Provincial Grand Lodge, Gloucester.

sented , with respectful and fraternal regards of Bro . Henry Jeffs , Past Master No . 1005 , to Bro . tho Eight Honourable Sir Michael E . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., or . his installation as tho Kichfc Worshipfnl tbe Provincial Grand Master for Gloucestershire , 1881 . " The arrangements afc tho Shirohall wero made by Mr . Russell Kerr and Mr . Edw . Trinder , and were perfect ; and all tho arrangements in tho banqueting room wore admirably carried ont by Mr . R . Vassar Smith .

Annual Meeting Of The Benevolent Institution.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

THE annual meeting of the Subscribers to the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institntion was held ' yesterday , at Freemasons ' Tavern , CoJ . Creaton Grand Treasnrer in the chair . There were also present Bros . Henry Smith Provincial Grand Secretary West Yorkshire , J . L . Hine , Alfred W . Stanfield , J . Wordsworth , John Simpson ,

Eobert Wylie , Charles Godtsohalk , John Constable , Charles John Perceval , S . Eawson , Louis Stean , William Clarke , Eaynham W . Stewart , Edw . Davies , H . S . Alpass , James A Bnrch , John Chadwick , A . F . A . Woodford , James Butting , Frederick Davison , Fred .

Adlard , W . S . Ferryman , Edgar Bowyer , Eobert D . Cummings , S . P . Norris , Thomas Cnbitt , Georgo Wyatt , William Hale , John Diprose , T . W . Lew , Henry Bartlett , J . R . Gallant , Thomas Meggy , Brackstone Baker , and James Terry ( Secretary ) . The minntes of last meeting having been approved , the Annnal Eeporfc and Balanoe Sheet were read , as follows , by Bro . Terry : —

REPORT . The Committee have much pleasure in bringing to the notice of the Governors and Subscribers the progress tho Institution has made during the past twelve months . The Annnal Festival was directed to beheld by the Patron , H . E . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c , & c , on Wednesday , tho 23 rd February last , and the Committee wero exceedingly fortunate in obtaining the

consent of Lieut .-Colonel Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., J . P . and D . L ., E . W . Provincial Grand Master for West Yorkshire , to preside upon the occasion . He waa very nobly supported by the members of his Province , as well as by brethren from London and other parts of the country—no less than 399 Stewards acting upon the occasion—their exertions resulted in the handsome sum of £ 14 , 360 being raised to

benefit tho Fund—and , looking both at the number of Stewards as well as tho amonnt , it is with feelings of gratitude that the Commifctee tender their heartiest thanks to all concerned . Taking into consideration the great depression there has been dnring the last year throughout the country , in every branch of trade , profession , and business , they hardly dared to hope for snch a success .

After the last election , there were 150 males and 155 widows npon the Fnnd , being an addition of 15 annuitants over any previous year , while to-day awaiting election there is , unfortunately , the large number of 98 candidates . Dnring the year , 20 annuitants have died—13 men and 7 widowsand the Committee , at their meeting in February last , decided thafc the vacancies thus created should be filled np ; and , bearing in mind

the large nnmber of candidates and the snecess of the recent Festival , they havo determined to place 5 additional men and 5 additional widows npon the Funds—a step which they feel convinced will have the warmest sympathy and support of the Governors and Subscribers . Since the proxies have been issued , 7 men and 3 widows have died , and , according to the Laws , these vacancies will also be filled np—so that the total nnmber to be elected to-day will bo 25 mon and 15 widows .

There are , in addition , 14 widows receiving £ 20 each , being half their late husband ' s annuity , and which is accorded to them for three years—unless they are elected to the full sura before that time expires . The various payments thus being made will then amount to £ 11 , 600 for annuities only , excluding all working and other incidental expenses in the management of the Institution .

The Committee , however , confidently rely upon the generons support of tha Craft to sustain the Institution in every way that is possible , and whioh has never been moro practically exemplied than in its contributions afc the last Festival . The Committee again renew their thanks to Grand Lodge , for its

grant of £ 70 to provide the residents of the Institution at Croydon with coals , aud its value was never more appreciated by them than dnring tbo inclemency of the past winter . The Committee also tender their thanks to the Honorary Surgeons , Henry John Strong , Esq ., M . D ., and E . Percy Middlemist , Esq ., for their unremitting attention and kindness to those under their care .

The Institution is now undergoing reparation rendered necessary D 7 the usnal wear and tear inseparable from the structural decay of the Building . It is also being enlarged to meet the requirements of the present day , and the Committee are certain that when completed , it will add mnch to the comfort of the Eesidents , Visitors , and others , when visiting the same .

During the year the Committee have had the pleasure of receiving 8 Legacy of £ 100 free of dnty , and in recording this fact would wish to impress upon those Brethren blessed with means the desirabilit y of following so good an example . Subjoined is a statement of the receipts and expenditure dnring the year ending the 31 st March 1881 , together with the particulars ol the permanent income of the Institution ;—

Annual Meeting Of The Benevolent Institution.

MALE FUND . Balance 31 st March 1880 - . 4 , 023 1 0 EECEIPTS .

Donation from Grand Lodgo - . 500 0 0 Do Grand Chapter . 100 0 0 Do Special do - . 150 0 0 Do Lodges , Chapters and Individuals - G 603 4 3 Annual Subscription do - - 1097 16 6 Dividends on Stock in the Government Funds - - - 1023 8 0

Legacy 50 0 0 Eent of Field .... 900 Cash withdrawn from Call - - 2000 0 0 Interest on Cash at Call - •20 2 8 11 , 553 11 5 £ 15 , 576 12 5

DISBURSEMENTS . Annuitants 5710 0 0 Salary of Secretary and Clerk . 357 10 0 Collector—Commission . ¦ 79 3 9

Messenger 5 0 0 Provincial Expenses . - - 50 13 11 Medicine for residents at Institntion 12 10 0 Warden at Institntion - - - 20 0 0 Pension to late Gardener , and

Gardener ' s Salary - - 54 12 0 Eates and Taxes at Institntion - 34 0 2 Repairs and Furniture do - - 67 1 7 Stationery , Printing , & c . - . 170 12 5 Advertisements - - - - 22 16 9 Postages , & c , including expenses of

Election - - - - 146 6 4 Petty Expenses .... 14 8 2 Entertainment of Stewards and Annuitants - - - . 44 14 3 Votes of thanks to Stewards - . 15 16 1

Hire of Hall on day of Election - 2 12 6 Eent of Office .... 18 0 0 Rent of Field afc Croydon - 16 18 10 Placed afc Call .... 2000 0 0 Purchase of Stock - . - . 1976 5 0 Premium on Guarantee Policy for

Collector ( two years ) - - 7 11 3 Banker ' s charges - . - - 0 4 5 Gratuity to Clerk .... 15 0 0 10 , 841 17 5 Balance on this Fund - - £ 4 , 734 15 0

WIDOWS' FUND . Balance 31 st March 1880 2 , 035 3 8

RECEIPTS . Donation from Grand Lodge - . - 300 0 0 Do Grand Chapter - - 50 0 0 Special donation do - - 150 0 0 Do Lodges , Chapters , and

Individuals - - 5395 1 0 Annual Subscriptions - - - 927 16 0 Dividends on Stock in the Government Funds - - . 661 1 11

Legacy 50 0 0 Rent of Field 9 0 0 Cash withdrawn from Call - - 1000 0 0 Interest on Cash afc Call - - 10 1 4 8 , 553 0 3 10 , 588 3 11

DJSBUKSEJIENTS . Annuitants 5106 0 0 Salary of Secretary and Clerk - 357 10 0 Collector—Commission - - - 69 17 3

Messenger 5 0 0 Provincial Expenses . . . 50 13 11 Medicine for residents at Institntion 12 10 0 Matron do 50 0 0 Pension to late Gardener , and

Gardener ' s Salary do - 28 12 0 Eates and Taxes do - 34 0 3 Repairs and Furniture do - 67 1 7 Stationery , Printing , & c . - - 170 12 4 Advertisements - . . . 22 16 9 Postages , & c , including expenses of

Election - - - 134 19 6 Petty Expenses .... 14 8 2 Entertainment of Stewards and Annuitants .... 44 14 3 Votes of thanks to Stewards . 15 16 2

Hire of Hall on day of Election . 2 12 6 Eent of Office - . . .. 18 0 0 Rent of Field afc Croydon - - 16 18 8 Placed at Call . ... 1000 0 0 Premium on Guarantee Policy for

Collector ( 2 years ) - - 7 11 3 Banker ' s Charges .... 033 Gratuity to Clerk .. .. 15 0 0 7 , 244 17 10 Balance on this Fund . « £ 3 , 343 Q I