Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

Bro . Henry Smith did not know how this motion got on the agenda paper , for it ought never to have been there at all . When Dr . Morris retired he was satisfied with the gratuity he got , and the Institution ought not to cntortain any idea as that suggested by Major Durrant . The

Chairman said the notice was in order , whether Dr . Morris was now Head Master or not . It was entirely competent for a member of the Court to move that Dr . Morris bo granted somothing in recognition of his past services . Tho question of the propriety or not of granting it was a different

matter . Dr . Morris bad signed a receipt in full of all demands . This ought to be stated to the Court , that thoy might judge and determine whether a further gratuity bo granted . Bro . Binckes , by request , read the following receipt : —

Received of the Provisional Committee of the Royal MaBonio Institution for Boys , the sum of £ 255 ia settlement of all my claims and demands upon the Institution . ( Signed ) RICHARD MORRIS . 31 st December 18 S 9 .

Witness , GEORGE CORBLE . Bro . W . H . Saunders said he secondod tbe motion of Bro . Durrant as a matter of grace . He also had given a notice of motion , in consequence of the vast improvement in the educational condition of tbe School , but his notice was not

put before the brethren . No man had worked harder for the Boys' School than Dr . Morris , and no institution could show a master of greater position in the educational world . Brother Brackstone Baker P . G . D . said it appeared to him that this was an appeal ad misericordium , but he could not

reconcile such an appeal with the position just confirmed , taken up with respect to Bro . Binckes . A Brother said it had been announced by the Secretary reading Dr . Morris ' receipt that £ 255 was paid to Dr . Morris . How much of this was salary due ? Bro . Henry Smith : None

whatever . Bro . Richard Eve would make a statement . The receipt that had been read was for £ 255 , in settlement of all claims by Dr . Morris , he having been paid his salary due to the ^ end of last year . He ( Bro . Eve ) was one of the Committee appointed to meet Dr . Morris in reference to his

claim . They proposed £ 500 in lien of everything , salary and all . The General Committee did not accept it . No doubt the friends of Dr . Morris thought he ought to get more . Thoy conferred with Dr . Morris on his strict legal rights , and they found that he was entitled to six months' notice .

Three months of the notice had expired , and he was entitled to something in lien of salary and house rent for tho other three months . But instead of taking that narrow view , they gave him , in addition to his full salary to Christmas , £ 255 . They told

him that it was moro than they considered be was legally entitled to , but , if he would give them a receipt in full of all claims ho might think ho had upon the Institution , they would give him that amount , and thoy did not anticipate there would be any further objection to it .

Tho motion wa 3 rejected . Bro . E . V . Greatbatcb , Life Governor , said that in face of what Bro . Eve had said , and the decision coins to with regard to the pension to Brothor Binckes , he would not persevere with the motion standing

in his name . It had been amicably settled between West Yorkshire and Staffordshire , both of which Provinces had consulted together , and they had agreed to guarantee the whole sum that was required from tho Provinces . But he would persevere with his motion No . 4 : —

1 . " That in Law , No . 35 , pago 9 , in the Book of Laws , tho words ' elect , suspend or remove tho Secretary' bo rescinded . " as that had reference to the election of the new Secretary . Some of the brethren , from the remarks they had made that afternoon , seemed to have overlooked the fact that the

appointment of the Secretary under the existing laws was vested in tho General Committee and tbe Life Governors , who were spread all over the country , and consisted of Ladies and Lewises , who knew nothing of the duties of the office or of anything else , except paying

their own subscriptions . His proposition was that this rule shonld be rescinded , and that the appointment of a new Secretary should be vested in the Provisional Committee , who had appointed every one else in connection with the Institution , and in whose hands the position of

the Institution now stood , and they had done their duty in a way that was perfectly satisfactory . He knew in his own Province they had decided to adopt the candidature of one person , and there was no one of the electors who kuow him or anything of him except his testimonials , and no one of them knew tbe duties the Secretary had to per-

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

form . It was decided to support him because he was proposed by tho prominent men in tbe town . They wcro asked to support men thoy knew nothing of , and could know nothing , except by their testimonials . The Provisional Committee , who knew the requirements of tho Institution ,

and who knew what was wanted of tho man who was appointed Secretary , could go behind the testimonials , and see what the man ' s real worth was . It was a time when all officials had to have the confidence of those who wero governing the Institution , and whilo the Provisional

Committee had been governing the Institution they bad bad a very good opportunity of doing so properly since last July . They ought to know everything that was required , and they ought to be put in a position to see the candidates , and select the best man that could be got . Tho present mode of

voting was not conducive of getting the beat man that could bo got , and in the interests of the Institution he had to proposo the resolution which was sot in his name . It might bo said that this could not have effect for many months , and it would be better to have a man that

could do the Institution good rather than get a man elected who might be of little or no value to the Institution . The Provisional Committee took charge of the Institution ; if they thought it desirable they could take preliminary steps so as to secure the election of

Secretary immediately after thrse resolutions were confirmed , if they were confirmed . In the interests of the Institution he hoped the best man might be got , and not obtain a man who was voted for simply because he was a friend . Bro . Tunnicliffe seconded the motion . Bro . Eve

suggested that it should be "Provisional or General Committee . " Bro . J . H . Hawkins said one member of the Provisional Committee was chairman of the Committee of one of the candidates , and this statement called forth

some contradictory remarks . Bro . Henry Smith was in favour of leaving the appointment in the hands of the Provisional Committee . Eventually Bro . Greatbach'a motive was negatived . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

The course of study at Wood Green has been resumed this week . Most of tho lads returned from their holidays on Tuesday last , when they were formally received by members of the Provisional Committee and Dr . Hebb , the Head Master . During the vacation , several important

alterations as regards the arrangement of class rooms have been effected , and in order that every effort to successfully inaugurate the new regime should be mado , oven the small proportion of lads ( this year fourteen ) who usually remain at the School during tho recess have had accommodation

found for them away from the School . It will be in tho recollection of many of our readers that , two yoar 8 back , when the epidomic of scarlet fever doveloped itself at Wood Green , a convalescent homo waa secured for the lads from Wood Green at Southend , where tho bracing air

and invigorating ozone gave them a " finishing touch , " and sent them back to their studies in full vigour . Tho Provisional Committee—who , despite the complaints made against their predecessors in regard to reckless expenditure in the past , are not niggardly in regard to what they

undertake—decided to send the lads to whom reference has been made to Southend , in order that they might have the full benefit of the change of air . As a consequence , theso lads declare they have had a fine time of it , and this wo can readily endorse . Southend is a well-sustained hotbed

of Freemasonry ; the brethren here are not half-hearted or perfunctory in what they undertake . The " round thousand " Lodge granted a sum of money towards tbe special ontertainment of the " poor scholars , " while our good friend Capt . W . Phillips placed his services and those of

his medical staff at the disposal of the Provisional Committee , should any of tbe pupils require their aid . Bro . Berry placed a field for football at their disposal ; Bro . Bowmaker ( proprietor of tho Alexandra Theatre ) gave them the privilege of entry to bis establishment on the

occasion of special entertainments . Bros . Ahlfeldt , Crawford and others also interested themselves . Bro . Crawford provided a break , and took the youngers for a long drive . He also provided a " high tea " for them . Altogether our boy 3 will have a lively recollection of Southend and their friends there .

Ad00502

FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended in London and Country , by Bro . Or . A . HUTTOJS " , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W , C . Monuments erected . Valuations made .