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  • July 21, 1877
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Page 8

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Original Correspondence.

Brette . Mr . Bell , the late master , says that only two of the masters are resident , the head master and the French master , hence much imperfection of discipline is , in his opinion , unavoidable . The Times instantly improves upon this by stating that the French master is a " personage , though by no fault of his own , not always thc most successful in commanding the boys' respect . " It is quite clear

that the writer of that article is ignorant of thc true facts of the case , as none of the masters of Christ ' s Hospital ought and can command more of the respect of the boys than our good Bro . Dr . Brette . To all who know Bro . Allcroft and himself I will only add , that two more humane and kindly-hcartetl persons , or more respected , whether in public or private life , do not exist , and that

everything they can do to promote the material comfoit or intellectual improvement of the boys will be carried out , aU may rest assured , with freedom , fervency , and zeal . I therefore think it well to call the attention of your many readers to . the " bad form " of much that is so hastily advanced against the school authorities , and ask them fraternally to suspend their opinion until the proper enquiry

has taken place . As Freemasons and citizens of the world we ought above all things always to keep before our minds a truth which some of us like often , apparently , to forget , that there are " two sides " to every question in this world of ours . All the suggestions of reform and improvement do not

enter into this special discussion , and while we shall all deeply deplore thc fate of the unfortunate boy , we yet very well believe that no pains are spared by the authorities to make the boys happy and contented , and to render that great foundation worthy of the City and the Country . Yours fraternally , Civ is .

WEST YORKSHIRE AND THE BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I am truly g lad to observe that my province . West Yorkshire , is so well represented in thc Stewards ' Lists , and I am especially pleased lo note that Bro . S . B . Ellis , of Sheffield , has been enabled to send up so goodly a sum as £ 661 ios ., the whole contribution of West

Yorkshire being £ 'jdd ios . Of coursethis is nothing to former efforts , but then West Yorkshire has done well for thc Boys ' School . This return is a vcry striking proof to my mind , and that is thc gist of my letter , that , despite some most regrettable and injudicious proceedings in respect of the Boys' School , there arc those in West Yoiksbire who will always support that useful and excellent institution . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , WEST YORKSHIRE .

A CORRECTION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly permit me to point out a slight inaccuracy in the interesting report of the proceedings of the District Giand Lodge of Bengal , which appeared in your issue of the 14 th inst .

The District Grand Master in the chair ( speaking of Bro . Marshal Wood , the eminent sculptor , who presented thc bust of H . R . H ., the Most Worship ful Grand Master to the District Grand Lodge ) is reported to have alluded to him as a member of the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 25 O .

Allow me to say that il should have been Lodge of Unions , No . 25 6 , as I had the pleasure of witnessing the ceremony of Bro . Marshall W ood's initiation , admirably performed by my excellent friend , Bro . Charles Birch , I . P . M . of the Lodge of Unions . I am , dear Sir and Brother , faithfully and fraternally

yours , R . R . DAVIS , P . M . No . 25 G

PRENCH AND ENGLISH FREEMASONRY . To the Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — You were kind enough to insert in your issue of June - > - > rd long extracts of a letter which I had addressed to thc Chainc D'Union of Palis about a month earlier , As the author of that letter , I feel bound and indeed

p leased to thank you for the kind remarks you inserted in your excellent paper in reference to it . This correspondence will be continued , and as both English and French brethren are greatly interested in the point at issue , perhaps it is not asking you too much to further notice it when an opportunity occurs . 1 remain , dear Editor , yours fraternally LEON * CI . EHC .

ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE LADIES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have reatl a letter in your last issue under the above heading , antl also the report on which lhat ktler was founded , with , I must confess , feelings of humiliation . Our keystone is charity , but do we make this

manifest by our " works ? " If we wish to do honour to a brother why not connect bis name with the charities ? If we wish again to do honour to a brother ' s wife , although it is past my comprehension to understand a lady ' s relation to Masonry , " do likewise . " We should deprecate the sacrifice of charity to vanity . The Book of Constitutions defines the " regulation " jewel , and says it is " to be in

silver . " In my opinion the " ring " presentation is calculated to bring ridicule upon our Order , while the expenditure of lodge monies , or monies contributed for Masonic purposes , in such presentations , is open to grave question . Yours fraternally , _ A LIIE GOVERNOR . [ We entirely disagree ' with our worthy correspondent . — ED . 1

Original Correspondence.

HAMPSHIRE AND THE BOYS' SCHOOL . To thc Editor 11 J the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Having seen an analysis of thc subscription list to the Masonic Institution for Boys , which credited " one lodge in Southampton ( 394 ) " with contributing to thc total , will you allow mc to say that I believe it will be fountl 391 , which numbers about fifty members ,

contributed ten guineas , whiUt thc two other Southampton lodges placed on the list of the Deputy Prov . Grantl Master fifty guineas , viz ., the Royal Gloucester ( the mother lodge of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and of which he is thc P . M . ) about eighty members , twenty-five guineas , and the Peace and Harmony , about no to 200 members , twenty-five guineas . Fraternally yours , A SOUTHAMPTON MASON .

THE CASE OF CAPTAIN WILLIAMS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Deat Sir and Brother , — You made some remarks with reference to this subject in your last Freemason , and I think it well to call your attention to the following two extracts from the Times , which serve to place thc incomprehensible conduct ot the

Society for Organising Charitable Relief ina remarkable light * — " Mr . C . S . Loch , Secretary of the Society for Organising Charitable Relief , sends us what he describes as " a short but necessary statement of facts " in relation to this very sad case : — " I am tlesircd by the Council of the Charity Organisation Society to forward you a brief statement ol their conduct in the case of the late Captain Williams .

They regret that in tlcing tins they arc obliged to mention some facts that they would wish to have omitted , but the charges made against the society in the newspapers make it nccesary to slate certain reasons ( which have influenced them in their decision . Captain Williams's case was , on the 1 lib of of April , biought under the notice of the St . Saviour ' s Committee of the society , by a clergyman

who had several times assisted lum , am ! who was anxious for further information . The more recent facts of the case are as follows * . —In June , 1873 , Captain Williams obtained a situation in an insurance company . He resigned his post in the sumtv . er of 18 74 on being appointed to the Gold Coast Constabulary , horn which force hc was dismissed in March , iSrfi , for insubordination . In April ,

1877 , a rc-cngagement was offered to him by the same company on condition that he consented to pay off a sum of £ 18 , overdrawn by him when in their employment in 1873-4 . ThU sum they offered to deduct by easy instalments Irom his salary . It appears that the claim was acknowledged by him , as , before leaving for the Gold Coast , hc had given an order for the amount , which was ,

however , not honoured , as the gentleman upon whom it was drawn had no longer any funds of Captain Williams ' s . There was apparently , therefore , no reason why he should not have recommenced his work at any lime in April , May , or the early part of June , during which period he represented himself as being in want of immediate assistance and employment . The fact that throughout the

inquiry a situation was open to Captain Williams is of itself , in the opinion ol the Council , a sufficient ground for the rejection of the case . From the circumstances above stated , they have no reason to believe that a more suitable opening—always difficult to procure—woultl have been obtained . The society is obligetl to limit its assistance to those cases in which there is a reasonable prospect of such

assistance being of permanent benefit . The Council desire to express their regret that , owing to the delay in obtaining replies to letters of enquiry , thc investigation was not sooner completed ; and that Captain Williams was not informed at an earlier period that no assistance would be given him , though a statement that this would be the probable result was , soon after the enquiry commenced ,

matle to the clergyman who was interested in him . In conclusion , I may say the Council deplore the circumstances of Captain Williams ' s untimely death ; and hope that this short , but necessary , statement of facts may not cause needless pain or injury to his wife and children , whom they are sincerely anxious to assist . " In the Times oi July 7 th , the following letter also

appears , which is worthy perusal : — Mr . R . Gibson Brown writes to us from 14 . * , llrixton-ioad , S . W . * . "Thc letter from the Charity Organisation Society contains one grain of fact to two of fiction . It is true that Captain Williams was dismissed from thc Gold Coast Constabulary , but when the facts are considered 1 do not think the-public will judge his to be such a very heinous offence . After hc had

been there a short lime , an officer , who was his junior , was sent out to take thc command . This officer exercised a certain amount of harshness , which culminated iu ordering Captain Williams to a very , unhealthy station 200 miles up the country . Captain Williams objected on account of his health , was ordered home , and on bis arrival was dismissed . After sifting very fully all thc circumstances in

connection with Captain Williams ' s character this is the darkest blot 1 can find upon it ; and when wc remember that he was in a climate in which the liver plays an important part , and that he had a large proportion cf Spanish blood in his veins , we must not be surprised at the result . I do not palliate , I only extenuate . As regards the £ 18 alleged to have been overdrawn by him , it appears thai hc

was in the habit of deducting his commission from the premiums he received , antl no objection to his accounts was made in any way until he resigned his appointment . The secretary says " it appears that the claim was acknowledged by him , as hc had given an order for the amount

which was not honoured . ' 1 cannot better refute this than by quoting two extracts from a letter written by the gentleman ( a solicitor ) upon whom thc order was alleged to have been tlrawn : ' Captain Williams certainly never drew any order on me for payment of any money to the , nor did I ever dishonour such cheque , on the ground that 1

Original Correspondence.

did not know him ; ' and further , ' I subsequentl y called at their office and went into the question of their alleged claim and having come to the conclusion that it was an unjust claim and not legally due , I advised Captain Williams not to pay it , and to leave England without troubling about it ; and I told the person I saw at the office that if they wanted to take any proceedings to recover the amount I

would accept service for him . I heard no more about it ' The secretary says that they are sincerel y anxious to assist the widow and children . We are much obliged to them but , thanks to a generous British public , we shall be able to do without them , and they can devote the amount to

some more deserving case . The following committee has been formed to administer the sums subscribed on behalf of Mrs . Williams : Dr . Cotton , Colonel Russell , Captain the Hon . R . R . Best , Mr . W . Elwyn , and myself . " Comment seems superfluous . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , TRUE CHARITY .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The Quarterly Court of Subscribers and Governors of this Institution was held last Saturday in the board-room , Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Lieut-Col . Creaton , V . P ., in the chair . The other brethren who attended were Bros . J . Symonds , B . Head , T . W . White , A . H . Tattershall , G .

Smith , R . W . Stewart , T . J . Sabine . J . A . Rucker , J . Terry , J . J . Berry , T . Massa , H . A . Dubois , R . B . Webster , W . Downing , W . F . Denman , A . J . Beckwith , H . Massey ( Freemason ) , A . H . Diaper , C . F . Matier , L . Russ , F . Binckes , H . Potter , E . H . Finney , J . Blyth , W . Mann , B . Picking , W . F . C . Moutrie , P . De L . Long , and Bro . Hedges , for Bro . Little , who is , we are happy to say ,

recruiting his health at Bournemouth . After the minutes hatl been read and confirmed , Bro . R . C . Webf . tcr brought on the motion of which he had given notice , for thc admission of . twenty-five to the Institution , in addition to the ten for whom there will be vacancies at the October election . He said as the new buildings for thc accommodation of more girls than the 160 at present in the school were completed , or would be

completetl and read y for occupation long enough before the time when the candidates who would be successful at the October election were taken in , there was no reason why the additional space afforded by these new buildings should not be utilised . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Raynham W . Stewart seconded the motion , as he was entirely with Bro . Webster , and wished to have the subject discussed .

Ihe Chairman asked whether any brother had anything to say on the matter . Bro . John Symonds said that Bro . Webster hatl saitl that the buildings would be ready for occupation . He supposed that was the case , and would ask the chairman if it was so .

1 he Chairman said thc buildings were ready , antl he believed everything would be completed by the end ol September ; at all events in January , which was the time for taking in the successful candidates at the October election , everything would be ready for as many children as were elected . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart observed that if that was the

case , then , he thought , they should pass this resolution . He understood from thc Treasurer that the funds of the Institution had come in so abundantly that the capital of the Institution hatl not yet been touched . That being so , it woultl be a great thing to meet the wants of the Cralt , by admitting more children to the school . ( . Hear , hear . ) Bro . Thos . J . Sabine said that all who took an interest

in the Institution ought to support the very moderate propoi-ition Bro . Webster bad placet ! before the Court . He would have been quite prepared to support Bro . Webster had he proposed to admit forty additional girls ; but , perhaps , it would be best , under all the circumstances , to place the number on the list that were named in th" ; notice of motion , and at some period next year still further to

increase the number , as hc understood the additional accommodation which had been provided would meet the accession of a much greater number of children than were on the list . Then , again , hc was quite sure , in every pad of the country from whence the Institution drew those wonderful supplies which had poured in , where the brethren were looking forward to an increase in the number of children to whom the benefits of the Institution

were extended , but who at present , he thought , were somewhat disappointed that the proposed increase had not been adopted earlier , the step they were proposing to take would be received with thc utmost satisfaction . Carrying the present motion would be a graceful compliment to pay all those who hatl raised the funds , and he hoped it would be carried unanimously . Bro . Symonds wished to know how many children m

thc ordinary course of events would be elected in October if Bro . Webster ' s motion had not been brought forward . Bro . Hedges read the proposition on the minutes , wl ' * had been confirmed , declaring 50 candidates and le " vacancies for thc October election . Bro . H . A . Dubois asked whether he understood the chairman rightly , that the newly-elected children would be received in January . He should like to know the extreme limit of time when the House Committee would be prepare

to admit them . , Thc Chairman said he had told the brethren already tna the place would be finished so as to receive the children 1 January . Thc only question that remained was witn * gard to thc staff being prepared for ths additional numDe . But then theii were now six months to mak ; preparations . .,-, „ Bro . J . A . Rucker was among the number of bretm-

“The Freemason: 1877-07-21, Page 8” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 12 Aug. 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_21071877/page/8/.
  • List
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Title Category Page
CONTENTS. Article 1
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 1
Royal Arch. Article 3
Mark Masonry. Article 3
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND Article 4
PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF MONMOUTHSHIRE. Article 4
THE DEPUTY GRAND MASTER AND THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW. Article 4
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Article 5
TESTIMONIAL TO BRO. TWEDDELL. Article 5
Masonic and General Tidings. Article 5
Untitled Article 6
Untitled Article 6
Untitled Article 6
Untitled Article 6
Answers to Correspondents. Article 6
Births ,Marriages and Deaths. Article 6
Untitled Article 6
A CONTRAST. Article 6
THE LAST QUARTERLY COURT OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL. Article 6
THE FIRE AT ST. JOHN'S. Article 7
Original Correspondence. Article 7
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS. Article 8
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Article 9
SLIGHT* SCIENCE FOR LEISURE HOURS. Article 10
Untitled Article 10
LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE. Article 10
Reviews. Article 10
Untitled Ad 10
Untitled Ad 10
Untitled Ad 10
Untitled Ad 10
Untitled Ad 10
Untitled Ad 10
Untitled Ad 10
Untitled Ad 10
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Original Correspondence.

Brette . Mr . Bell , the late master , says that only two of the masters are resident , the head master and the French master , hence much imperfection of discipline is , in his opinion , unavoidable . The Times instantly improves upon this by stating that the French master is a " personage , though by no fault of his own , not always thc most successful in commanding the boys' respect . " It is quite clear

that the writer of that article is ignorant of thc true facts of the case , as none of the masters of Christ ' s Hospital ought and can command more of the respect of the boys than our good Bro . Dr . Brette . To all who know Bro . Allcroft and himself I will only add , that two more humane and kindly-hcartetl persons , or more respected , whether in public or private life , do not exist , and that

everything they can do to promote the material comfoit or intellectual improvement of the boys will be carried out , aU may rest assured , with freedom , fervency , and zeal . I therefore think it well to call the attention of your many readers to . the " bad form " of much that is so hastily advanced against the school authorities , and ask them fraternally to suspend their opinion until the proper enquiry

has taken place . As Freemasons and citizens of the world we ought above all things always to keep before our minds a truth which some of us like often , apparently , to forget , that there are " two sides " to every question in this world of ours . All the suggestions of reform and improvement do not

enter into this special discussion , and while we shall all deeply deplore thc fate of the unfortunate boy , we yet very well believe that no pains are spared by the authorities to make the boys happy and contented , and to render that great foundation worthy of the City and the Country . Yours fraternally , Civ is .

WEST YORKSHIRE AND THE BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I am truly g lad to observe that my province . West Yorkshire , is so well represented in thc Stewards ' Lists , and I am especially pleased lo note that Bro . S . B . Ellis , of Sheffield , has been enabled to send up so goodly a sum as £ 661 ios ., the whole contribution of West

Yorkshire being £ 'jdd ios . Of coursethis is nothing to former efforts , but then West Yorkshire has done well for thc Boys ' School . This return is a vcry striking proof to my mind , and that is thc gist of my letter , that , despite some most regrettable and injudicious proceedings in respect of the Boys' School , there arc those in West Yoiksbire who will always support that useful and excellent institution . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , WEST YORKSHIRE .

A CORRECTION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly permit me to point out a slight inaccuracy in the interesting report of the proceedings of the District Giand Lodge of Bengal , which appeared in your issue of the 14 th inst .

The District Grand Master in the chair ( speaking of Bro . Marshal Wood , the eminent sculptor , who presented thc bust of H . R . H ., the Most Worship ful Grand Master to the District Grand Lodge ) is reported to have alluded to him as a member of the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 25 O .

Allow me to say that il should have been Lodge of Unions , No . 25 6 , as I had the pleasure of witnessing the ceremony of Bro . Marshall W ood's initiation , admirably performed by my excellent friend , Bro . Charles Birch , I . P . M . of the Lodge of Unions . I am , dear Sir and Brother , faithfully and fraternally

yours , R . R . DAVIS , P . M . No . 25 G

PRENCH AND ENGLISH FREEMASONRY . To the Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — You were kind enough to insert in your issue of June - > - > rd long extracts of a letter which I had addressed to thc Chainc D'Union of Palis about a month earlier , As the author of that letter , I feel bound and indeed

p leased to thank you for the kind remarks you inserted in your excellent paper in reference to it . This correspondence will be continued , and as both English and French brethren are greatly interested in the point at issue , perhaps it is not asking you too much to further notice it when an opportunity occurs . 1 remain , dear Editor , yours fraternally LEON * CI . EHC .

ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE LADIES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have reatl a letter in your last issue under the above heading , antl also the report on which lhat ktler was founded , with , I must confess , feelings of humiliation . Our keystone is charity , but do we make this

manifest by our " works ? " If we wish to do honour to a brother why not connect bis name with the charities ? If we wish again to do honour to a brother ' s wife , although it is past my comprehension to understand a lady ' s relation to Masonry , " do likewise . " We should deprecate the sacrifice of charity to vanity . The Book of Constitutions defines the " regulation " jewel , and says it is " to be in

silver . " In my opinion the " ring " presentation is calculated to bring ridicule upon our Order , while the expenditure of lodge monies , or monies contributed for Masonic purposes , in such presentations , is open to grave question . Yours fraternally , _ A LIIE GOVERNOR . [ We entirely disagree ' with our worthy correspondent . — ED . 1

Original Correspondence.

HAMPSHIRE AND THE BOYS' SCHOOL . To thc Editor 11 J the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Having seen an analysis of thc subscription list to the Masonic Institution for Boys , which credited " one lodge in Southampton ( 394 ) " with contributing to thc total , will you allow mc to say that I believe it will be fountl 391 , which numbers about fifty members ,

contributed ten guineas , whiUt thc two other Southampton lodges placed on the list of the Deputy Prov . Grantl Master fifty guineas , viz ., the Royal Gloucester ( the mother lodge of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and of which he is thc P . M . ) about eighty members , twenty-five guineas , and the Peace and Harmony , about no to 200 members , twenty-five guineas . Fraternally yours , A SOUTHAMPTON MASON .

THE CASE OF CAPTAIN WILLIAMS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Deat Sir and Brother , — You made some remarks with reference to this subject in your last Freemason , and I think it well to call your attention to the following two extracts from the Times , which serve to place thc incomprehensible conduct ot the

Society for Organising Charitable Relief ina remarkable light * — " Mr . C . S . Loch , Secretary of the Society for Organising Charitable Relief , sends us what he describes as " a short but necessary statement of facts " in relation to this very sad case : — " I am tlesircd by the Council of the Charity Organisation Society to forward you a brief statement ol their conduct in the case of the late Captain Williams .

They regret that in tlcing tins they arc obliged to mention some facts that they would wish to have omitted , but the charges made against the society in the newspapers make it nccesary to slate certain reasons ( which have influenced them in their decision . Captain Williams's case was , on the 1 lib of of April , biought under the notice of the St . Saviour ' s Committee of the society , by a clergyman

who had several times assisted lum , am ! who was anxious for further information . The more recent facts of the case are as follows * . —In June , 1873 , Captain Williams obtained a situation in an insurance company . He resigned his post in the sumtv . er of 18 74 on being appointed to the Gold Coast Constabulary , horn which force hc was dismissed in March , iSrfi , for insubordination . In April ,

1877 , a rc-cngagement was offered to him by the same company on condition that he consented to pay off a sum of £ 18 , overdrawn by him when in their employment in 1873-4 . ThU sum they offered to deduct by easy instalments Irom his salary . It appears that the claim was acknowledged by him , as , before leaving for the Gold Coast , hc had given an order for the amount , which was ,

however , not honoured , as the gentleman upon whom it was drawn had no longer any funds of Captain Williams ' s . There was apparently , therefore , no reason why he should not have recommenced his work at any lime in April , May , or the early part of June , during which period he represented himself as being in want of immediate assistance and employment . The fact that throughout the

inquiry a situation was open to Captain Williams is of itself , in the opinion ol the Council , a sufficient ground for the rejection of the case . From the circumstances above stated , they have no reason to believe that a more suitable opening—always difficult to procure—woultl have been obtained . The society is obligetl to limit its assistance to those cases in which there is a reasonable prospect of such

assistance being of permanent benefit . The Council desire to express their regret that , owing to the delay in obtaining replies to letters of enquiry , thc investigation was not sooner completed ; and that Captain Williams was not informed at an earlier period that no assistance would be given him , though a statement that this would be the probable result was , soon after the enquiry commenced ,

matle to the clergyman who was interested in him . In conclusion , I may say the Council deplore the circumstances of Captain Williams ' s untimely death ; and hope that this short , but necessary , statement of facts may not cause needless pain or injury to his wife and children , whom they are sincerely anxious to assist . " In the Times oi July 7 th , the following letter also

appears , which is worthy perusal : — Mr . R . Gibson Brown writes to us from 14 . * , llrixton-ioad , S . W . * . "Thc letter from the Charity Organisation Society contains one grain of fact to two of fiction . It is true that Captain Williams was dismissed from thc Gold Coast Constabulary , but when the facts are considered 1 do not think the-public will judge his to be such a very heinous offence . After hc had

been there a short lime , an officer , who was his junior , was sent out to take thc command . This officer exercised a certain amount of harshness , which culminated iu ordering Captain Williams to a very , unhealthy station 200 miles up the country . Captain Williams objected on account of his health , was ordered home , and on bis arrival was dismissed . After sifting very fully all thc circumstances in

connection with Captain Williams ' s character this is the darkest blot 1 can find upon it ; and when wc remember that he was in a climate in which the liver plays an important part , and that he had a large proportion cf Spanish blood in his veins , we must not be surprised at the result . I do not palliate , I only extenuate . As regards the £ 18 alleged to have been overdrawn by him , it appears thai hc

was in the habit of deducting his commission from the premiums he received , antl no objection to his accounts was made in any way until he resigned his appointment . The secretary says " it appears that the claim was acknowledged by him , as hc had given an order for the amount

which was not honoured . ' 1 cannot better refute this than by quoting two extracts from a letter written by the gentleman ( a solicitor ) upon whom thc order was alleged to have been tlrawn : ' Captain Williams certainly never drew any order on me for payment of any money to the , nor did I ever dishonour such cheque , on the ground that 1

Original Correspondence.

did not know him ; ' and further , ' I subsequentl y called at their office and went into the question of their alleged claim and having come to the conclusion that it was an unjust claim and not legally due , I advised Captain Williams not to pay it , and to leave England without troubling about it ; and I told the person I saw at the office that if they wanted to take any proceedings to recover the amount I

would accept service for him . I heard no more about it ' The secretary says that they are sincerel y anxious to assist the widow and children . We are much obliged to them but , thanks to a generous British public , we shall be able to do without them , and they can devote the amount to

some more deserving case . The following committee has been formed to administer the sums subscribed on behalf of Mrs . Williams : Dr . Cotton , Colonel Russell , Captain the Hon . R . R . Best , Mr . W . Elwyn , and myself . " Comment seems superfluous . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , TRUE CHARITY .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The Quarterly Court of Subscribers and Governors of this Institution was held last Saturday in the board-room , Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Lieut-Col . Creaton , V . P ., in the chair . The other brethren who attended were Bros . J . Symonds , B . Head , T . W . White , A . H . Tattershall , G .

Smith , R . W . Stewart , T . J . Sabine . J . A . Rucker , J . Terry , J . J . Berry , T . Massa , H . A . Dubois , R . B . Webster , W . Downing , W . F . Denman , A . J . Beckwith , H . Massey ( Freemason ) , A . H . Diaper , C . F . Matier , L . Russ , F . Binckes , H . Potter , E . H . Finney , J . Blyth , W . Mann , B . Picking , W . F . C . Moutrie , P . De L . Long , and Bro . Hedges , for Bro . Little , who is , we are happy to say ,

recruiting his health at Bournemouth . After the minutes hatl been read and confirmed , Bro . R . C . Webf . tcr brought on the motion of which he had given notice , for thc admission of . twenty-five to the Institution , in addition to the ten for whom there will be vacancies at the October election . He said as the new buildings for thc accommodation of more girls than the 160 at present in the school were completed , or would be

completetl and read y for occupation long enough before the time when the candidates who would be successful at the October election were taken in , there was no reason why the additional space afforded by these new buildings should not be utilised . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Raynham W . Stewart seconded the motion , as he was entirely with Bro . Webster , and wished to have the subject discussed .

Ihe Chairman asked whether any brother had anything to say on the matter . Bro . John Symonds said that Bro . Webster hatl saitl that the buildings would be ready for occupation . He supposed that was the case , and would ask the chairman if it was so .

1 he Chairman said thc buildings were ready , antl he believed everything would be completed by the end ol September ; at all events in January , which was the time for taking in the successful candidates at the October election , everything would be ready for as many children as were elected . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart observed that if that was the

case , then , he thought , they should pass this resolution . He understood from thc Treasurer that the funds of the Institution had come in so abundantly that the capital of the Institution hatl not yet been touched . That being so , it woultl be a great thing to meet the wants of the Cralt , by admitting more children to the school . ( . Hear , hear . ) Bro . Thos . J . Sabine said that all who took an interest

in the Institution ought to support the very moderate propoi-ition Bro . Webster bad placet ! before the Court . He would have been quite prepared to support Bro . Webster had he proposed to admit forty additional girls ; but , perhaps , it would be best , under all the circumstances , to place the number on the list that were named in th" ; notice of motion , and at some period next year still further to

increase the number , as hc understood the additional accommodation which had been provided would meet the accession of a much greater number of children than were on the list . Then , again , hc was quite sure , in every pad of the country from whence the Institution drew those wonderful supplies which had poured in , where the brethren were looking forward to an increase in the number of children to whom the benefits of the Institution

were extended , but who at present , he thought , were somewhat disappointed that the proposed increase had not been adopted earlier , the step they were proposing to take would be received with thc utmost satisfaction . Carrying the present motion would be a graceful compliment to pay all those who hatl raised the funds , and he hoped it would be carried unanimously . Bro . Symonds wished to know how many children m

thc ordinary course of events would be elected in October if Bro . Webster ' s motion had not been brought forward . Bro . Hedges read the proposition on the minutes , wl ' * had been confirmed , declaring 50 candidates and le " vacancies for thc October election . Bro . H . A . Dubois asked whether he understood the chairman rightly , that the newly-elected children would be received in January . He should like to know the extreme limit of time when the House Committee would be prepare

to admit them . , Thc Chairman said he had told the brethren already tna the place would be finished so as to receive the children 1 January . Thc only question that remained was witn * gard to thc staff being prepared for ths additional numDe . But then theii were now six months to mak ; preparations . .,-, „ Bro . J . A . Rucker was among the number of bretm-

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