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Article THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. ← Page 2 of 3 Article THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Page 2 of 3 →
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The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
Having disposed of this election—or postponed the matter , which is eqnally probable—the Governors and Subscribers will be asked to consider the following notice of motion , submitted by Y . W . Bro . Bichard Eve , Patron ( P . G . Treasurer ) , on behalf of the Provisional Management Committee : —
" That ir . accordance with the recommendation of tho Provisional Management Committee , adopted by the General Committee on Saturday , 10 th August 1889 , an allowance of £ 350 per annnm , for life , be made to Bro . Frederick Bincker , on hia retirement frotr the office of Secretary , after a service of upwards of 28 years . "
We are aware this retiring allowance will not be granted without opposition , but it will be a lasting disgrace to the Craft , or at least to its Charitable Institutions , if the past services of Bro . Binckes arc not fully recognised and adequately remunerated , we do not anticipate the opposition will have much
chance of upsetting the recommendation of the Provisional Committee , but it is to be hoped that all who recognise what Bro . Binckes has done , and who consider his services are worthy of recognition , will attend , ancl vote in such a way as they may consider consistent . What has Brother Binckes done for the Boy ' s School ? is a question asked by those who are j talking of opposition to the granting of this retiring
allowance . We may re-echo , —What , indeed ? and for answer , say—Everything that should entitle him to the grant now proposed . It is very difficult to look back a matter of nearly thirty years , and say how much or how little has been accomplished in tbat period through the " influence of one man , " and it is manifestly unfair for men who have only known the Institutions for a few years , ancl have perhaps only
been associated with Freemasonry some six or eight , to attempt to solve the question as to how much of the present prosperity of the Masonic Institutions is due to the exertions of Bro . Binckes . But beyond all this there is the custom of the world in regard to such matters to guide us , ancl the proposition to be submitted to the Subscribers next Friday is not an unreasonable one from this point of view . True , it
is a large amount the Subscribers are asked to pay for past services , but when the past services have been of such a nature as is the case here , and have been extended over so long a period , it is none too much , and we hope the proposition will be carried , if not unanimously , at least with such a strong majority as to show that the efforts Bro . Binckes has made in years gone by , on behalf of the Institution , are
recognised and appreciated . We have spoken of opposition to this proposed grant because it has been publicly announced that opposition is contemplated , but it must not be forgotten that this recommendation of the Provisional Management Committee has already been submitted to the General Committee of the Institution , namely , on
the 10 th August last , when , at a very largely attended meeting , it was adopted with but six dissentientsthe number present on that occasion being over one hundred . To further show the approval with which the proposition has been received , we may refer to the fact that at the August meeting , already referred to , a proposal to reduce the annual allowance
to £ 200 fell through for want of a seconder . Since J then , however , the subject has been discussed ' throughout the country and , as a natural consequence , the advocates of both sides have gained supporters . Some of the Provinces approve of the idea of a reduction to £ 200 per annum , others consider
£ 350 a year none too much , while others again pledge themselves to support the action of the Provisional Committee in the various works of reform they devote their attention to . i The second notice of motion on the agenda emanates from the Sanitary Sub-Committee of the Provisional
Committee , ancl stands in the name of Bro . W . Masters , Life Governor , who will propose " Tl . afc the Provisional Management Committee be authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £ 1 , 003 to provide additional Baths in
The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
tho School Bailding 9 , and for general Sanitary reqnirements . Also , that the Committee ba authorised to expend a sum not exceeding . 82 , 500 iu the erection of a Swimming Bath . "
The general body of supporters of the Institution will , we imagine , hail the first part of this proposition with delight , for in all matters concerning the health or comfort of the large family entrusted to their care they are , and ever havo been , most liberal . The expenditure of the proposed £ 1 , 000 for tho
purpose ol providing additional Baths m the bcliool Buildings , and for general Sanitary requirements is evidence of a desire to make things more satisfactory in the point of cleanliness for the future than they aro accredited with having been in the past , ancl if tho £ 1 , 000 now proposed is sufficient for the purpose we are convinced it will be cheerfully voted .
Tho extra amount of £ 2 , 500 required lor the erection of a swimming bath is , no doubt , equally necessary , and we anticipate it will be agreed to , although the outlay of so large an amount just now may not find general favour . Undoubtedly a swimming bath would be a most valuable acquisition to such an establishment as that possessed by the Freemasons at
Wood Green , while the advantages of teaching the lads the art of natation cannot bo over-estimated . Both from sanitary ancl utilitarian points of view then the expenditure can be recommended , ancl if the General Court feels justified in voting the necessary funds no doubt it will prove one of the most
satisfactory investments ever made . Following these matters we come to a series of propositions submitted by Brother William Harris Saunders , Life Governor , P . P . G . S . D . Middlesex , who suggests as follows : — ( a ) " That boys shall be educated according to the position their fathers occupied while in prosperity , and that where considered desirable by the Committeean allowance be granted for
, education out of tho Institution . That tbe General Committee bo requested to take this matter under consideration , ou application being made for a boy to be placed on List of Candidates . "
( 6 ) "That following the example of many other Public Schools , pupils shall bo received into the Institution at a fixed annual smn , and that sons of Masons only shall be eligible for election or otherwise . "
(«) " Th-. it tho Conrt recommend to the General Committee to mako special inquiries in all last cases , with a view to their Election should tho caso prove to be that of a really dosti . tute Candidate . ' '
( d ) " Thafc all petitions be thoroughly inquired into ( as per resolution recently adi-pted by the Girls' General Committee ) by a Snb-Committee , who shall report to tho General G ; aninitt ? o prior to such petitions being brought before ihem , bnt who shall not have power to reject any Candidate . "
This first proposal of Bro . Saunders is a mistake , and should be rejected . How is it possible to have a number of grades in such a School as that of the Boyal Masonic Institution for Boys ? We know the trials ancl troubles of the University man who secures
a scholarship , or in some other way is in marked contrast to his fellows—in many cases his life is a misery . Why , therefore , attempt to introduce class distinctions into our School ? Besides , our argument always has been that the man who does his best , no matter in what sphere he moves , is equal to the man
of any other sphere who also does his best . Let us endeavour to educate the boys , not as their fathers would have done , but as their fathers would have wished to do—in other words give them all the care ancl attention possible . The question of granting an allowance for educational purposes out of the
Institution is no new idea , but the action ol outside Provinces , many of which are now in possession of Educational funds of their own , while others are contemplating their establishment , should at once set this matter at rest . If brethren interested in a case find themselves unable to secure a place in either one
of the central Institutions it is for them to decide whether they will subscribe sufficient among themselves to pay for the education of the girl or boy at a local school . Many have so decided , and the result
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
Having disposed of this election—or postponed the matter , which is eqnally probable—the Governors and Subscribers will be asked to consider the following notice of motion , submitted by Y . W . Bro . Bichard Eve , Patron ( P . G . Treasurer ) , on behalf of the Provisional Management Committee : —
" That ir . accordance with the recommendation of tho Provisional Management Committee , adopted by the General Committee on Saturday , 10 th August 1889 , an allowance of £ 350 per annnm , for life , be made to Bro . Frederick Bincker , on hia retirement frotr the office of Secretary , after a service of upwards of 28 years . "
We are aware this retiring allowance will not be granted without opposition , but it will be a lasting disgrace to the Craft , or at least to its Charitable Institutions , if the past services of Bro . Binckes arc not fully recognised and adequately remunerated , we do not anticipate the opposition will have much
chance of upsetting the recommendation of the Provisional Committee , but it is to be hoped that all who recognise what Bro . Binckes has done , and who consider his services are worthy of recognition , will attend , ancl vote in such a way as they may consider consistent . What has Brother Binckes done for the Boy ' s School ? is a question asked by those who are j talking of opposition to the granting of this retiring
allowance . We may re-echo , —What , indeed ? and for answer , say—Everything that should entitle him to the grant now proposed . It is very difficult to look back a matter of nearly thirty years , and say how much or how little has been accomplished in tbat period through the " influence of one man , " and it is manifestly unfair for men who have only known the Institutions for a few years , ancl have perhaps only
been associated with Freemasonry some six or eight , to attempt to solve the question as to how much of the present prosperity of the Masonic Institutions is due to the exertions of Bro . Binckes . But beyond all this there is the custom of the world in regard to such matters to guide us , ancl the proposition to be submitted to the Subscribers next Friday is not an unreasonable one from this point of view . True , it
is a large amount the Subscribers are asked to pay for past services , but when the past services have been of such a nature as is the case here , and have been extended over so long a period , it is none too much , and we hope the proposition will be carried , if not unanimously , at least with such a strong majority as to show that the efforts Bro . Binckes has made in years gone by , on behalf of the Institution , are
recognised and appreciated . We have spoken of opposition to this proposed grant because it has been publicly announced that opposition is contemplated , but it must not be forgotten that this recommendation of the Provisional Management Committee has already been submitted to the General Committee of the Institution , namely , on
the 10 th August last , when , at a very largely attended meeting , it was adopted with but six dissentientsthe number present on that occasion being over one hundred . To further show the approval with which the proposition has been received , we may refer to the fact that at the August meeting , already referred to , a proposal to reduce the annual allowance
to £ 200 fell through for want of a seconder . Since J then , however , the subject has been discussed ' throughout the country and , as a natural consequence , the advocates of both sides have gained supporters . Some of the Provinces approve of the idea of a reduction to £ 200 per annum , others consider
£ 350 a year none too much , while others again pledge themselves to support the action of the Provisional Committee in the various works of reform they devote their attention to . i The second notice of motion on the agenda emanates from the Sanitary Sub-Committee of the Provisional
Committee , ancl stands in the name of Bro . W . Masters , Life Governor , who will propose " Tl . afc the Provisional Management Committee be authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £ 1 , 003 to provide additional Baths in
The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
tho School Bailding 9 , and for general Sanitary reqnirements . Also , that the Committee ba authorised to expend a sum not exceeding . 82 , 500 iu the erection of a Swimming Bath . "
The general body of supporters of the Institution will , we imagine , hail the first part of this proposition with delight , for in all matters concerning the health or comfort of the large family entrusted to their care they are , and ever havo been , most liberal . The expenditure of the proposed £ 1 , 000 for tho
purpose ol providing additional Baths m the bcliool Buildings , and for general Sanitary requirements is evidence of a desire to make things more satisfactory in the point of cleanliness for the future than they aro accredited with having been in the past , ancl if tho £ 1 , 000 now proposed is sufficient for the purpose we are convinced it will be cheerfully voted .
Tho extra amount of £ 2 , 500 required lor the erection of a swimming bath is , no doubt , equally necessary , and we anticipate it will be agreed to , although the outlay of so large an amount just now may not find general favour . Undoubtedly a swimming bath would be a most valuable acquisition to such an establishment as that possessed by the Freemasons at
Wood Green , while the advantages of teaching the lads the art of natation cannot bo over-estimated . Both from sanitary ancl utilitarian points of view then the expenditure can be recommended , ancl if the General Court feels justified in voting the necessary funds no doubt it will prove one of the most
satisfactory investments ever made . Following these matters we come to a series of propositions submitted by Brother William Harris Saunders , Life Governor , P . P . G . S . D . Middlesex , who suggests as follows : — ( a ) " That boys shall be educated according to the position their fathers occupied while in prosperity , and that where considered desirable by the Committeean allowance be granted for
, education out of tho Institution . That tbe General Committee bo requested to take this matter under consideration , ou application being made for a boy to be placed on List of Candidates . "
( 6 ) "That following the example of many other Public Schools , pupils shall bo received into the Institution at a fixed annual smn , and that sons of Masons only shall be eligible for election or otherwise . "
(«) " Th-. it tho Conrt recommend to the General Committee to mako special inquiries in all last cases , with a view to their Election should tho caso prove to be that of a really dosti . tute Candidate . ' '
( d ) " Thafc all petitions be thoroughly inquired into ( as per resolution recently adi-pted by the Girls' General Committee ) by a Snb-Committee , who shall report to tho General G ; aninitt ? o prior to such petitions being brought before ihem , bnt who shall not have power to reject any Candidate . "
This first proposal of Bro . Saunders is a mistake , and should be rejected . How is it possible to have a number of grades in such a School as that of the Boyal Masonic Institution for Boys ? We know the trials ancl troubles of the University man who secures
a scholarship , or in some other way is in marked contrast to his fellows—in many cases his life is a misery . Why , therefore , attempt to introduce class distinctions into our School ? Besides , our argument always has been that the man who does his best , no matter in what sphere he moves , is equal to the man
of any other sphere who also does his best . Let us endeavour to educate the boys , not as their fathers would have done , but as their fathers would have wished to do—in other words give them all the care ancl attention possible . The question of granting an allowance for educational purposes out of the
Institution is no new idea , but the action ol outside Provinces , many of which are now in possession of Educational funds of their own , while others are contemplating their establishment , should at once set this matter at rest . If brethren interested in a case find themselves unable to secure a place in either one
of the central Institutions it is for them to decide whether they will subscribe sufficient among themselves to pay for the education of the girl or boy at a local school . Many have so decided , and the result