Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The General Committee of this Institution met on Saturday last at Freemasons' Hall , Bio . William Roebuck , Trustee , in the chair . There were also present Bros . W . Roebuck , J . L . Matter , Thos . Griftiihs , Rev . Richard

Morris ( Head Master ) , F . Adlard , H . Massey , A . E . Gladwell , J . S . Cumberland , Edgar Bowyer , ' hatle * F . Hogard , Stephen Richardson , VV . Maple , H . Webb , G . P . Gillard , Thos . ( . ubitt , T . Hastings Miller , Richard Eve , Grand Treasurer , H . Venn , James Moon , W . A . Scuirah , Glass , and K . Binckes , Secretary . The minutes of the last meeting' were read and

confirm d , and Bro . BINCKES informed the Committee that , resulting from the conclusion come to at that meeting that the thanks of the Institution should be sent to the Prince of Wales forthecheque for £ 2160 as this Instilution ' s share of the receipts for admission to the Royal Albert Hall on the occasion of the Jubilee meeting , he had consulted the Grand Secretary as to the mode in which the

acknowledgment should be conveyed , and , acting- on the Grand Secretary ' s advice , the acknowledgment had been made . The House Committee ' s and the Audit Committee ' s reports were read . By the foi mer , as well as by the Secretary ' s statement , it appeared that there had been 47 cases in the infirmary suffering from the epidemic of fever . Some of the cases had been very critical , but by the great care and

attention of the medical and nursing staff all the patients were convalescent . Bro . BINCKES stated , in answer to a question , that the £ 2000 voted by Grand Lodge had not yet been received by the Institution on account of some formalities which were necessary . The powers of the Bank of England expired after five years , and when the authorisation was sent

in to pay £ 2000 to each Institution the powers had expired . It was essential then to send out papers to Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon in Australia , and they were sent . Ihey might be back before the end of the year , in which c * se the money would be received . He had seen the Grand Sec etary on the su- 'jec , and he said they hoped to pay . CIOIIO out of the £ 2000 before the end of the year .

There was a balance in hand . Four petitions were then examined , and the children placed on the list for the Apiil el ction . Three grants of £ 5 each and one grant of £ 10 were made to former pupils ot the Insiitution for outfic . Bro . C . F . HOGARD having asked Bro . Binckes what was the financial position ot the Institution at the present

time , Bro . BINCKES said he had intended to inform the Committee of this when he made his statement about the £ 3000 voted by Grand Lodge . Although the Institution fortunately had sufficient money in hand to meet present demands on them , he questioned veiy much whether they would have quite enough for the year , tailing the receipt

of the £ 2000 fiom Giand Lodge . They would commence the year 1 S 8 S not only very badly , but with bxi prospects for the remainder of that year . It was , of course , wi'hin the knowledge of the brethren that the Girls' Sthuol centenary was to be celebrated next year , and that would absorb a large amount of support which in other circumstances would have been accorded to the Boys' Institution .

An instance had occurred that day which bore out the soundness of the > e gloomy forebodings . A brother gave him his name four months ago as Steward for the Boys ' Festival of ISSSJ but he sent him a letter that day stating tha ' , in consequence of the Master of his lodge going to be a Meivard for the I entenary Festival ot the Guls' Institution , he was obliged to withdraw his own name'from the list

of Stewards for the Boys ' . He was afraid they would have other withdrawals for the same reason ; but unquestionably the Boys' School would not have the support it would have under ordinary circumstances . l-ow to meet the emergency he did not know . He was doing all he possibly could . The Institution had thesuppoitof the Province of Devon , and he had great pleasure in saying they were to have the

support of Jersey . Ihey might hope that , while providing what might he necessary to celebrate properly such an important event as the centenary of the Girls' Scho . il , the Craft would take care that the other Institutions should not suffer . He would hope that their friends would bear in rrind that , while the managers of that Institution did not

wish in any shape or way to interfere with the exceptional case of the Centenary of the Girls' School , the wants of the Boys' School would be borne in mind to some extent in order that the School might be kept in its present state of efficiency . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

The Old Masonians.

THE OLD MASONIANS .

This Society—which consists , as the name implies , of expupils of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys—commenced its second season at Anderton ' s Hotel , on Friday , the 4 th inst . The proceedings took the form of a social evening , and the entertainment provided fully justified the title , and caused a very large attendance of members and friends , over 100 being present .

Mr . C . Heward Uwins , occupied the chair , fulfilling the duties with geniality and tact . Mr . E . A . Morris opened the evening with a capital pianoforte sJo , and accompanied the various pieces with ability . Mr . ( Jscar Parisot sang "Our crew " in an admirable manner , as did Mr . Wm . M . Collins the "Bedouin love sona . " Mr . Ernest Graham

received a well merited encore for his splendid rendering of "Come into the garden , Maud , "and Mr . W . Parkergave lhe la-1 watch . " The instrumental music was supplied » y Mr . Herzteldt , who was very success'ul in a violin solo , as was Mr . J . Hutton with a good banjo solo . Mr . J . F . Dickson gave , with excellent point and humourhis original

, travestie , "Cinderella , " which was heartily appreciated by all present . The buffo element was well represented by Messrs . L . H . Palmer and V . Wightwick , the former receiving two encores during the evening for his grotesque and reall y funny character songs . Mr . Richard Haynes recited

"Clarence's dream" with good effect , and Mr . Alex . R . Macbeth suprised all present by an exhibition of sleight of hand tricks in his enteitainment entitled "Gems of Mystery . " The company separated soon after eleven o'clock , after naving spent a very enjoyable evening that reflected the n , gnest credit on the executive .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly meeting of the Committee of this Institution was held on Werieesday last , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . \ i . Bowyer , P . G . Std . Hr , in the chair . The following hiethren were also present : Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , P G . Pu . st . ; lames Hrt . tr , P . G . P . ; C . H . W < -bb , H . Cotter ,

| . J . Berry , E . Wall , W . J . Daniell , C . Lacey , Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . ; C " . J . Perceval . C . H . Driver A . H . Tatter-h . ll , W . Belchamber , C . Kempton , | Newton , W . H . Perryman , A . Fish , J . E . Dawson , D . P . G . M . Hertford ; VV . H . Muilis , and J . Terry , Sec . After the reading and confirmation of the minutis , the deaths of two male and two female annuitants were

reported ; after which < he Warden s report was submilted . In this was contained the information that Alderman Layton , Mayor of Croydon , gave a most agreeable entertainment to the old people at the Institution , on Monday , 25 th ult . The report of the Committee for considering an alteration of the Quarterly Couits ol the Institutions . This

recommended tnat the Boys Courts should he on the last Friday in January , April , July , and October , and the Girls ' on the Satuaday following . It also recommended that the annual meeting of the Benevolent Institution should take place on the Monday following the last Friday in April each year . After a short discussion , in which the inconvenience of

the proposed change was canvassed and explained , but the motion of Bro . LACY , secondedby Bro . PERCEVAL , it was resolved that the report be received , but that no action be taken on it . Bro . TERRY explained that nothing could be done by this Institution in the report till the annual meeting in May , 1 S 88 . Authority was then given for signature of cheques for

annuities and salaries . One widow was granted half her late husband's annuity , he having just died . There were six male and seven female petitioners on the list as proposed candidates for eleition to the annuity of the Institution . One widow was rejected . The remaining cases were pi iced on th « list . Bro . NtAVION enquired whether anv vote of thanks had

been presented to the Mayor of Croydon fur his entertainment to the old people ? Bro . TERRY said there had been no vote of thanks from this Committee , but anticipating what the Committee would do , he tendered the thanks of the Committee , and wrote to him also o that effect . Bro . NKWTON proposed , and Bro . PERCEVAL seconded ,

a resolution that the Secretary s action be approved . Bro . TERRY then asked in what way the engrossed vote of thanks , which had been handsomely framed and glazed , should be presented to Grand Lodge , conveying the sense of the Committee tor the vote ot £ 2000 to this Institution ? He would venture to suyg-st t at as next Tuesday was the meeting of the Board of General Purposes , and the money

came from the Fund of General Purposes , it would be best to ask the rtoard to accept it on behalf of Grand Lodge . On the motion of Bro . MURLIS , seconded by Bro LACEY , it was res lved that this course be adopted . Bro . TERRY next said the brethren were aware that the Festival of this Institution was coming on , and unfortunately there were 57 Stewards less than there were at this time

last year . With the largely increased annual expenditure , it was perfectly certain that unless they could get a great addition to the present number of Stewards it would be almost impossible to get an election ot candidates next May . It was impossiile they could raise £ 19 , 000 next year . They must be piepaied tor a drop-of £ 8 00 in that amount . He wished it to go out from this Committee to

the various lodges that they were urged to do as tar as they possibly could . The Girls' School was absorbing a large amount of attention . Bro . PERCEVAL asked what was the annual amount laid out on annuities . Bro . TERRY said ^ 14 , 600 . At present there were no

vacancies £ ., r women , and only one for men , and it was only by death that vacancies could be created . Bro . NEWTON thought that wh < n the Institution r a'ised such very large subscriptions , they should not put so many extra annuitants on the funds . A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings .

Masonic Presentation.

MASONIC PRESENTATION .

On Thursday , the 27 th ult ., the brethren of the Liberty of Havering Lodge , Komford , presented Bro . E . We > t , P . M ., and P . M . 1076 , P . P . S . G . D . Herts , P Z . I 3 andi 472 , with a handsome solid silver salver , suitably inscribed , on his retiring fiom the position of Treasurer , and in recognition of his services to the lodge in that position for the last

years . The W . M ., Bro . HUMPHREYS , P . S . G . VV . Essex , made the presentation , and dwelt eloquently on the merits of Bro . West , and earnestly hoped he might long be spared t ,. be with them , and lend them his assistance and counsel in the direction of the lodge . Bro . WEST , in response , thanked the brethren for their great kindness . As one of the founders and first J . W .,

and afterwards Master of the lodge , he naturally felt a very great interest in its welfare . Now that it was safely based on a sure foundation , he willingly resigned the t > u-. t to younger hands , and felt sure that in Bro . White , P . M ., they would have a good and busty officer . Bro . West , who is exceedingly popular wilh the brethren of the Libtrty of Haveiing Lodge-, Itaves his position with hearty and universally expressed regret .

On Tuesday , Bro . Alderman Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., sitting for the last time in the Mansion House Court as Chief Magistrate , availed himself of the opportunity of thanking the officials of the Court and tne bar on the able assistance he had always received from them during his year of office . In the afternoon of the same day the outgoing and incoming Lord Mayors presided

together at a luncheon in the Egyptian Hall , to the Aldermen , Sheiiffs , Recorder , and high officers of the City , and after due honour had been paid to the two Presidents , the party proceeded in carriages to the Guildhalt , where Bro . Alderman De Keyser was formally sworn into office , while Sir Reginald , in a neat but effective speech took leave of his brother Aldermen ,

Grand Council Of The Allied Masonic Degrees.

GRAND COUNCIL OF THE ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES .

A Grand Council of the Order was held on Thursday , the 3 rd instant , at the Masonic Hill , 8 a , Red Lion-square . I htre were present M . W . Bro . Rev . 1 anon Portal , M . A ., P . G . M . M ., Grand Master ; R . W . Bros . Robert Berndge , Deputy Grand Master designate ; C . H . Driver , Past

Deputy Giand Master ; Al'red Williams , Past Deputy Grand Master ; ' . Hi z ^ erald Matier , Past Depu-y Grand Mas er ; Frank R > ihardson ; Bros . Rev . H . cummu gs , Dawson , I ' . Cuni't . James Moon , Teas . ; Dr . E M . Lott , R . L . Loveland , Shilcock , Robt . Roy , Percy Wallis vV . A . Scurrah Charier . Bolt-n , Siephrn Barton Wilson , T . C .

Walls , James Terry , George Kenning , and others . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , and a report of the progress of the Order was read and circulated , from which we learn that the following watrants have been granted during the year : — No . 17 , Raymond Portal , Bengal . 18 . Veran , Reading .

19 , Zealandia Marine , Port Chalmers , N . Z . The Grand Master desired to explain his sense of the eminent services rendered to the Allied Degrees by R . W . Bro . Charles H . Driver , the retiring Deputy Giand Master . A statement of accounts was submitted to the council , showing a considerable balance in the hands of the Treasurer . The M . W . the Grand Master then invested his officers

as follows : Bro . Robert Berridge ... ... Deputy G . M „ Charles Belton ... ... Grand S . W . „ Stephen Barton Wilson ... Grand J . W . „ James Moon ... ... ... Grand Treas „ Charles Fitzgerald Matier ... Grand Sec . „ H . C . Heard Grand S . D .

„ W . Johnson ... ... ... Grand J . D . „ ] ames Terry ... ... ... Grand D . C . „ T . C . Walls G'and A . D . C . „ R . B . Seddon ... ... . „ Grand Std . Br . „ F . T . Bennett ... ... ... Grand I . G .

.. Dr . E M . Lott ... ... dand Ore-. „ Ur . li IV ] . Lott ... ... < j < ana Org . ,, W . \ . Scunah ... ... ) „ C Vincent Cotterell ,,, ... [ -Grand Stwds .. A . Wo idiwiss ... ... )

,, E . J . Mills \ Grand Tyler . The brethren adjourned to the Freemasons' Tavern , where a most liberal menu was in readiness , to which justice was done . The toasts of the Order were given by the DEPUTY GRAND MASTER , ably assisted by Bro JAS . TERRY . G . D . of C . Bro . Dr . E . M . Lott presided at the piano .

Province Of Berks A. N D Bucks.

PROVINCE OF BERKS A . N D BUCKS .

JUBILEE HONOURS . The D . P . G M , the Rev . | . Studholme Brownrigg - , Pa-t _ ' irand Chaplain of . England , was empowered by the Provincial Grand v aster to confer the special Jubilee h nours at Reading , on Tuesday , the 8 th instant , and in doing so made the following

remarks-Brethren , —I am desired to-day by the P rovincial Grand Vaster to confer upon four bretnren of this province the rank of ¦ ast rovincial Seiior Grand v \ arden , in commemoration of the fact that for fifty years her Most i > acious viajesty the Queen has reigned sovereign , not merely over the persons , but over the affections of her people So much has been said and written of this happy event by the to gues

and pens of the eloquent and the able that 1 shall not venture to mar the happy recollections of this great year b any utterances of my own . I will only briefly allude to the services of those upon whom the honours are about to be conferred—honours which I am sure they will value , and which you will acknow . edge to be justly deserved Let me say , first , that the selection was one of great difficulty .

VVhe e so many are deserving it is difficult , almost impossibe , to make the choice without seeming to pass over many who are dese ving Believe me , great thought and g eat care has been bestowed upon the matter—no personal friendship or feeling has been allowed to in : e vene , and certain broad lines having been laid down , it has been endeavoured to select those amongst the Past orand 1 ifficers whose services past and present seemed to demand some special honour .

As regards the first name there was not so much difficulty ¦ For more than a quarter of a century ro the Rev . Oliver lames brace , ¦ ast rov . urand Chaplain , has been known to many of us a leading membe of the province . I feel almost ashamed to invest him I feel by igh s that he ought to be to-day , not the recipient , bu- the distributor of ¦ ur Provincial i . rand honou s . 1 remember when I was a

very young v ' ason i-iro •race came to my lodge , the Isaac Newton University Lodge , a ast Master of some standing . I have lways felt that he not I , ought to be your D . P . G M ., and I can assure you that it w s in no slight degree owing to his friendship , his generous withdrawal of his own , Iaims , and his too favou able appreci tion of my small wor- in the province , ti . at 1 to-day hold

an office of which I am justly proud . Bro . Grisbrook is one 0 tliem ins ^ ays of the Craft in the royal borough of Windsor An old member of one of our most moor ant lodges I feel sure that every member of that lodge will ratify the decision of t e Prov . Grand Master that he richly deserves to be honoured . It was evident from the first that some brother from

Reading must be included . There is no town in the kingdom which in Masonry _ as well as in every o her social advance is so prominent in the presenthis ory of our country , and , I ask , confident f your approval , is there any brother in this town who better deserves advancement than Bro . Ferguson , of the Lodge of Union ? nut it is not only great towns but also our smaller centres which deserve notice . There is a clu ter of lodges

up in the far north of our province , which are all bright lights in our M asonic firmament . With those 1 dges I have a special and peculiar sympathy . I know almost every one of the brethren in each of those lodges , and I can tell you , as their representative , that had the choice lain with us , the brother whom we should have ch > sen is the one whom the Provincial brand Master has to-day ordered me to invest—Bro . Robinson , of the Scientific and Watling Street Lodges .

Bro . the Marquis ot Hamilton , M . P ., has arranged to visit Dublin and address a conference of Unionists at the close of the present month ,