Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of oui Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . Wo cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

THE BOYS' SCHOOL ELECTION MUDDLE . To the Editor of ( he FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am fully aware of the old Masonic injunction to maintain silence if no good can be spoken of a person , but I think there are occasions , even in regard to Freemasonry , when silence is no longer a virtue . One of those occasions hna arisen in connection with the recent election to the Royal Masonio

Institution for Boys , where the Craft has witnessed a complete failure of all the safeguards provided to ensure a fair and legitimate return . Looking at the methods provided by the Institution to lead to a satisfactory scrutiny , and knowing the theoretical system under which the scrutineers work , one ulmost feels that mistakes are impossible , yet we have just had an instance of utter failure of all

precautions , no less than 1000 votes bsing overlooked ! This can only be explained on the principle that mistakes do occur , no matter what care is taken to prevent them - but I think it convinces the supporters of our Institution that the elections as at present conducted are a complete farce , and I argue that some stringent aud radical change should be at once attempted , to place matters ou a

satisfactory basis . I cannot agree with some of those who regard this matter as a mere oversight , and can dismiss it as an unsatisfactory error , one whioh it muse not be assnmed frequently occurs , because neither I nor those who satisfy themselves thus easily have any knowledge how often snch mistakes do occur . They may bo happy in knowing

that demands for investigation are rare indeed , but supposing tha undiscovered mistakes are made in the opposite direction to what happened in regard to the candidature of the boy Kent ? If the scrutineers fail to notice an omission of 1000 votes on behalf of a particular lad , what is there to prevent them overlooking 500 or 1000 put on to a candidate ' s total ? This way of arguing th * matter

makes the whole subject a very delicate one to handle . I am awaro I am supposing a case whioh , if diicovered , would amount to fraud , but unhappily we need not go outside the history of Masonio contests to find an instance of falsification of scrutineers' returns . The Institutions , by their present system of scrutiny , provide the opportnnity for dishonasty—whether any one will ever avail himulf of that

opportunity is another question , bnt I maintain it is not right to leave the chance available , nor is it fair to the supporters of the Charities to allow the elections to be conduottd on a system whioh has so unmistakably proved itself to be at fault . Your contemporary , in referring to this matter , says there is no occasion for alarm . The world kuows that men will sit on a barrel

of gunpowder and smoke a pipo , or strike a match in a coal mine , without occasioning themselves any alarm , but such foolhardiuess is tho exception , and proves nothing , except that some mon have no thought as to the possibilities of what is going on around them . To argue that tho loss of 1000 votes and the possible exclusion of a boy from tho benefits of the School gives no cause for alarm

is , to my mind , the height of absurdity , but the future will prove ¦ whether my idea of a reasonable cause for alarm is tha popular one or otherwise . If tho Craft allows the scrutinies to be conducted in the future as they have been in the past , I will admit I am exceptionally sensitive , and have taken unnecessary alarm at the recent disclosures ; but I can hardly imagine things being allowed to go on as they are .

Of one thing I am certain , it will be a long time before I take part in one of such scrutinies , as I think it unfair to ask a man to associate himself in snch a risky performance as this has proved to bo . I sincerely hope that dishonesty may bo kept away from our elections , but is it fair to give the opportunity for fraud which seems to be provided in these cases ? I am , yours fraternally , LOOKER-ON .

BOYS' ELECTION—CASE FOR CONSIDERATION . To the Editor ofthe FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Allow me first to thank yon for enabling me , figuratively , to again shake the hand of my old friend Bro . F . T . C . Keeble , Past Master of the Great City Lodge . I am delighted to hear he is still alive , and interested in our Masonic Charities in his northern home . He will , no doubt , be pleased to

ksow that the case we havo discussed together no longer requires tho advocacy or the assistance of individual members of the Order , the scrutiny demanded on behalf of the lad W . G . B . Kent having proved that 2952 votes were recorded on his ; behalf , in lieu of the 1958 credited to him on the day of election . All ' s well that ends well , and the lad being now duly elected to tho benefits of tho Royal

Masonic Institution for Boys , the case ends so far as he is concerned . But I do not think the case I originally put forward for consideration should be allowed to drop without some little attention . Young Kent is successful , but what will be the result next time something wimilar occurs ? There may not then be the error of 1000 votes to

set the matter right , and I think tho possibilities of such an injustice us was made manifest in this case should be provided against . I explained my views of the case in my former letter . The laws of the institntion say that 1958 votes may bo recorded on behalf of a candidate on a first aud last application , all to be wasted because the total proves to be 218 short of the number nseded to secure

Correspondence.

election . Can reason and equity agree with this hard and fast rule . f say , certainly not ! and now that tho Craft can discuss the matter without having nny particular case iu view to reap tho possible benefit , I think the wholo subject uiia-ht ha considered , and some provision mado to meet tho possibilities of snch a contingency iu the future . I wculd Fuggest that , under certain conditions , candidates

placed as yoncg Kent appeared to bt * should be allowed another chance , even thoup-h they be over age ; and as a proposal I would recommend that any last applicant who secured at least three-fourths as many votes as carried in the lowest successful candidate at any election should be allowed this privilege . This concession would not by any means induce subscribers to p lay with their chances on a

last application , as it would seldom happen that anything short of 1500 votes would secure this proposed privilege , and brethren who could secure thafc number would not risk losing them by speculating on the chance of having another opportunity of going to the poll . In order to guard against any possible abuse whioh might arise the

exercise of this rule might be made permissive only , not compulsory . That is to say , the Quarterly Court following the election might be called upon to decide whether or no the additional chance should be given to the candidate , but for myself I think it would be more fair to say that all last application cases which came within tho threefourths limit should receive the concession . I fail to see where any

hardship would occur , while the continuance of the present rule may cause considerable hardship , as the friends of young Kent very nearly discovered . I am , yours fraternally , LIKE GOVERNOR . 28 th April 1892 .

A New Home For North London Masons.

A NEW HOME FOR NORTH LONDON MASONS .

TT was with pleasure that we recently responded to an invitation to inspect the magnificent premises of Messrs . Beale , which have a frontage in Holloway Road of 40 feet , and in the Tollington Road of 22 feet . In addition to the 22 feet in Tollington Road , Messrs . Beale own Nos . 2 , 4 , and 6 of the same road , whioh cover another 60 feet . These houses are now occupied by Mr . Beale ' a

sons and assistants ; the space is , however , available at any time for extension purposes , and wo have no donbt there will shortly be a necessity in this direction . On arriving we were taken in hand by Mr . Beale himself , and after carefully examining tbe different kinds of articles to be seen in his shops , such as cakes , jams , all kinds of biscuits , preserves , jelly , ices , hams , butter , cheese , and , in fact ,

every kind of eatable that could be imagined , we were taken down to the basement which leads out under the Tollington Road . Here we found avery description of wines and spirits of the finest quality ; the beer cellar and cold rooms are also in the basement , facing the Holloway Road . We were then taken upstairs to the daily diningroom , which looks out upon the Holloway Road . In this room

Messrs . Beale supply all kinds of dinners , while the grill , whioh ia at one end of the room , is kept separate by means of curtains . This room can be converted in a few minntes into a buffet and lounge , and is used as such on tha occasion of dances , & o . On this floor ia also a ladies room , and what is , perhaps , of more interest to outreaders , a magnificent large hall , capable of accommodating

a hundred and twenty persona at one time . Messrs . Beale have evidently been at great pains to make this hall as handsome as possible ; the decorations are of tha most costly description , tho appointments appropriate , aud tho whole fitted up in a way that does great credit to the proprietors . As Sir . Beale states , this hall would make a capital Lodge and banqueting room , with the suite of rooms

on the same floor as ante-rooms , and in this we concur . The proprietors have also secured a magnificent Masonic carpet to cover the whole floor , whioh adds considerably to the aspect of the room . We next come to the lavatories , which are built outside tho main building ; thence to tho bil ; ard and smoking room , which ia handsomely fitted up , and ci mtnands a pleasant outlook on tha

Camdon Road . On the next iloor , entrance to the gallery in the large hall is to be obtained , » hile the kitchen , pastry-cook's room , larder , stores , scullery , cir . kitchen , and pantry are also close at hand . In these rooms we c , > . w delicacies of every description in course of preparation , whilst , the making of wedding-cakes was also proceeding . Tho icery is situated on the roof of the main building .

We may add that tbe corridors and stairs are all tiled , and present a clean and bright apperance . We next come to the bakery and electric lighting machinery , and here is to bo seen the only bakery in London that ia worked entirely by electricity . The flour is lifted from the ground to the store and mixing rooms , then converted into dough flour , peel , and butter

are also mixed ; whilst even tbe eggs are beaten by tho same electrical power . Messrs . Beale have a large bread trade , and it was most interesting to sao the different kinds of loaf in course of preparation by the aid of electricity . Wedding breakfasts , private parties , dinners , & c , are also supplied to all parts of London by this enterprising firm ' .

On returning to our starting point , Mr . Beale invited us to inspect the cafe , and hare we found that everything one could desire might bo procured at a small cost . During the two years since Messrs . Beale made theso vast alterations their business has been increasing , and now we find their establishment one of the most flourishing in

London . We may mention that ths electric light is laid on all over tho buildings . In conclusion , should brethren require a new home in North London , we feel sure tbey could do worse than inspect the premises so connvonietly situoted in tlie Holloway Road .

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