Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

Bro . HENRY SMITH , P . G . D ., Deputy Prov . G . M . West Yorkshire , seconded the motion . This motion was also well received and was adopted unanimously . The CHAIRMAN further moved : That the proposal from the Province of Northumberland for the right to a perpetual presentationto be called the " Hubert Laws Memorial , " to be purchased

, by payment of iooo guineas , on the same terms as previous agreements of a like nature , be accepted , subject to the condition that the presentation shall be available only for sons of Northumberland Masons , and that each boy presented under same shall in every case be qualified under the then existing laws of the Institution . He said he moved it pro forma , but he was afraid it would not pass with the

same amount of unanimity as the former motions . He would , however , call attention to the fact that the Institution had already several of those presentations . Five provinces had at the present time the right of presentation to the Institution on the same terms . It was thought by the Council a desirable thing to accept the present offer with the further stipulation that the father of the boy presented should be a Northumberland Freemason , and also that the boy should be qualified according to the laws of the Institution .

Those conditions were put in simply for this purpose—the province having the right of presentation mig ht not have a boy ready , and so far the Institution would gain by not having him in until he was qualified ; the stipulation was made that another than a Northumberland boy should not bepresented by that province . He had heard that the ground of the opposition to the present motion was that the sum of a thousand guineas was not enough ; but in answer to that objection he mig ht say that other provinces were enjoying the privilege of presentation after having paid the same amount .

' Bro . Capt . S . G . HOMFRAY , P . A . G . D . C , Deputy Prov . Grand Master Monmouth , seconded the motion , being of opinion that it was for the benefit of the Institution . Bro . W . H . SAUNDERS wished to know what was the amount of the

invested funds of the Institution . The CHAIRMAN said ^ 25 , , and that amount had lately been increased . When they were to invest this thousand guineas he did not know . However , he mig ht confidently say that the Council would invest as much as they considered should be invested .

Bro . A . C . SPAULL desired to ask when , if the province had a boy in the Institution by presentation , it could present another . He thought there was some misconception on that point . Some thought that a province having a presentation could nominate every year . This was not intended . The CHAIRMAN said a province with a presentation could have only one presented boy in the Institution at the same time .

Bro . C . H . WEBB enquired of the Secretary how much each boy in the school cost at the present time every year . Bro . MCLEOD said ^ 41 . Bro . WEBB contended that 1000 guineas invested at the present price of consols was not sufficient for a perpetual presentation . He would recommend a better investment than consols , and by this means the Institution would be relieved . They were now giving increased benefits and more

votes . The CHAIRMAN , cries of "Time" being raised , said the question was not the investment of the money , but whether the proposal to give 1000 guineas for a presentation should or should not be accepted . Bro . W . F . SMITHSON , P . G . D ., said he felt rather strongly on this matter after giving it very earnest consideration . He advised the brethren

to accept this thousand guineas . By so doing they would associate the Province of Northumberland permanently with the Institution . The province wanted to be so associated by naming this presentation after a worth y brother of Northumberland who had been a most active and energetic Mason , and whom they delighted to honour . Bro . Webb had mentioned increased benefits . The Institution was giving increased benefits

and also more votes . That was true , but the subscribers were paying for the benefits and votes , and why should they not use them ? But what he wished to impress upon the brethren was that there were already six provinces which were enjoying the privilege of presentation for which they had each paid a thousand guineas . That money had been accepted at a time when the cost per boy was from £ 45 to ^ 47 . The boys now had a better education and were altogether better provided for at ^ 41 per head .

Bro . GOODACRE pointed out that that cost was the total cost ; it included ofiice and management expenses , cost of the staff of the Institution , and everything , not merely the expense of keeping one particular boy . Bro . J AMES BRETT , P . G . P ., Senior Vice-President Board of Benevolence , begged the brethren not to be carried away by the eloquent speech of Bro . Smithson , who was one of the Yorkshire brethren who were

pushinoforward this motion . West Yorkshire had presentations , and the brethren of West Yorkshire were in a good position—he would not say an unfair position—through these presentations . They had done their share ; they had paid their thousand guineas each for two presentations . Each thousand guineas had brought in only ^ 35 a year , and each boy had cost the Institution about ^ 47 , the Institution thus losing ^ 10 or £ 12 a year on each boy presented . Yorkshire said they would have another if they could .

Bro . J . S . CUMBERLAND , interrupting , said they were not now discussing Yorkshire , but Northumberland . Bro . BRETT observed that he had not heard anyone from Northumberland supporting this proposition . The brethren knew the benefits West Yorkshire had received from the Institution ; they had done a great deal , but they got full value for their money . The brethren had been told this

was a gift of a thousand guineas , but it was a Yorkshire gift . Northumberland wanted to perpetuate the name of a good old brother who had just died . Probably there would be more such proposals . —( A BROTHER ; The more the better . )—It was not fair to the other provinces that five should have presentations and that the others should be called upon to make up the If the brethren

deficiency . passed this they would have smaller provinces coming forward asking to be allowed to make these perpetual presentations . They were putting a millstone round the neck of the Institution . The amount-ought to be ^ 1500 . No sooner was one boy out than another was put in . —( A VOICE : Quite right . )— The door never ought to have been opened for these presentations .

Bro . CHARLES PULMAN , P . P . S . G . D . Northumberland , remarked that Bro . Brett really did not know what he was talking about . He was on the subject of Northumberland , and he talked about Yorkshire . As far as Northumberland went , it had always done its best for the cause of Charity , and for all the Masonic Charities . If 1000 guineas had hitherto been considered sufficient price for these presentations , Northumberland ouo-ht to have the benefit of it until the laws were altered . If the money was not enough let the by-laws be altered , and make it ^ 1500 or £ 2000 if they

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

liked . But do not let it go back to Northumberland that the Institution refused the 1000 guineas , for it would p lace them in an awkward position . The memorial to Bro . Hubert Laws was well deserved , as he had worked hard and long , as he ( Bro . Pulman ) knew . The motion was then put and carried .

Scrutineers of votes were chosen , and the brethren proceeded to elect 21 boys out of an approved list of 36 . A list of the successful candidates will be found in our Advertisement columns .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The October Quarterly Court of the Subscribers to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls was held on the Sth inst . in the large hall of Freemasons ' Tavern . Bro . Henry Smith , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . West Yorkshire , was voted to the chair , and Bros . Frank Richardson , C . F . Money , and C . J . Perceval supported him .

There was no business before the brethren likely to lead to discussion , and the attendance was small . The minutes were duly read by Bro . HEDGES , who read two letters which had been received from Bros . H . A . Hunt and Ralph Glutton , on whom the General Committee had conferred the rank of honorary Patron in recognition of their great services to the Institution in connection with the erection of the Alexandra Hall and other extensions of the School at St . John ' s Hill , Battersea Rise .

The brethren afterwards nominated Scrutineers of votes , and the election of 18 girls out of a list of 25 approved candidates was then proceeded with , the result of which appeared in our Advertisement columns last week . Thanks to the Scrutineers of votes , and to the Chairman of the day , together with the customary acknowledgment of those thanks , closed the proceeding's .

Consecration Of The Clarence And Avondale Lodge, No. 2411.

CONSECRATION OF THE CLARENCE AND AVONDALE LODGE , No . 2411 .

The Clarence and Avondale Lodge , No . 241 r , was consecrated on Monday , the 5 th inst ., at the Red Lion Hotel , Leytonstone , by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , G . Sec , assisted by Bros . C . Belton , P . A . G . D . C , as S . W . ; R . Clowes , G . Std . Br ., as J . W . ; Rev . Oliver Grace , G . Chap ., as Chap . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C ; and Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., as I . G .

The Red Lion Hotel , which has been rebuilt from plans prepared by Bro . W . D . Church , I . P . M . and Sec . 1365 , now contains a spacious suite of rooms adapted for Masonic purposes , and a large dining hall , so that the new lodge will be fortunate in possessing a home that can probably be excelled by few .

The founders , who were present , are Bros . Basil Stewart , P . M . 1278 , W . M . designate ; T . W . Ferryman , 65 , S . VV . designate ; H . B . Holliday , P . M . 1076 , J . W . designate ; J . P . Smith , P . M . 929 ; J . West , P . M . 933 ; W . S . Cooper , 1793 ; VV . Thompson , 1524 ; S . Abbott , W . M . 2077 ; C . N . Fox , S . W . 1349 ; E . Daniel , I . G . 300 ; S . Fennel ] , 1766 ; W . Graves , 1685 ; J . F . Bland , 65 ; W . Clarke , 13 S 2 ; A . P . Bebrouth , 7 81 ; F . S . Hince , 1382 ; and S . Ii . Spencer , 65 .

1 he visitors present , who numbered nearly 100 , included—Bros . W . D . Church , I . P . M ., Sec . 1365 ; J . Holland , 2256 ; W . B . Claridge , P . M . 1962 ; A . Robbins , P . M . 1056 ; A . Waller , I . G . 2097 ; J . Dorton , P . M . 1076 ; H . Younge , J . W . 1489 ; E . T . Moore , I . P . M . 2007 , P . P . A . G . Sec . Essex ; C . Brittain , P . M . 127 S ; J . W . Robinson , P . M . 1287 ; J . J . Berry , P . M . 504 ; G . Graveley , P . M . 228 ; W . Wainwright , P . M . 933 ; G . Palmer , P . M .

781 ; C . B . Cutchey , S . W . 16 S 5 ; M . Christian , P . M . ; T . Clark , P . M . ; J . J . Marsh , P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ; W . T . Christian , W . M . 453 ; C . Esching , S . D . 1349 ; W . F . Shuter , J . W . 1685 ; W . H . Lee , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; ] . J . Thomas , P . M ., Sec . 753 ; T . G . Scott , 1928-, F . Forge , 127 S ; W . Bosher , 1901 ; R . Grice , 1399 ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; W . W . Lee , S . W . 2381 and S . D . 1897 ; and many others .

_ J . he CONSECRATING OFFICER having taken the chair , and appointed his officers pro tem ., the lodge was opened in the Three Degrees . He then addressed the brethren on the motive of the meeting , remarking that they had assembled on an occasion of great importance—one of special interest to Freemasons , their object being to consecrate a lodge on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England . There were already a large number of lodges

meeting within the Metropolitan area , and it was with great difficulty that sanction was given for a new one to be formed . The founders of the lodge to be consecrated that evening were fortunate in having obtained a warrant from his Royal Highness the M . W . G . M ., and they had assembled that evening to give effect to that warrant . He felt it his duty on all similar

occasions to utter a word ol warning to new lodges not to be in too great a hurry to increase their numbers , but to remember that quality was of fatmore importance than quantity . If they followed that rule and carefully considered the qualifications of every candidate proposed , they would , under the guidance of the excellent officers who were to be entrusted with the principal offices , have an excellent lodge of which they would be proud .

1 he founders signified their approval of the officers named in the petition and warrant , and an excellent oration was delivered by Bro . Rev . O . GRACE , Grand Chaplain . The ceremony was then proceeded with , and the lodge solemnly dedicated and constituted .

1 lie W . M . designate , Bro . Basil Stewart , was installed by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , G . Sec , and invested the following officers : Bros . J . P . Smith , P . M . 929 , acting I . P . M . ; Thomas W . Ferryman , 65 , S . W . ; H . B . Holliday , P . M . 1076 , J . W . ; Jno . West , P . M . 933 , Treas . ; Wm . S . Cooper , 1783 , Sec ; Wm . Thompson ^ 1524 , S . D . ; Sutton Abbott , W . M . 2077 , j . D . ; Chas . Nash Fox , S . W . 1349 , I . G . ; Edwin Daniel , I . G . 300 , D . C ; Samuel Fennell , 1766 , A . D . C ; Wm . Graves , 1685 , Org . ; and Jas . Fox Bland , 65 , and Wm . Clarke , 13 S 2 , Stwds .

1 heConsecratingOfncerand his assistants were elected honorary members of the lodge , on the proposition of the WORSHIPFUL MASTER , for which the GRAND SECRETARY returned thanks . Routine business having been transacted , including the proposition of a large number of candidates , the lodge was closed .

After banquet the customary toasts were given and received in a hearty manner . " The Queen and the Craft " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " having been cordiall y honoured , the WORSHIPFUL MASTER gave " The Earl of Lathom , Pro G . M . ; the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , D . G . M . ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and said the brethren all knew how hard the Grand Officers worked , for they were