The Wood Green Property Of The Boys' School.

THE WOOD GREEN PROPERTY OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

IT will be remembered that a few weeks since—on the occasion of the Quarterly General Court in April last—the supporters of the" Royal Masonic Institution for Boys were asked to contribute a sum , not exceeding- £ 100 ,

towards a Guarantee Fund then being ; raised for the purpose of promoting a Bill in Parliament for the separation of Wood Green from the existing Tottenham Local Board , the proposed separation affecting the land , buildings ,

& c . of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , which is situated in the district referred to . Previous to the meeting we expressed our views in regard to the proposal —we could not see that fair value was being offered for

the £ 100 applied for , and we considered it unfair the Institution should be asked to guarantee so large a sum , which was out of all character , when the value of the property possessed by the Charity was compared with the

total value affected by the proposed separation . We were , therefore , fully prepared for the manner in which the proposition was dismissed by those assembled at the Conrt —it was rejected in the most forcible manner—but we

were surprised that a better case was not made out by those advocating the grant . In our remarks on the proposal we said it might be unwise for the Institution to stand out of any feasible organisation common among its neighbours , and had a reasonable sum been asked for we should have

felt disposed to advise its being granted . We now know such a view would have received support , and believe it was the excessive amount of the proposal which led to its rejection , coupled with the insufficiency of the facts

brought forward in its support , Perhaps at some future time—should it be necessary—a different decision would be arrived at , and with the view of preparing the way for further discussion on the subject , and with the object of

keeping the Craft informed , we devote a portion of our present issue to details of what has so far been accomplished , and to consider to what extent it may be said to affect

the property owned by the Institution , which throughout the controversy has been referred to in a prominent and not always complimentary manner . It appears there has long been a grievance as to the

work performed by the Tottenham Local Board in Wood Green , the two being justly described by the promoters of the Bill as entirely distinct neighbourhoods . It has been urged that Wood Green has not had a fair return for the rates it contributed , its share often being expended on

other parts of the large parish . This is accounted for b y the " separators" on the ground that Wood Green , although including one-third of the total rateable value , and consequently contributing one-third of the total rates

collected by the Tottenham Local Board , had the right to elect only three members to the Board , which consists of eighteen members . In consequence the three were always outvoted when any proposition was submitted particularly

affecting the property they represented . This unsatisfactory state of affairs led to a proposal for separation , and this , to all intents and purposes , is now secured , for the

only opposition to the Bill came from the Tottenham Local Board , who , after three days proceedings before a Committee of the House of Commons decided that , as it was desirable to get rid of a dissatisfied constituency , they would be willing to let Wood Green go in peace provided

The Wood Green Property Of The Boys' School.

some minor points conld be arranged . There is no doubt these matters will be adjusted , and that before many months have elapsed Wood Green will be a distinct district and its more prominent inhabitants will have ample

opportunity of proving the truth of their recent promises . The question may naturally be asked , how far does this affect the property of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ? and for answer we shall give onr own

opinionthat it affects it to a great extent ; and next explain outreasons for arriving at that decision . It appears the total rateable value of the property in Wood Green is estimated at £ 100 , 000 , and that the Royal Masonic Institution for

Boys is rated at about £ 1 , 200 , so that this Charity of the Craft is really one-ninetieth part of the whole district , and as such may he excused if it takes a prominent part in local affairs . That , however , it is not likely to do ; but we

have already said it would be unwise for the Institution to stand out of any feasible organisation common among its neighbours , and now that we sec so much unanimity and apparent co-operation over this scheme , we certainly think

it would be unwise to stand aloof . Onr opposition of hist month was conscientious , and it is only in consequence of our having gone fully into ( he subject since thnt we are now disposed to advise different tactics . Of course very

heavy expenses have been entailed in connection with this separation scheme , and as the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys is interested to the extent of one-ninetieth share , it would not be unreasonable to briner the matter a < rain

before the Subscribers who , doubtless , would listen to a fair proposal . However , as we said before , the matter should be first submitted to one of the Committees of the Institution , with the request that they would lay it before the general body of Subscribers .

We have touched thus fully on this subject because we believe the members of the Craft are desirous of acting fairly in all their dealings , both with each other and the world at large , and because we do not like to see the

Institution particularly interested , together with its managers , held up to public ridicule , as they have been . On the other hand we think the promoters of the scheme have dealt too severely with the decision of the April Quarterly

Court , which might have been far different if a reasonable proposal had been submitted , and fair arguments adduced to support it . Of course we cannot promise them any greater success in the future , should they decide io make

another application , but we are convinced that if they put their case properly before the Craft they will receive much stronger support than was the case a few weeks since , when their claims were not understood , and they did not seem to think it necessary they should be fully explained .

The Scope And Philosophy Of Freemasonry.

THE SCOPE AND PHILOSOPHY OF FREEMASONRY .

WHAT is it , and why do we concern ourselves about it , and seek to build it ? Whence does it come , and what is it that called it into being ? What is it that

maintains it , and what important purpose does it promote among mankind ? These queries present themselves to the mind , in all their varied forms , and are by no means

easy to answer . The Institution of Freemasonry is speculative , and hence symbolical , to be considered and studied irrespective of the