Provincial Grand Lodge Of Dorset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DORSET .

The above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Grammar School , Wimborne , on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., the use of the building having been kindly granted by Bro . E . Fynes-CIinton . There was a large attendance of brethren , but the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Montague Guest , who had an

en g 3 gement at Torquay , was unavoidably absent , and the Deputy Prov Grand Master , Bro . Colonel Brymer , M . P ., presided . Among the distinguished visitors present were Bros . Judge F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg ., and J . M . McLeod , Sec . R . M . I . B . The usual business of the province having been transacted , the Prov . G Officers were invested as follows :

Bro . L . W . Pike , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ VV . W . Stickland ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . Rev . G . P . Balleine ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ R . D . Thornton , P . M . ( re-elected ) ... Prov . G . Treas . „ C . H . Curtis , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ R . Case , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ T . H . Ensor , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ A . Rayner , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ E . W . Baker ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of VV .

„ R . G . Cave , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ A . Knight , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ F . Burt , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ J . McNichol , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ VV . Hair , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ A . C . Chapin ... ... ... ) „ T . H . Harris ... ... ... | „ O . G . Barrow ... ... ... I r > _ . r- c . J " A . Budden ... 1-Prov . G . Stwds . „ R . H . Groves „ A . C . Kemble ... ... ... J „ S . C . Vye ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . T yler .

In conformance with the desire expressed by the M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , in commemoration of the 21 st anniversary of his installation as Grand Master , that Past Prov . and District Grand rank should be conferred on a limited number of brethren in the various provinces , Bro . R . Case , who has held Provincial Grand office for 21 years , and during the greater part of that time as Provincial Grand Secretary , was appointed P . P . S . G . W . The annual banquet took place at the Masonic Hall , and was largely attended .

Removal Of The Boys' School.

REMOVAL OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

The following is the circular which has been addressed to the Governors and Subscribers of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys by the Board of Management in reference to the removal of the School , and will be issued next week with thc voting papers for the October election : " The Board of Management desires to place before the Subscribers a statement of the reasons which have prompted it to advise the Quarterly Court to remove the Institution from Wood Green into the country .

The Report of the Committee of Investigation of 1888-9 , presided over by the V . W . Bro . his Honour Judge Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar , served as a text-book for the enlargement and re-organisation of Institution , and the

Provisional Management Committee of iSSS-pt , and subsequently the existing Board of Management , have endeavoured to carry out the recommendations therein made . " In that Report several structural defects in the School-buildings were pointed out as calculated to hinder the work , notably an insufficiency of class room , bathing and lavatory and infirmary accommodation , and the absence of proper playing and recreation grounds .

As a striking comparison with the state of affairs existing in 1888 , referred to in the Report , attention is drawn to the report of the Medical Officer to the Board of Management on June 26 th , 1896 . " In 18 90 the Quarterly Court granted authority for an expenditure of £ 6500 to carry out a part of these necessary works , with the addition thereto of

a swimming bath . " The matter was constantly before the Committee of Management , but it was felt that it would be unwise to add to the existing buildings on the present site or to construct a swimming bath , as it would still further curtail the playground accommodation , which was in their opinion totally insufficient . " B y a readjustment of the Preparatory School buildings and the conversion ° f the large assembly hall into a school-room , the pressing difficulties as to

classroom accommodation were removed at a small cost , but it is obvious that such temporary expedients could not be of the satisfactory nature required for the increased number of boys . 1 ¦ iv , " ! t wi " be rememl ) ered that at the Anniversary Festival in 18 91 the Earl of ' •'ithom , M . W . Pro Grand Master , who presided , drew particrlar attention to the nelesirable site on which the School was placed . His remarks , as reported in 'ne I'rccinasvn , are attached hereto .

^ ' This opinion of so eminent a . representative of the daft could not be Knored , and confirming as it did the views taken by the various Management ^ omnnittees from 1888 onwards , the Board of Management brought the matter enl 7 ¦ Quarter , y Court in A P '> l 8 9 > and that Court authorised the Board to r „ , , ne gotiations for the sale of the Wood Green property with a view to the re 'floval of the School .

and •A " 0 ? ' ^ " ie matter has received the constant attention of the Board , „ ln April last , finding no progress could be made without larger powers being Pow the ) Joard asked the Subscribers assembled in Quarterly Court for tHo Cr to se " ' present site , buy a new one , and erect a . School thereon , and in | s was thereupon agreed to . 'j 16 Board desires to place before the Subscribers the ttasons whieh have

the W f '' '" P ress ' £ this matter to a definite issue , and the foregoing resume ot not ry of the case w '" i it is hoped , convince the Craft that the Board has t ( , proce eded in the matter with un ^ ue haste or without due consideration , but anx ] ' ° Y contrary , the question has been a constant source of discussion and _ . ? . ! -ce ' 888 , and has been laid before thr Craft on several occasions . It is contended by some that the extension of the work of the Institution

Removal Of The Boys' School.

should be to provide grants in aid of education and clothing outside of the Institution , and not to increase the numbers maintained in the School . The Board can only answer this contention by pointing out that this question was settled a ., far back as 1851 , when the first school . house was arranged for , the subscribers of that day condemning the system practised before that time which same would now desire to revert to .

" The Board has already an experience on the matter , for by reason of there being accommodation in the School at the present time only for 259 boys , whilst 27 S have been elected to its benefits , 19 boys are necessarily educited out of the Institution . " The Board is of opinion that to increase the number of these ' outeducated ' boys is a waste of energy and of money , and that the mere ' grant in aid' system is not the highest form of the work of an Institution such as this .

"There can be but slight supervision over such boys , or over the grant in aid , ' and that great blessing which the school life tends to bring to the orphanthe management standing in the position ot the lost parent or parents , and endeavouring throughout his career to train him for a position in after life which they do their best to secure for him on leaving the School—is altogether missing in such cases .

"The excellent dietary s ; iven and the medical care exercised over the boys tn the Institution builds up their bodies , and in this way prepares them best for their work in after life . "Again , the demand upon the Institution is for boys to be educated , clothed , and maintained in the Institution . After election each parent or guardian has the option given him or her for the boy to be educated in or out of the Institution .

" In no case has it been known that preference has been expressed for out education , a convincing proof that they fully appreciate the advantages of the public school life given therein . " The course of modern education has greatly altered during the present generation , and particularly in the last decade .

"To adapt the existing buildings to the requirements of the present day would necessitate the addition of new class rooms , science lecture room and laboratory , shops for technical classes , to extend the work already carried on of printing , bookbinding , carpentry , and engineering , besides the swimming bath before alluded to ( the absence of which has long been felt to be a blot on the School ) , at a total estimated initial cost of at least £ 10 , 000 .

" It is also generally admitted that the present rooms are insufficient for the existing number , and that extensive alterations would have to be made to perfect the work .

"For the reasons above-named , and having regard to the fact that every increase of building lessens the present inadequate playing ground space , the Board cannot advise the outlay of so large a sum on the present site . " The total area of the property is 13 } acres , of which the School buildings and grounds immediately adjacent occupy nl acres , whilst the only playing field worthy of the name is just two acres in extent . Hence playing ground

accommodation has to be found at a considerable distance from the School , involving loss of time and discipline . "The Institution is always open for inspection by subscribers and friends . " AU who visit the Institution are struck with the undesirable surroundings . These , in many ways , are not conducive to the health of the boys , both physically and morally , and much expense to ward off illness has had to be incurred in

consequence . " The School has increased by ' leaps and bounds . ' Only 11 years ago the number of boys receiving benefit was 215 , now it is 278 , of whom 16 are retained for higher education over the age of 15 years . " The Board feels that its policy to extend the advantages and improve the educational curriculum has met with the entire approval of the Craft , this being shown by the generous contributions given during the past six years .

" We are now face to face with this fact . Forty-four candidates seek election in October , and there are only 10 vacancies . To increase this number by four , the Board has had , most reluctantly , to reduce the number of boys to be retained after January next for higher education from 16 to 12 . " The Board feels that the Craft in contributing so generously each year is practically asking for an extension of the benefits to a greater number , and thus relieve the list of candidates .

" This extension cannot be made on the present site , therefore it is necessary to go further afield . " It is true that the the total cost of the present site and buildings extending over a period of upwards of 40 years , has been about £ 100 , 000 , and that a loss must of necessity be made in disposing of them . It will , however , be well to bear in mind that in the assets of the Institution they have only been entered as £ 30 , 400 .

"The Board is convinced that a removal further into the country will secure the following advantages : ... " 1 . A School and grounds self-contained with ample accommodation for 50 or 100 more boys than at present receiving benefit , and even more , should the next generation require it . " 2 . An extension of the Educational

curriculum" ( a ) In Science and Art teaching ; " \ b ) Technical Classes ; " ( c ) In extending to a large number of deserving boys the advantages of higher education beyond thc age of 15 years . " 3 . A saving in the cost per head , viz . 1 " («) In Management and Establishment charges ; " ( b ) In Rates ;

" ( c ) In cost of water , & c . ; and that , as a necessary consequence , any loss of capital in disposing of the present site will be regained by the greater benefits to be conferred , and the economy to be made in the working of a school adapted for our present and future needs . "The Board has pride in pointing to its successful management and to the great strides and successes of the School during the past few years , the members can claim to be representative and business men , and they confidently submit the matter to the judgment of the Craft .

" The Institution is within two years of celebrating the 100 th year of its existence . For more than one-half of that time its operations were limited , and have left no mark in history j the record of the real progress of the School dates from the present generation , and at no time has it shown such activity and usefulness as at present . " Let the Institution be still more progressive , moving with the times , and let us celebrate the Centenary by laying the foundation-stone of a " greater " School , which can be pointed to by the Craft as a lasting memorial of their

generosity . " Signed , on behalf and by order of the " Board of Management , " RiciiAKi ) EVE , Chairman . " GBORGK EVERETT , ) en ., ru : ™ ,,. ,.... r . „ ' . Vice-uhairman . " W . Fii . NTi . MAN SMITHSON , )