Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Anniversary Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
pleasure , I must acknowledge I approach this duty with a certain amount of diffidence , but as you may truly imagine , any question at the present time , connected with School or education , I approach with a certain amount of reluctance . The Government of which I have the honour to be a member , and especially the
department of which I am the head , have lately made an attempt to perfect and organise the system , both of elementary and secondary education , which has not met with unqualified success . I hope that on a second attempt we may be more successful in these efforts , but I think that after all that has passed within the
last few weeks , you will understand the sense of relief I feel on looking over the reports of this Institution , and that I should not on this occasion have to enter upon any of those connected with education with which during a recent period I have been only too familiar . I am glad
that to-night I shall not be called upon to say anything either about the county authority or the School Board , or about the enormous strain on the voluntary schools . I gather—reading between the lines of the short historical account of the progress
of this Institution which has been placed in your hands this evening—that the enjoyment of the progress of this Institution has not been always so smooth and prosperous as I am happy to be able to think it is at the present moment . This Institution has in the past times had its difficulties , and has had certain
shortcomings to complain of , but those difficulties have been overcome and arc now passed , and I think we may say that during recent years the progress
has not only been constant but rapid . During the period which has elapsed since I last had the honour of taking the chair in 1 SS 5 upon an occasion of
this description the number of boys upon your foundation have risen—from 215 to 278 , and 1 think the report upon the School of the Cambridge
University Syndicate , which the Board of Management had wisely invited to examine into the whole School , is one which
is eminently satisfactory . I think it shows—without going into any details—that the character and education of the
boys has been progressive . That report shows that the boys in this Institution are receiving an excellent middle-class education , which includes many
branches of technical instruction , and that the education as a whole which they receive at our School is one eminently well
quahlied to lit them for any career they may take—either in business , commercial , or industrial life . There has been in
recent years a development in the management of this Institution , for arrangements , I understand , have been made by which a certain small number of boys
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE , K . G ., THE CHAIRMAN . From a Photo , by si , / lassa / io . ]
who have shown remarkable aptitude in their studies are enabled to prosecute them for a longer period , and are not compelled to leave at the age of 15 . I am happy , also , to think that among the numerous boys who have had the advantage of this education from the province
vvi : h which I am specially connected—Derbyshire—there are two found worthy to receive this exceptional privilege . Such a privilege gives the boys a better means of advancing themselves , and of taking a higher position in life , and we trust the knowledge gained will be of value to them in their future
career , and bring credit on the great Masonic Institution by which these results have been brought about . I think that the position of this Institution is , in many respects , I may say without parallel . At all events , it is a remarkable one—for there are 278 boys maintained and provided with education and
maintenance at an annual expenditure of between £ 12 , 000 and £ 13 , a year . This is done by an Institution whose income is £ 1700 or £ 1800 , derived from investments ; but the Board of Management is able to carry on this work , and able to look forward to its continuance and also its extension without anxiety , and that perfect confidence is owing solely to the- fact that it is
Anniversary Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
backed by the resources of the great organisation and the great Masonic body of England . By means of that organisation this Institution is in receipt of an annual income which not only has been amply sufficient to provide for its immediate needs , but has also been so far in excess of its
immediate requirements as to . enable it to make a small but constant addition to the invested funds for the support of the Institution . The figures which I have had given me show that the sum invested amounts to £ 60 , 000 , as against an amount of £ 17 , 000 which was the amount when I had the honour to preside
on a similar occasion . JSIOVV , ladies and brethren , I think that this is a record which shows no small credit for the energy and benevolence of the Freemasons of England . The outside world may sometimes indulge in smiles at our symbols and our secrets our convivial banquets , or our somewhat remarkable costume , but
a Society which in one direction only accomplishes such results as those to which I have pointed , and is at the same time carrying on other great beneficent and charitable undertakings , lias established
a claim , not only to respect , but to gratitude from the public and the country . Like every successful institution , this Institution is outgrowing its home and surroundings . The increased number of boys accommodated in the School taxes
to its utmost excess the for their accommodation , and
resources of the Institution the ever extending requirements of education require that new buildings should be constantly erected for the more
successful prosecution of the studies carried on . The neighbourhood in which the School is situated has become more and more crowded , and the
conviction has been for some years growing upon those who have charge of the affairs , that before long it may become a question whether it is wise and prudent to further extend the buildings
upon the site , and whether the Board of Management at some not far distant period will have to face the question of removing to another site . J cherish the
hope that a new and important building , on a new and perhaps better site , may ultimately have the . effect of carrying on the work more with greater effect and economical lines . Still there
can be no doubt that . any such migration as that which I have suggested as possible in the near future , will require some ! increased exertions on the part
of the Masonic body . I am very happy indeed to think that it has not devolved upon me on this occasion to make the appeal which undoubtedly will be made
at some period by one of my successors in this chair . I only point to the fact as showing that prosperous as this Institution is , there is no excuse whatever for any of us , or for any of those
who have taken active interest in the affairs of the Institution , relaxing their exertions in any degree , but , on the contrary , it is most essential they should continue to preserve in its highest efficiency , that organisation which has enabled
it during a long period to achieve the satisfactory results that have been attained , and look forward to still greater results in the future . I do not think it will be necessary for me to occupy more of your time , but before I ask you to drink continued success to this Institution , I know you will heartily
join with me in tendering our most sincere thanks to the Board of Management , whose labours , supported by the munificence of the Masonic body of England , have enabled them to produce these results , and in whose excellent administration we ha \ e at the present moment the fullest confidence . Therefore , 0
as some slight recognition of what we owe to the Board Management— -those who have conducted the affairs of this grea Institution in so efficient a manner—I will couple with this toas the health of Bro . Eve , Chairman of the Board of Management of the Royal Masonic Boys' Institution . . Bro . R . EVE , P . G . Treas ., in reply , said that after the ab ' and eloquent speech they had listened to from the Chairman , v .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Anniversary Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
pleasure , I must acknowledge I approach this duty with a certain amount of diffidence , but as you may truly imagine , any question at the present time , connected with School or education , I approach with a certain amount of reluctance . The Government of which I have the honour to be a member , and especially the
department of which I am the head , have lately made an attempt to perfect and organise the system , both of elementary and secondary education , which has not met with unqualified success . I hope that on a second attempt we may be more successful in these efforts , but I think that after all that has passed within the
last few weeks , you will understand the sense of relief I feel on looking over the reports of this Institution , and that I should not on this occasion have to enter upon any of those connected with education with which during a recent period I have been only too familiar . I am glad
that to-night I shall not be called upon to say anything either about the county authority or the School Board , or about the enormous strain on the voluntary schools . I gather—reading between the lines of the short historical account of the progress
of this Institution which has been placed in your hands this evening—that the enjoyment of the progress of this Institution has not been always so smooth and prosperous as I am happy to be able to think it is at the present moment . This Institution has in the past times had its difficulties , and has had certain
shortcomings to complain of , but those difficulties have been overcome and arc now passed , and I think we may say that during recent years the progress
has not only been constant but rapid . During the period which has elapsed since I last had the honour of taking the chair in 1 SS 5 upon an occasion of
this description the number of boys upon your foundation have risen—from 215 to 278 , and 1 think the report upon the School of the Cambridge
University Syndicate , which the Board of Management had wisely invited to examine into the whole School , is one which
is eminently satisfactory . I think it shows—without going into any details—that the character and education of the
boys has been progressive . That report shows that the boys in this Institution are receiving an excellent middle-class education , which includes many
branches of technical instruction , and that the education as a whole which they receive at our School is one eminently well
quahlied to lit them for any career they may take—either in business , commercial , or industrial life . There has been in
recent years a development in the management of this Institution , for arrangements , I understand , have been made by which a certain small number of boys
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE , K . G ., THE CHAIRMAN . From a Photo , by si , / lassa / io . ]
who have shown remarkable aptitude in their studies are enabled to prosecute them for a longer period , and are not compelled to leave at the age of 15 . I am happy , also , to think that among the numerous boys who have had the advantage of this education from the province
vvi : h which I am specially connected—Derbyshire—there are two found worthy to receive this exceptional privilege . Such a privilege gives the boys a better means of advancing themselves , and of taking a higher position in life , and we trust the knowledge gained will be of value to them in their future
career , and bring credit on the great Masonic Institution by which these results have been brought about . I think that the position of this Institution is , in many respects , I may say without parallel . At all events , it is a remarkable one—for there are 278 boys maintained and provided with education and
maintenance at an annual expenditure of between £ 12 , 000 and £ 13 , a year . This is done by an Institution whose income is £ 1700 or £ 1800 , derived from investments ; but the Board of Management is able to carry on this work , and able to look forward to its continuance and also its extension without anxiety , and that perfect confidence is owing solely to the- fact that it is
Anniversary Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
backed by the resources of the great organisation and the great Masonic body of England . By means of that organisation this Institution is in receipt of an annual income which not only has been amply sufficient to provide for its immediate needs , but has also been so far in excess of its
immediate requirements as to . enable it to make a small but constant addition to the invested funds for the support of the Institution . The figures which I have had given me show that the sum invested amounts to £ 60 , 000 , as against an amount of £ 17 , 000 which was the amount when I had the honour to preside
on a similar occasion . JSIOVV , ladies and brethren , I think that this is a record which shows no small credit for the energy and benevolence of the Freemasons of England . The outside world may sometimes indulge in smiles at our symbols and our secrets our convivial banquets , or our somewhat remarkable costume , but
a Society which in one direction only accomplishes such results as those to which I have pointed , and is at the same time carrying on other great beneficent and charitable undertakings , lias established
a claim , not only to respect , but to gratitude from the public and the country . Like every successful institution , this Institution is outgrowing its home and surroundings . The increased number of boys accommodated in the School taxes
to its utmost excess the for their accommodation , and
resources of the Institution the ever extending requirements of education require that new buildings should be constantly erected for the more
successful prosecution of the studies carried on . The neighbourhood in which the School is situated has become more and more crowded , and the
conviction has been for some years growing upon those who have charge of the affairs , that before long it may become a question whether it is wise and prudent to further extend the buildings
upon the site , and whether the Board of Management at some not far distant period will have to face the question of removing to another site . J cherish the
hope that a new and important building , on a new and perhaps better site , may ultimately have the . effect of carrying on the work more with greater effect and economical lines . Still there
can be no doubt that . any such migration as that which I have suggested as possible in the near future , will require some ! increased exertions on the part
of the Masonic body . I am very happy indeed to think that it has not devolved upon me on this occasion to make the appeal which undoubtedly will be made
at some period by one of my successors in this chair . I only point to the fact as showing that prosperous as this Institution is , there is no excuse whatever for any of us , or for any of those
who have taken active interest in the affairs of the Institution , relaxing their exertions in any degree , but , on the contrary , it is most essential they should continue to preserve in its highest efficiency , that organisation which has enabled
it during a long period to achieve the satisfactory results that have been attained , and look forward to still greater results in the future . I do not think it will be necessary for me to occupy more of your time , but before I ask you to drink continued success to this Institution , I know you will heartily
join with me in tendering our most sincere thanks to the Board of Management , whose labours , supported by the munificence of the Masonic body of England , have enabled them to produce these results , and in whose excellent administration we ha \ e at the present moment the fullest confidence . Therefore , 0
as some slight recognition of what we owe to the Board Management— -those who have conducted the affairs of this grea Institution in so efficient a manner—I will couple with this toas the health of Bro . Eve , Chairman of the Board of Management of the Royal Masonic Boys' Institution . . Bro . R . EVE , P . G . Treas ., in reply , said that after the ab ' and eloquent speech they had listened to from the Chairman , v .