Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management held their usual monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday . Bro . George Everett , Grand Treasurer , occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . W . H . Hubbert , C . W . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; Joseph Freeman , S . Vallentine , G . P . ; James Brett , P . G . P . ; Hugh Cotter ,

W . J . Murlis , Charles Kempton , A . Durrant , C . if . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; Alex . Mallord , C . H . Webb , A . H . Tattershall , R . Pittam Stevens , J . B . Purchas , P . A . G . D . C ; J . Newton , John Barnett , jun ., F . Mead , P . G . S . B . ; W . Webber , L . G . G . Robbins , Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; John C . Matthew , W . Belchamber , and T . B .

Daniell . The minutes of the November Committee having been read and verified , the SECRETARY reported the deaths of two male and one widow annuitants , as well as of two accepted male candidates . A letter removing the name of a third male candidate from the list was

read , and also another informing the Committee that a widow annuitant was an inmate of the Grove Hall Lunatic Asylum , to which a reply had been sent that the annuity ceased . The report of the Warden for the past month was read . Two applications from the widows of deceased annuitants were granted .

The SECRETARY reported that Bro . Sir John B . Monckton ' s motion , " That Grand Lodge should vote . £ 525 as a contribution to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " on the occasion of its Jubilee celebration , had been carried unanimously , and a letter of thanks was ordered to be written to Bro . Sir John B . Monckton , and Bro . Jabez Hogg , who had seconded the motion .

The Committee took into consideration the petitions of six male and two widow applicants , the result being that all were accepted , and the names ordered to be entered upon the lists of candidates for the election in May , 1892 . A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS COMMITTEE DINNER CLUB .

The monthly meeting of this club ( established 1862 ) was held at the Holborn Restaurant , on Saturday , the 5 th instant , under the presidency of Bro . Richard Eve , P . G . T ., the rota Chairman . The following visitors dined by invitation of the members : Bros . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap . ; Sir Geo . D . Harris , P . S . G . D . ; R . L .

Loveland , P . S . G . D . ; Jabez Hogg , P . J . G . D . ; Alfred Buck , P . P . G . W . Essex ; Raynham , Slyman , William Glass , Heath , Henry Times , and E . Smith . The members of the club present were Bros . Geo . Everett , G . Treas . ; Richard Eve , P . G . T . ; S . J . Attenborough , W . A . Scurrah , William Maple , J . M . McLeod ,

Secretary of the Institution ; George Corbie , E . Hobbs , Jas . D . Murray , J . W . Burgess , George Gardner , Rev . H . Hebb , R . W . Bourne , Richard Ellis , Henry Pocock , Fred . Orchard , Geo . Motion , Robert Martin , James Stephens , W . H . Saunders , and John Glass , Sec . and Treas . Bro . G . E . Fairchild was elected a member of the

club . The Secretary reported that at the Festival in July last 17 members of the club were Stewards , and that the aggregate amount of their lists was ^ 1507 . An appealfor Stewards for 1892 was made on behalf of the Institution .

In response to the toast of " The Chairman and many happy returns of the day to him , " proposed in a very happy speech by Bro . RICHARD ELLIS , who alluded in pleasant poetry and prose to the Chairman ' s birthday , Bro . EVE , who is Chairman of the Board of Management , in a very able and eloquent address ,

reviewed the reforms and changes that have been carried out at the School at Wood Green , and the improved educational and other results that have been obtained , concluding his speech with an impassioned oration upon the cause and necessity of the Charities of our Order , of the useful work and

enjoyable happiness provided for freemasons in their support , maintenance , and management , and upon the duty , nay , obligation , cast upon every brother to help them by all means within his power while he is afforded the opportunity . To preach and promulgate this gospel , the Chairman stated , was the principal mission of the club , to which were admitted as members

Life-Governors of the Royal Masonic Institutions being Masons . Other toasts followed . Some capital songs were sung by the Chairman , Bros . Geo . Everett , Geo . Corbie , W . H . Saunders , and others . Bro . John Glass was re-elected Secretary and Treasurer .

LEEDS MASONIC LOCAL RELIEF FUND . The annual meeting of this admirable Society was held at the Masonic Hall , Great George-street , Leeds , on the 4 th instant . The state of the Society and the remarkable work it is doing is worthy of all praise .

Prior to its formation , members of tbe local lodges were continually pestered by the visits of persons who represented that they were Freemasons in distress , and to whom too frequently relief was administered in order to get rid of their importunity . In this way

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

impostors made a good harvest , and the evil in consequence grew to very large proportions . It was with the view of remedying this undesirable state of things that a few years ago this Relief Fund was established . All the Leeds lodges support it , and the funds are raised by a levy of is . per member of each lodge , the

resulting sum being found sufficient to continue the work of the Society for about two years . All applications for relief by travelling Masons are now referred to the Almoner , who at his discretion gives small temporary relief until he has been able fully to investigate each case , which is subsequently dealt with as its

merits demand . The work of the Society has been most beneficial , and whilst deserving cases are generously dealt with , imposture is exposed , and Leeds is thus freed from those whose sole idea of Masonry is to prey upon its funds . The annual meeting was presided over by Bro . Jose

Rickard , the President . The Auditors , Bros . J . J . Fretwell , P . M . 206 9 , and T . B . Tomlinson , P . M . 1221 , presented their annual report , which was to the following effect : —During the year there had been 40 acts of relief to 37 distressed brethren , who had been relieved with sums varying from 2 s . 6 d . to 30 s . Of the

applicants 20 were English Masons , 10 Scotch , 3 Irish , and 4 Foreign . Sympathetic allusion was made in the report to the death of the late Almoner , Bro . S . Barrand , and the late Treasurer , Bro . R . Craig , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., both of which offices had been most efficiently discharged by Bro . Trevor , P . M . At the end of the year there was a most satisfactory balance in hand .

The report having been adopted , the following officers were appointed : Bros . Tudor Trevor , P . M ., President ; R . Lucas , P . M ., Vice-President ; Jose Rickard , P . M ., Past President , Treasurer ; Tudor Trevor , Almoner ; T . B . Tomlinson , P . M ., Secretary and J . J . Fretwell , P . M ., and W . W . Clayton , P . M ., Auditors .

ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE EAST SURREY LODGE OF CONCORD LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 463 .

On luesday , the ist inst ., the members of the above ancient and popular lodge had their annual banquet at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon , when there was a large and representative gathering of members of other lodges present . The lodge was opened , Bro . B . A . Williams , W . M ., presiding , supported by Bros . Day

and Kilvington , Wardens , and Bro . Cole , I . G . The minutes were read and the customary business transacted , after which the lodge was closed , and 45 brethren then adjourned to the banquet , which was admirably served , reflecting great credit on Bro . J . A . Williams , the manager of the hotel .

Bro . Col . Noel Money , C . B ., P . G . M ., presided , and amongst those present were Bros . Hugh M . Hobbs , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . F . Hawes , P . G . R . ; W . J . Day , Sec . 1790 ; Bertram A . Williams , S . W . 463 ; John Lloyd , S . D . 1986 ; C . H . Woodward , P . M . 463 ; John S . Streeter , P . M . 46 3 ; F . J . Ridpath , P . P . G . D . ; W .

H . Ranson , P . M . 1790 ; R . W . Price , 463 , P . G . W . ; W . H . Russell , A . J . Phillips , H . M . Lemon , A . H . Cole , Henry J . Thrift , R . M . Hammond , J . Hayward , G . H . Martin , J . B . Shakespeare , Alfred Bullock , G . Pearson , Harry James , and Fred . Callam . Among the visitors were Bros . James S . Fraser , P . P . S . G . D . ; H .

A . Howe , W . M . ; F . A . Norton , W . M . 18 92 ; James Grew , 1790 ; J . Bolton , S . D . ; J . H . Price , W . M 2096 ; E . M . Money , W . M . 23 , G . Stwd . ; and J . D , Langton , P . M . 2096 , P . P . J . G . W . After '' The Queen and the Craft" had been given and honoured , the next toast given by the P . G . M .

was "The M . W . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the other Grand Officers . " At the present time he said peculiar interest was attached to the toast , owing to the trouble that had fallen on the Royal Family through the illness of Prince George . Fortunately the grief and anxiety caused by the Prince ' s

condition vvas now passing away , and they were all glad to hear that he was now on the hi gh road to health again . With the toast he associated the name of Bro . E . M . Money , who was also Grand Steward . Bro . MONEY replied , and said as a very humble member of Grand Lodge he desired to return thanks

for the kind manner in which they had received the toast . All Freemasons , hc was sure , sincerel y sympathised with their Grand Master in his trouble , and would be delighted to hear that his son was out of danger . He also desired to bear testimony to the admirable manner in which the Grand Officers

performed their work , and , as they were aware , the Pro Grand Master , Lord Lathom , had played a very important part in Masonry , as the archives of Grand Lodge would testify . All the Prov . Grand Masters ranked high in Grand Lodge , and took grade with the Grand Master . No doubt the Prov . Grand Master ,

Colonel Money , would thank them better than he could . In conclusion he expressed the hope that the East Surrey Lodge would have a successful year . Bro . WOODWARD , in giving "The Health of the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Colonel Gerard Noel Money , " said he had a toast of considerable importance to give , and which he was sure would be

received with enthusiasm . A great honour had been conferred upon the East Surrey Lodge of Concord , a distinction and honour which had not been conferred upon any previous lodge of instruction , so far as he could remember , and his recollection of the lodge dated back when he formed it in 1859 . Col . Money was the fourth Prov . Grand Master they had had . The first was Lord Monson , whose death took place in

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

1841 . Then Bro . Alexander Dobie was appointed , and in 1872 General Brownrigg , who remained with the province until his decease . In the year in which he received his purple there were only eight lodges in Surrey , and the Prov . Grand Master had a difficulty in finding officers to give collars to . Their Prov . Grand

Master came in under very different circumstances , and his difficulty had been to know how to distribute them . Bro . Woodward concluded a long eulogistic speech by asking the brethren to receive the toast with Masonic fire . Bro . Col . MONEY , C . B ., P . G . M ., replied ,

acknowledging the compliment paid him , and observed that he could not set his foot in any lodge in Croydon without a recurrence of the very grateful feeling which was expressed towards him on the occasion of his installation . It was an event in Masonry in England , as Bro . Woodward had said , and Lord Lathom had expressed

the greatest gratification and surprise at the way the work was done , and remarked that he had never seen anything like it during the whole of his career . He should always remember that , and he would do his best to satisfy them , although the task would not be an easy one , as he did not kno . v them all personally , and

sometimes brethren most deserving of honours were the most modest and retiring . He wished to thank the Committee who arranged for the installation , also Bro . Woodward , its moving spirit , and Bro . Langton and the members of the lodge of instruction , for inviting him to come amongst them , expressing the hope

that it would not be the last occasion . Bro . Col . MONEY , P . G . M ., next gave " The Health of the W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . West , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , " adding that it was most pleasing to succeed such a worthy Deputy Prov . Grand Master . With the toast he

coupled the name of Bro . Langton . Bro . LANGTON responded on behalf of the Prov . Grand Officers . It was he was sure a matter of gratification to brethren wearing the purple to be presided over by Bro . Money , and it would be their object to do what they could to enhance the prosperity of the lodge .

His duties had been comparatively light when compared with those of their able Preceptor , Bro . Hobbs . He was sure the instructions that the latter gave to members increased their love of Masonry , and if followed out members of the lodge of instruction might hope to attain the position which they all

aspired to , that of Prov . Grand Officer . The next toast was " Prosperity to the East Surrey Lodge of Concord Lodge of Instruction , " associated with the names of Bro . Hobbs , Preceptor , and Bro . Ridpath , Deputy Preceptor . The toast was given from the chair , Bro . Money , C . B ., P . G . M ., paying a

welldeserved compliment to the two brethren . Bro . HOBBS replied , stating that it was the seventh time he had had the honour of having his name coupled with the toast . The lodge of instruction was in a flourishing condition , but he thought Bro . Ridpath was jointly responsible for a share of the praise .

Bro . RIDPATH also replied in an effective and telling speech . It was carried by acclamation that Bro . Col . Money , P . G . M ., & c , be elected an honorary member of the lodge . Bro . MONEY , P . G . M ., gave "The Visitors , " which

toast was suitably acknowledged by Bro . GEORGE PRICE . The next toast was " The Honorary Members of the Lodge of Instruction , " associated with Bro . WOODWARD ' S name , who replied . Bro . STREETER , W . M ., gave " The Secretary , Bro .

Fox Hawes , a toast which was accorded a warm reception . He said that Bro . Fox Hawes did his work most thoroughly , in fact whatever he took in hand he carried out most efficiently . His nature was a most kindly one , and his heart was wrapt up in one thing , and that was Masonry . His services had , he was glad

to know , been appreciated in hi gh quarters , as he had received one of the highest honours in the province . Having referred to the testimonial which had been presented to their Secretary , he expressed a hope that he might long be spared to conduct the Secretaiyshi p of the lodge .

Bro . Fox HAWES , in a concise speech , replied . The other toast was " The Health of Bro . Streeter , W . M . " During the evening some capital songs were rendered by Bros . Thrift , Williams , Phillips , Russell , and Lloyd , the latter brother having arranged a good musical programme .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN HUY . Many brethren will hear with deep regr .-t of the sad death of Bro . John Huy , of the St . James ' s Union Lodge , No . 180 . He was well known to many brethren at the West-end of London , having been acting manager to Miss Lytton , of the Court Theatre , and afterwards to Mr . Hare , and then to Messrs . Hare and

Kendal , at the St . James ' s Theatre . His end was sad , for on returning to his home on Sunday evening , the 29 th ult ., he fell on the stairs , and at the inquest ' Dr . Sheppard , of New Cavendish-street , gave evidence that the cause of death was a rupture ot the liver caused

by falling on the sharp edge ot the stone staits . The writer of this had known Bro . J . Huy for over 34 years and by his kindliness of disposition he had endeared himself to many friends , who will miss him much . The funeral took place on Thursday , the 2 nd inst . at Brompton Cemetery .