Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

We have much pleasure in publishing the following letters relating to the pension proposed to be given to Bro . Binckes on retiring from the office of Secretary , andthe non-official scheme which has received the approval of the Provisionial Management Committee , and i . s being pressed forward with the utmost energy by its authors and supporters with a view to relieving the Royal

Masonic Institution for Boys of the annual charge which the payment of Bro . Binckes' pension will entail . The first letter , that of Bro . Joseph D . Langton , Hon . Sec . of the Provisional Management Committee , fully explains the nature of this scheme and how it i . s sought to obtain the necessary sum to secure Bro . Binckes an annuity equivalent to the pension it is proposed to give him . The second letter , which emanates

from Bro . T . W . Tew , P . G . M ., and Bro . Henry Smith , D . P . G . M . of West Yorkshire , is an urgent appeal to the lodges in West Yorkshire to support the scheme , and they sincerely trust that the lodges in London and the other Provinces will regard this appeal , as if it had been addressed to them directly by their own rulers , and will , to the best of their ability support a proposal , which has found such favour in West Yorkshire and many of our most important provinces .

To the Provincial Grand Masters , Deputy Provincial Grand Masters , and the Brethren of Provincial Grand Lodges and the Worshipful Masters and Brethren of all Lodges . 37 , QUEEN VICTORIA STREET , LONDON , E . G ., BRETHREN , 20 th December , 1 SS 0 .

In view of the narrow majority by which the Resolution proposing to grant to Bro . Binckes a retiring allowance of _ C 3 S P annum vvas carried at the last General Quarterly Court , the Provisional Management Committee has decided to ask the next Quarterly Court not to confirm or proceed further vvith that resolution , but to substitute in its place another to grant him £ 250 per annum .

The Provisional Management Committee has come to this conclusion in the hope that such an arrangement will be satisfactory to all parties , and will tend to allay any excitement and bitterness . which may have been unfortunately imported into this question , so opposed to the principles of Freemasonry and imperilling the best interests , if not the very vitality , of the Institution itself .

Whilst asking vvith confidence for the grant of £ 250 per annum , the Provisional Management Committee has considered and sanctioned a scheme to raise a fund of , £ 2500 in lieu of granting a pension to Bro . Binckes , styled the " Pension Indemnity Fund , R . M . Institution for Boys , " the immediate object of which is to relieve altogether the Institution from any charge on its funds , and at the same time to

recognise the services of Bro . Binckes and provide some means for his "honourable retirement" from the office of Secretary , after upwards of 28 years' service . By this scheme it is proposed that every Lodge in London and the Provinces should contribute or grant from its funds 3 . sum of £ 2 ios ., being at the rate of 5 s . per Lodge for

10 years , so that a Lodge of , say 40 Members , each Member would be contributing iiid . per annum , or is . 3 d ., towards the amount required for the Commutation , and from an estimate made on this basis , if all co-operate and heartily support this plan , a large surplus will undoubtedly arise for the benefit of the Institution .

I'rom the many expressions of concurrence which have been received , the Provisional Management Committee is led to believe that the scheme will receive general acceptance . If this should happily be the case , it will at once put an end to the unfortunate condition of affairs which during the past year has operated so prejudicially to the interests of the Institution , and which if not terminated must continue to injure it , to the deepfelt regret of all its friends and supporters .

I he Provisional Management Committee has the pleasure to announce that a distinguished Brother , fully believing the generosity of the Craft will support the scheme , has munificently placed at the disposal of the Provisional Management Committee the sum of £ 2500 , to enable it to commute the proposed allowance of £ 25 ° per annum and arrange at

once vvith Brother Binckes for his retirement , and to allow six months for the collection of the fund . The attitude Brother Binckes has assumed in this matter is highly gratifying to the Provisional Management Committee , and tends very materially to assist such an amicable and satisfactory settlement .

l'he fund raised will be quite distinct and altogether apart from the funds of the Institution , and will be placed in the hands of three Trustees , viz ., Brothers F . A . Philbrick , Q . C . ( Grand Registrar ) , Edward Terry ( Grand Treasurer ) , and Richard Eve ( P . G . Treasurer ) , and any surplus that

may arise will be paid over to the funds of the Institution . As the success of the scheme depends on the general concurrence of those interested , the Committee urgently appeal to all members of the Craft and friends of the Institution to contribute to the fund , and thus insure the speedy completion ° ' the scheme .

Yours fraternally , ] JOSEPH D . LANGTON , Hon . Sec . of the Provisional Management Committee . Cheques or Postal Orders can be sent to the Hon . Sec . at 'he above address , payable to the Order of F . A . PHILBRICK , and crossed " UNION BANK OF LONDON . "

ST . J ' S , WAKEFIELD , January , 1890 . DEAR SIR AND BRO ., . VVe desire to call your attention to and invite your nearl y co-operation in ing out the scheme set forth in

carry '" e accompanying appeal issued by the Provisional Management Committee of the above-named Institution to raise a Sllni of ^ , 2500 in lieu of granting a pension from the funds S . the Institution to the [ retiring Secretary , Bro . Frederick wnckes . '

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

A special meeting of the Charity Committee of this Province was held in " Leeds on the 21 st December last , when this scheme was fully explained , and after full discussion unanimously adopted , and it was also agreed that the sum of two hundred guineas should be raised in support of the fund .

Paragraph 4 in the appeal fully states the basis upon which the scheme is calculated—seeing however that some lodges have less , whilst many others have more than 40 members , it is for thc brethren of every lodge to determine what sum they will contribute .

VVe are exceedingly wishful to promote in every possible way the success of this scheme , which has alread y received the wannest approval and support alike of friend . s and opponents of the Pension , and vve fully believe the £ 2 . 1 00 will be easily raised , ancl , in addition , a handsome surplus for the benefit of the Institution .

Will you kindly read the appeal ancl this letter at your next meeting ancl report the result . Please forward the contribution from your lodge as early as possible to Bio . Herbert G . E . Green , Provincial Crand Secretary , to whom Cheques may be made payable , and who will give an official receipt . We are , dear Sir and Bro ., Yours fraternally , THOMAS WILLIAM TEW , P . G . M . HENRY SMITH , D . P . G . M .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The adjourned meeting of the Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 29 th ult . Bro . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., occupied the chair , and there vvere present Bros . A . H . Tattershall , Samuel Brooks , H . Garrod , P . G . P . ; fames Brett , P . G . P . ; G . Bolton ,

John Bulmer , W . B . Daniell , Hugh Cotter , H . Smith , T . W . Hubbert , G . E . Fairchild , A . Mullord , C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; John Larkin , W . H . Persian , P . G . P . ; C F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; Charles Belton , G . Dep . D . C . ; C . J . Perceval , Thomas Corbitt , P . G . P . ; C . Kempton , Rob . Grigg , C H . Webb , W . Belchamber ,

J . S . Cumberland , W . F . Smithson , C . G . Dilby , George Mickley , George Jones , G . Marsden , W . J . Murlis , W . Masters , and James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Secretary . The proceedings were of a conversational character , and in the result it was arranged that the members of the Committee of Management should severall y

state their opinions in writing on the subject of the proposed changes as to the elig ibility of candidates for admission into the Institution , and address them tothe Secretary on or before the last day of the current month . Those various opinions and the changes then proposed to be made in the present rules , placed side by side with the latter , having been printed and circulated , a

meeting was arranged to be held on a day in March other than that appointed for the regular meeting ( the second . Wednesday ) , when those opinions would be considered , with a view to the recommendations made therein , being submitted to a special meeting of the Governors and Subscribers , to be hereafter summoned . A vote of thanks teiminated the proceedings .

Bradford And District Masonic Literary Society.

BRADFORD AND DISTRICT MASONIC LITERARY SOCIETY .

A meeting was held on Tuesday evening , the 21 st ult ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Salem-street , Bradford , of brethren . from the various lodges in Bradford , Halifax , Kei ghley , Bingley , Shipley , Baildon , Haworth , and others , who are interested in the advancement of the

Order , when an interesting paper was read by Bro . G . W . Speth , P . M . and Sec . 2076 , on " The Degrees of Antient ( pre 1717 Freemasonry ) . Some discussion took place on the subject of the paper , and , on the motion of Bro . W . C LUPTON , seconded by Bro . H . CROSSLING a hearty vote of thanks

was accorded to Bro . Speth . The meeting , which was of an extremel y interesting nature throughout , was closed by a vote of thanks to the Chairman , Bro . Thomas Norfolk , W . M . 600 , which was proposed by Bro . T . Ramsden Riley , and seconded by Bro . Matthewman .

Masonic Conversazione In Edinburgh.

MASONIC CONVERSAZIONE IN EDINBURGH .

The Dramatic and Arts Lodge , No . 757 , although the youngest , is one of the most popular , active , and vigorous in the Metropolitan province . It has onl y been in existence for little more than a year , and alread y it has a large membership , chiefl y composed of gentlemen belonging to the dramatic , artistic , and

literary professions . The '' musicalevenings" which the lodge gave last year , and to which friends outside the Craft vvere invited , proved so successful that it was decided to inaugurate the present season with a similar entertainment in the form of a conversazione , which was

held in the Waterloo Rooms on the 24 th ult ., and proved a great success , close upon 400 ladies and gentlemen being present . The proceeds are to be applied to the fund of the Masonic bazaar which is to be held towards the close of the year in aid of the scheme for raising a new Scottish Masonic Benevolent Fund for the benefit

of indigent Scottish Masons , their widows , and children . The company were received by the Secretary , Bro . W . O . Davis ( who i . s also Secretary to the Bazaar Committee ) and the office-bearers of the lodge , ancl the conversazione was opened with a few remarks b y Councillor CRICHTON , who said the forthcoming bazaar promised to be a great success , as they had

Masonic Conversazione In Edinburgh.

been assured of contributions from all quarters of the world—from India , China , Australia , New Zealand , and America . At present they had 3 6 pensions of . £ 10 each , and they desired to increase that number , ancl he vvas sure they would not appeal in vain to their Edinburgh friends .

The musical programme was of a most enjoyable nature , the vocalists and musicians comprising some of the best amateur and professional talent in the city . Miss Bella M'Gregor delighted the audience by her rendering of a well-known waltz-song by Arditti , and Mr . Andrew Usher won a well-deserved recall for his

singing of " I arise for dreams of thee . " Songs vvere also given by Miss Alice Brickmann , Mr . T . Thompson , Mr . C . Howard , and Mr . Kerpen . Instrumental pieces vvere furnished b y Mr . Bridgman , Mr . Carl D . Hamilton , Mr . J . Hutton , Mr . M'Kinley , Mr . Winrani

( whose violin solo vvas so tastefull y rendered as to secure for him a hearty recall ) , and Mr . T . C . Poyser . Dr . Horsley gave an effective and dramatic reading of a military piece , and Dr . Drinkwater contributed one of his clever musical sketches .

The entertainment vvas altogether one of a charming character , and afforded much enjoyment to the large company . ?

Fifth Annual Ball Of The Chiswick Lodge, No. 2012.

FIFTH ANNUAL BALL OF THE CHISWICK LODGE , No . 2012 .

The fifth annual ball of the above lodge vvas held at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , on Wednesday , the 22 nd ult ., and proved , like the former ones , a most successful and pleasant gathering . Among the company present , numbering nearly a 100 , vvere Bro . Geo .

Gardner , P . M ., and Mrs . Gardner ; Bros . Dr . F . Lawrance , P . M ., Treas . ; F . Walden , S . D ., and Mrs . Walden ; Bro . W . C . Dickey , Stwd ., and Mrs . Dickey ; Bro . E . Wavell , Stwd ., and Mrs . Wavell ; Bro . W . Clowes , Hon . Sec , Mrs ., and Miss Clowes ; Bro . B . F . Hartyhorne ; Bro . W . H . Wilson ; Bro . John Brill .

and Mrs . Brill ; Bro . C W . Bennett and Mrs . Bennett ; Bro . G . Sales , Mrs . ' , and Miss Sales ; Bro . John Wood and Mrs . Wood ; Bros . M . Long , W . J . Harrison , J . Montgomery ; Bro . H . Sherwood and Mrs . Sherwood ; Bro . J . Dorey and Mrs . Dorey ; Bro . W . and Miss Dorey ; Bro . J . Beckett and Miss Beckett ; Bro . F .

Kemp , Miss King , Mr . and Mrs . Cattle ; Mr . and Mrs . Bush ; Mr . and Mrs . F . Browe ; Mrs . Holmb y , Bro . Callingham and Miss Callingham ; Bro . W . Ritchie ; Messrs . Kni ght Smith , Rugg , Smithson , A . Meyrick , J . Meyrick ; Mr . Inder and Miss Inder ; Mr . E . Norman , Mr . C . Norman , and others .

Dancing commenced at 9 . 30 p . m . to Messrs . Simmonds' Quadrille Band . The first part having been got through by one o ' clock , the company sat down to supper , supplied b y Bro . J . Brill ' s successor , Bro . W . Bennett , and vve must say that in this his first attempt at the Star and Garter he deserves great praise for the manner in which it was

put on and served . Bro . George Gardner , P . M ., occupied the chair , and Bro . Dr . Hartzhorne the vice-chair , and after full justice had been done , the toast of " The Queen and the Royal Family" was given , the whole company singing a verse of the National Anthem . "The Success of the Chiswick Ball " ancl "The Visitors " followed .

Bro . H . S . SHERWOOD , Manchester Lodge , responded . The last , though not least , toast was " The Ladies , " which vvas responded to by Bro . Dr . HARTZHORNE , who in some well-chosen remarks said that if the lodges would onl y give more of such nights as these , he was sure the ladies would be more satisfied with Freemasons '

gatherings than they were . The company then repaired to the ball room , and dancing was kept up until 5 . 30 a . m ., several of the dances being encored , and one being added . The brethren appeared in Masonic clothing , which added considerabl y to the geueral effect . The rooms were very handsomel y decorated with plants & c .

There was only thing wanted—a larger number of the members of the lodge , particularly the W . Master , his Wardens , and other officers . ' 1 hese gatherings certainly reflect great credit on those who undertake the management , as they not only tend to popularise the lodge , but to increase its members , and bring them more familiarly together . May they have many such in the future .

United Northern Counties Lodge.

UNITED NORTHERN COUNTIES LODGE .

An address of congratulation having been forwarded by the W . M . and members of the above lodge to Bro . the Earl of Zetland on his appointment as Viceroy of Ireland , his lordshi p has sent the following reply : " 24 Jany ., 1 S 90 , , " Vice Kegal Lodge , Dublin . Sir and Brother ,

" I must ask you to convey to the VV . M . and brethren of the United Northern Counties Lodge my most sincere thanks for their kind address of congratulation on my appointment to the honourable position of our Most Gracious Sovereign ' s representative in this country . It was matter of to that

a regret me , owing to numerous and pressing engagements , 1 vvas unable to receive the address before leaving England . 1 must ask you to convey to the brethren my best thanks , and ask them to accept the enclosed photograph for the lodge ' s album . —I remain , yours faithfully and fraternally , " ( Signed ) "ZETLAND . "