The Kent Charity Committee.

what candidates sViould be supported at the ensuing elections . The Committee also distributed sums of £ 30 and under to distressed Freemasons . There are close upon 10 , 000 votes available in Kent for various Masonic Charities , while the sum of . £ 2 , 156 was received last

year for the several Benevolent Institutions in the province . The members of the Committee afterwards dined together at the Bull Hotel , Hig h-street , Rochester .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The adjourned meeting of the Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution vvas held at Freemasons' Hall on Tuesday . Bro . J . A . Farnfield , P . A . G . D . C , and Treasurer of the Institution , presided during the earlier part of the sitting , and on vacating the chair vvas succeeded b y Bro . Jabez Hogg ,

P . G . D ., while among those present were Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; Charles J . Perceval , C . H . Webb , W . B . Daniell , G . Bolton , Charles Lacey , James Brett , P . G . P . ; A . H . Tattershall , Joseph Freeman , David D . Mercer , A . G . P . ; James Newton , James S . Fraser , A . Mullord , A . Forsyth , S . Brooks , William Smith ,

Charles G . Hill , Henry Cox , W . Harrop , J . S . Cumberland , Thomas J . Bullen , G . Std . Br . ; Hugh Cotter , W . H . Making , Robert Griggs , H . J . Strong , John L . Mather , P . A . G . D . C . ; C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; L . Stean , T . Cubitt , P . G . P . ; R . Turtle Pigott , D . C . L ., P . A . G . D . C ; W . H . Hubbert , E . M . Money , and

James Terry , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) . Having agreed by an overwhelming majority that it was necessary some alterations should be made in the rules relating to candidates , the Committee settled to their work , with the result that the following rules as amended were adopted , and will in due course be

submitted for confirmation to a special general meeting of the Governors and Subscribers , to be held on a day as yet to be fixed . Rule 37 , which enables the Committee of Management to place a candidate who has been unsuccessful at two successive elections , and attained the age of 80

years , on the list of annuitants at their June meeting , is modified by the introduction of the clause— " // in their opinion efforts have been made to secure his or her election" —after the words "shall have power to place him or her on the list of annuitants . " As regards the qualifications , & c , of candidates for

the Male Fund , the amount of the annuity remains unaltered at £ 40 per annum , and the age of 60 years is retained at which a brother becomes eligible as a candidate , but instead of being " a registered Master Mason for 15 years and a subscribing member to a lodge for at least 10 years of that period , " it will be

necessary , under the amended rule , that he should have been " a registered Master Mason and a subscribing member to a lodge for 15 years , " the exception being that " the brother shall be certified by two medical men as suffering from blindness , paralysis , or other affliction which , in the opinion of the Committee , shall

permanently incapacitate him from earning a livelihood , " & c . The income which incapacitates a brother from becoming an annuitant is reduced from " £ 40 per annum " to " £ 32 per annum , " while " a candidate having been a Life Governor for five years at the time of presenting his petition shall be entitled to 20 votes

at each election until successful for every Life Governorship he may have qualified before his petition vvas accepted , but after his election all future rights to such added votes shall cease . " In respect of Law IX . relating to the case of a male annuitant dying , leaving a widow " not otherwise

provided for , " to whom he had been married ' ¦ not less than five years before his election , " and who is " not less than 55 years of age or altogether incapacitated from obtaining her support , " the law as amended provides that she must have been married seven years to her deceased husband before his election

as annuitant , that " she may he entitled " instead of " she shall be entitled " on application , and if approved by the Committee , to half her late husband ' s annuity for five instead of for three years , and that if in residence at the Asylum at Croydon , her continuance as a resident there shall be dependent on the approval of" the House

Committee . " As regards the qualifications of candidates for the Widows' Fund , the annuity remains unaltered at £ 32 , rndsoalso does the amount of income , £ 30 , disqualifying her as a candidate , or , if she has been elected an annuitant , from retaining the full amount of her annuity .

But the minimum limit of age under the amended law for her acceptance as a candidate is raised from 55 years to 60 years ; she must have been married to him seven years instead of five , and her husband must have been a registered Mason and subscribing member to a lodge for 15 years , while , if she is the widow of

an annuitant , she must have been married to him at least five instead of three years before the presentation of her petition . She is , however , eligible to become a candidate at an earlier age , if two medical men certify that she is suffering from blindness , paralysis , or other affliction , which , in the opinion of the Committee , incapacitates her from earning a livelihood . It is further

provided that the widow candidate who had qualified as a Life-Governor five years before presenting her petition shall , like the male candidate , be entitled to 20 additional votes at every election until elected in respect of each Life-Governorship for which she may have qualified , but that when she has secured her election , all further right to such added votes shall cease .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

The following rule , which is applicable to candidates on both funds , and which we give in full , vvas agreed to after a division : " That no brother , or widow of a brother , shall be eligible for the annuity of this Institution unless the

said brother shall have been a Life-Governor of this Institution at least two years , or a Subscriber of one guinea annually for five years , before presenting his petition or before his death . " A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

We have had forwarded to us the following letter of appeal by Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Registrar , and Vice-Chairman of the Provisional Management Committee , to the lodges and brethren generally , in

behalf of the Frederick Binckes Pension Indemnity Fund , " together with a first list of subscriptions to the said fund . The letter speaks for itself , but the subject is one on which we shall take an early opportunity of offering a few remarks .

Lamb Building , Temple , London , E . C . 2 ist March , 1890 . Dear Sir and Brother , At the close of last year a circular vvas issued by Bro . J . D . Langton , the Hon . Secretary of the Provisional Committee , which is now entrusted with

the management of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , with the object of obtaining the concurrence of the lodges and subscribers in helping to raise a special fund to enable the Committee to secure the retirement of Bro . Binckes from the office of Secretary of the Institution , an end which it was felt ought to command

the assent and assistance of all who are really interested in the future well-being of our School . To that appeal much and generous support has been given , and some of the large provinces are assisting by collecting their entire quota within their own provinces . But the manifest importance of the desired end being

attained at the earliest possible moment , induces me , on behalf of myself and colleagues , to call your earnest and immediate attention to the matter . The unanimous resolutions of the General Courts , and the appointment of the Provisional Committee charged to carry out the recommendations of the

Committee of Investigation , over which I had the honour to preside , render it necessary for us to appeal to you for the aid we now seek . If rendered , it will secure the great object of enabling the management to start with an entire change of the adminstration , and to break completely away from the past .

It will preclude all question of devoting subscriptions given for the School to retiring allowances and pensions . It will enable us to carry out your wishes to the full , as you have expressed them , and as we understand them . Let me as strongly as I may beg you not to let the

great work be crippled or retarded by laying our appeal aside ; if you are of opinion our work ought to be thorough and complete , we must ask you to support us . We have already obtained results which we trust you will appreciate . Under the new Head Master we have every confidence that the tone and morale of the

School will be raised , and made worthy of our Order , and we are giving unremitting attention to start the new management on that course which you have indicated has your approval . I would earnestly and respectfully beg of you to

permit us to complete what has thus been begun , and enable us to continue our duties untrammelled by any traditions or practices of the past , and then hold us responsible if we fail to achieve what we ought to do .

In the full assurance that you will see the wisdom as well as necessit y of thus acting , and of aiding our common purpose in the true spirit which distinguishes our great Brotherhood , 1 am , for myself and colleagues ,

Very faithfully and fraternally yours , FRED . A . PHILBRICK , Grand Registrar . P . S . —Subscriptions and donations can be sent to F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Lamb Building , Temple , London , E . C , or Joseph D . Langton , 37 , Queen Victoria-street ,

London , E . C . Cheques to be crossed " Union Bank . " All moneys are carried to a separate account in the names of Bros . Edward Terry , G . Treas . ; Richard Eve , P . G . Treas . ; and F . A . Philbrick , G . Reg ., and will be devoted exclusively for the purpose indicated , and any surplus will be paid over to the general funds of the Institution .

Percy Lodge , 19 S ... ... ... 2 10 o Bro . Stanley J . Attenborough ... ... 10 10 o Castle Lodge of Harmony ... ... ... 2 10 o Lodge of Antiquity , 17 S ... ... ... 2 10 o Bro . Edward Hobbs ... ... ... 1 1 o Shakespeare Lodge , 2 S 4 ... ... ... 2 10 o

Peace and Harmony , 60 ... ... 500 Sutherland Burslem , 451 ... ... ... 2 10 o Bro . Richard S . Warrington ... ... 2100 Royal Somerset Lodge , ( JJ 2-- ¦¦¦ ¦¦¦ 2100 Phoenix Lodge , 173 ... ... ... 2 10 0

St . John s Lodge , 104 ... ... 2 10 0 Bro . Jabez Hogg , F . L . S ., M . R . CS 210 0 Felicity Lodge , No . 5 S ... ... ... 2 10 0 Bro . Richard Eve ... ... ... 550 „ Col . Gadsden , No . 1 ... ... ... 1 1 a „ M . Levy , No . 1 ... ... ,,, 1 1 0

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

Bro . Gordon Brown , No . 1 ... ... ... 1 1 o „ Col . Yeatman Biggs ... ... ... 1 1 o „ Brackstone Baker ... ... ... 1 1 o St . John ' s Lodge ( Plymouth ) ... ... 2 10 o Lodge of Concord , No . 1135 ... ... 2 10 o Grand Master ' s Lodge , No . 1 ... ... 2 10 o

Shadwell Clerke Lodge , No . 1910 ... ... 2 10 o Dene Lodge , No . 222 S ... ... ... 2 10 o Royal Naval College Lodge , No . 1 G 93 ... 2 10 o Southwark Lodge , S 79 ... ... ... 2 10 o St . Paul ' s Lodge , 194 ... ... ... 2 10 o Globe Lodge , 23 ... ... ... ... 2 10 o Strong Man Lodge , 45 ... ... ... 2 10 o

Apollo Lodge , Oxford , 357 ... ... ... 500 Lodge of Harmony , 32 ... ... 2 10 o Bro . T . B . White ... ... 220 Lodge Amity , 137 ... ... ... 2 10 o Pelham Lodge , 1303 ... ... ... 2 10 o Stanford Lodge , 1947 ... ... ... 2100

Royal Naval Lodge , 429 ... ... ... 2 10 o St . Leonard ' s Lodge , 1 S 42 ... ... ... 2 10 o Tuscan Lodge , 14 ... ... ... ... 2 10 o St . John the Baptist Lodge , 39 ... ... 2 10 o Friends in Council Lodge , 13 S 3 ... ... 2 10 o Etruscan Lodge , 546 ... ... ... 2 10 o

Combermere Lodge , 605 ... ... ... 2 10 o Eccleston Lodge , 1624 ... ... ... 2100 Caradoc Lodge , 16 74 ... ... ... 2 10 0 Warner Lodge , 2256 ... ... ... 2 10 0 St . Matthew ' s Lodge , 539 ... ... ... 2100 Caterham Lodge , 2095 ... ... . 2 10 o

Canterbury Lodge , 1635 ... ... ... 2 10 o Chiswick Lodge , 2012 ... ... ... 550 Pilgrim Lodge , 23 S ... ... ... 2 10 o Phoenix Lodge , 2 57 ... ... ... 2 10 o Jordan Lodge , 1402 ... ... ... 2100 Drury Lane Lodge , 212 7 ... ... ... 2100

Royal York Lodge of Perseverance , 7 ... 2 10 0 Lodge of Union , 3 S ... ... ... 2 10 o Royal Oak Lodge , S 71 ... ... ... 2 10 o Borough Lodge , 1064 ... ... ... 2 10 0 Benevolent Lodge , 303 ... ... ... 2 10 o St . Andrew ' s Lodge , 23 c ... ... ... 2 10 o

Lodge fortitude , 10 5 ... ... ... 2 10 o The Lewises Lodge , 1209 ... ... ... 2 10 o Bedford Lodge , 925 ... ... ... 2 10 o Supreme Council , 33 " ... ... ... 500 Islington Lodge , 1471 ... ... ... 2 10 0 Empire Chapter , 210 S ... ... ... 2 10 o Buckingham and ChandosLodge , 1150 ... 2 10 o

Lindsay Lodge , 1 335 ... ... ... 2 10 o Province of West Yorkshire ... ... 210 o o True Love and Unity , 24 S ... ... ... 220 Middlesex Lodge , 1 43 ... ... ... 2 10 o St . Mary ' s Lodge , G 3 ... ... ... 2 10 o Unity Lodge , 1 S 6 S ... ... ... ... 2 10 0 Mid-Sussex Lodge , 1141 ... ... ... 2 10 0

£ 406 10 o CAMBRIDGE LOCAL EXAMINATIONS AND

THE BOYS' SCHOOL . The following is the result of the Christmas Examination , 1889 : — HONOURS—SECOND CLASS : I , F . F . Coleman ( distinguished in Arithmetic and Latin ); 2 , J . L . Heinke ; and 3 , E . B . Hickinbotham ( distinguished in Mathematics ) .

THIRD CLASS : 4 , S . W . Gibson . SATISFIED THE EXAMINERS : 5 , R . L . Churchill ; 6 , W . E . Cordingly ; 7 , F . H . France ; S , G . S . Huggett ; 9 , C VV . Limpncht ; 10 , N . McCaskie ; 11 , C R . Saville ; and 12 , J . E . Walters . Twelve candidates sent in , and all passed .

COLLEGE OF PRECEPTOR 5 ' EXAMINATIONCHRISTMAS , 1 SS 9 . SECOND CLASS—I . DIVISION : I , G . E . Haines ; 2 , F . VV . Higgison ; 3 , R . Leaman ; and 4 , H . Lewis . II . DIVISION : 5 , N . J . Chamberlain ; 6 , j . D'O yly ; 7 , VV . G . I ' iggess ; and S , E . A . J . Mayne .

THIRD CLASS—I . DIVISION : 9 , T . B . Bunney ; 10 , B . K B . Kent ; 11 , R . A . Fortune ; 12 , L . Shorrock ; 13 , P . H . Matthews ; and 14 , H . Newton . II . DIVISION : 15 , J . B . Broadbent ; 16 , C . B . Cooper ; and 17 , S . VV . Watts . 1 IL DIVISION : I S , H . F . Aspinall . Eighteen candidates sent up , and all passed .

East Lancashire Masonic Benevolent Institution.

EAST LANCASHIRE MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

lhe annual meeting of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution and also the Prov . Grand Lodge Charity meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall . Cooper-street .

Manchester , on Friday , the 21 st inst . There was one boy adopted for the Roval Masonic Institution for Boys , and three cases adopted for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons .

Bro . Alderman E . G . Harwood , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., was unanimousl y re-elected Chairman , and Bro . I H . Sillitoe , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br . England , Vice for the ensuing year . There was a numerous attendance , including the following : Bros . J . W . Taylor , 64 ; John Holt . 21 s ;

A . Clegg , 277 ; Thos . L . Buckley , 1218 ; T . D . Hooper , 1170 ; Peter Ratcliff , 219 ; W . Forrest , 37 ; N . A . Earle , 62 ; John Wri gley , 210 ; Geo . Sam Smith , 1134 ; Samuel Porritt , 1634 ; Joseph Harling , 1948 ; J . H . Cahert , 1519 ; Wm . Crossley , 288 ; Walter Newton , 1322 ; Alfred B . Whittaker i 6 r ? : L

Hothersall , 1534 ; J . Brid gford , 1077 ; T . Lawrenson , 344 : Walter Potts , 467 ; John Chadwick , Sec ; Jas . W . Vbbott , 1459 ; Abm . Pemberton , 1030 ; Geo . Hunt , 1009 ; Joseph Snape , 1055 ; John Stewart , 286 ; John Wardley , 3 81 ; F . W . Lean , 935 ; Joseph T . Richardson , 581 ; Wm . Cartwri ght , 6 33 R . L . McMillan , 6 7 8 ; J . Barker , 1134 ; J . L . Hi ' ne ; Jas .