and if this
be the case to-day , what will it be in the course of auother ten year . 3 , if building operations aro to continue as actively as they have been carried on in the ten that have jnst passed ? In discussing this proposed grant there is something more than the present to consider ; the condition ten
or twenty years hence must be estimated , and action governed accordingly , at least so far as is possible . Under these circumstances , we cannot see any reason for the value of the land being increased in consequence of its position or proximity to the existing School . Now , as regards the
building , the house is a large one ; and it is suggested that it could be used as a probationary school . Again we must express an opinion antagonistic to that of Bro . Creaton and the Building Committee , on whose recommendation he acted . It is well known that no building
which was originally iutended as an ordinary dwellinghouse can be adapted to the requirements of a school without considerable outlay . Indeed , to add all the necessaries now deemed imperative for a public school , and otherwise place a dwelling-house on a par as regards fittings
with the existing structure , would be next to impossible without rebuilding , and this we frankly admit is the next step we expect will be proposed . What , then , becomes of
the house now standing on the ground . It is really worth to the Institution its value as old building material only , and should be considered and treated for accordingly . In another column we insert one of a series of letters
we have received from correspondents on this subject . We wish our readers to bear in mind our columns are open to all , and we trust the question will be thoroughly discussed in its several bearings before the grant is brought forward for confirmation , and that at the proper time those who
oppose the expenditure will freely express their views . Whoever may undertake the task of leading the opposition must be prepared for abuse ; still we urge them to persevere in preventing so prejudicial a step . Before we conclude , we would briefly refer to another
matter which affects other than the question now at issue , and wlrch we think calls for amendment . Bro . Lt .-Colonel Creaton , Treasurer and Trustee of the Institution , not only made the proposition for the grant already referred to , but also presided at the Special General Court called for the
purpose of considering it . This is a course we have before objected to , and , however much custom or precedent may sanction it , we are still of opinion that it is not conducive to a fair hearing . The proposer of a motion is naturally prejudiced in its favour , and if he has to preside at the
meeting called to consider the same he may , if he chooses , materially influence the voting . We do not wish to say that Bro . Creaton attempted or even thought of such a course , but we are surprised he should lay himself open to the smallest shadow of doubt as to his disinterestedness .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Projected Extension Of The Girls' School.
PROJECTED EXTENSION OF THE GIRLS' SCHOOL .
IN our last issue we drew the attention of onr readers to what we consider a most extravagant and uncalled for expenditure of the funds of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . We then pointed out that the proposition to lay out the sum of £ 6 , 500 in the purchase of
three-quarters of an acre of land , together with the house erected thereon , should be rejected , at the time the confirmation of the vote is asked fen ' , by the general body of subscribers , on the ground that , by purchasing additional premises , the brethren of the present day are pledging the
generosity of the future generation far beyond the limits of propriety . The expense of maintaining the Schools , even in their present extent , requires that a considerable sum of money be annually subscribed by the Graft ; and although we entertain no fear that tbe future generation will bo less
liberal than their predecessors , still we think that , on a question of spending their own money , the brethren of the future should be left with an opportunity of deciding a
little for themselves , rather than be burdened with large establishments which must either be maintained at a great cost or disposed of at a sacrifice should the receipts at any time fall off so as to need the curtailment of the annual
expenditure . As we so often repeat , it is our earnest desire to see the number of children educated and clothed by the Institutions largely increased , but we think that the time has now arrived when the desired object can best be attained by paying a sum of money for the education and clothing
of children among their own friends , in addition to and away from those in the Schools erected by the two Institutions . In the hope that we may induce some of the subscribers to the Girls School to' take a personal interest in the question , wo again refer to it , and shall now more
especially devote ourselves to a consideration of the subject from a financial point of view . "We assume it will be generally admitted that the Institution should not be called upon to pay more for the ground than any other purchaser . This point being conceded , we ask our readers to put a price
on land in the neighbourhood of the School . As we do not profess to have more than a vague idea on the subject , we have consulted several competent authorities , with the result of having almost as many opinions as we have replies ; but on one point all agree—that ground in the
neighbourhood of Battersea Rise is not worth more than £ 1 , 200 an acre ; most give a much lower sum as the market value . As , however , we do not wish—nor is there much necessity—to press the matter too hard , we will accept the highest estimate , and value the plot at
the rate of £ 1 , 200 an acre . The land being some trifle over three-quarters of an acre in extent , the value may therefore be considered , according to this estimate , at about £ 1 , 000 . Tbe next item for consideration is that of position , and here of course arises the main
obstacle . Some will urge that the site is worth a large premium ; others , that for the purposes to which it is intended to be put , position is an item that should never be paid for , unless it be for the purpose of conducing to the health and comfort of the residents . Bro . Lieut . Colonel
Creaton , the proposer of the motion , pointed out that the acquisition of this plot would confer the advantage of securing for the Institution an entrance in the main road near the railway station . We fail to see that this is an advantage worth paying for to any extent . All who have visited the School must know that the distance between it
Projected Extension Of The Girls' School.
and the railway station is so small as to be unworthy of serious consideration , especially when we remember that the number of visitors is very small , except on such occasions as the periodical inspection by the Stewards . Even then we doubt if a dozen guests could be found who really
complained of the distance from the railway station . Surely our esteemed Brother does not ask the Institution to pay any considerable sum for this—questionable—advantage . We must , therefore , fall back on the plea that tbe purchase is desirable in order to prevent the School being
hemmed in by buildings . At the time the ground on which the present School at Battersea Rise stands was purchased , one of the principal arguments used in its favour was that it was open , and not liable to future obstruction ; now we see that this argument was in a measure wrong , and if this
be the case to-day , what will it be in the course of auother ten year . 3 , if building operations aro to continue as actively as they have been carried on in the ten that have jnst passed ? In discussing this proposed grant there is something more than the present to consider ; the condition ten
or twenty years hence must be estimated , and action governed accordingly , at least so far as is possible . Under these circumstances , we cannot see any reason for the value of the land being increased in consequence of its position or proximity to the existing School . Now , as regards the
building , the house is a large one ; and it is suggested that it could be used as a probationary school . Again we must express an opinion antagonistic to that of Bro . Creaton and the Building Committee , on whose recommendation he acted . It is well known that no building
which was originally iutended as an ordinary dwellinghouse can be adapted to the requirements of a school without considerable outlay . Indeed , to add all the necessaries now deemed imperative for a public school , and otherwise place a dwelling-house on a par as regards fittings
with the existing structure , would be next to impossible without rebuilding , and this we frankly admit is the next step we expect will be proposed . What , then , becomes of
the house now standing on the ground . It is really worth to the Institution its value as old building material only , and should be considered and treated for accordingly . In another column we insert one of a series of letters
we have received from correspondents on this subject . We wish our readers to bear in mind our columns are open to all , and we trust the question will be thoroughly discussed in its several bearings before the grant is brought forward for confirmation , and that at the proper time those who
oppose the expenditure will freely express their views . Whoever may undertake the task of leading the opposition must be prepared for abuse ; still we urge them to persevere in preventing so prejudicial a step . Before we conclude , we would briefly refer to another
matter which affects other than the question now at issue , and wlrch we think calls for amendment . Bro . Lt .-Colonel Creaton , Treasurer and Trustee of the Institution , not only made the proposition for the grant already referred to , but also presided at the Special General Court called for the
purpose of considering it . This is a course we have before objected to , and , however much custom or precedent may sanction it , we are still of opinion that it is not conducive to a fair hearing . The proposer of a motion is naturally prejudiced in its favour , and if he has to preside at the
meeting called to consider the same he may , if he chooses , materially influence the voting . We do not wish to say that Bro . Creaton attempted or even thought of such a course , but we are surprised he should lay himself open to the smallest shadow of doubt as to his disinterestedness .