The Removal Of The Boys School.

THE REMOVAL OF THE BOYS SCHOOL .

WB are sorry the suggestions of the Board of Management of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys , by which they sought powers to sell the existing property at Wood Green and acquire a new site for the erection of another

School , were not carried with greater weight than was the case at the Quarterly Court last week when the proposition of Bro . R . Eve , who acted as spokesman for the Board , was agreed to by a majority of sixty-two to forty-seven .

True , the result actually arrived at is sufficient to justify the programme of the Board of Management being persevered in , but it would have been so much better had the suggestion met with greater encouragement , even iijit had not been adopted

unanimously , or at least only with some proviso in regard to mere technicalities ; and we feel the Board would be justified in holding back for the present rather than launch on such a stupendous work as that to which they have set their hands , but

in doing so they would merely fall in with the views of the opposition . It would seem the only plan is to continue in the course started upon , with the hope that those who objected to the initial proceedings will bow to the will of the majority , and

throw themselves heartily into the work of providing a new home for our great Institution , ready for occupation and free from debt ere the celebration of the Institution ' s centenary comes to be an event of the past .

We thought it was generally recognised that a remova from the existing site at Wood Green was fco be desired , and that the only question to be settled was as to where to . go for a new habitation , and what to do in order to get as much

as possible for the quarters to be vacated , but it would seem no unanimity exists even on this question , the verdict obtained at the gathering of last week going far to prove that opinions are divided as to the expediency of making a change at all ,

while yet another phase has to be considered—a section desiring to re-open the consideration of the proposal that the boys should be boarded out rather than all housed at one large centre , such a course being deemed equally beneficial by many , at a much less cost than the plan now adopted .

Had the desirability of a removal been allowed co stand unquestioned we should have done nothing to oppose it , but should rather have used every effort in our power to ensure its speedy and successful accomplishment , but as a doubt has

been raised we may say we should like to see full consideration given to the project of making provision in the future for housing the boys at Schools in their own neighbourhoods rather than expend another huge amount of money

in bricks and mortar , only , in all probability , to share the fate of the existing Wood Greon establishment long before the younger generation of the present day has ceased to take an interest in the charitable work of fche Craffc . Besides , in

these times of radical changes in the laws governing the education of the country , it may be asked , is it desirable to spend so much as will be required in the completion of the proposed scheme ?

The Grand Master's Silver Celebration.

THE GRAND MASTER'S SILVER CELEBRATION .

IN commemoration of the completion of the Prince of Wales ' s twenty-first year of Grand Mastership His Royal Highness has signified his intention to appoint twenty-one Brethren as Past Grand Officers to mark the event . The names will be announced , and the investitures made at the Grand Festival on

the 29 fch insfc ., after the regular appointments to Grand Office , the special honours being intended to take the form of past rank . The Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ,

Bro . J . Morrison McLeod is to be included among those honoured , and we congratulate him on his elevation as Past Grand Sword Bearer .

The Deputy Grand Mastership.

THE DEPUTY GRAND MASTERSHIP .

AS touching upon the question of our early announcement of the resignation by the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe of the post of Deputy G raQd Master , and the appointment of Earl Amherst as his successor , we may refer our readers to the report on another page of the meeting of the Gundulph Lodge , on the

8 th inst ., when fche statement in regard to the change was publicly made , and in view of the company present we can hardly believe such an announcement was based on mere heresay . It is such proceedings as this which strengthen our opinion that the

authorities are unwise in holding back official announcement of the change so long after it has been settled , and with all due respect to those who consider it is no part of a subordinate ' s

privilege to know by whom he is governed , we are strongly of opinion that fche course adopted is likely to create a feeling of distrust , rather than induce confidence in those who have the working management of the Craft .

Extension Of Devonshire Charity.

EXTENSION OF DEVONSHIRE CHARITY .

TTlHE success that has attended the funds already in existence I in the Province of Devon , and which have done so much good in the past in assisting some of the aged Masons of the district , or their children , who are in distress , has aroused a desire among local Craftsmen to complete the good work by the

establishment of a Widows Annuity Fund , which , we are pleased to learn , will probably be successfully launched at an early date . Athough these local funds are started and maintained without any desire to oppose the Central Institutions of the Craft , it is very

certain they are looked upon with greater favour in many quarters , principally because their work is carried out by Brethren in the immediate neighbourhood , without the attendant expenses of such establishments as are necessary in connection with the arger undertakings .

Church Service.

CHURCH SERVICE .

A MASONIC SERVICE which was to have been held at St . Laurence , Catford , on the 19 th insfc ., has , to suit the convenience of the Dean of Rochester , been postponed to fche 26 fch insfc . The offertory will be equally divided between St . Laurence Vicarage Fund" aud fche Royal Masonic Benevolent

Institution . A dispensation has been granted , for Brethren to wear Craffc or Royal Arch clothing and jewels . Brethren wishing to attend may obtain tickets from Bro . Edward Hall Secretary of the Lewisham Lodge , No . 2579 , 17 Mount Pleasant Road , Lewisham .