The Home Of Our Boys.

within the next 20 or 30 years additions will be made to the scope of the Charity , and as a consequence additional accommodation will be required beyond what is needed at present . We presume the

executive would build much larger premises than are actually needed for the Institution of to-day , but it will be a grave question to decide how mnch larger they shall be or what provision is to be made for the natural growth of the future . For this reason the separate buildings system seems to present many

attractions , and if it were found desirable to adopt this system we believe many of the Provinces would subscribe the funds necessary for the erection of a house or houses , which , as we said when writing on this subject some time back , might bear the name of the donors or of the district in which the funds for

their erection were subscribed . It may truly be said the supporters of the Institution , in deciding on this removal , are about to take one of the most important steps ever adopted in connection with the Masonic Charities , for we can hardly believe an action which is deemed desirable in connection with the Bovs' School will be Ions delaved in

connection with the sister Institution . Indeed , we would even go so far as to approach the executive of the Girls' School with the view of knowing whether they would co-operate in the movement , for we believe that if co-operation between the two could be achieved , many items of expenditure would show a saving ; while there would be the additional satisfaction of knowing that the Boys and Girls of the Craft were being cared for on similar bases , rather

than , as is now the case , on independent , but by no means opposingprinciples . But this suggested scheme of co-operation is , perhaps , going a step beyond what will be regarded as possible . The friendly rivalry which exists between the two Educational Institutions is by no means unproductive of profit , and if any steps were taken which were likely to lessen or remove it it is doubtful whether any corresponding advantage

would result , but there are other directions in which co-operation might be attempted , and we invite the consideration of the Craft to them . . For years past the growth of local Masonic Charity Funds has been viewed with a certain amount of alarm by those who recognised in them probable competitors with the Central Institutions . So far no particular harm has resulted from their existence .

Provincial brethren seem able to support their local funds and at the same time loyally contribute to the funds of the London Charities ; but how long will this continue ? Is the day coming when Lancashire , Cheshire , Devonshire , and other of the large Provinces which already possess their own educational funds , will prefer to act independently of the older Charities , or if not independently actually , so far so as to make a material difference in the amount of

their contributions to the central funds ? Will it not be wise to recognise such a possibility and endeavour , when we are making a' change , to provide for it ? At the present time several Provinces are paying for the education of children at schools unassociated with the Boys' or the Girls' Institutions , and it might be desirable to consider whether there is not scope for

an extension oi the scheme of the Boys School so as to allow of the reception of part paid pupils . There are also many families associated with Freemasonry who are in a position to do something towards the support of their children , and if it were possible to open the Schools under certain conditions to some of these , we think it would be found satisfactory so to do .

It is really a question whether paying pupils could be received at the School of the Institution so as to allow of a profit . It has been urged on more than . one occasion that this is possible , and now that the Craft is about to make a radical alteration in one of its educational Institutions , it may be desirable to give the matter fuller consideration , especially if , by so

The Home Of Our Boys.

doing , a few more of the really deserving could be admitted to the full benefits of the Institution . In conclusion , we can but express the hope , which

we believe is general , that a satisfactory bargain may be made in the disposal of the existing property , and that a suitable , nay even desirable , site may be secured as the future homo of Our Boys .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

T 1 HE April Quarterly Court was held in the Large Hall of Freemasons' Tavern , on tbe 8 th inst . ; the chair waa tiken by Bro . Richard Eve P . G . Treasurer . Amongst others preseut were Bros . George Everett , R . C . Else , John Bodeuham , W . A . Scurrah , W . F . Smithson , Henry Smith , S . J . Attenborough , and James Willing jun .

After preliminaries , the Chairman moved the following resolution : —

That in view of the favourable opinion that waa expressed npon tha suggestion of the desirability of changing the site of the Institu . tion , ma 3 e by the M . W . Pro Grand Maater tbe Earl of Lathom at

the last Festival , this Quarterly Court authorises the Board of Management to entertain negotiations for the realisation of the estate of the Institution to the best advantage , and to report thereon to the next , or , if necessary , to a Special Court .

Bro . E ? e said the motion was of great importance . At the last Festival of the Institution Lord Lathom intimated to the Craft the desirability of changing the site of the School , and the suggestion was received with a great amount of acclamation , many brethren thinking that the

sita might ts changed with great advantage . The Board of management then appoinfod a Sites Committee , with the view of surveying sites in various suburbs of London . It was felt by that Committee and tbe Board of Management that it was undesirable to select until thero was a

reasonable prospect of realising the present site , and that they ought not to secure any site until a favourable opportunity offered itself of disposing of tbe proprty now held by the Institution . With these fac * b before them the Board of Management had

to submit the present motion , and he must remind the brethren that by this motion the Board were only authorised to entertain the subject and to take any steps they might feel absolutely desirable . Nothing would be undertaken which would commit the Craft ; no contract would be

entered into , nothing whatever would be done unless it was first authorised by a Quarterly Court , or a Special Court , of which every brother would have due notice . All that was proposed was to give power to the Board of Management to entertain negotiations for the realisation of the estate of the Institution . Bro . Everett Grand Treasurer

seconded the motion . B . co . Stanley J . Attenborough opposed . Before they were asked to approve of a scheme they should have some details as to expense , the cost of the site , and also of the erection of the new building . They had sunk over

£ 100 , 000 in Wood Green , and it would realise only about £ 25 , 000 .

The Chairman said he must ask Bro . Attenborough not to say anything of that kind , because they were not told anything of the sort . The Board of Management were not going to part with the property at Wood Green for that sum .

Bro . Attenborough did not suggest that they should . But it had been suggested that only from £ 20 , 000 to £ 25 , 000 could be got for it . They were asked whether they were prepared to sanction a scheme withont further consideration . Before doing so the Board should report

to the Quarterly Court what the cost of new property would be—what would be the price of the land , and the best mode of realising the present site . They had valuable property at Wood Green , and ought not to throw it away . They were asked to endorse the Earl of Lathom ' s

suggestion . If they did they would sink £ 60 , 000 of the capital of the Institution . Many brethren thought the Institution was very well situated at Wood Green . If they were

asked to sacrifice just a few thousand pounds , he would not object . He thought the Court ought to be asked to be asked to say off-hand whether it was desirable to realise the site . He proposed the following amendment : — Tbat , in view of the suggestion to change the site of the Institution made by the M . W . Fro Grand Master tbe Earl of