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SATURDAY , 22 ND JUNE 1901 .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

THE annual visit of Stewards to the Institution , and Distribution of Prizes to the successful pupils , will take place on Monday , at the Schools , Wood Green , the proceedings

commencing at 3 p . m . The Chairman of the year , the popular Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , will no doubt be present , as his wife Mrs . W . W . Bramston Beach has kindly consented to make the awards to the boys , a gracious act on the part of that lady which not

only proves sympathy with her husband in the work of Freemasonry , but shows that like that well tried Brother , and in spite of advancing years , she yet takes a lively interest in the education and training of the young . We trust her presence on the occasion may be as much appreciated by the pupils as it deserves to be .

Fire at tho Now Schools . LAST week a misfortune befel the new buildings in course of erection at Bushey , for the purposes of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , which happily proved less

serious than appeared at one time to be threatened , but which was sufficient to cause considerable damage and , it may be , delay in the completion of the new home for " Our Boys . "

A few minutes before midnight on Sunday , gth inst ., a fire was discovered in the large dining hall of the establishment in course of erection , and from the local reports it appears that only the early discovery of the outbreak , the kindly action of a neighbour who cycled to Watford for the

fire engines , and the ready response and active efforts of the brigade , prevented what might have led to the undoing of much of the work that has thus far been accomplished in erecting the new Boys School at Bushey . We have visited the site since the outbreak , and in the calm which surrounds

the neighbourhood in broad daylight , admit there does not seem much cause for real alarm ; but as one of those who have assisted at country fires in the middle of the night , and can appreciate the efforts often made by willing helpers to remove possible sources of danger , and take a part in the

task of stopping a conflagration , we can well believe the local reports are not too highly coloured . However , good luck seemed to continue its sway over the new buildings of the School , and happily the damage is probably covered by a thousand pounds , a loss which we fear may fall somewhat

heavily upon the contractor , but which , it may be , will prove a cheap lesson , as the Executive will now more than ever recognise that it is imperative to make special provision for a possible calamity when the new Schools come to be fully occupied , and will be generally supported in any action they may deem desirable to guard those entrusted to their

care . The following is copy of the report of the outbreak , as published by the * ' Watford Observer " . On Sunday night , a few minutes before midni ght , a report was received at the Fire Station of an outbreak of fire at the Masonic

Schools , now nearing completion on the Bushey Grove Park Estate . In double quick time the engine was manned and on the way to the scene . The fire was found to be in the large dining hall , which measures over 100 feet b y 45 feet , and the flames had a good hold on the building when the brigade arrived . The tie beams and

principals , which were in the course of erection , had collapsed , and the roof boarding and rolls of felt , which were on the floor ready for use were also beyond recovery . The bath stone of the windows in some cases will have to be replaced , and the Portland stone

columns where the fire raged fiercest were all splintered . There was an excellent force of water from the Colne Valley mains , and Mr . Blackburn was in attendance with an assistant . The Metropolitan police , under Inspector Giffard , were also strongly represented , and rendered the firemen no small help .

It was at first thought that the fire could not be confined to the scene of the outbreak , but the efforts of the firemen were successful , otherwise the kitchen block and the wing on the right side would have been demolished . Foreman carpenter T . Nevill , foreman

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

mason L . Cover , and foreman of the works C . Woolley , were present and rendered valuable aid . Nothing is known as to the origin of the fire . The day watchman , who left in the evening , noticed nothing unusual on taking his departure . The outbreak was first noticed by one of the Bushey police , who immediately gave the

alarm . But for the kindness of a M ' r . Woodville , who resides in the Avenue , in volunteering to cycle to Watford to call the brigade , the result would have been much more serious . Owing to some misunderstanding , Messrs . Sedgwick's brigade did not receive the call , but on hearing of the fire they soon put in an appearance ,

Lieutenant Sedgwick in command . The Rickmansworth brigade , who presumably received notice from the police , kindly turned up under Captain Henderson , with a hose cart and steamer , but the fire was under control before their arrival . Much more loss would have been sustained had it not been for the pulling down of the

scaffolding , thus preventing the spreading of the flames . It is estimated that the damage done will not be less than ^ 1 , 000 . We believe the Caledonian Insurance Company are involved . The Watford Brigade , who were under Captain Peacock , are to be

congratulated on the success which attended their efforts , for when they arrived on the scene the whole building appeared in imminent danger . The call was received at 11 . 55 P- -i and four minutes later the brigade was careering down the High Street .

American Masons And The King.

AMERICAN MASONS AND THE KING .

AS recorded in our issue of the 18 th May the Worshipful Master of the Eccentric Lodge , No . 2488 , Bro . Thomas Eraser was entrusted by Bro . General John Corson Smith , Venerable

Chief of the Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois , with an address of sympathy on the death of the Queen , and congratulation to the King on his accession to the throne , and attended by appointment at Marlborough House for the purpose of delivering the Address to Sir Francis Knollys , who ,

"by the King s permission , accepted it on His Majesty ' s behalf . ¦ The presentation has been acknowledged to General Smith both by Lord Lansdowne , from the Foreign Office ; and by Bro . Letchworth , as Secretary of Grand Lodge ;

while General Smith , on behalf of the body he presides over , has thanked Bro . Fraser for the part he took in delivering the document . The two official letters addressed to our worthy transatlantic Brother are in the following terms .

• ' Foreign Office , London , May 13 th , 1901 . SIR , —I duly laid before the King my Sovereign your letter of the 2 nd ultimo ,- transmitting an Address which the Masonic Association of Illinois desired to present to His Majesty , as a token

of their respect for Her late Majesty Queen Victoria , and in which they also express their good wishes on the occasion of His Majesty ' s Accession to the Throne . And I have received the King ' s commands to request vou to be good enough to convey to the members of the

Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois His sincere thanks for their message of sympathy and good-will , which His Majesty has received with high appreciation . I am , Sir , Your most humble Servant , LANSDOWNE .

General J . C . Smith , 65 Sibley Street , Chicago . ' ' United Grand Lodge of England ,

Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , London , W . C ., 10 th May igor .

DEAR BROTHKR AND VKNKRAULE CHIEF , —I have received the commands of the King to ask you to accept , and to be so good as to convey to the other members of the Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois , His Majesty ' s most grateful and fraternal thanks for

the touching tribute to the memory of her late Majesty Queen Victoria , so eloquently expressed in the address signed by you on behalf of the Association of which His Majesty is himself a member ,

I have the honour to be , Dear Brother and Venerable Chief , Yours fraternally ,

E . LETCHWORTH . General John Corson Smith , Venerable Chief Miasonic Veteran Association of Illinois , U . S . A ., & c . "

It is announced that the unique event in the history of English Freemasonry of two Royal brothers being

successively the occupants of the Masonic throne will be celebrated by a iongf array of honours conferred for distinguished services in Masonry .