Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

provinces . Bro . Gilbert Greenall , P . G . S . W ., was president of the Board of Stewards , and Bro . John Udall , P . G . D ., acted as Vice President , Bro . Sir Thomas George Fermor Hesketh , Bart . M . P ., Prov . G . Master for West Lancashire , presided , and amongst those near the chairman we observed Bros . Lord de Tabley , Prov . G . M . for Cheshire ; Colonel Bowyer , Prov . G . M .

for Oxfordshire ; G . K . W . Potter , P . G . D . ; H . Empson , P . G . S . B . ; Raynhara , W . S ., P . G . D . Essex , G . Treas . ; Benj . Head , P . G . D . ; W . Fern , Assist . G . Dir . of Cers . ; W . Young , P . G . S . B . ; George Cox-, P . G . D . ; A . U . Theselton , L . F . Turian , head Master of the Boys' School ; the Rev . C . Woodward , P . G . Chap , for Now South Wales , and Chaplain of the School ; W .

Farnfield , P . A . G . Sec , and Secretary to tbe Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; E . H . Patten , P . G . S . B ., and Secretary 'to the Girls'School ; A . W . Beach , 3 I . P ., P . G . W . for Hants ; Captain Richard Cope , P . G . S . B . ; G . Cornwall Legb , P . G . W . ; J . S . Hopwood , P . G . D . ; Algernon Perkins , P . G . W . ; Peter Mathews , hon . surgeon , dentist to the School ; W . Ough , A . G .

Purst . ; Thomas Meggy , W . M . ( for the second time ) , Fitzroy Lodge ; John Emmens , P . G . Purst . ; R . W . Little , P . M . ; Peudlebury , P . M ., and about three hundred members of different lodges , metropolitan and provincial .

The following report was issued by the committee : — . In reviewing the proceedings of the past year , the first subject which offers itself for congratulatory notice is the completion of the buildings at Wood Green , which now afford as perfect accommodation as can be found in any similar institution , and which have received unqualified praise from everyone who has

visited thein for the purpose of inspection . On this subject the committee refer with pride and pleasure to tho visit paid by the M . W . Grand Master during the last summer , when his lordship most minutely examined the entire arrangements , expressed himself as in tho highest degree satisfied with every detail , and gave his entire approval of the course adopted to accomplish

the work . Next in order , and , perhaps , more really important than any other topic of consideration , is the satisfactory first essay in ¦ connection with the University Local Middle-Class Examinations . In the Oxford examination in June last , the only two candidates sent up from this School were included in the first

division—classed according to merit—comprising 57 only out of 1 , 032 junior candidates . In the Cambridge examination in December last , six candidates were entered , and it is hoped that a success proportionately equal may be announced at the ^ Festival , on the 11 th March next . Again , the committee have , wifch gratitude , to congratulate

themselves , fche Craft at large , and those placed in charge of the establishment , on the continued good health enjoyed by the ¦ whole of the pupils , not a single serious case of indisposition having been reported during the past year .

Another source of gratification is derived from the continued support rendered to the Institution , as evidencing its importance in the estimation of the Craft . In the absence of any provincial organisation in its behalf , by whieh means considerable assistance has in former years been received—nay , even with that very organisation more largely used in behalf of the sister Institutions than has ever previously been known , from which

there was reason to fear this Institution would suffer—the amount contributed has been upwards of £ 5 , 500 leaving a margin , after providing for the various branches of expenditure , and meeting burdens for the first time imposed upon it . From the " Building Account" it will be seen how heavy has been the outlay , every item of which has been scrupulously watched , no expenditure having been sanctioned for any

purpose the benefit or necessity of which- Kadi not been readily recognised or satisfactorily proved . The accounts are in course of being made- up by Bro . S . B > Wilson , and it is hoped that a final settlement may be speedily arrived at , though what amount will be required for that purpose , it . is at present impossible to state , owing to the numerous

additions to the original design , and the heavy expenditure necessitated for drainage , and fche reconstruction of the whole of the roads and pathways . This naturally leads to the one source of deep regret—the mortgage of the property at Wood Green , for the sum of £ 10 , 000 , entailing an annual liability of £ 500 in payment of interest .

The funded stock having been sold , the income is solely derivable from voluntary contributions , with the exception of the annual grant of £ 150 from Grand Lodge , and £ 10 10 s . from Grand Chapter . Under these circumstances it has been declared inex . pedient to attempt to extend the benefits of the Institution , although there is ample accommodation in the building for

thirty boys more than are now admitted ; tbe claims for reception showing a largely increasing proportion , there being no less than forty-one candidates for election in April next , while the vacancies will be nine only . Amongst the gratifying occurrences of the year are the permanent foundations of prizes for annual award . The names of

the founders with the amounts contributed , a list of other presentations , and of donations of money and books for the library » will be found under their respective headings . The committee and executive desire thus publicly to testify their most grateful acknowledgments for the kindness and liberality displayed by the various individual brethren , many of whom are numbered amongst the most influential and munificent supporters of the Institution .

The committee regret tbe continued high prices of provisions , which—with the heavy impost of rates , and the further legitimate demands for improved educational means—have tended to defeat the efforts of the managers of the Institution to effect any considerable reduction in the ordinary expenditure ; yet it will be seen that by the exercise of careful supervision , the cost

per boy is £ 1 Is . less than during the preceding year , it being £ -16 15 s . Id . in 1867 , as against £ 47 16 s . Id . in 1 SC 6 . There is , moreover , this encouragement , that the School in all its arrangements was never more efficient , the results never so satisfactory , and it is hoped , aud with confidence believed , that ifc is destined to a lengthened course of usefulness and

prosperity .. The dinner took place in the new large hall , and on this occasion the tables were set out on a novel , but by no means improved manner . Instead of being longitudinal , they were placed across the hall , and thus the area was cut up into a number of small tables , which detracted from the general aspect

which has hitherto formed a great feature in these gatherings The Chairman ' s seat was also changed , for , instead of being at the extremity of the hall in the north , it was placed in the westbut not sufficiently elevated to be seen by those brethren who were distantly removed from him . Altogether it was considered the experiment was a failure , and ifc is to be hoped will

never be repeated . The dinner was served in the best style of the Freemasons' Tavern Company , the fare was first rate , and the attendance was all that could be desired . The cloth having been drawn , grace was sung by the professional singers . The CHAIRMAN said , the first toast he had to propose was one that held the first place among all Englishmen , and amongst them there were none more loyal than Freemasons . He gave " The Queen , Patron of the Institution . "