New Year's Entertainment To The Annuitants At Croydon.

the past year . Although there was a deficiency as compared with some former years , that was only to be looked for , but nevertheless very nearly ^ 49 , 000 had been received on behalf of the three Institutions . He was proud to say that the Benevolent Institution again took the lead ¦ it had received nearly £ ig , ooo . The

Boys' and the Girls' Schools received each about £ 15 , 000 . He had some doubt as to what the result of 1890 would become . It was quite impossible to say what it would be , and he was looking forward with some amount of anxiety to the result of the Festival of February next . They would have on that occasion the presidency , for

the first time in the history of the Institution , of the Lord Mayor of London , who , he knew , would do his best to make the result a favourable one . Twenty-nine years ago he ( Bro . Terry ) used to meet Sir Henry Isaacs in lodges of instruction . He was then Preceptor of a lodge of instruction . He ( Bro . Terry )

went to the Mansion House to ask the Lord Mayor if he would preside at the next festival , and he said that he would , and added , " I shall not allow my secretary to book this , I shall book it myself , " which he did instantly . The Board of Stewards at present was a small one , it was only 170 , whereas at this

time last year it was 240 . They might congratulate themselves , that if they did not get the full amount they wanted subscribed on the day of the Festival , they would probably get it made up in the course of the year . Last Festival . £ 13 , 056 was announced , but that sum has since been made up to £ 15 , 113 , or to £ 2000 more than the amount announced at the Festival ,

despite the criticism on the Boys' School and some of those who were on the Committee of the Benevolent Institution . They ought not to be condemned unheard . Personally he thanked the Chairman very much for associating his name with the toast , and he hoped the visitors would go round to the residents , and see them in their homes as happy as they were at that dinner table . There would be a dramatic

entertainment in the evening b y Bro . Rhodes and family . In the name of the residents he wished Dr . Strong a very happy New Year . To him was due much of the health of their dear old friends . Miss Norris looked after their creature comforts , and Dr . Strong attended to their internal comforts . Thank God , age did not

seem to tell on Dr . Strong , and , in conclusion , he ( Bro . Terry ) should propose Dr . Strong ' s very good health . The brethren knew what Bro . Dr . Strong had done for the Institution during the 29 years he had been its medical officer . During that time he had seen some changes , but he never had had a fairer sample of faces

to show than those now at the table . He hoped when he came to be 85 or 86 years of age he might be as the residents of the Benevolent Institution at Croydon now looked , under the care of Bro . Dr . Strong . Bro . Dr . STRONG , in acknowledging the toast , which was most warml y received , said that during the 29

years he had been medical officer of the Institution , it had been a source of pleasure to him to do anything he could to allay the sufferings or sorrows of its residents . As Bro . Terry had said , those now present were a good sample . Happily none of the residents who were now absent from the festive board were away on account of

illness ; their absence was occasioned by some of the infirmities of old age . There were no patients of the medical man now in the Institution . Although Miss Norris looked after their creature comforts , and he ( Bro . Dr . Strong ) after their health , that was as nothing compared with what was done for them by the founders

of that feast . Bro . TERRY announced that it was usual for the Manchester brethren on the same day as that entertainment was held to give a similar entertainment to the Lancashire annuitants , and telegrams passed on those occasions between Croydon and Manchester

congratulating each other . But as that was New Year ' s Day , and no business was being conducted in Manchester , the Lancashire entertainment was postponed till tomorrow ( Saturday ) , on which day he would , with the permission of Bro . Dr . Strong , telegraph . The Manchester brethren always sent ' five guineas towards the

Croydon entertainment . The residents then retired to their homes , at which places a couple of pleasant hours were spent b y the ladies in paying visits to them . During that interval the brethren who had seen to the requirements of the company sat down to a similar dinner , and

subsequentl y honoured a few toasts . Bro . J NEWTON presided , and , after proposing " The Queen and the Craft , " which was cordially drunk , gave " Continued Support and Prosperity to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . " He said it had been his pleasure and happiness to attend those Catherines

for a considerable number of years , and he had seen the progress of that Institution perhaps as much as any Mason taken here and there . That they all wished the Institution prosperity was a triusm—it was the desire of every Mason , and especially of all the supporters of that noble Institution . Sitting round the table were

many who knew the working of the Institution as well as he did , but he might say that an enormous amount p f its prosperity was due to their esteemed friend , Bro . lerry . There was no doubt that the way in which the brethren rallied round Bro . Terry proved their appreciation of his work , and he knew that they would receive that toast , with which he would accompany the

name of Bro . Terry with the greatest enthusiasm . Bro . TERRY , who rose amidst loud cheers , replying to the toast , said that he had made some observations about the Institution in a former speech , which it was not necessary now to repeat . But there was one other point he would like to bring to their consideration , as most of those round the table were members of the

New Year's Entertainment To The Annuitants At Croydon.

Committee of Management of the Institution , and he hoped they would bear his observations in mind . Between now and February next some steps must be taken to reduce the number of candidates for the annuity of the Institution , and increase , if possible , the number of vacancies . They had at the present time

coming forward 20 or 21 petitions to be placed on the list of candidates . Adding that number to those already accepted , and to those unsuccessful candidates brought forward from the last election , that would make 150 candidates . At the present moment they had but 11 vacancies , seven for men and four for

widows , and as the larger number of candidates seeking election were widows , it would be a painful position to have 80 candidates on the Widows' Fund , with only four vacancies and with a liability to a decreased amount to be announced in February next . He asked the Committee of Management and those present who

had been , and those who were going to be , Stewards to bear that in mind . One brother present had been a Steward several times , and that day he had taken a Stewardship in order that he might be the 171 st Steward . He hoped the brethren would consider and suggest some means if they possibly could , how best to get rid of

this enormous number of candidates and few vacancies . He asked them to see if they could devise a plan , scheme , or method , which they could lay before the nuitants without diminishing the amount of the annuity . Committee , by which they could add to the number of an-It became a matter of very grave consideration how to

meet the necessities of the day . At one time— -and he thought thrice since he had been Secretary for one fund or other—all the candidates had been taken on without election ; but that would not probably occur again . The ever-growing demand of candidates , the decrease in the last three years in the amount of money received ,

clearly told the Committee one of two things , either that they must make some provision by the sale of stock ( and that , of course , meant diminishing the annual income directly ) , or induce the Craft to come forward and support the Institution as they had done in an extraordinary manner in the case of the Girls' School .

They might perhaps suggest that the age should be increased at which a petition should be received ; but , at all events , some scheme must be devised and adopted by which that overwhelming number of candidates could be reduced , and a larger number placed on the list of recipients of the annuity . . That was what he

wished them to consider between now and the second Wednesday in February , when they would have to determine what was to be done best to solve that important problem . If on the 26 th February there was a large amount of subscriptions , he should be happy to let the Committee know . He hoped that the name of

the Chairman on that occasion would bring forward a large number of the members of the Corporation who were Masons to support that Institution , and he believed that all the Hebrew lodges would do their best to support him . That was one , and he thought an all important , point for the welfare of the Institution .

There were other things that suggested themselves , but it would not be well to discuss them on the present occasion . They could be fully discussed before the Committee of Management , and there have the fullest consideration . But , with respect to the Institution , he thought he might s : ifely say it was growing greatly in

favour in the provinces generally as well as in the estimation of the Craft . Educational institutions were being established in different provinces , and doubtless that would have a great effect on the funds of the Boys' and Girls' Schools , but the provinces knew perfectly well that they could not raise a sum sufficiently

large to give their old folks the same amount of annuity that the Benevolent Institution gave , and thought whilst the payment to a parent of £ 10 or . £ 12 a year was an enormous boon to them and the education of the children , they did not consider £ \ o or £ 12 paid for the support of a man or woman was sufficient for them

to depend upon , and , therefore , it was clear that they would support that Institution . They would throw the responsibility of the support of the aged people on the Benevolent Institution . That was a grand feature for the Benevolent Institution in the provinces , and he was sure they would have a large increase of support from them .

There were only two provincial funds—the Alpass Fund , and the Hamer Fund , one for men and the other for widows . When they had not sufficient for their candidates they put them on the tunds of the Benevolent Institution . He asked the brethren present to allow him to go now into a little personal

matter . That was a day when they always liked to improve the occasion , and he asked the privilege of proposing a toast . He had been associated many years with two brethren , whom he was proud to call his friends ; one was Bro . John Mason , who had been connected with the Institution nine years , and who , during

the last year , had been ill and had had to refrain from transacting business for three years . They were very glad to have him now amongst them in his old state of health , and with the Committee upholding him in the faithful discharge of the duties which he had ably performed . Another old friend and brother was Bro . John

G . Stevens , than whom a more conscientious , painstaking brother it was impossible to be associated with . To those brethren he was very much indebted for the work they had rendered , and he was proud to be in the position he occupied with regard to them . He was also

proud to have the opportunity of acknowledging their services . Bro . Stevens was his right hand man in every respect when official work had to be done , and he did not know how he should get on with his work if he had not the assistance of Bro . Stevens . He thought it only ri ght on an occasion like that as the chief executive

New Year's Entertainment To The Annuitants At Croydon.

officer of the Institution , to pay a compliment to his two good friends , whose services were always at the disposal of the Committee , no matter at what time they were required . Bro . J MASON , in replying , said it was very kind of Bro . Terry to allude to him so kindly . He ( Bro .

Mason ) had the greatest cause to be thankful for being able to be present that ni ght . Some months ago he did not think he should have the privilege of seeing another festival gathering at Croydon . He had passed through a sore trial , but he was glad to say he now felt the same old John Mason as heretofore . If he was

permitted to retain , his present position he should certainly do his duty in the best way he could . He would , perhaps , be out of place in trying to say anything of the past , but , still , so long as he felt he had such a Committee to work for as the Committee of the Benevolent Institution , and found them supporting him as

in the past , he would have strength and energy , he hoped , to perform his duty faithfull y and well . They had tremendous times before them , and it would need all the efforts to make them efficient touts . He used the word avisedly , for if the Institution wanted to prosper some one must tout for it . He had been told

there was no necessity for it , but he knew there was , and it was going out constantly and meeting friends that was the cause of the large subscriptions coming in . Bro . J . G . STEVENS said , after thanking the brethren for drinking the toast so heartily proposed b y his old friend Bro . Terry , that he gloried in being a tout . In

years gone by he would have been called a beggar , and he was indeed a pertinacious beggar for ; the weal of the Institutions , and that Institution in particular , and if it was necessary to go anywhere for the augmentation of the Institution , he would onl y be too glad to be a tout , and he hoped he should not come back with an empty

pocket . Bro . Terry had been good enough to mention his ( Bro . Stevens' ) work in the office . To that he had only to say that if a man liked his work he had a feeling of respect for that work , and was bound to do the work well and properly , and when it was for the amelioration of the wants of poor and suffering humanity ,

it must be a poor heart that could not work assiduousl y for it . In ail sincerity and truth he had endeavoured since he had been in . the office to do his duty , and as long as he had the pleasure and honour to be in the office , and in health and strength , he did not think there was any necessity for them to think that he would relax

any of his energy on behalf of the Institution in which he had always taken so very great an interest . Bro . C . J . PERCEVAL proposed "The Chairman . " Bro . J NEWTON , in replying , said he and Bro . Perceval had worked together for the Institution , and he hoped they always would . It was quite an accident

that he was in the chair that evening . It was unnecessary for him to say he always did the best he could for the benefit of that Institution , and when he looked round him he saw others who did the same . There was an important connection between his ( the Sincerity ) Lodge and that Institution . The name of Terry was

connected with the Sincerity . A Bro . Terry ( not Bro . James Terry ) was the old Treasurer of the Sincerit y Lodge , and he took him ( Bro . Newton ) by the hand and initiated him into the mysteries of benevolence . But it was a long time before he ( Bro . Newton ) knew there was any such thing as a Benevolent Institution , a

Boys' School , or a Girls' School . He remembered Bro . Terry as an old man summoning him to what Bro . Terry thought was his death bed . Bro . Terry died three or four days afterwards , and his last words were not of himself at all but about the Benevolent Institution . He told him ( Bro . Newton ) to look after

the Institution . Those were his d ying words , and he had endeavoured to discharge that duty placed upon him to the best of his ability . He should , as he always had done , do his best for the Institution , and he was sure that the Lodge of Sincerity would always , as it had done in the past , continue to support the Institution in the future .

In the evening a dramatic and musical entertainment was given by Bro . John Rhodes , the following of which is the programme : — " Dadd y Hardacre" ( a drama in two acts ); Adam Hardacre , Mr . Sydney Roberts ; Charles Clinton , ' Mr , Selby Williams ; Jobling , Mr . C . Fox ; Adolphus Jobling , Mr . F . '

Lavanchy ; Esther Hardacre , Miss A . Rhodes ; Mary , Miss izant . "Who is Who , " or "All in a Fog " ( a farce in one act ) ; Mr . Simonides Swanhopper , Mr . F . Lavanch y ; Lawrence Lavender , Mr . Sydney Roberts ; Mr . Bloomfield Brambleton , Mr . T . Williams ; Cecily , Miss Izant ; Matilda Jane , Miss A . Rhodes ' .

The following music was performed during the evening : Song , " Moll y Bawn , " Mr . H . Izant ; pianoforte solo , " La Marcia Nuziale , " Bro . John Rhodes ; song , "The Sailor ' s Grave , " Mr . H . Izant . Bro . John Rhodes presided at the piano . In addition to the above , several

ladies of the company , among whom were the Misses Cotter , Misses Newton , and Miss Bowyer , took part in entertaining the old people . The company left the Institution shortl y after ten o ' clock , concluding the day ' s visit at the Institution with hearty wishes for a Happy New Year to each individual annuitant .

On Monday , being the Feast of the Epiphany , the customary offering of gold , frankincence , and myrrh was made on behalf of the Queen at the Chapel Royal , St . James ' s t alace . The Sporting Exhibition , which will open on Saturday ,

the iSth instant , at the Grosvenor , will include a display of pictures such as is rarely to be seen , the list of those who send pictures including the Queen ' s , Lord Ashburton , the Duke of Northumberland . Lord Northbrook , Lady Scott , and the Duke of Westminster .