The Recent Elections To The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

widow 4414 votes . The highest unsuccessful applicants were London 4178 votes , of which 982 were brought forsvard ; Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 4127 votes , of which 2202 were brought forward ; another London widow with 3861 votes , of which she had to her credit already 1144

votes ; the candidate from Turkey , who started with 1619 votes , and ended with 3512 votes , and yet another London widow , who brought forward 1894 votes , and increased that figure to 3347 . Other candidates polled upwards of 2000 and 1000 votes ,, and , like those we have specified , but to a lesser degree , will stand well for the election in 1894 .

As regards the total votes brought forward and issued and the total polled , we note that for the Male Fund 395 1 were brought forward and 94 , 003 issued , but of the latter only 85 , 411 passed the Scrutineers . For the Widows' Fund 17 , 393 votes were brought forward , and 91 , 389 issued , but of the latter only 82 , 203 were passed . Therefore , in the case of both elections there were a very large number of votes unused .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The annual meeting of the Subscribers to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was held on Friday , the 19 th inst ., at Freemasons' Tavern , London . Bro . J . A . Farnfield , Treasurer to the Institution , was voted to the chair . On the dais he was supported by Bro . Henry Smith , Dep . Prov . G . M . West Yorkshire ; John Wordsworth ( West Yorkshire ); W . F .

Smithson ( Leeds ) ; A . C . Spaull , C . E . Keyser , and James Terry ( Sec . ); and in the body of the hall by a large number of representatives of the Provinces and of the London district . On the motion of Bro . C . E . KEYSER , seconded by Bro . HENRY SMITH , the Auditors report was adopted .

The following report of the Committee of Management was read b y Bro . TERRY :

The Committee of Management has very great pleasure in laying the report of its proceedings during the past year before the Governors and Subscribers of the Institution . The annual Festival was held by direction of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , K . G ., Grand Patron and President , on Wednesday , the 22 nd February last . Considerable difficulty had been experienced in obtaining the services of a chairman , but a few weeks previously to the day appointed W . Bro . Charles E .

Keyser , M . A ., J . P ., J . G . D . of England , very kindly consented to act in that capacity , and the Board of Stewards consisting of 226 brethren and ladies which supported him had the satisfaction of raising a total of donations and subscriptions amounting to . £ 8293 ios ., which has since been increased by the receipt of outstanding lists and additions to lists to £ 8530 12 s . 6 d . This result , though falling very far short of the requirements of the Institution , must nevertheless be regarded after the amazing success of the Jubilee Festival in 1892 as eminently gratifying ,

and the Committee very gladly avails itself of this opportunity of publicly expressing its very hearty thanks to the distinguished Chairman , the ladies , and brethren who supported him with so much goodwill and energy as Stewards . Also to the lodges , chapters , and individual donors and subscribers who so generously responded to the appeals addressed to them for support , the Province of Hertfordshire , of which the Chairman has been a member for very many years , and in which he has done most of his work as a Mason , having been particularly energetic in the assistance they rendered on the occasion .

At the election in May , 1892 , there were upon the two funds of the Institution 432 annuitants , of whom 192 were men , and 240 widows , while the number of approved candidates was 137 , namely , 67 men and 70 widows . To-day there are 115 candidates , of whom 60 are men , and 55 svidows , so that there is still a further reduction as compared with the list of 1890 , when the present more stringent regulations concerning candidates were passed in the number of those svho have been adjudged worthy to receive the benefits of the Institution .

The Committee , at its meeting in February , declared the number of vacancies to be competed for at this election to be as follows : in the male fund , 12 immediate and three deferred , and on the widows' fund , seven immediate and three deferred . Since then , however , there have been reported the deaths of five men and two widows . It , therefore , recommends that the vacancies thus created shall likewise be filled up , so that the total number to be elected this day , including in each case the three deterred , will be 20 men and 12 widosvs . Thus , the numbers

in the two funds will remain as they were after the election in May , 1892 , that is to say , on the male fund , 192 men , each in receipt of £ 40 per annum , and on the widows' fund , 240 widows , each in leceipt of . £ 32 per annum , the total number of annuitants being as already stated—432 , and the amount distributed amongst them annually , ^ 15 , 320 . To this must be added the further sum of £ 500 , devisable under Law 9 of the male fund , among 25 widosvs of recently deceased male annuities , so that the total amount to be provided in annuities during the

current year will be £ 15 , 820 . The Committee is desirous of expressing its sincere thanks to United Grand Lodge for its continuance of its annual grant of £ yo towards providing the annuitants resident in the asylum at Croydon with coal during the winter months . The Committee is also desirous of placing publicly on record its unfeigned thanks to the Honorary Surgeons of the Institution , J . Wayte , Esq ., M . B ., elected since the last annual meeting in succession to H . J . Strong , Esq ., M . D ., resigned , and to R . Percy Middlemist , Esq ., M . D ., for their kind and unremitting attention

to those among the annuitants , both resident at Croydon and non-resident , who have been unfortunately compelled during the past year to seek their advice and assistance . Nor can it allow this occasion to pass without expressing its gratitude to Dr . Strong , the late medical adviser at Croydon , for the exceeding care and kindness with which he ministered to the requirements of the inmates of the asylum during a period of 30 years , and it sincerely hopes that he may be long spared in the position of Honorary Consulting Physician , which was conferred

upon him by the Committee , to enjoy that respect and esteem to which by reason of his long and eminent services to the Institution he is so justly entitled . The Committee has the satisfaction of announcing that the premises at Croydon are now in a . competent state of repair , both externally and internally , the work referred to in last year ' s report as being necessary in order to preserve the stonework from further decay , having been effectually carried out during the past year .

The audited statement of accounts for the year ended the 31 st December , 1892 , is appended . It has been most carefully prepared by the Finance Committee , and undergone a rigorous examination by the Audit Committee before being finally approved and passed , and the Committee has every confidence that when the Governors and Subscribers have carefully examined the several items of expenditure , they will bt satisfied that the funds of the Institution have been administered with scrupulous care and a due regard for economy .

In conclusion , the Committee is anxious to express its unabated confidence in the generosity of the Craft in London , throughout the provinces , and in foreign parts . It acknowledges with gratitude the munificence with which the claims of the Institution have been met by the brethren in past years , and it is persuaded that so long as its affairs are conducted on the principles by which the Committee has been actuated heretofore the funds necessary for its efficient maintenance will be regularly forthcoming .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

On the motion of Bro . HENRY SJIITH , seconded by Bro . Dr . TURTLE PIGOTT , this report was received , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . The following five brethren were elected to fill vacancies in the Committee of Management : —Bros . W . H . Miking ; W . Vincent , P . M . 1194 . John Hattersley , P . M . 160 . 4 ; A . R . Trew , P . M . 2409 ; and Robert Gowan ' , P . M . 2029 .

Bro . C . E . KEYSER , in moving the re-election of Bro . J . A . Farnfield as Treasurer , said it was unnecessary for him to say much in favour of Bro . Farnfield's re-election . They could not improve on their choice of a brother who had exemplified how capable he svas to fill so high and important a position . Bro . Farnfield was no ornamental Treasurer , for he worked very hard , and was present at all the meetings of the Committee throughout

the year . Bro . BARNETT seconded the motion . Bro . FARNVIELD having been unanimously elected , thanked the brethren for this renewed mark of their confidence . Bros . Kempton , Attenborough , and Cleghorn were elected Auditors . Bro . W . MAXFIELD MEAD , W . M . 1805 , moved an alteration of Rule No . 13 of the Institution .

Rule No . 13 as it now stands is—The Committee shall at its meeting in February in each year , or at an adjournment thereof , determine the number of annuitants , male and female , to be elected , of which number three men and three widows will not be entitled to receive the annuity until vacancies shall have occurred after the annual general meeting . Should any death or deaths occur amongst the annuitants between that meeting and the general meeting in May ensuing , the number to be elected shall he increased in like proportion .

The following is Bro . Mead ' s proposed alteration ( the alteration being printed in italics ) : — The Committee shall at its meeting in February in each year , or at an adjournment thereof , determine the number of annuitants , male and female , to be elected , one half ( if even , or if not an even number , one half of the next higher or next loiaer number as the Committee may decide ) shall be allotted by rotation to those

candidates eligible as annuitants who shall have been longest on the list of applicants , and subject to such allotment the annuitants shall be elected as hereinafter provided . Two men and two widows next longest on the list of applicants and two men and two widows who shall have polled the next highest number of votes to the successful candidates by ballot shall be placed on a deferred list , but svill not be entitled to receive the annuity until vacancies shall have occurred after the annual

general meeting . Should any death or deaths occur amongst the annuitants betsveen that meeting and the general meeting in May ensuing , the number to be elected shall be increased in like proportion . Bro . MEAD , in moving his proposal , referred first by name ( which from obvious reasons we omit ) to brethren and svidosvs who appeared on the list of candidates for election , for 11 , 12 , or 13 years , and who seemed as far as ever off being elected . It seemed to him rather hard that these brethren ,

or widows of brethren , who , in their day had , no doubt , done much for the Craft , should not be elected . He noticed that one brother had paid 40 years to Grand Lodge , besides having been a Steward . It appeared to him that some consideration should be given to a brother who had worked like that . The object of the resolution now proposed was to give such brethren and widows some encouragement . Even if his resolution was not passed , he should consider he had done his duty . If it was passed they would take on the list several brethren and widosvs .

Bro . NUDING seconded the motion , thinking it was quite in accordance with justice and fairness to annuitants . Bro . Tuou said the motion , no doubt , would command sympathy , even though it should be impracticable to carry it out as was proposed . Brethren found there were a number of deserving cases sv i'ch could not be elected , because the candidates had not sufficient friends to get votes . It was distressing to see these poor old people coming up year after year unsuccessful ,

and if they could extend any help to them they should . But it was a great deal to ask the brethren to give up half of their voting power , but they should remember they would be helping those who had no friends , and one of their principles in Masonry was to help those who could not help themselves . For these reasons he had very great pleasure in supporting Bro . Mead ' s motion .

Bro . J . S . CUMBERLAND opposed . Coming from North and East Yorkshire he knew of cases which provinces would not support . The provinces knew more about their own local cases than anybody else could . When cases came before the provincial organisations , all that the Committee could do was to go carefully through them , and if a province did not adopt a case , the brethren might rest assured they did not consider it svorthy ol

support . He knew a case on the list which he believed would not be supported by North and East Yorkshire , and for reasons well known to theni , because they had received information about it since it was put on the list . At the next meeting of the Committee the province" would consider the case . He considered that if the door was to be opened once in the way proposed by this motion , undeserving cases would got in and keep out rlesfirvino * ones . If a brother was brouf / ht forsvard and did not set support ,

was a proof that it was not a deserving case . He said advisedly that there were cases which ought never to have been put on the list . Every case should , be examined b ^ a local Committee , and its report should be attached to the petition . He sincerely hoped that this motion would not be carried . Bro . HENRY SMITH took the same view . He did not see why he shou d give away his privilege to others . The idea was absurd that they should

put these people on because they were on the list year after year . D " any brother mean to say that if one of these cases was a deserving case rich provinces like the two divisions of Yorkshire would not have elected it long ago ? He was surprised that any hearty good fellow should come forward and desire to throsv these people in over the heads of those who were known . to be worthy people . When they went to enquire into cases , and

asked why the provinces would not elect them , they would find the reply wa because they would not have them . He trusted the brethren would rejec this attempted interference with the laws of the Institution . , Bro . E . M . MONEY also opposed the motion . He believed it svould a harm . Some provinces had six or seven cases on the list which they nev supported at all . That was the case in each of the three Masonic Inst it ' tions . He thought a rule should be adopted that any candidate who 0 '

not poll more than 50 votes at an election should be struck off . . , Bro . ROBERT WYLIE , P . G . D ., said , on behalf of West Lancashire , n ^ also strongly protested against this proposed alteration . From his P f in i * there was a candidate put on the list who had not the support even ol own lodge . If that brother were deserving , the Province of West Lan ^ shire would have elected him on the first occasion . They always supp