Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeling of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday , the 17 th instant , at Freemasons' Ha'I . B ro Robert Grev , President of the Board , occupying the President ' s chair . Bro . Charles A . Ccttebrune , Junior Vice-President , was called upon to occupy the Senior Vice-President ' s chair , in the absence of Bro . James Brett , and B-o . S . Vallentine , P . G . P ., filled the chair of Junior Vice-President . Representing the department of the Grand Secretary were Bros . E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ;

William Lake , W . Dodd , W . H . Lee , and Henry Sadler , G . Tyler , and the list of the other brethren who attended comprised the names of—Bros . George B . Chapman , Charles Dairy , William Vincent , William Fisher , S . V . Abraham , George R . Langley T . W . Whitmarsh , George Graveley , S . H . Goldschmidt , Henry Garrod , Walter Hopekirk , the Archdeacon of London , W . Kipps , lames Bunker , Walter Martin , M . I . Emanuel , A . W . Duret , W . S . Wright ,

H . Maycock , C . V . Jenkins , Walter Downing , Henry A . Tobias , Arthur Williams , J . Pickett , M . D ., W . R . Plaford , Thomas Prior , Layton A . Richardson , Charles Sheppard , Julias O . Jacobs , H . Massey , E . M . Money , Matthew Jones , Herbert E . Smith , A . G . Sandberg , John M . Mitchell , S . Fountaine , H . P . Vallentine , J . W . Dewsnap , A . J . Cave , jun ., Arthur Cox , Walter Denshaw , Alfred G . T . Hunt , and K . W . Allen .

The brethren first confirmed the recommendations to the Granfl Master made at the March meeting to the extent of ^ 360 , and afterwards dealt with the new list , which contained 42 applications for assistance from petitioners qualified through lodges in the London District , and at Gateshead , Chatham , Sydney , ( N . S . W . ) , Birmingham , Princetown ( Devon ) , Jersey , Blyth , Stonehouse , Warwick , Canterbury , ( N . Z . ) , Neath , Hertford , Torquay , Taunton ,

Liverpool , Barrow - in - Furness , Westerham , Newton Abbot , Plymouth , Nova Scotia , Waltham Cross , Stratford-on-Avon , and Wilmington . These were dealt with in the course of a nearly four hours' sitting , as follows : two dismissed , and 10 deferred ; four recommendations to Grand Lodge for ^ 50 each ; four recommendations to the Grand Master for £ \ ct each , and five for ^ 30 each ; and in immediate grants , seven of . £ 20 each , nine of £ 10 each , and one grant of £ 5 ; total , ^ 745 .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The following is the business to be transacted on Wednesday next : The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for confirmation . Installation of Principals , Election of Treasurer , and Investiture of Officers for the ensuing year .

THE REPORT OV THE COMMITTEE OK GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The Committee have likewise to report that they have received the following petitions : ist . From Companions Henry Ffrench Bromhead as Z . ; George Thomas Peale as H . ; Augustus Frederick Lay as J . ; and 31 others for a chapter to be

attached to tre Ixon Lodge , No . 2501 , Buckhurst Hill , to be called tne Ixion Chapter , and to meet at the Roebuck Hotel , Buckhurst Hill , in the county of Essex . 2 nd . From Comps . Alfred Henry Bevan , as Z . ; John Charles Fitzroy Turner , as H . ; Samuel Osborne , as J . ; and 20 others for a chapter to be attached to the Eton Lodge , No . 2458 , Eton , to be called the Bevan Chapter , and to meet at the Christopher Hotel , Eton , in the County of Buckinghamshire .

3 rd . From Comps . Alfred Caddick , as Z . ; Edward William Watkin Heelis , as H . ; George Salter , as J . ; and eight others for a chapter to be attached to the Dartmouth Lodge , No . 662 , West Bromwich , to be called the Dartmouth Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Rooms , West Bromwich , in the County of Staffordshire .

The foregoing petitions being regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted . The Committee have likewise received memorials , with extracts of minutes , for permission to remove the following chapters : The Sefton Chapter , No . 680 , from the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , to the Adelphi Hotel , Liverpool . The Islington Chapter , No . 1471 , from the Cock Tavern , Highbury , to the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool-street , London .

The Rose of Sharon Chapter , No . 1006 , from St . Day , to the Masonic Hall , Redruth , Cornwall . The Committee being satisfied with the reasonableness of the above requests , recommend that the removal of these chapters be sanctioned . The Committe recommend : That inasmuch as the Mid-Surrey Chapter , No . 1044 , London , the Wellington Chapter , No . 517 , Wellington , New Zealand , and the Royal Hanover Chapter , No . 1777 , Twickenham , have ceased working , and have not replied to the summons sent them by order of the Grand Chapter , these chapters be erased .

The Committee further recommend that Victoria Chapter , No . 1577 , Napier , New Zealand , having ceased to work and having returned the charter with explanations , it be erased ,

Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . ( Signed ) ROHERT GREY , 17 th April , 1895 , President . After the ordinary business had been disposed of , the following resolution was passed : " That the cordial thanks of the members of the Committee be tendered to E . Companion Robert Grey , their President , for the very able and courteous manner in which he has presided over the meetings of the Committee during the past year . ( Signed ) GEORGE DAVID HARRIS . " Election or the Committee of General Purposes for the ensuing Twelve months .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The April Quarterl y Court of Subscribers to the above Institution was HfId on the 190 instant , in the large hall of Freemasons' Tavern . Bro . Richard Eve , P . G . Treas ., Patron and Trustee , presided . Among the other brethren on the dais were Bros . Burgess , C . E . Keyser , Henry Smith , Geo . Everett , P . G . Treas . ; J . E . Le Feuvre , VV . A . Scurrah , J . J . Thomas , W . F . Smiths' n , and James Stephens .

After the reading and confirmation of the minutes : of the January m-e : ing , and the reading of the minutes of Council , , Vc , meeting for information , Bro . RICH ARD EVE brought forward the following three motions , on behalf of the Board of

Managementi .- — " That , in consequence of the valuable services so generously rendered to the Institution by the V . W . Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . Pres . B . of G . Purposes , Vice-Patron of Institution , the rank of Honorary Patron be conferred upon him under Law t 5 . " 2 . — "That , in recognition of the eminent services so generously rendered to Ihe Institution during the past 32 years as Honorary Surgeon-Oculist , the Vice-I ' lesidcncy conferred upon the VV . Bro . Jabcx Hogg , F . L . S ., M . K . C . S .. &<; ., P . G .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

Deacon , on October 14 th , 1892 , be extended to an Honorary Vice-Patronship in accordance with Law 15 . " 3 . — "That , in recognition of the eminent services so generously rendered to the Institution during the past 27 years as Honorary Medical Officer , the Vice-Presidency conferred upon Bro . Wharton P . Hood , M . D ., on October 14 th , 1 S 92 , be extended to an Honorary Vice-Patronship in accordance with Law 15 . "

In moving the first of tries ? , Bro . Eve said that B-o . Fenn was so well known to all the brethren that there was no necessity for him to detain them with a recital of the qualifications which had led the Board of Management to make the recommendation concerning him . Bro . Fenn had held a high position for many years , and in his work on behalf of the Institution , he had

saved the Institution a very large sum of money in brokerage by inve-ting its funds , now about ^ 50 . coo , free of charge for professional services . They had been given freely and voluntarily by Bro . Fenn , and he was mre the brethren would join with him ( Bro . Eve ) heartily and unanimously in voting for the proposition he now made . Tne mo'ion was seconded by Bro . SCURRAH , and carried unanimously .

In moving the recommendation to Bro . Jabez Hogg , Bro . EVE said the Baard of Management found it necessary to recommend this honour in order to place Bro . Hogg in the same position with regard to the Boys' School as he already occupied with regard to the Girls' School . At the time the notice was given they had exercised all the power they then possessed . Bro . W . H . SAUNDERS seconded , and the motion was carried .

In moving the adoption of the third recommendation , Bro . EVE said Bro . Hood's services to the Institution had not only been long , but they had been onerous . All the boys who became candidates for the School , whether successful or not at the poll , had to be brought before Dr . Wharton P . Hood ' s keen eye . Bro . GEORGE EVERETT , P . G . T ., seconded the motion , and it was carried .

Bro . J BODEXIIAM , P . A . G . D . of C , Vice-President , moved to insert after the word " entertained " in Law 95 , the words " unless recommended by the Board of Management and . " Law 95 is in these words : " The Salaries of the Secretary , Head Master , Medical Officer , and Matron shall be fixed by the Council ; but no motion for the increase or diminution of any salary shall be entertained unless notice thereof shall have been given

at the meeting preceding that at which it is intended to propose such motion . " Bro . Bodenham said the object of the motion would b 2 apparent to those who read the law as it now stood . At the present time increases or decreases in salaries nrght be made by the Council on its own motion . The Council was a very excellent body for the supervision of the affairs of the Institution , but it did not appear to be one that ought to take the initiative in a question of this kind , and he thought that on such a pDint they should

first ask the consideration of the Board of Management . It was now possible for the salaries of the officers named In the 95 h rule to be increased or decreased by the Council alone , but he thought it should only be done on the recommendation of the Board of Management . Any important changes in salaries , he thought , should first come under the observation and consideration of the Board of Management , and afterwards be recommended to the Council .

Bro . GEORGE EVERETT , P . G . Treas ., seconded the motion . He thought it would be clear to every one that it was a very desirable and judicious proposition , and would be likely to increase the usefulness of the Institution . He had thought the proviso conveyed by the motion of Bro . Bodenham was already there , and it was quite an accident that it was not . The Board of Management had the power , and it was their duty , to appoint the officers named in the rule , and they could suspend them ; but as the law now stood

they had nothing to do with their salaries . The Board of Management consisted of brethren in whom they all had confidence , and they were deserving of it , and the various officers of the staff , as well as the outside brethren , were in touch with them . Any brother could now come up and move an increase in salary without knowing anything about the merits of the case . He thought the matter did come first before the Board of Management .

Bro . W . F . SMITJISOX , P . G . D ., said he had great pleasure in supporting the motion , beleiving the subject of the increase of salaries should be first considered by those best able to recommend it . Bro . ROBERT WVLIE , P . G . D ., asked to have Law 9 i read .

Bro . RICHARD EVE , P . G . D ., read the law , and pointed out that Bro . Bodenham , by his motion , wished to have the subject of increasing salaries first considered , and recommended to the Council by the Board of Management . He thought the brethren all understood the point . If the brethren concurred with the mover , seconder , and supporter , they would vote for the

motion . Bro . LATHAM thought the matter should be considered by those best able to judge of it . Bro . C . E . KEYSER , P . G . D ., opposed the motion , because he thought the financial matters of the Institution should be settled by the Council , whose powers were amply safeguarded , as notice of any alteration had to be given

if a motion for the increase or decrease of salaries was to be discussed . That motion had to be considered at a future meeting . He quite agreed that if a resolution came from the Board of Management it would strengthen the proposition ; but he did not consider it necessary to alter the present law . Financial matters of the Institution had been hitherto left to the

Council , and the matter might be left to remain as it was . Bro . W . HARRIS SAUNDERS quite agreed with the last speaker , and thought it unwise to take out of the hands of the Council a power they had well exercised for many years . He concurred in the observation that a

recommendation from the Board of Management would strengthen the action of the Council , but the brethren must remember that for some years past many powers had been taken from the general body of subscribers . However , he believed they ought not lo go on taking powers from the Council and making the Council of no value whatever .

Bro . J . E . LE FECVRK , P . G . D ., pointed out that Bro . Saunders was labouring under a wrong impression when he said that this alteration would take power from the Council ; it was to add to the resolution of the Council a recommendation of ihe Board of Management . Under Rule 36 , it would bs seen that the Board of Management had the power to define the duties of , appoint , or remove the Head Master , Medical Officer , Matron , and all

other persons employed in or at the Institution , and it was now proposed to add to that powtr by authorising them to recommend to the Council a " increase or decrease of the salaries of these officers . He could not sec any dilliculty about it . il-o . C . K . KEV . SKK said they had not the power o ! appointing or removing the Secretary ; the Council had that power . Bro . J . E . Li ; FEI ' admitted that it was so . lit ' . VV . A . SCI ' KKAII believed it would be very unwise lo nuke an alteration without good reason . The law had worked v . 'i'y wC '