Our Masonic Charities.

which has to be added to the amount shown at page 21 , and g ives the total outlay as £ 47 , 116 6 s . id ., " On the all-important subject of health , the Committee consider they have every reason to congratulate themselves and the friends of the pupils under their charge . If they are unable to boast , as in

former years of au empty infirmary , they are happy to be able to state that cases of . sickness , though in som instances several have been comparatively feAV in number , and have readily yielded to remedial measures . The result has proved eminently satisfactory ,

as testifying to the adequate accommodation provided for infirmary purposes , and to the facilitiea for thorough and proper ventilation , Avhich with one suggested addition IIOAV under consideration , may be considered perfect , ancl to the admirable system of diet and management , as certified by the medical officer .

" The educational proficiency of the pupils , gratitifying proofs of Avhich have so often been afforded , continues to be maintained , it may be hoped increased , since tho Head Master felt himself justified in nominating nineteen boys as oanditates at tho Cambridge Local Examination in December last . The result , it

is expected , will be knoAvn before this Report is in the hands of the Subscribers . During the past year the number of boys educated , clothed and maintained has been increased to 110 ( one of Avhom is out of the est ablishment ) , irrespectiA * e of four boys admitted by

purchase . " NotAvithstanding the addition to the office staff rendered necessary by the increased labour , the Committee point Avith satisfaction to a decrease in the cost per head , Avhich IIOAV stand at £ 44 Is . Gd ., on a

year ' s ordinary expenditure of £ 4 , 671 19 s . Sit , in which is included everything fairly chargeable . Deducting the office espouses , tho cost of education , clothing and maintenance is £ 35 6 s . Id ., " The Committee have to record , Avith regret , the

death of Bro . Augustus Union Thiselton , Avho for the thirty-seven years , from 1824 to 1861 , discharged Avith ability and integrity the duties of Secretary to tho Institution .

" By the report of the Audit Committee it appears that the receipts for the past year AA-ore £ 12 , 864 17 s . Id . which added to tho balance from 1 S 68 , £ 1 , 269 8 s 7 d ., gives a total of £ 14 , 134 5 s . Sdy * and that the disbursements for tho same period were £ 14 , 716 ISs . Wel , shoAving a balance against tho Institution on current account of £ 582 13 . s 2 d ..

" One moiety ( £ 5 , 000 ) of the mortgage Debt has been paid off , and the total liabilities of the Institution on the 31 st December , 1860 , were—Mortgage Debt - - - - £ 5 , 000 0 0 Balance clue to Bankers- - 5 , 582 13 2 Sundries ------ 1 , 050 17 11

£ 11 , 633 11 1 Fairly to be reduced by the Assets , as shown in note ( page 32 ) 1 , 400 0 0 £ 10 . 223 11 1

" The extremely auspicious circumstances under which the approaching Festival will be held , and the promises of support extended in so many influential quarters , seem to the Committee to possess good ground for the indulgence of a confident belief that Avith the

present year their difficulties Avill come to an end . That consumation happily achieA * ed , the future of the Institution will be in the hands of the Subscribers .

That the advantage it is capable of affording are more highly appreciated than eA * er is fully evidenced by the continually increasing a 2 > plications for admission . That tho accommodation it possesses can be easily and , at a , c oinparatively speaking , moderate outlay , considerably added to , has been ascertained .

Whether such extension shall bo carried out , must rest with them by Avhom alone the means can be provided . " In reference to the increasing number of applications , it has been thought by some that further

restrictions as to the qualifications of brethren to render their sons eligible as candidates for admission should be introduced . It is , undoubtedly , a fact that tho largo majority of those Avhose sons have received tho benefit of the Institution never contributed in Avay to its support , though it is known that , in many

instances , they might have done so Avithout inconvenience to themselves . The question is a very inrportant one , ancl will receive the most calm and mature consideration .

"Tho committee are of opinion that thej r may indulge a feeling of pardonable pride and gratification at the realisation of their desire that this Institution Avhich , for the last seventeen years has been honoured with the direct patronage of Her Most Gracious Majesty should be further signalised by the first Presidency

of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales at the Anniversary Festival of a Masonic Institution , ancl that at so early a date after the reception of H . E . H ., into the ranks of ihe order . The gracious consent of H . E . H so kindly anclso promptly conceded , imposes a deep debt of gratitude—a lasting obligation—on all connected Avith tho