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( Continued from page 3 =, < )) . the efforts of Bro . VV . T . Page , who acted as representative of the whole Province as well as for Semper Fidelis Lodge , No . 529 , the junior Worcester lodge . There were four other Stewards representing three lodges , and Bro . T . R . Arter , Unattached , by whom the rest of the contributions were raised , and , as in February , the Province , per Bro . Arter , gave £ 21 to the Old People , arid in May five brethren ,

of whom Bro . Arter was one , subscribed ^ iS g to the Girls' School—of which ^ 105 was a memorial to the late Bro . Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., P . G . M . —the product of the year as thus distributed is £ 632 7 s . In 1 S 9 ;; , the year's total was ^ 358 ; in 1 S 94 , only . £ 193 os . 63 .. ; in 1 S 93 , / 30 S 3 s . —which was apportioned between the Schools ; and in 18 92 , the year of the Benevolent Jubilee , ^ 49 8 5 s . These Returns convey a very satisfactory idea of the active interest exhibited by this Province in our Central Charities .

The Province of YORKSHIRE { NORTH AND EAST RIDINGS ) took a very prominent part in the Festival of the Benevolent Iestitution in February , when the Province as a whole and 11 of its 33 lodges together raised the very targe sum of £ 000 . In May one lodge figured in the Girls' School

Returns as contributing £ 38 17 s ., while on Wednesday the Ferrum Lodge , No . 184 S , Middlesborough , and the Albert Victor Lodge , No . 232 S , York , £ 6 9 6 s-., the year ' s aggregate being ^ iooS 3 s . Last year only ^ 155 12 s . 6 d . was distributed among the Charities , but in 1 S 94 and 1 S 93 the totals were ^ 441 15 s . and ^ 424 4 s . respectively , while in 1892 they reached . £ 733 4 s , of which ^ 711 9 s . was raised for the Benevolent Jubilee .

*• YORKSHIRE ( WEST RIDING ) has distributed ^ 2000 among the three Institutions during the -present year , allocating ^ 700 to the Benevolent Institution , £ 600 to the Girls' School , and . £ 700 to the Boys' School , the £ 630 raised as a memorial to Bro . H . Smith , who has recently resigned the office of D . P . G . M ., and apportioned in equal amounts

among the three Institutions being included in the above total . In 1 S 95 , the total was , £ 1716 8 s . 6 d ., but the preceding year it reached the enormous sum of £ 6697 5 s ., of which ^ 4559 15 s . was subscribed to this School in connection with the Chairmanship of Bro . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Prov . G . Master . Comment on Returns of this character is superfluous .

GUERNSEY AND ALDERNEY was represented by Bro . Major C . W . Carrell , P . P . G . W ., whose list amounted to ^ 21 , while last month the P . G . M ., Bro . J . Balfour Cockburn figured in the Returns for . £ 15 15 s . Last year the total for the two Schools was , £ 42 , the Girls ' School receiving ,- £ io ios ., and this Institution £ 31 ios . In 1892 , when the five lodges had not been organised as a Province , Guernsey and Alderney raised ^ 240 for the Benevolent Jubilee and ^ 57 . for the Girls' School .

FOREIGN STATIONS . Under this head are included the District of Malta , whose District G . M ., Bro . Rear-Admiral A . H . Markham , compiled the very excellent list of ^ 144 18 s . Lodge Grecia , No . 1105 , Egypt , whose Steward , Bro . Captain Preston , returned , £ 31 ios . ; one Steward from Ayrshire under the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and a Transvaal Brother ; the total being . £ 176 18 s .

CONCLUDING REMARKS . Having completed our task of analysing the lists , there remains only one duty , that of congratulating the Stewards on the success of their labours and expressing the hope that in the remarks we have made we have hurt the feelings of no Province , lodge , or individual brother .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , butwc wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—tree discussion .

THE REMOVAL OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As one of the provincial subscribers of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , I thank you , as no doubt do many others , for your leading article last week upon this question , as it sets forth very clearly the present position of the scheme and gives a very concise history of it .

This , I may say , is information of which we were very greatly in need , and enables us to understand the question far better than we have hitherto done . It is news to very many brethren that so far back as 1892 it was decided to negotiate for the sale of the property ; this decision , like , I fear , many others , not having been very prominently brought before the notice of the subscribers , and more particularly those in the provinces .

But while thanking you for the article and the information it contains I am far from agreeing with your conclusion , that the resolution passed by the Provincial Charity Association of North and East Yorkshire , is either " behind the age" or " out of date , " and I am strongly of opinion that unless the Board of Management take a more candid and open line of action , and submit to the

subscribers a full and complete statement of their proposal , before actually committing themselves to any decisive steps in the d irection of either sale or purchase , there is very great danger of the abstention on the part of the province from a continuance of their hitherto loyal support of the Institution , and I would ask the Board of Management if they can afford to dispense with such assistance .

What may have appeared expedient in 1892 with regard to the provision of a new and greatly enlarged Boys' School is , in the light of " free education , " the many varied means of educational advancement so liberally provided by the County Council and other public bodies , neither urgent nor even necessary , and a proposal in 1896 to not only continue , but largely increase the accommodation in the School is both " behind the age" and ' out ot date /'

I trust I have not unduly trespassed upon your valuable space , but I know that I .-1111 expressing the opinion of a very large body in the North and in West Yorkshire particularly , and therefore venture to sound a note of warning to the Board of Management . —Yours faithfully and fraternally ,

LIFE GOVERNOR . Leeds , June 22 nd . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear S ' u and Brother , I have read your article on the above subject in this week's Freemason

with murh interest and attention , and am quite prepared to admit that you have made out a good case in support cf the action ot Ihr : Board of Management in their deleimination to dispose of the site of the present Schools , acquire a site elsewhere , and build new Schools ; doubtless the surroundings of the Institution at Wood Green are not as pleasant nor yet as healthy as they were at the time the Schools wt e built , but the site was a " clay " soil when it was bought as it is now

Correspondence.

Do you not go somewhat out of the way when you venture to question the wisdom of the North and East Yorkshire Provincial Charities' Association in passing the resolution referred to in your article ? It may be that the Association referred to is but expressing the opinions of several other Provinces outside the Metropolitan district I know that the matter is being discussed at the present time , and the views generally expressed in the northern provinces are not in harmony with the resolution of the Board of Management .

I was visiting one of the lodges in a large manufacturing town only last week when a resolution was passed appointing a Committee to confer with Committees from other lodges in the town upon the subject , and certainly not to support the Board ' s resolution .

Indeed , I fear if the Board of Management , or even the Quarterly Court of Governors and Subscribers , decide upon selling the old Schools and building new without giving every Life-Governor and Subscriber the opportunity of voting on the subject , irreparable harm will be done to the Central Masonic Institutions . Times and circumstances have changed since the Institutions were founded , and now in the days of free education , opinions also have somewhat . changed , there are many subscribers who feel that the cost of maintaining each boy at the Schools at Wood Green ( the same applies also to the Girls' ) might , if expended

at the boy ' s ( or girl ' s ) home , benefit not only himself , but his mother , brothers , and sisters ; and it is a fact that in some provinces there is a movement on foot for the formation of local associations on the lines of those in Lancashire and elsewhere . It is well known or believed that the proposed removal of the Boys ' Schools would involve a very serious outlay ; I am not aware whether the Board of Management have as yet placed any estimate of such cost before the Governors and Subscribers ; indeed , I doubt if they did so whether it would very much assist their rase .

In case new schools should be ultimately decided on , I do not doubt but that the Craft would raise the money , however much would be required ; but , after all , could not the money be spent to greater advantage so as to benefit more of the necessitous children of deceased Craftsmen ? I noticed in your article a statement attributed to Bro . Keyser , " that the Board of Management represents very

fairly the opinions of all sections of the Craft throughout the country . " I venture to doubt if this is so . Is it not a fact that by far the large majority of the Board are London Masons or representatives of London lodges , and that only a few represent the provinces . Be that as it may , only give all Governors and Subscribers a vote on the question—say by voting papers—and the provinces will be satisfied on the subject . —Yours fraternally , EX-SECRETARY P . M .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"VISITORS' GUIDE TO TORQUAY , & c . "—By W . Eliot Thomas , M . J . I . ( VV . H . Goss , "Albion" Printing Works , Torquay ) . —This is a very handy and opportune publication , ably compiled by Bro . Thomas ( of No . 1402 ) , who has done good work in this direction , both for the lovely town of his adoption and for the neighbouring | one of Paignton . This neatly-printed guide is brought down to date , the map and a score of illustrations , including all the important additions to the numerous attractions of " the premier pleasure and health resort , " as it is aptly termed . Some of the views are especially good and suggestive of refreshing breezes , sheltered walks , and an air of

rest , quietness and artistic enjoyment generally . Assuredly these plates go far to confirm all that Bro . Thomas claims for " The Italy of England . " In racy , crisp , and brief sketches of the chief characteristics of Torbay , the visitor has in this handsomely got-up brochure a trusty guide of never-failing interest and instruction . It can be had from the author , " Scarborough House , " Torquay ( or the publisher ) , for a 2 \ stamp , post free , and doubtless if that small sum is thought too much , the Mayor and Corporation would present a copy to any intended visitor . It is one of the best little directories we know of , and should sell by thousands .

"PROVINCE OK WILTSHIRE , iSgfi , MASONIC CALENDAR . "—{ Swindon : Punted by Bros . Morris ) . —This is an old and welcome friend , arranged in new apparel for iSyC , but on similar lines to preceding issues , the editor , as of yore , being Bro . Fredk . Hastings Goldney , so long Prov . Grand Treasurer of Wilts . The preface is always an interesting portion of this annual , and this time treats of a variety of topics affecting the interests of the province . The idea is a good one , and is ably carried out by the editor , whose father , as with himself , have been excellent friends of Wilts for many

years ; the former as Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and the son as Prov . Grand Treasurer until 1 S 95 , when a handsome illuminated address was presented him by the Earl of Radnor , Prov . Grand Master , on behalf of the province , in appreciation of his valuable services . It looks strange now to see a roll of officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge without the honoured name of Goldney being included . There are 11 lodges , with 529 members ; six Royal Arch chapters , with 12 C companions ; and three Mark lodges , with Si

members ; the very full list of the votes for the Central Masonic Charities exhibiting a total of 495 Boys , 417 Girls , and 1044 Benevolent ; or a grand total of 1956—not easy to beat for so small a province . The statistical tables are clearly and ably arranged , being a feature of Bro . Goldney ' s editorship , and the Calendar is throughout a credit to all concerned , save the useless . " roll of Grand Masters ^ and Patrons of Freemasons" from A . D . to 1570 .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES . There was u large attendance at the Institution at Wood Green , on Tuesday , the 22 nd inst ., when the Stewards paid their annual visit , and the prizes were distributed by Her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire . The brethren present included Bros . R . Eve , G . Fairchild , J . J . Thomas , James Stephens , J . M . McLeod , Secretary , Dr . W . H . Kempster , W . F . Smithson , and others .

Bro . R . EVE , in opening the proceedings , said this was the 98 th year of the School , and much had been done during that period . He would first call upon the Head Master for a report for the past year . Bro . Rev . H . A . HEIIII , M . A ., said this was the seventh time he had had the honour

to present the Head Master s report , and it was his good fortune to offer to them his most hearty congratulations on a very happy and prosperous 12 months , not only the most successful during the time he had been at the School , but looking back at the records it was the most prosperous year since its foundation . The details of the successes gained were in the hands of the visitors , but he would call their attention t . i cne or two items . In the Cambridge Local Examination they had

increased their success by seven Seniors and four Juniors—about the number the old regime were content to send in altogether . Those who had succeeded in getting " passes" only , had in a larger proportion got into the first half . The Preliminary Examination was quite a new feature , and 30 out of 32 passed . In the Science and Art Department Examinations , the successes had increased by 17 '

In the Matriculation at London University , J . A . Copeland passed in the hrst division . This was a worthy ending to a worthy school career , for he was the first boy who had succeeded in this examination straight from the School . Out of 77 boys only < ight had failed to pass in the various examinations . He called their attention to the last of their successes—that of J . L . Heinke , who left the School