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Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. ← Page 2 of 3 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Page 2 of 3 →
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Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
Bro . S MITH said that at the last monthly meeting of the General Committee there was a discussion on this question of the election of medical officer , and the provisional Committee brought up the report recommending only one gentleman for election to that office , and Bro . Eve said on that occasion that it would be only for the Quarterly Court to elect . He certainly objected to this question going back to the Provisional Committee . They ought to have made arrangements by which the Quarterly Court should elect from the body of gentlemen . He objected to the Provisional Committee shelving this important question .
Bro . N . B . HEADON said that , according to the agenda paper , they were called upon that day to elect a medical officer . Bro . BRACKSTONE BAKER , P . G . D ., observed that they had already agreed that the Committee should present a report to the General Committee . That
Committee had presented this report . But now some brethren were not satisfied or contented with that , and wanted the matter referred back . If they vvere true to themselves , they vvould reduce the number of candidates to three or four , or some other number , and let the Quarterly Court elect . Bro . BEVIR then rose , and said he should withdraw his motion .
Another BROTHER asked whether it was possible that the present Court could go through the testimonials of all these candidates , and thoroughly sift the question . Bro . BEVIR then said that to save the time of the brethren he vvould at once , with the approval of the Chairman and the seconder of his ' motion , test the feeling of the Court , and see whether they had confidence in the Provisional Committee .
( Cries of " No , no 1 " ) . He should at once propose that this Court do elect Mr . Porter . The motion was seconded by Bro . LE FEUVRE . Bro . N . B . HEADON proposed that the Provisional Committee reduce the number to six , and that those six be put for election . Bro . W . A . SCURRAH said he had to propose another gentleman .
The CHAIRMAN was sure the meeting vvould feel that it was impossible to go throug h the whole ot the testimonials . The Committee had examined all the testimonials , and they reduced the number of candidates from one number to another , and after they had reduced it to six they reduced that number to one . Bro . SCURRAH nominated , Bro . Sidney L . Smith , of Argyle-square , King's Cross . Bro . KNIGHTLEY seconded .
A BROTHER desired to know whether this gentleman was a candidate ? The CHAIRMAN replied that he was not ; he had been a candidate , but he afterwards withdrew his candidature . Bro . J AMES STEVENS nominated Mr . R . F . Tomlin , M . R . C . S ., England , Richmond Villa , Lordship-lane , Wood Green , vvho resided within some score of houses from the Institution . Bro . D . D . MERCER , G . P ., seconded the motion .
The CHAIRMAN suggested that if they were going to elect they had better first negative the proposition which Bro . Beaver had first proposed . It was utterly impossible for the Court to go through the whole of the testimonials . The Committee had taken the very , very greatest trouble in the matter , and they vvould feel it very seriously if the Court threw over the whole of the recommendations .
They had , to the best of their ability , selected a proper candidate , and it would be showing a want of confidence in the Committee if they rejected their recommendation . ( Cries of " No , no , " and confusion . ) If any brother moved as an amendment that Dr . Porter be elected , and that motion was not carried , then the Committee might recommend others .
Bro . W . A . SCURRAH said the question before the Court was the election of a medical officer , and every brother had a right to nominate some one . The Chairman , on the suggestion of Bro . J AMES BRETT , P . G . P ., put the motion of Bro . Bevir , " That Mr . W . E . Porter , " whose testimonials they had seen , and vvho had been recommended by the Committee , " be appointed . " The motion was carried almost unanimously .
The CHAIRMAN said the next business was to consider the motion of Bro . Richard Eve : " That in accordance with the recommendation of the Provisional Management Committee , adopted by the General Committee , on Saturday , ioth August , 188 9 , an allowance of £ 350 per annum for life be made to Bro . Frederick Binckes on his retirement from the office of Secretary after a service of upwards . of 28 years . "
A BROTHER desired to know what funded property the Institution had out of which an expenditure of this kind could be made ? Bro . BINCKES requested that as this motion was one thoroughly personal to himself , and would better be discussed in his absence , that he might be allowed to retire from the room . He had no desire to be present while attacks were made upon him , nor did he wish to hear what his good friends mi ght say in his favour .
( Cheers and cries of " Oh , oh . " ) It vvas not consonant with his own feelings that he should be present while this matter was being discussed . ( Cheers , amidst which Bro . Binckes left the hall . ) The CHAIRMAN said , in answer to the question as to what the funded property of the Institution was , he could inform the meeting that it was , £ 17 , 000 .
Another BROTHER desired to know what pensions were alread y granted . The CHAIRMAN did not think that that hadanythingto do with the present question . ( Cries of " Oh , oh I " and cheers . ) If it had , it should come later on , and not at the present time . ( Great confusion . ) The Chairman called upon Bro . Eve to move his proposition , at which announcement there was general applause .
Bro . EVE , in moving the resolution above-mentioned , said he approached this motion with a great amount of diffidence , but he was standing there as the Deput y Chairman of the Committee who recommended the resolution , for Lord Euston was absent , and Bro . Philbrick vvas away attending to the many duties that devolved upon him , and therefore the proposition fell to his ( Bro . Eve ' s ) hands . The brethren must understand that he made the proposition in the character of Deput y
Chairman of the Committee which recommended it , and not as an individual . The Committee appointed at the last Quarterly Court after the reception of the long report which had been made b y the Investigation Committee , and which came to 'he conclusion that there should be a change in the staff of the Boys' Institution , entered into the question of the retirement of Bro . Binckes , the Secretary , which Position he had held for about 30 years . They therefore approached Bro . Binckes
With the view of his retiring honourably and voluntarily . It was suggested that a lump sum should be given him on his retirement . That , however , vvas not decided or agreed upon by both sides , and therefore it was proposed that a sum should be paid him annually for life . After some conferences , that course was approved of by Bro . Binckes , and the sum named was £ 350 a year . ( Hear , hear , and cheers , mingled with cries of " Shame . " ) The shame , then , lay vvith the
Committee which the brethren had appointed to deal with this matter , among others . The Committee considered the point ; they had considered on the one "and the duties of the Secretary , duties which he had performed for many years , and without fault being found . ( Cries of " No , no , " cheers , and hear , hear . ) He Was not going to take up the time of the brethren by making a speech on this opie . The Committee made the proposition . They had considered the question ! , "„? " its bearings ; they knew the services of Bro . Binckes —( hear , hear , and
yn . Oh I" )—they , as a rule , had all known the Institution since the time Bro . [ nckes first took upon himself the office of Secretary , and they were of opinion that 0 one wpuld say that he had not done his duty well . ( A BROTHER : He was well Paid for it . ) When Bro . Binckes first became Secretary , the income of the Insti'On was about £ 2000 a year ; now it was £ 13 , 000 or £ 14 , 000—on one occasion thT ^ ^ . » - ( Cheers . ) There vvas no question on the part of the Committee during 30 years of his life he had worked hard for the Institution , and that he
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
had loved the Institution . ( Interruption , cheers , and cries of '' Oh , oh ! " ) He ( Bro . Eve ) simply made the proposition ; it was for the meeting to consider it . They all knew the facts of the case , and he wished now to read to the brethren a letter from one who was a member of the Investigation Committee , namely , Bro . Pope . " 38 , Parliament-street , Westminster , S . W .,
" 17 th October , 1889 . " Dear Bro . Eve , —I shall be detained in Lancashire on official duty over 25 th inst ., and shall therefore be unable to be present at the Quarterl y Court of the Boys' School . If I could have been there I should earnestl y have supported the resolution of vvhich you have given notice . I have not in any way consulted my colleagues in the Investigation Committee , but so far as my individual opinion is
of any consequence , I should desire it to be known that , in arriving at the conclusion that under existing circumstances a change was desirable , I entirely relied on the generosity of the Craft to recognise the undoubted services of Bro . Binckes , and to provide some such means of honourable or voluntary retirement as is contemplated in your resolution . It could answer no good end to express in detail the reasons
which induce me to acquiesce in the conclusions unanimously arrived at , but there is nothing in those conclusions or in the Report of the Committee inconsistent with an acknowledgment of the vigour , the pluck , or the success with which Bro . Binckes has served the Institution . I hope your resolution will be overwhelmingly carried . I write this in order that you may make any use of it which in your absolute discretion you may think desirable . —Yours truly and fraternall y ,
( Signed ) "SAML . POPE , P . G . D . " Bro . R . Eve , P . G . Treasurer . " He now moved the resolution which stood in his name . Bro . Col . BRISBANE had the greatest pleasure in seconding the motion , but wished the Committee had seen their way to make the recommendation £ 500 a
year . ( Cries of " Oh , oh ! " cheers , and laughter . ) Those who had known Bro . Binckes for a number of years had seen the energy , the pluck , the perseverance with vvhich he had carried on his duties , and , although it mi ght be for the good of the Institution that there should be a change , it would be derogatory to the Craft if he were allowed to retire without some recognition of his past services . ( Hear , hear . ) He trusted that the brethren would unanimously pass the resolution .
The CHAIRMAN , after a pause , said as there vvas no amendment proposed he would put the resolution to the vote . A BROTHER : Put the question now . The CHAIRMAN : Is any brother going to move an amendment ?
A BROTHER : Yes . ( Cries of "Vote . " ) Bro . GOSSET protested against the lavish way in which the money of the Institution was being spent , and against the large disposal of money during the time that Bro . Binckes had been Secretary . ( Confusion . Renewed interruption , and cries of "Vote . " )
The CHAIRMAN asked Bro . Gosset to be kind enough to tell the meeting what his amendment was if he was going to move an amendment . Bro . GOSSET said he should move as an amendment that the pension should be £ 200 a year . ( Great confusion . ) Another BROTHER asserted that the brethren were dealing fairly with the Institution by granting a pension for life to a gentleman who had done as Bro . Binckes had done . ( Renewed interruption , during which no consecutive remarks of any speaker could be gathered . )
Bro . E . CHAMBERLAIN , 387 , moved that Bro . Binckes be called upon to retire with no pension . If he had performed his duties satisfactorily the Investigation Committee would not have reported as they had reported . ( Further interruption . ) The Committee had acknowledged that Bro . Binckes had been overpaid . ( Cries of " No , no ! " and hear , hear . ) He thought that it was a scandal that Bro . Binckes should be paid £ 350 a year . Bro . E . W . STAMP seconded the motion .
The CHAIRMAN , in reply to Bro . Mercer , said that he could not accept the second amendment until the first had been disposed of . A BROTHER inquired whether it was a fact that Bro . Binckes , when appointed , was appointed Secretary for life . ( Several brethren— " No . " The BROTHER asked the same question again , and also inquired whether it was a fact that if the meeting did not vote a retiring pension to Bro . Binckes he would refuse to resign . ( Cries of "No" and " Yes , " and general confusion . )
The CHAIRMAN said as a fact he believed that Bro . Binckes was appointed during the favour of the body of the Masons —( hear , hear)—and it was in the power of this body to remove him—it was in the power of the body of Masons to elect during good behaviour or to dismiss , and he mi ght resign . ( Cries of " Hear , hear . " ) He understood that Bro . Binckes had tendered his resignation , and it was accepted . ( Cries of " No , no . " )
Bro . RICHARD EVE : I told you that Bro . Binckes had agreed to retire on condition that he had £ 350 a year . ( Cries of " Oh , oh ! " ) Great confusion again arose , and at length the CHAIRMAN said he must call upon the brethren to support the chair . The CHAIRMAN subsequently put the amendment that the pension be £ 200 a year , but the amendment was lost by an overwhelming majority amidst great
uproar . The Chairman then received the amendment of Bro . Chamberlain , seconded by Bro . Stamp , " That Bro . Binckes be called upon to resign without a pension . " A brother rose to express his ideas on the subject , but was met with cries of "Time , " " Sit down , " and " Vote . " A scene of great uproar ensued . The brethren then voted , and , on a show of hands , the CHAIRMAN declared the amendment lost .
Bro . CHAMBERLAIN demanded a division , vvhich the Chairman granted , but on the "Ayes" going to the left of the Chairman , and the "Noes" to his ri ght , the disparity of size between the two bodies vvas so marked , that the Chairman immediately declared the amendment lost by about two to one . The Chairman then declined to receive any other amendments , and put the original motion , with this result that the number of hands held up was so evenly balanced , that he declared it necessary to have a division . On a division , the ori ginal motion vvas carried by 220 to 213 .
A BROTHER entered a protest on the ground that the Chairman refused to receive further amendments .
Another BROTHER protested against the vote , alleging that the meeting had no power to vote the money . Bro . HAWKINS called upon the brethren to subscribe to a fund of £ 500 to carry the question to the Chancery Division of the High Court . ( Renewed interruption . )
Bro . W . MASTERS , L . G ., moved , on behalf of the Sanitary Sub-Committee of the Provisional Management Committee— " That the Provisional Management Committee be authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £ 1000 to provide additional baths in the School buildings , and for general sanitary requirements . Also , that the Committee be authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £ 2500 in the erection of a swimming bath . " He said that this motion vvas brought forward on account of the report of the Investigation Committee that the baths vvere not large enough for the necessities of the School .
Bro . F . W . SMITHSON ( West Yorks ) seconded the motion . At the present time the bathing accommodation was wholly insufficient , and a swimming bath was very much needed . A BROTHER proposed that the subject be referred back to the Committee . Another BROTHER wanted to know what they would have to do if they went on
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
Bro . S MITH said that at the last monthly meeting of the General Committee there was a discussion on this question of the election of medical officer , and the provisional Committee brought up the report recommending only one gentleman for election to that office , and Bro . Eve said on that occasion that it would be only for the Quarterly Court to elect . He certainly objected to this question going back to the Provisional Committee . They ought to have made arrangements by which the Quarterly Court should elect from the body of gentlemen . He objected to the Provisional Committee shelving this important question .
Bro . N . B . HEADON said that , according to the agenda paper , they were called upon that day to elect a medical officer . Bro . BRACKSTONE BAKER , P . G . D ., observed that they had already agreed that the Committee should present a report to the General Committee . That
Committee had presented this report . But now some brethren were not satisfied or contented with that , and wanted the matter referred back . If they vvere true to themselves , they vvould reduce the number of candidates to three or four , or some other number , and let the Quarterly Court elect . Bro . BEVIR then rose , and said he should withdraw his motion .
Another BROTHER asked whether it was possible that the present Court could go through the testimonials of all these candidates , and thoroughly sift the question . Bro . BEVIR then said that to save the time of the brethren he vvould at once , with the approval of the Chairman and the seconder of his ' motion , test the feeling of the Court , and see whether they had confidence in the Provisional Committee .
( Cries of " No , no 1 " ) . He should at once propose that this Court do elect Mr . Porter . The motion was seconded by Bro . LE FEUVRE . Bro . N . B . HEADON proposed that the Provisional Committee reduce the number to six , and that those six be put for election . Bro . W . A . SCURRAH said he had to propose another gentleman .
The CHAIRMAN was sure the meeting vvould feel that it was impossible to go throug h the whole ot the testimonials . The Committee had examined all the testimonials , and they reduced the number of candidates from one number to another , and after they had reduced it to six they reduced that number to one . Bro . SCURRAH nominated , Bro . Sidney L . Smith , of Argyle-square , King's Cross . Bro . KNIGHTLEY seconded .
A BROTHER desired to know whether this gentleman was a candidate ? The CHAIRMAN replied that he was not ; he had been a candidate , but he afterwards withdrew his candidature . Bro . J AMES STEVENS nominated Mr . R . F . Tomlin , M . R . C . S ., England , Richmond Villa , Lordship-lane , Wood Green , vvho resided within some score of houses from the Institution . Bro . D . D . MERCER , G . P ., seconded the motion .
The CHAIRMAN suggested that if they were going to elect they had better first negative the proposition which Bro . Beaver had first proposed . It was utterly impossible for the Court to go through the whole of the testimonials . The Committee had taken the very , very greatest trouble in the matter , and they vvould feel it very seriously if the Court threw over the whole of the recommendations .
They had , to the best of their ability , selected a proper candidate , and it would be showing a want of confidence in the Committee if they rejected their recommendation . ( Cries of " No , no , " and confusion . ) If any brother moved as an amendment that Dr . Porter be elected , and that motion was not carried , then the Committee might recommend others .
Bro . W . A . SCURRAH said the question before the Court was the election of a medical officer , and every brother had a right to nominate some one . The Chairman , on the suggestion of Bro . J AMES BRETT , P . G . P ., put the motion of Bro . Bevir , " That Mr . W . E . Porter , " whose testimonials they had seen , and vvho had been recommended by the Committee , " be appointed . " The motion was carried almost unanimously .
The CHAIRMAN said the next business was to consider the motion of Bro . Richard Eve : " That in accordance with the recommendation of the Provisional Management Committee , adopted by the General Committee , on Saturday , ioth August , 188 9 , an allowance of £ 350 per annum for life be made to Bro . Frederick Binckes on his retirement from the office of Secretary after a service of upwards . of 28 years . "
A BROTHER desired to know what funded property the Institution had out of which an expenditure of this kind could be made ? Bro . BINCKES requested that as this motion was one thoroughly personal to himself , and would better be discussed in his absence , that he might be allowed to retire from the room . He had no desire to be present while attacks were made upon him , nor did he wish to hear what his good friends mi ght say in his favour .
( Cheers and cries of " Oh , oh . " ) It vvas not consonant with his own feelings that he should be present while this matter was being discussed . ( Cheers , amidst which Bro . Binckes left the hall . ) The CHAIRMAN said , in answer to the question as to what the funded property of the Institution was , he could inform the meeting that it was , £ 17 , 000 .
Another BROTHER desired to know what pensions were alread y granted . The CHAIRMAN did not think that that hadanythingto do with the present question . ( Cries of " Oh , oh I " and cheers . ) If it had , it should come later on , and not at the present time . ( Great confusion . ) The Chairman called upon Bro . Eve to move his proposition , at which announcement there was general applause .
Bro . EVE , in moving the resolution above-mentioned , said he approached this motion with a great amount of diffidence , but he was standing there as the Deput y Chairman of the Committee who recommended the resolution , for Lord Euston was absent , and Bro . Philbrick vvas away attending to the many duties that devolved upon him , and therefore the proposition fell to his ( Bro . Eve ' s ) hands . The brethren must understand that he made the proposition in the character of Deput y
Chairman of the Committee which recommended it , and not as an individual . The Committee appointed at the last Quarterly Court after the reception of the long report which had been made b y the Investigation Committee , and which came to 'he conclusion that there should be a change in the staff of the Boys' Institution , entered into the question of the retirement of Bro . Binckes , the Secretary , which Position he had held for about 30 years . They therefore approached Bro . Binckes
With the view of his retiring honourably and voluntarily . It was suggested that a lump sum should be given him on his retirement . That , however , vvas not decided or agreed upon by both sides , and therefore it was proposed that a sum should be paid him annually for life . After some conferences , that course was approved of by Bro . Binckes , and the sum named was £ 350 a year . ( Hear , hear , and cheers , mingled with cries of " Shame . " ) The shame , then , lay vvith the
Committee which the brethren had appointed to deal with this matter , among others . The Committee considered the point ; they had considered on the one "and the duties of the Secretary , duties which he had performed for many years , and without fault being found . ( Cries of " No , no , " cheers , and hear , hear . ) He Was not going to take up the time of the brethren by making a speech on this opie . The Committee made the proposition . They had considered the question ! , "„? " its bearings ; they knew the services of Bro . Binckes —( hear , hear , and
yn . Oh I" )—they , as a rule , had all known the Institution since the time Bro . [ nckes first took upon himself the office of Secretary , and they were of opinion that 0 one wpuld say that he had not done his duty well . ( A BROTHER : He was well Paid for it . ) When Bro . Binckes first became Secretary , the income of the Insti'On was about £ 2000 a year ; now it was £ 13 , 000 or £ 14 , 000—on one occasion thT ^ ^ . » - ( Cheers . ) There vvas no question on the part of the Committee during 30 years of his life he had worked hard for the Institution , and that he
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
had loved the Institution . ( Interruption , cheers , and cries of '' Oh , oh ! " ) He ( Bro . Eve ) simply made the proposition ; it was for the meeting to consider it . They all knew the facts of the case , and he wished now to read to the brethren a letter from one who was a member of the Investigation Committee , namely , Bro . Pope . " 38 , Parliament-street , Westminster , S . W .,
" 17 th October , 1889 . " Dear Bro . Eve , —I shall be detained in Lancashire on official duty over 25 th inst ., and shall therefore be unable to be present at the Quarterl y Court of the Boys' School . If I could have been there I should earnestl y have supported the resolution of vvhich you have given notice . I have not in any way consulted my colleagues in the Investigation Committee , but so far as my individual opinion is
of any consequence , I should desire it to be known that , in arriving at the conclusion that under existing circumstances a change was desirable , I entirely relied on the generosity of the Craft to recognise the undoubted services of Bro . Binckes , and to provide some such means of honourable or voluntary retirement as is contemplated in your resolution . It could answer no good end to express in detail the reasons
which induce me to acquiesce in the conclusions unanimously arrived at , but there is nothing in those conclusions or in the Report of the Committee inconsistent with an acknowledgment of the vigour , the pluck , or the success with which Bro . Binckes has served the Institution . I hope your resolution will be overwhelmingly carried . I write this in order that you may make any use of it which in your absolute discretion you may think desirable . —Yours truly and fraternall y ,
( Signed ) "SAML . POPE , P . G . D . " Bro . R . Eve , P . G . Treasurer . " He now moved the resolution which stood in his name . Bro . Col . BRISBANE had the greatest pleasure in seconding the motion , but wished the Committee had seen their way to make the recommendation £ 500 a
year . ( Cries of " Oh , oh ! " cheers , and laughter . ) Those who had known Bro . Binckes for a number of years had seen the energy , the pluck , the perseverance with vvhich he had carried on his duties , and , although it mi ght be for the good of the Institution that there should be a change , it would be derogatory to the Craft if he were allowed to retire without some recognition of his past services . ( Hear , hear . ) He trusted that the brethren would unanimously pass the resolution .
The CHAIRMAN , after a pause , said as there vvas no amendment proposed he would put the resolution to the vote . A BROTHER : Put the question now . The CHAIRMAN : Is any brother going to move an amendment ?
A BROTHER : Yes . ( Cries of "Vote . " ) Bro . GOSSET protested against the lavish way in which the money of the Institution was being spent , and against the large disposal of money during the time that Bro . Binckes had been Secretary . ( Confusion . Renewed interruption , and cries of "Vote . " )
The CHAIRMAN asked Bro . Gosset to be kind enough to tell the meeting what his amendment was if he was going to move an amendment . Bro . GOSSET said he should move as an amendment that the pension should be £ 200 a year . ( Great confusion . ) Another BROTHER asserted that the brethren were dealing fairly with the Institution by granting a pension for life to a gentleman who had done as Bro . Binckes had done . ( Renewed interruption , during which no consecutive remarks of any speaker could be gathered . )
Bro . E . CHAMBERLAIN , 387 , moved that Bro . Binckes be called upon to retire with no pension . If he had performed his duties satisfactorily the Investigation Committee would not have reported as they had reported . ( Further interruption . ) The Committee had acknowledged that Bro . Binckes had been overpaid . ( Cries of " No , no ! " and hear , hear . ) He thought that it was a scandal that Bro . Binckes should be paid £ 350 a year . Bro . E . W . STAMP seconded the motion .
The CHAIRMAN , in reply to Bro . Mercer , said that he could not accept the second amendment until the first had been disposed of . A BROTHER inquired whether it was a fact that Bro . Binckes , when appointed , was appointed Secretary for life . ( Several brethren— " No . " The BROTHER asked the same question again , and also inquired whether it was a fact that if the meeting did not vote a retiring pension to Bro . Binckes he would refuse to resign . ( Cries of "No" and " Yes , " and general confusion . )
The CHAIRMAN said as a fact he believed that Bro . Binckes was appointed during the favour of the body of the Masons —( hear , hear)—and it was in the power of this body to remove him—it was in the power of the body of Masons to elect during good behaviour or to dismiss , and he mi ght resign . ( Cries of " Hear , hear . " ) He understood that Bro . Binckes had tendered his resignation , and it was accepted . ( Cries of " No , no . " )
Bro . RICHARD EVE : I told you that Bro . Binckes had agreed to retire on condition that he had £ 350 a year . ( Cries of " Oh , oh ! " ) Great confusion again arose , and at length the CHAIRMAN said he must call upon the brethren to support the chair . The CHAIRMAN subsequently put the amendment that the pension be £ 200 a year , but the amendment was lost by an overwhelming majority amidst great
uproar . The Chairman then received the amendment of Bro . Chamberlain , seconded by Bro . Stamp , " That Bro . Binckes be called upon to resign without a pension . " A brother rose to express his ideas on the subject , but was met with cries of "Time , " " Sit down , " and " Vote . " A scene of great uproar ensued . The brethren then voted , and , on a show of hands , the CHAIRMAN declared the amendment lost .
Bro . CHAMBERLAIN demanded a division , vvhich the Chairman granted , but on the "Ayes" going to the left of the Chairman , and the "Noes" to his ri ght , the disparity of size between the two bodies vvas so marked , that the Chairman immediately declared the amendment lost by about two to one . The Chairman then declined to receive any other amendments , and put the original motion , with this result that the number of hands held up was so evenly balanced , that he declared it necessary to have a division . On a division , the ori ginal motion vvas carried by 220 to 213 .
A BROTHER entered a protest on the ground that the Chairman refused to receive further amendments .
Another BROTHER protested against the vote , alleging that the meeting had no power to vote the money . Bro . HAWKINS called upon the brethren to subscribe to a fund of £ 500 to carry the question to the Chancery Division of the High Court . ( Renewed interruption . )
Bro . W . MASTERS , L . G ., moved , on behalf of the Sanitary Sub-Committee of the Provisional Management Committee— " That the Provisional Management Committee be authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £ 1000 to provide additional baths in the School buildings , and for general sanitary requirements . Also , that the Committee be authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £ 2500 in the erection of a swimming bath . " He said that this motion vvas brought forward on account of the report of the Investigation Committee that the baths vvere not large enough for the necessities of the School .
Bro . F . W . SMITHSON ( West Yorks ) seconded the motion . At the present time the bathing accommodation was wholly insufficient , and a swimming bath was very much needed . A BROTHER proposed that the subject be referred back to the Committee . Another BROTHER wanted to know what they would have to do if they went on