Removal Of The Boys School.

REMOVAL OF THE BOYS SCHOOL .

WHEN we decided a few weeks back to take no further part in the discussion for and against the project of removing the School of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys from Wood Green to Bushey , we felt we were acting for

the best in so doing , because any criticism—we decline to term our comments unfriendly opposition , for the reason that we have neither the power nor the inclination to set ourselves up in direct antagonism to the authorities—was received with

such bad grace as to not only disgust any who conscientiously differed with those in favour of the proposed site , but in addition seemed likely to lead to actual unpleasantness and even

disagreement , but it seems that in determining to remain quiet we have done wrong , in the opinion of many of ou readers , some of whom express disappointment that we should desert the cause and leave them without an advocate in the

Masonic press , while others go so far as to taunt us with cowardice in not persevering to the end in the work we started upon . It is proverbially impossible to please everybody and recognising this we have long since given up the attempt

to do so , but we are glad to learn that the line we have adopted in this controversy has met the approval of some among the supporters of the Institution , and it seems there is

a desire for us to continue to give the subject attention . We bow to the wishes of our readers , and shall endeavour to serve them , and , what is of equal importance to us , strive to benefit the cause of Masonic Benevolence in our midst .

We do not approve of making personal explanations , but so much temper has been displayed in dealing with the pros and cons of this contemplated removal of the Boys School that we feel compelled to again state that we have no interest

in keeping the School at Wood Green , no reason for objecting to its removal to another site , and no end to serve beyond that of advancing the Institution and its companion funds in

the Charity work of English Freemasonry . Yet , and always bearing in mind these considerations , we have criticised much of what has been done in this matter , and are still of opinion the right course has not yet been decided upon .

At the same time we are very pleased indeed to see so many of our Provinces passing votes of confidence in the Board of Management of the Institution , as that at least pledges them to future action : but on the other side there

are grave considerations to be dealt with , as is evidenced in the extract we give this week under the heading " Staffordshire and the Boys School . " It is very much to be regretted that such comments as are there recorded should be deemed

necessary in connection with either o £ the central Institutions , much Jess that the three should be penalised as a result of such a disagreement as here referred to . Bro . E . V . Greatbatch has proved himself a power in just such a question as is now before

the Craft . Is he to repeat his former triumph , or shall we witness a change of front on the part of the , executive , who , we fear , are relying too much on the majority they possess among the few who have so far displayed an interest in this controversy ?

Staffordshire And The Boys School.

STAFFORDSHIRE AND THE BOYS SCHOOL .

AT Hanley , on Tuesday , 15 th inst ., on the occasion of the installation of Bro . Charles E . Baker in the Worshipful Master ' s chair of the Menturia Lodge , No . 418 , Brother E . V . Greatbatch P . P . S . G . W . of Staffordshire responded to the toast of the Masonic Charities . He strongly condemned the proposed

removal of the Boys School from its present site , where , he maintained , the children were as healthy as they would be elsewhere , and which had cost a large sum of money , probably not less than £ 100 , 000 . In the past he had fought as strongly as any man could do against the then prevailing order of things

in the management of the School , and had been the means of securing a very considerable improvement ; but matters were almost as bad now as ever they were . He urged the localisation of the charities , instancing the remarkable work done in the Province of West Lancashire under Lord Lathom , where they

fostered their own charitable institutions with marked success . The fact that Lord Dartmouth had in a short space raised £ 700 in the Province to endow a cot at the Wolverhampton Orphanage , and the realisation of a thousand guineas by the festival at Trentham a few months ago , showed that the Ereemasons of

Staffordshire were not behind any other Province , and he had no hesitation in saying that he could raise £ 1 , 000 for several years if it was required . He advocated that the London Institutions should be left severely alone , and that the Provinces of Staffordshire , Warwickshire , and Cheshire should combine to form their own Charitable Institutions , on lines similar to the Provinces of

East and West Lancashire . By that means they would be able to dictate how their money should be spent . The remarks were received with many expressions of approval from the large gathering , consisting of about 120 Brethren , amongst whom were some of the most influential and thoughtful of the northern part of the Province . — " Birmingham Gazette . "

Consecrations.

CONSECRATIONS .

NEW BRIGHTON LODGE

AN important function took place at the Assembly Rooms , New Brighton , on the 2 nd when this Lodge , No . 2619 , was consecrated . The Craft has already a firm foothold in Cheshire , but the new Lodge will add considerable strength and importance in the Wirral Peninsula . There was a large gathering of Brethreu present , among them Sir Horatio Lloyd

Deputy Prov . Grand Master of Cheshire , who acted as Consecrating Officer , being assisted in the impressive and important function by Bros . Colonel C . S . Dean P . G . S . W ., H .

Jackson P . G . J . W ., the Bev . C . Chetwynd Atkinson P . G . Chaplain , the Bev . B . Edwards P . G . Chaplain , B . Newhouse D . G . S . B . P . G . Sec , G . H . Brown P . P . G . W ., and H . Gordon Small P . G . D . C .

In the course of the ceramony an oration on the nature and principles of Ereemasonry was delivered by the Prov . Grand Chaplain . The musical portion of the proceedings was rendered by Bro . J . T . Hindle P . G . O ., the others taking part being Bros . W . B . Sweetmau , George Green , E . Tuson , and David Davies .

After the new Lodge had been duly consecrated the chair was taken by Bro . J . B . Spurks P . P . G . D ., who installed Bro . Lieut .-Colonel G . S . Dean P . G . S . W . as the first Worshipful Master , and he invested as his Officers Bros . J . C . Bobinson acting I . P . M ., J . Q . Boby S . W ., S . Jude J . W .

The founders of the new Lodge were Bros . C . S . Dean , J . Boby , S . Jude , T . Price , A . J . Brattan , G . L . Dessoer , J . T . Gibson , Beg . Mountfield , W . Myers , J . C . Bobinson , J . E . Talbot , W . A . Short , W . D . Callow , T . M . Stanbury , J . L . Longford , J . B . Cornwells , W . Quilliam , and B . B . Bruce . —¦ " Liverpool Post . "