The Approaching School Elections.

THE APPROACHING SCHOOL ELECTIONS .

THE ballot paper for the next election of tlie Girls ' School , which is to take place on Saturday the 11 th October , contains the names of forty-eight approved candidates , from whom a selection is to be made to fill the eighteen declared vacancies . It will thus be seen that no less than thirty of the children who have been brought forward must on this occasion be refused admittance to the

benefits of the Institution . In the case of the Boys' School , the election to which takes places the following Monday , the case is worse , there being seventy-seven candidates and only sixteen vacancies . Here , then , we shall have to turn away no less than sixty-one children who are admittedly

deserving of the charitable sympathy of the Craft . Regrets at this state of affairs seem useless ; we can only hope that the present prevalence of claims on our Institutions will in years to come materially decrease , but we fear that such is

not likely to be the case under existing circumstances , nor while snch an enormous increase is annually made in the number of members of the Craft . It appears certain that if we are to attempt anything like general relief in cases of need some material addition must be made to the

accommodation which at present exists . What form this addition will take , or how it will be maintained , are questions it is impossible to answer at present , but its introduction has now become a matter of necessity unless wo are to remain satisfied with dispensin g relief to a small proportion only of

those who are compelled to ask for our assistance , and who are deemed worthy to receive it . The number of " first application " cases which appear on the periodical lists is usually so far in advance of the vacancies which arise that it becomes a question for consideration whether more

searching inquiry is not necessary before a candidate is allowed to be placed on the list , or whether some alteration in the laws is not necessary so as to render it more difficult to secure a place on the ballot paper . We so frequently hear it affirmed that one or other of the candidates' friends

occupy a position in life which should have debarred them from applying to tbe charity of the Craft , that we are inclined to believe a more strict investigation is necessary . We admit that it may be difficult to get at the real facts of every case , but at the same time we think that if more

particulars were demanded we should not have so many really deserving cases turned from our doors . Doubtless the recommending brethren usually consider their protege the most deserving of support , but a committee who have the facts of each case pafe before them shonld be able to

adopt such steps as effectually to prevent abuse , although we must admit that at present we have no direct evidence but that they have done all that lay in their power to do so . We will now proceed briefly to review the candidates , as described in the ballot papers , and in so doing desire it to be

understood that we make use only of such information as is at the disposal of every subscriber . We are personally acquainted with particulars in many of the cases which deserve to be mentioned , but in our remarks we desire to ignore them a'l , as special reference in any one case would be unfair to the others .

Of the 48 girls on the list , four are " last application " cases , No . 1 , who brings 646 votes forward from three previous attempts ; No . 3 third application , 459 votes forward ; No . 17 second application , 546 votes in hand ; and No . 46 , who now appears for the first time . To attempt to suggest which of these is the most deserving would be to

The Approaching School Elections.

go beyond our intended purpose ; still we think it cannot be denied that thoy each havo claims on the sympathy of the brethren which should preclude the possibility of their being for ever debarred from entering the portals of our School . The remaininsr candidates will each have other

opportunities , but with these four it will bo the deciding election . We can but express the hope that they will secure places among the " successful . " Of the remaining 44 , twenty are first applications ; six being accredited to Londonthirteen to the Provinces and one to Hone Konsr :

West Yorkshire and Lincolnshire each bring forward two of this number , but aro in other respects clear of the Girls' list . As however they both have " last application " cases for the Boys ' , it is doubtful whether the greater part of their exertions next month , will not be required for

the election of that School . No . 19 , Edith Hicks , a Devonshire lass , brings forward 858 votes from one previous election ; both her parents are living , and there are two other

children depending on them for support . No 5 , Agnes A . Deeley , whose father died in 1873 , has a brother in the Boys' School , she has already taken part in two elections , on which occasions 762 votes were recorded for her . No . 20 ,

Alice Clara Kirke , 753 votes forward from last election , has a sister in the Institution , both her parents are living , and they have four other children to maintain . No . 21 , Margaret Ethel Lang , one of two children dependent on

their mother , has a sister in the School , and herself comes forward with G 72 votes from one previous trial . Emma Eliza Williams , No . 9 , has already appeared twice at the elections of this School . On those occasions her friends

polled 557 votes to her credit . Both her parents are still living , but her father is insane ; there are two other children who have to be provided for by the labours of the mother . No . 4 , Ethel Frances W . Allison , follows very close , as regards number of votes in hand , her supporters having

already recorded 547 at the two elections she has taken part in ; her mother is the only parent living , and she has to provide for three children , notwithstanding the fact that the Masonic Girls' School already takes charge of two members of her family . Three cases , Nos . 15 , 20 and 27 ,

deserve especial notice . Each of these children are members of families who have neither parent living , and each has stood one election , the votes recorded then beiug 475 , 389 , and 75 respectively . The father of Alice Mary Dawson , No . 15 , died in 1878 , ten months after his initiation in the

Londesborough Lodge . His short acquaintance with the Craft appears to have induced several friends to come forward and aid in the earing for the four children he has left parontless , if we may judge by tho number of votes already polled . No . 26 , Mnbol Harrison Tipper , is one of

three of the family of a late member of 546 , who rely on the charity of friends ; she has a sister in the Institution , and has , as wo havo already stated , 389 votes at present recorded on her behalf . No . 27 , Mary Ann A . Wyatt , the other candidate left with neither parent , is one of a family

of four who still remain unprovided for , except by the charity of their friends . Her father , at the timo of his death , was J . W . of the Loyalty Lodge , No . 1607 , and although only connected with the Order for a very short time , showed great interest in the Charities , whereby it is

now sought to benefit his offspring . 480 votes are brought forward on behalf of No . 13 , Emily S . H . Hill , whose mother has five children entirely , and two partially

dependent on her . Thero aro two candidates who bring forward 436 votes each ; the one , No . 7 , Eva C . H . Hart , from two previous attempts , and the other , No . 25 , Clara Pratt , from one . In the first case the candidate has already