Girls School Candidates.

candidates would not outnumber the vacancies year by year , or would keep so nearly pace with them that admission to the School might be arranged in order of seniority , instead of by election , all of which is very

true , and might possibly be arranged if it was desired to depart from the present custom of holding half-yearly contests ; but that would necessitate such radical changes all round as to be outside the scope of our present

consideration . We have to take things as we find them , and accordingly have to consider the facts as they bear upon the half-yearly meetings with which we are all

familiar , and in that connection we think it must be recognised that a scarcity of candidates may easily become a source of danger to the Institution .

Let us take for the present the case of a Province—Essex , for example , as we have already quoted from the report of its Charity Committee—where organisation in connection with the work of the Masonic Institutions is an

accomplished fact , and where the whole district looks to a central Committee for advice and guidance in all that concerns the management and support of the different Funds . In the course of its labours this Committee has

to report that one of the elections "was very flat , there being no demand for votes at all , " those that could be exchanged for Boys votes being sacrificed at the rate of four to one . What is the inference to be immediately

drawn from such a statement ? Why , that as matters stand , the Boys School is four times as popular as the Girls School , and so it comes that what is regarded as evidence of strength by some may easily be pointed to as direct proof of weakness by others .

We are convinced that such a report as that of the Essex Committee—and other Provincial bodies have said as much , and even more—has great influence with Brethren who are in a position to support one or other of our

Institutions , but are not wholly decided as to which one . It is true that the good done by a donation is not to be measured by the value of the votes given in return , but one cannot help making unfavourable comparisons when

votes received from one Institution are practically worthless , while those received from another Fund , under exactly similar conditions , are eagerly sought after : and those

comparisons are not likely to be wholly in favour of the Fund whose proxies are such a drug in the election market .

We are by no means prepared to advocate a general canvass for candidates , but are certainly of opinion some steps should be taken to render such comments as those referred to not only unnecessary but also impossible . Once

the feeling gets abroad ^ that the benefits offered by the Girls School are no longer being sought after , the decline of subscriptions to that Institution must follow as a matter of course .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

THE monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall , London . Bro . James Henry Matthews President , Bro . D . D . Mercer Senior Vice-President , Bro . C . J . E . Tijou P . A . G . P . acting as Junior Vice-President , Bro . W . Lake A . G . S ., Bro . G . S . Eecknell , and

T . W . Whitmarsh , S . V . Abraham , George Read , Henry Garrod , "William Vincent , Walter Martin , Henry Sadler , George G-raveley , Eobert Gowan , Henry Massey , Major H . Vane Stow , and a large number of other Brethren were present .

The day being the regular one for the meeting of the General Committee of Grand Lodge the Board of Masters , with which the proceedings commenced , had submitted to them the course of

Board Of Benevolence.

business for the next Grand Lodge , of 1 st September , and this being disposed of , and the Scrutineers for the porch having been chosen , the Board of Benevolence entered upon its labours , beginning with the confirmation of grant ' s to the extent of £ 305 recommended for the approval of the Grand Master at the July meeting .

Nineteen new cases had to be adjudged upon , and every one of these was assisted . Grand Lodge ' s approval was asked of a grant of £ 75 to the widow of a deceased clergyman , and the Grand Master ' s sanction was asked to £ 40 being given to each of four cases , £ 30 to seven other , and £ 25 to one other petitioner . The Board gave £ 20 each to two cases of distress , £ 10 to one petitioner , and made three gifts of £ 5 . The total sum voted was £ 535 .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

THE complete results of the Examinations in Science and Art conducted under the South Kensington Board last May are now to hand , and we are glad to note the following successes of our Boys : Geology . —4 passes and 3 marked " Fair . " Mathematics . —Second Stage , 2 First Class , 1 Second Class .

First Stage , 3 passes and 11 " Fair . " ' Inorganic Chemistry . —11 passes and 5 " Fair . " Geometrical Drawing . —7 passes . Freehand Drawing . —5 Second Class . Model Drawing . — 4 First Class , 13 Second Class .

Giving a total o £ 50 Certificates , as against 39 last year . At the recent examination in Musical knowledge , conducted by the Trinity College , one passed in the Intermediate Division , with honours , and three passed in the Junior Division . Fourteen Certificates in Pitman ' s Shorthand have been gained during the last term .

We are also glad to report that Mr . J . A . Coupland ; the " Exhibitioner " of the School , has passed in the Second Division of the Preliminary Scientific Examination of the London

University , both in Chemistry and Experimental Physics and in Biology . As only eleven Candidates passed in the " First , and forty-three in the Second Division , Mr . Coupland ' s success is very creditable , and augurs well for bis future career in Medicine .

Devon.

DEVON .

npHE annual meeting of Provincial Grand Chapter was held 1 at Tiverton , when Comp . Matthew Fortescue Prov . G . H . presided , supported by Comp . J . R . Lord as 2 nd Prov . G . Principal , and Comp . Henry Stocker as 3 rd Prov . G . Principal . There was a large number of Officers and Companions present . The Prov . G . S . E . presented a satisfactory report ,- 'which was adopted .

The Treasurer reported a balance of about fifty guineas . Thirty guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , to be placed on the list of Comp . John Stocker , who will act as Steward for the Province at the Centenary Festival , to be

held next year . Ten guineas was voted to the Devon Masonic Benevolent Fund for Widows , five guineas to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , and five guineas to the Fortescue Annuity Fund .

Comp . E . M . Moyle , of St . Peter ' s Chapter , Tiverton , was elected Treasurer for the year , and Comps . Ellerton and Crabbe Auditors . The Officers for the year were appointed and invested .

Regret was expressed at the unavoidable absence of the acting Grand Superintendent of the Province Comp . W . G . Sogers 2 nd Prov . G . Principal , who was prevented through illness from attending .

A cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Principals and Companions of St . Peter ' s Chapter , for the excellent arrangements they had made for the reception of the Provincial Grand Chapter .

Gar rick . —Owing to the great success of the specially selected Company engaged to play in America the musical comedy " In Town , " and which Mr . Brickwell had engaged to give twelve special performances at this theatre , commencing on Monday evening , 9 th August , it was found necessary , owing to the heavy advance bookings to try and extend the run , and thanks to certain cablegrams to and from New York the" engagement has now been extended until Friday evening , 27 th inst ., when the farewell performance

will take place . Immediately after its withdrawal Offenbach ' s "La Perichole " will be produced , on a scale of great splendour . Rehearsals are now in full progress , and among the company already engaged may be mentioned Messrs . John Le Hay , Fred Kaye , Richard Clarke , Wilfred Howard , T . Riley , H . Paulton ; Mesdames Emma Owen , Jose Shalders , P . Fraser , Maud Boyd , Edith Johnston , and Florence St . John , who will be assisted by a powerful orchestra and chorus .