Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

The Band of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys was in attendance at an early hour , and wc think it probable that they would have been still earlier had the boys been allowed to carry out the arrangements for themselves . From information received from a thoroughly reliable source , we understand that the excitement amongst the lads at Wood Green on Tuesday morning was very considerable , and was only calmed down when the

private omnibus and team of four greys , packed inside and out with merry boys , each bearing an instrument ( of pleasure or torture according to the way it is used ) was fairly on its way in a brisk shower of rain . We don ' t suppose that , in view of a ride and visit to Croydon , the lads would have minded much if it had rained all the way . But it did not ; the morning became gradually fine and warm , and on the whole , all those who drove

down had a fairly pleasant time of it . As the brethren and their friendsincluding a goodly show of wives and daughters , sisters , and those " nearer ones still and dearer ones yet than all others , " as Tom Hood called sweethearts—arrived , the visiting among the inhabitants began , and welcoming smiles were seen and kindly greetings were heard on all sides . By two o ' clock all were ready for luncheon , and Bro . Raynham

Stewart took his place as President at the luncheon table , where he remained most cordially welcoming all comers , while Bro . Terry , Mrs . Terry , and Bro . Mason were most hospitably engaged at the other ends of the tables , seeing that none went empty away . Tlte'Tiand of Hopefuls—good lads—had been regaled previously . They had breakfasted al 7 . 30 , so that it is not surprising that at one o ' clock they

were prepared to demolish four joints of meat and ask for more . The . worthy doctor thought it injudicious to feed them so well , not that he begrudged them their enjoyment ( "tuck , " we believe , is the scholastic term ) , but it being a band of wind instruments , a generous feed he thought likely to impair ' the blowing powers of the performers . We can , however , certify that even in this respect no harm was done . We never heard the band of the

Boys' School to belter advantage . Under the guidance of their excellent bandmaster they went through a varied programme , including selections from the pretty music of " Patience , " much to the gratification of the company , who , with the inhabitants—amongst whom there is considerable musical skill—were unanimous in their praises .

During the progress of luncheon , Bro . RAYNHAM W . STEWART proposed first , of course , "The Health of the Oueen , " and then " The Health of the Stewards of the late Festival , " coupling therewith the names of Bro . Clarke , as President of the Board of Stewards , and Bro . Terry , as Secretary of the Institution .

In responding , Bro . CLARKE said that on the last occasion when he had the pleasure of addressing thein it was uncertain whether the festival would be a success or not , but he had had the great pleasure of finding that it did prove a most genuine success , and that the large sum of £ 12 , 600 had been collected on that occasion by the kindness and liberality of the brethren , and , therefore , he felt bound to thank his colleagues on the Board for their

co-operation , and the brethren generally for the warm support which the Board had received . Bro . TERRY said he thanked the ladies and brethren for their attendance this day , more especially as it afforded them an opportunity of witnessing the happiness and comfort enjoyed by the residents in the Institution , and enabled the Committee to evince to them in some measure their gratitude

for the Stewards' exertions at the late festival , which had materially benefited the funds of the Institution to the amount of £ 12 , 600 . One great object the Committee had in view in inviting the Stewards lo this friendly meeting was that they should see the building , and perhaps be induced upon another occasion to undertake the office of Stewards .

" The Health of Bro . Bowyer , the Treasurer of the late Board of Stewards , " was also proposed , to which Bro . BOWYER made a suitable reply . Bro . RAYNHAM STEWART said there was one other toast which he should be failing in his duty if he did not propose . They were deeply indebted to Dr . Strong for the kind care and attention which he gave to the inmates in

seeing after their bodily health . It must be borne in mind that this was a more serious charge than if the residents were young , and possessed the recuperating powers of youthful bodies ; the ailments lie had to attend to gave more anxiety than attacks of measles and suchlike ailments of childhood ; and the Committee fully appreciated the unfailing interest which Dr . Strong look in the Institution and in the welfare of its inhabitants .

Dr . STRONG said that he was glad lo feel that the services that were from time to time required of him , availed to preserve his patients in that institution in health . He took great interest in the Benevolent Institution , and was always ready to do all in his power to relieve the bodily sufferings of the residents , and to promote their comfort .

After luncheon the company again strolled about the grounds , listened to the performances of the band , and engaged in friendly chat with the residents . There seemed to be but one opinion—that the work done by this Institution was thoroughly well done ; that the Institution itself was thoroughly Masonic ; and that its functions were an addendum to those so usefully performed by the Lodge of Benevolence .

Among those present were : Bros . Wm . Goulden , P . M . 163 S ; R . C . Cummings , 1 O 77 ; j . Robertson , 163 S ; XV . Vincent , P . M . 1194 ; J . J . Pope , P . M . 1194 ; J . Storey , P . M . " 1107 , P . Sup . Wks . Kent ; R . S . Smith , S . W . 13 ; G . T . Bickerton , P . M . 1329 j . J . H . VVatts , W . M . C 3 and P . M . 1201 ; J . Bailton . W . M . 105 G ; M . Christian , SGo ; W . H , Perryman , P . M . 3 ; R . J . Voisy , P . M . 1641 ; B . J . Taylor , P . M . 144 ; J . Taylor , P . M , 101 ; E . F . Storr , P . M . 22 ; J . J . Berry , P . M . 554 ; T . Meekham , P . M . 12 SS ; H . J ,

Strong , M . D . Hon . Surg , to the Institution ; Ed . Bye , 141 ; Thos . Cubitt , P . G . P . ; Mrs . W . Calmer ; Mrs . J . Constable , Miss Constable , Bro . B . Turner , P . M ., 132 S , and Mrs . Turner ; Bro . H . E . Frances , 1119 , and Mrs . Frances ; Bro . Wm . Marsh , and Mrs . Marsh , Miss Bawtree and Miss Marsh ; Bros . Magnus Ohren , P . M . 33 , 452 , 1 G 01 , P . G . VV . Surrey , and P . Asst . G . D . & c , England ; Jno . Finch , P . M . 173 ; W . F . Rogers , W . M . 704 ; J . Roberts , Raynham XV . Stewart , Edgar Bowyer , j . Driscoll , G . C . Padel , P . M . 1 G 11 , 23 G , P . P . G . O ., N . and E . Yorks ; J . L . Driscoll , C . J . Percival , R . A . ; W . Briggs , H . A . Taylor , F . Crocker , and E . C . Massey ( Freemason ) .

Bro. Hughan's Objections To The "Sydney Freemason " And Its Report.

BRO . HUGHAN'S OBJECTIONS TO THE "SYDNEY FREEMASON " AND ITS REPORT .

We rejoice lo communicate to our readers the remarks of our Bro . W . J . Hughan which follow , with reference specially to the so-called Grand Lodge of New South Wales . It seems , as we felt sure from the first , that the alleged passage does not correctly represent Hie views of our distinguished brother .

By a deliberate garbling of his paper , apparently at Sydney , ^ as sent to the Voice of Masonry , and which we cannot sufficientl y stigmatize at , a most unworthy and unMasonic proceeding , our excellent brother is made to say in the Sydney Freemason

Bro. Hughan's Objections To The "Sydney Freemason " And Its Report.

that which he never did say , or ever intended to say . So great is the influence of Bro . Hughan ' s name and opinion in the Colonies , that we thought it better to have such a statement contradicted officially at once , and we are glad to print Bro . Hughan ' s reply and explanation here "in extenso . " The only fault we committed was not to have remembered that these very words had it seems previousl y appeared in our own columnsbut fearing

, the effect of such a passage on our brethren in New South Wales and elsewhere , unless promptly contradicted , wc assumed , in which we are mistaken alas , that a professedl y Masonic paper was giving a true and correct version , the more so , as preceding the passage to which we called attention , the editor of the Sydney Freemason had printed in a "leader" the words which follow :

We will start near London , and though it suits our worthy confrere of the London f reemason to indite a paragraph and give it prominence re the recognition of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales , what can be the reason that one of the leading and cleverest of its contributors has to forward his opinion to another journal re recognition of Colonial Grand Lodges . We refer to Bro . Hughan , than whom the Freemason

has not his equal as a contributor . We quote his own words , and only wish the limits of this article would allow us to give it in its entirety . The article on Grand Lodge recognition abounds in so many salient points , to which we must hereafter refer , that at present the main one will suffice , bro . William James Hughan , P . S . G . D ., & c , of Grand Lodge of England , whose opinion , we think , will rank second to none in the Masonic world at the present day , ' says . "

_ Our readers will easily understand our anxiety that there should be no mistake , though , at the same time , we equally felt sure that Bro . Hughan ' s words would be explained . We now call our readers' attention to Bro . Hughan ' s own words : , v " ! T l \ a little starlIed l ° read the leader in the Freemason ( England ) , of the 29 th April , especially as it virtuallcalls me to

y upon retract a portion of my article on the " Formation of Grand Lodges , " which appeared in the same paper for March 25 th , 1 SS 2 . There is nothing in the article which calls for my retractation , as a member of the Grand Lodge of England , and if the Editor will peruse it for himself , he will be quite as ready to express the same opinion . It recently appeared in the Voice of

Masonry , Chicago , U . S . A ., lor January , 1 SS 2 , in which magazine I have often written , and did so before the Freemason was started . I do not confine my contributions to any one paper , neither does the Editor of the Freemason , and from time to lime he has paid me the compliment to reprint articles from my pen , which have appeared in other papers . He did sn in

this instance , and as herein described . The article which formed the basis of theleader in theS yduey Freemason appeared in IbcVoicc , and areprint in the English Freemason . Where the Editor of the former got his garbled account that is printed m the Sydney Freemason I know not , but I do know that it is a false report of what f wrote on the subject , and contains such alterations

as prove it was wilfully fabricated , but by whom I cannot tell . To demonstrate that I am not overstating the case , I append the extract referred to , and the portion affected , which is to be found in the Voice , January , 188 > , and the Freemason , March 25 th , 1 SS 2 . Surely such an unwarrantable alteration is as unmasonic as it is wholly unworthy and shameful in character .

" Sydney Freemason , as reported in Freemason , 29 th April , 1882 . " ' My impression is that when a Grand Lodge has been formed for several years , and has a fine future before it of usefulness and prosperity , as is the case in our colonies ( Quebec and New South Wales ) , that all subordinate lodges would do well to join it , and heartily and unitedly ' fall into hue , and anyway , as far as we can judge , it is but a question of time' & c .

, " Voice of Masonry and the Freemason .. " ' My impression is that when a Grand Lodge has been formed for several years , and has such a fine future before it of usefulness and prosperity as the Grand Lodge of Quebec , that all subordinate lodges would do well to join it , and heartily and invitedly ' fall into line , ' according to the prayer of our good brother Bro . Dr . Graham , the esteemed and learned Grand Master

of that energetic body . Of course , if they wish to continue under their parent Grand Lodge , well let them * Why not ? They have the Masonic right so to do , and any way so far as we can judge , it is but a question of time . ' " As to my running counter to the Grand Registrar , and his decision respecting the so-called Grand Lodge of New South Wales , I am pleased to

state that there is abundant evidence in the Freemason to prove the contrary , and that even my objections to the formation of this pseudo-Grand Lodge were urged , on Masonic grounds , prior to the decision of the Grand Registrar being made known . In the Freemason for June nth , 1881 , I wrote as follows :

"' I hat a Grand Lodge , or one so-called , as that of New South Wales , should issue such nonsense as their " proceedings , " as the extract given in the Freemason ( May 25 th , 1 SS 1 ) , is much to be deplored . I am glad the Editor has exposed the hollow ground , on which the secession of New South Wales is based . '

"Added to which , my article in the Voice of Masonry for January this year is quite in antagonism to the claims of this New South Wales organisation , as I seek to promote the only fair basis ( as it appears to me ) on which new Grand Lodges can be established , either in our Colonies , or elsewhere , viz . .

" h majority of the lodges and members must agree lo the formation of a Grand Lodge in their state , province , territory , or country . " 2 . The minority objecting , to be entitled to the privileges they enjoyed previously . J J

" 3 . On formation of the new Grand Lodge , no new warrants to be granted by any other Grand Lodge . " 4 . Recognition by other Grand Lod ges to be subject to theseconditions . " 5 . Ihe new Grand Lodge only to be sovereign , when all the subordinate lodges have joined , then to have exclusive jurisdiction .

I submit that this suggested platform , whilst it directly favours and upholds the legality of such Grand Lodges as Canada , Ouebcc , Nova Scotia & c „ entirely refuses the claim of New South Wales ( whTch has been so ably answered by our Grand Registrar before the Grand Lodge of England . " I am glad also to say that in several respects these points have the approval of the Editors of the Voice and Keystone , and I really think thev deserve the supporl and adhesion of all concerned .

I trust that the Editor of the Freemason , with his uniform fairness , will give my objections to the leader of the Sydney Freemason , as much prominence and publicity as the false report of my article has already obtained from that paper . « WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN . "

* i-e . The English Lodges in Montreal , who are under the Grand Lodge of England See also the f reemason , November 5 th , 1 SS 1 , for a letter by me on the subject , and its support by the Editor , 12 th November . ISSI .