The Criterion Annexe.

regard to elegance , suitability , and comfort . The building , in its external characteristics , assimilates to the architectural outlines of the parent building , tho Criterion , and Mr . W . Webster , the contractor for the construction , deserves unqualified praise for the manner in which he has carried out the admirable plans of Mr . Verity , tho architect .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must hear the name an I address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .

PROJECTED EXTENSION OF THE GIRLS' SCHOOL .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHKONICLE . DEAR Sin AND BROTHER , —I was surprised to learn from your remarks under the above head in the last issue of your paper that so largo a sura as £ 6 , 500 is proposed to be spent without tho subscribers receiving any intimation . On inquiry I find that it is not

compnlsory for the Secretary to send me a notice of any meetings , and therefore I feel that the whole of my donation to this ostimablo Charity , small though it may be in comparison to the large total collected each year , may bo squandered away without my knowing anything about it . Surely this is not right . I am a young Mason ,

already a Life Governor of two of tho Chanties , and fully intend to subscribe more as soon ns I feel in a position to do so ; and I think that I am fully entitled to receive a notice when so large an amount as £ 6 , "> 00 is going to bo spent . The cost would have been very trilling , as a circular with a halfpenny stamp is all thac would have been

required . For some time past I have been in tho habit of buying plots of ground in the suburbs of Loudon , aud either cutting them up for building purposes , or reselling them entire , but I should never dream of giviug so much as £ 1000 an acre , and therefore I cannot imagine

why the Girls' Institution should offer so much as they are now doing . I do not know much of the neighbourhood of Clapharn Juno , tion , although I have been there several times , but I cannot believe there is a house anywhere near the School that is worth £ 325 a year

rental , even if it has throe-quarters of an acre of ground attached , aud as a freehold property it should certainly realise five per cent . I shall endeavour to pay a visit and seo for myself what we aro goinjr to buy , and then , if I am still dissatisfied , I shall attend tho next Court , and express my feelings . I beg to remain , yours f ratornally , A Ln \ E GOVERNOR .

THE LATE MEETING OF GRAND LODGI

To the Editor of the FREEMASON S CHKONIGT . E . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —YOU say in your report thafc "tho brethren refused to hear " Bro . While . I know you desire to be fair , and I beg to inform you that you misrepresent the fact . I commented upon the indiscretion of Bro . Stevens in discussing ritual

questions in print , and . that Brother , who had begged and prayed i ' ov a hearing , had the discourtesy to raise a shout himself . The critic refused to be criticised . He who had wide-opened eyes for the faults of others could not tubtnit to friendly reproof . I could bear with the bearishneaa of the few iu the assembly who followed the lead of the

Clapham P . M . aud P . Z ., but it is not right that yon should represent Grand Lodge as breaking its own laws . If Bro . James Stevens set an example of intolerance , followed by some , you ought not , by tho indiscretion of perhaps an amateur reporter , to exhibit men of sonud judgment as altogether lackiug iu the essentials of gentlemen , as

your report in these words does represent Grand Lodge . As a matter of fact I said all I iutendecl to say , aud , indeed , conveyed more than I intended , for in saying that perhaps Bro . J . Stevens looked to be Graud Director of Ititual , I made a clumsy jest , at which that vigorous-minded and strong-lunged Brother took offence , and I withdrew tho expression iu order to soften tho rancour of his wrath .

Yours faithfully , obediently , and fraternally , 135 Loughborough-road , J . WHILE . 9 th December 1879 .

CORRECTION . —DERWENT LODGE , No . 40 ,

lo the Editor of the FKEE . UASO . X ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The sentence commencing "The first Lodge constituted at Hastings " should read , " Tho first Lodgo constituted at Hastings was , in 1799 , at tho Swan Inn—No . 583 , Lodge

of Harmony G . L . Moderns . " I was in hopes that the list of Lodges in the " Freemason ' s Calendar and Pocket Book" for 1880 would have been carefully revised , and the dates annexed to those Lodges formerly under the G . L . Ancients ; as it is the only authorised list published , it should be a perfect one . Yours . & c . T , F .

Correspondence.

BRO . S . B . WILSON AND THE HOUSE COM . MITTBE OP THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Being unable to attend the General Committee of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boya to-day , I beg to forward yon a copy of a letter I have addressed to them with respect to my dispute with the House Committee . I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , S . B . WILSON . 27 Walbrook , London , 6 th December 1879 .

27 Walbrook , E . C , 27 th November 1879 .

To tho General Committee of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys . Brethren and Gentlemen , —Consequent on the seeming misunderstanding with respect to my account for business services in connection with tho Institution afc Wood Green , which were completed more than twelve months ago , I beg to lay before you a brief statement of the facts .

Tbe Houso Committee having refused to order payment of the balance due to me , I was obliged to apply for payment through my solicitors . Since such application I have received payment of £ 100 without prejudice , with the understanding that the balance was to be referred to arbitration . To this I agreed , and offered to refer tho matter to Sir Henry Arthur Hunt , C . B ., who is the arbitrator for the

Office of Works in all such matters , than whom I considered there could be no better authority . The House Committee declined to accept Sir Henry Arthur Hunt as referee , having resolved thafc they would not refer the question at issue to auy Freemason . My solicitors were therefore compelled to inform them thafc proceedings would be taken for tho recovery . On this I was officially informed thafc Mr . F .

Stanley , of 22 A Austin Friars , had been appointed by the House Committee with full powers to settlo with me . I accordingly immediately instructed my solicitors to stop all further legal proceedings , and requested a gentleman of my own profession to give Mr . Stanley any explanations he might require . It is now more than two mouths siuce ray friend first endeavoured to make an appointment with

Mr . Stanley , and ho has made repeated endeavours since , but hitherto without avail . I may add that should I bo compelled to recommence proceedings , all the professional gentlemen I shall call as witnesses ou my behalf , who are of high standing , will give evidence thafc thero are no overcharges in my acconut ; but , on the contrary ,

that tho usual professional rates are considerably higher than several of tho charges on which I have based my account . I do not know where the blame lies , but I do thiuk that I am not being treated at all fairly in tho matter , and as I do not wish to tako legal proceedings , I appeal to yon with conftdenco to see me righted .

I am , Brethren and Gentlemen , Your obedient Servant , S . B . WILSON .

Committee Meeting Of The Boys' School.

COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

THE General Committee of tho Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys met last Saturday at Freemasons' Hall . There were present—Bros . J . Joyce Murray iu the chair , C . F . Matier , H . Massey , E . B . Grabham , Eichard Morris ( Head Master ) , H . S . Goodall , W . Maple , George J . Palmer , S . Eosenthal , W . F . C . Moutrie , Thomas Meggy , F . Ad lard , and F . Binckes Secretary . After the reading and con .

firinatiou of tho minutes , Bro . Binckes informed the Committee that the investment of £ 1500 ordered at the former meeting had been made . Two boys were to be admitted into the School by purchase . The Committee then examined petitions , and placed six boys on the list of candidates for admission at uext election . Bro .

Binckes read a letter from one lad to whom au outfit waa granted afc tho meeting of the Committee in November , thanking the Com . mitteo for the gift . Four outfits were afterwards granted to boys who since leaviug the Institution had obtained situatious . A vote of thanks to tho Chairman closed the proceedings .

Commiteee Meeting Of The Benevolent Institution.

COMMITEEE MEETING OF THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

rpiIE Committee of the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution met -i- on Wednesday at Freemasons' Hall , when there were present—Bros . J . Creaton ( in the chair ) , C . A . Cottebrune , Jas . Brett , Thos . Cubitt , Wm . Stephens , A . H . Tattershall , Fredk . Adlard , Chas . Jno . Perceval , Jno . G . Stephens , Eichard Herve Giraud , C . G . Dudley , Jno . H . Leggott , J . M . Case , S . Itawson , Nath . Geo . Philips , Chas . Atkins , and James Terry Secretary . Bro . Torry read a letter from the Earl

of Carnarvon , conveying H . E . H . the Prince of Wales' sanction to the day of the Festival of this Institution being altered to 9 th February . The death of one annuitant ; was reported , and the report of the House Committee was read and received . A letter from Bro . E . Percy Middlemist was read , offering his services as hon . surgeon to the outdoor annuitants , aud the same was accepted with thanks . Five male

petitions wero accepted , aud one was deferred for one month . Five widows were accepted . Application was made for the use of the hall f _ t Croydon for the New Year ' s Entertainment to the residents of the Institution , and the same being granted , £ 20 was voted towards expenses . The proceedings closed with the customary compliment to tho chairman .