Royal, Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL , MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

Thc October Quarterl y Court of the Governors and subscribers of this Institution vvas held on Monday , at Freemasons' Tavern . Colonel Creaton , Grand Treasurer , Vice-Patron and Trustee , prc .-ided , and among the brethren present were Bros . Raynham W . Stewart , Henry Smith

( West Yorkshire ) , John Wordsworth , Robert B . Webster , J . L . Hine , W . H . B . Tomlinson , Thomas Ruddock , A . H . Tattershall , W . H . Perryman , Charles Godtschalk , S . Rawson , Don . M . Dewar , John Bodenham , H . A . Dubois , William Stephens , WilliaTi Hale , H . Hacker , A . Pratt , William Roebuck , John Thompson , George W . Dixon , R . C . Spaull , W . H . Bowden , F . H . L Barish , H . Cox ,

W . A . Barrett , II . T . Bartlett , J . Vaughan , W . Hickman , J . E . Le Feuvre , Thomas Meggy , Joyce Murray , James Hodges , F . H . Cox , J . P . Platt / Hy . C . Burt , W . Douglas Dugdale , George Everett , Edward Clark , Arthur E . Gladwell , Hyde Pullen , Frank H . Celli , John Alfred Pitman , F . Binckes ( Sec ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . Bro . Binckes having read the notice convening the

meeting , thc minut-s were read to the brethren and confirmed . Bro . Thomas Meggy , Past Grand Steward , Vice-Patron , then moved , pursuant to notice , "That a Committee b .- appointed to consider the manner in which the scrutiny of the votes shall be made , both for the election of candidates ancl for other purposes , and to report to the next General Court . " He said it vvas probably in the minds of the

brethren that several times mistakes hacl been found in the returns ot the Scrutineers of votes at elections , and when a further scrutiny of the votes had been demanded it had been proved to have been justified by the first return proving inaccurate . The mistakes had occurred quite unintentionally , but still they proved that there must be something wrong in thc system , whether in the casting ofthe

votes , or the checking of the votes , or the way in which the Scrutineers were appointed . Whatever the defect was , if the question were submitted to a Committee , that Committee would find out where thc fault lay , and probably would suggest a better mode of conducting thc scrutiny of votes . For this reason he moved that a Committee be appointed .

Bro . 1 hompson seconded the motion . Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C , said he thought there vvas great objection to this motion being now brought forward in the Bovs'School . At thc meeting of the Girls ' School on Saturday , a similar motion by Bro . Meggy vvas rejected , and if the brethren were to carry a resolution now which had been rejected in the Girls' School , it would

seem to be a reflection on the Scrutineers of the votes in the Boys' School . He objected to having two different modes of treatment in thc two Institutions . If there was to be an enquiry as to the Scrutineers it must be for all the Chanties , and not for one Chirily oniy . Vie bt-gged to move as an nim-iidnicnt that the million be rejected . J ' ro . Kaynliam W . Stewart , P . G . D ., seconded the

amendment . From what he knew of the scrutinies for many years , they had been most honestly , carefully , and fairly conducted . Ttiere was not a suspicion on the Scrutineers , and even in this motion of Bro . Meggy's there was no question of improper conduct . Bro . Thomas Meggy : Certainly not .

Bro . A . J . D . Filer , P . G . S . 11 ., said he was not behind the scenes in this matter , but he was present on Siturday when the same motion was brought forward and rejected by a small majority . The motion might be brought on again at the next meeting of the Girls' School , and Ihe best way would bc for the same motion in thc Boys ' School to stand over till after that .

Bro . A . II . lattcrsfmll thought that parties bringing forward such a resolution should be agreeable to acting as Scrutineers themselves . If they would come and see how the work was done they would find no fault with it . The way thc work was clone on Saturday at the Giils' School election vvas a fair specimen of the way it vvas generall y done . Of course mistakes would sometimes occur—it

was unavoidable ; but it frequently aros-- from some brethren being chosen as S-rutincers who were not used to the work . He thought that on Saturday there was no objection raised . Bro . Thomas Meggy , in reply to an observation of Bro . Tatt--shall , said he had beeu a Scrutineer , anel it was in consequence of having been a Scrutineer that he brought

forward this motion . The motion was then put and lost by an overwhelming majority . The next motiem was one by Bro . C . F . Matier , " That in Law 53 , line 3 , afrer thc word ' seven , ' the word ' consecutive' be omitted , " the effect of the motion being that if a candidate ' s father has subscribed to one or other of

the Masonic Institutions seven years in all , the candidate shall be eligible , rendering it unnecessary that the subscription should have been for seven consecutive years . Bro . Bincke-s said no doubt it would be : in thc recollection of the brethren and other members of tbe Court that this question vvas discussed at the last Court , as also at the Court of the Girk' School . In the case of the Girls '

School it vvas resolved to erase the word "consecutive . " On thc following Monday the Court of thc Boys' School retained the word " consecutive , " therefore the laws of the two Institutions as they nt prefent stood differed in this respect . In the Girls' School il was " seven years , " in Ihe Hoys' School " seven consecutive years . " Bro . Matier had p-hen notice of nioti'in to eliminate thc word "

consecutive , " but he . wns net able lo be present , ancl wrote from Glasgow that Bio . Dr . Woodford would make the mullein for liim . Iiro . the ll .-v . A . I ' . A . Woodford , P . G . C , said he was very unwilling to trespass again on the- time of the meetice ' , c , but as lie hacl promised Bro . Matier to second the 111 . lion when it came on he would now explain the reason erf the motion without going into the whole question of the

Royal, Masonic Institution For Boys.

object of it . It was brought forward now for the purpose of assimilating the laws of the two Institutions . At present there were two systems in existence , and that was clearly net an advisable state of things . Under those circumstances , whatever opinions the brethren mi ght entertain on the question of aggregate or consecutive subscriptions , the motion was now brought forward for the

sake of uniformity . He begged to move that the word " consecutive " be omitted , so that the systems of the two Institutions would be harmonious . Bro . It . B . Webster seconded the motion . Bro . Henry Hacker said a Committee might be appointed to revise thc bye-laws . Some subscribers might feel that

seven consecutive years should still be the rule . Would it not be better that notice of motion should be given in the other Institution to alter the laws of the Girls' School so as to make it " consecutive ?" Bro . Col . Creaton said the motion at present was whether the word " consecutive " should stand . It had been struck out of the laws in the . Girls' School .

Bro . W . Roebuck moved that the word remain . It was quite right that the rules of the two Institutions should be the same ; but in this particular instance thc case of the two Institutions vvas different . There were more candidates for the Boys' School than there were for the Girls . In the Boys' School there were seventy-seven candidates and only sixteen to be elected , whereas on Saturday in

the Girls School there were only forty-eight candidates and eighteen to be elected . It had been found that there were many Masons who belonged to a lodge only for four or five years , and attended no lodge at all for years before they died . Their children were put up for the Institutions , and very often they pushed out the children of the thoroughly energetic Mason .

Bro . J . Joyce Murray seconded thc amendment . Bro . Binckes said no amendment was necessary . The motion only required to be met with a direct affirmative or negative . Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford observed that with reference to the remark of Bro . Roebuck , as to the list of candidates for the Boys' School being larger than the

Girls , it was not a " sequitur . " There had been times when the Girls' list was the longer of the two , and there was no reason why it should not be so again . Bro . Roebuck ' s argument , therefore , was not of any great weight . But the great argument was that one system of " qualification " should prevail for our two educational charities . The motion was carried by thirty-six votes against

seventeen . Bro . James A . Birch , East Lancashire , moved a proposed alteration of Rule 71 , sub-section 2 , to read as follows : — " The election and removal of the Secretary shall be vested in the General Committee ; the voting to be by balloting papers duly forwarded to each qualified member not less than ( outtcew davs btlure . the date oi election ; such

balloting papers must be signed by the party entitled thereto , nnd may be presented by a member of the General Committee , on his or her behalf , at the time of the election . " He said it was probably superfluous for him to adduce again thc arguments he brought forward at the Quarterl y Court of thc Girls' School on Saturd ly , especially as thc Boys ' Court was composed of very nearly the same members as

were present at the Court of the Girls' Institution when the icsolution was adopted . Those Masons who resided at considerable distances from Freemasons' HaU thought that thc election of Secretary when it did take place should le conducted in thc same manner as the election of candidates for admission to the School , by balloting papers . After having bv * donations to the Institution acquired the

privileges of a Life Governor , they felt it was a hardship upon them that , in order to exercise one of those privileges , they should be put to the expense of a journey which involved an outlay of £ 5 perhaps , and the loss of two days' time , which to many of them was a very serious consideration . By the present law the country brethren were partly disfranchised unless they chose to incur

this additional tax , and thc election of Secretary , if it should occur , would be vested in those brethren who resided in close proximity to Freemasons' Hall . He did not know that he had anything more to say . The brethren did him the honour to adopt this resolution on Saturday . If he might say without appearing obtrusive , he would mention that if they conferred on the provinces the

privilege he asked the Province of East Lancashire trusted it would be many years to come before they had to exercise it in this School . The eloquent advocacy of Bro . Binckes on behalf of this Institution had not only tended to diffuse the privileges of this School alone , but also to promote the prosperity of the other Institutions , by awakening in the breasts of the brethren those feelings which led them

to support thc Masonic Charities . The brethren trusted it would be many years before he was removed by any cause from the office of Secretary of the Boys' School , because they believed that he sincerely sympathised with the afflictions of the fatherless and widows , and there vvas no more eloquent or able brother to plead their cause . He hoped that this Quarterly Court of the Boys' School would not

be more indifferent to the wishes of the provincial brethren than the Court of the Girls' School on Saturday , but that they would adopt this resolution , and so assimilate thc laws of thc two Institutions . Bro . Ruddock seconded the motion . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D ., while agreeing with the remarks of Bro . Birch in reference to Bro . Binckes , thought that after a large Committee hacl

decided , after due consideration on the l . \ w as it at present stood , it was inexpedient to make any alteration . Bro . W . Roebuck agreed with Bro . Raynham W . Stewart . Bro . Henry Smith , Provincial Grand Secretary West Yorkshire * , supported Bro . Birch , and trusted that the Court would do what the Court of the Girls' School did on Saturday . If the principle asked for was granted lo thc provinces , they would exercise it with great caution . There

Royal, Masonic Institution For Boys.

need be no fear or doubt as to their supporting a proper person . They ceitainly thought they had a right to the privilege . They did not ask for any new favour . If the London brethren would be generous they would take nothing from themselves , while they would be giving a great deal to the provinces . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart enquired what would be thc

expense of sending out balloting papers . Bro . Binckes said the postage would be about £ 15 , anel the printing £ 10 . If he mi ght endorse the good wishes expressed by Bro . Birch , he would add that this expense would not occur every year . ( Laughter and cheers . ) He had held the office himself twenty-five years , and his predecessor held it thirty-seven years . He did not think the

question of the expense of printing and postage ought to influence the question at all . Bro . James A . Birch , in reply , said if thc brethren did not pass his resolution , the laws of the two Schools would not be assimilated . The benefits of these Institutions were not restricted to any locality , and really the interest which

was felt in these Charities ought to be co-extensive with the benefits conferred . The provincial brethren were anxious to exercise thc little influence they possessed without the additional tax he had tefened to , and to exercise that influence for the best interests of this Institution . The motion was carried by thirty-eight E gainst ten votes .

Thc brethren then proceeded to thc election of sixteen boys , by ballot from a list ol seventy-seven approved candidates . At five o ' clock the Scrutineers of votes , of whi .-h Bro . R . B . Webster was chairman , made the following report : — SUCCESSFUL . 43 Stone , Percy Herbert ... ... ... 1 S 13 60 Johnson , John Charles ... .... ... 17- * +

45 Garstin , Paul Belmore ... ... ... 16 97 21 Beckett , Ernest George ... ... ... 1 ( 133 3 Wait , Emanuel ... ... ... 1 OV 56 Healey , William Henry ... ... ... 1603 20 Hounslow , Herbert Rich ... ... 1568 52 Aspden , Albert Grice ... ... ... 155- ; 54 Godfrey , Frederick F . ... ... ... 1528

2 Wilkinson , Percy Charles ... ... 1323 30 Wagstaff , Charles C . ... ... ... 1519 58 Young , John Alfred ... ... ... 1510 23 Henderson , J ohn ... ... ... 1504 49 Murgatroyd , John Roebuck ... ... 1474 16 Bazley , William Henry ... ... ... 146 7 5 Allin , Charles James Fox ... ... 1 457

UNSUCCESSFUL . 24 Thomas , John M . Alex . ... ... 145 ( 1 7 Parker , George Shadwell ... ... 1440 9 S . ralding , Edmund Purcell ... ... 1 44 . I 29 Colbeck , Frank ... ... ... 1413 22 Norrish , Herbert ... ... ... 1273 18 ftrooVs , George Beitie ... ... ... 108 9

10 Black , William ... .. ... 107 ; 42 Seddon , James Albert ... ... ... 10 : 6 02 Moore , Ernest Stambler ... ... 78-, 6 Barclay , Hemy G . Hackett ... ... 72 J 72 Gough , E . A . Brinsmead ... ... fi 2 _* 11 Scott , John Sheppard ... ... .,. 61 ; 19 Grave , Richard Arthur ... ... ... 592

27 Fellows , Herbert M . ... ... ... 591 3 8 Kennedy , Arthur James ... ... ... 48 . - ; 61 Smith , William Henry .. ... ... 428 17 Gauntlttt , George Fredk . ... ... 390 44 Shrapnel , A . E . Scrope ... ... ... 3 61 57 Saville , William James ... ... ... 35 6 ci Knott , Herbert Wilfred ... ... ... 3 : 1

32 Brown , Walter Boston ... ... ... 31 ( 1 55 Hobbs , Robert Norton ... ... ... 310 73 Gee , Arthur Alban ... ... ... 26 3 4 Ridpcth , Lovell Hope ... ... ... 253 15 Tracy , William ... ... ... 251 41 Coe , Albert Edward ... . . . ... 244 36 Unwin , Fras . Arthur ... ... ... 242

13 Marshall , Philhpson ... ... ... 223 6 9 Estlin , Charles Nathaniel ... ... 222 26 Wilton , Ernest Colville C . ... ... 206 30 Neville , Fredk . John ... ... ... 204 33 Fellows , Arthur ... ... ... 18 7 co Thomas , Frank Robert ... ... ... 1 S 2

64 Richardson , Sidney Wm . F . ... ... 180 25 Crane , Harry Samnel J . ... , „ 16 9 35 Goldsbrough , Jno . Tom ... . „ 16 5 48 Lee , Sidney Edward ... ... ... 153 76 Wilson , William Leslie ,.. ... ... 135 46 Woollens , Waker H . ... ... ... i " i 8 75 Gunnell , William Pearse ... ... 106

1 Cole , Alfred Thomas ... ... ... yi 74 Lucas , Edmund Charles . ... ... 88 28 Steinhaucr , George W .... ... ... 75 68 Ibbe , Robert Leigh ... ... ... 5 6 70 Watson , William Renwick ... ... 45

77 Frost , James Bray ... ... ... 41 6 5 Ball , Edward Thomas ... ... ... 27 59 Webb , Charles Edward ... ... ... 24 8 Bell , James Herbert ... ... ... 22 12 Gay , George John ... ... ... 18 14 Read , J ohn ... ... ... ... 4 66 Granger , Ernest Bloomer ... ... 4

71 Lovertdge , Sydney Earle ... ... 3 34 Barker , Arthur ... ... ... 2 31 Hawke , Edwin Ernest ... ... ... 1 67 Laing , Herbert Lawson ... ... ... 1 37 Foot , William Robert D . ... ... — 47 Mey , George ... ... ... ...

—S 3 Pike , William Thomas ... ... ... ¦ — 40 Pratt , Robt . Williamson ... ... ... ¦ — 6 3 Sparks , Albert Edward ... ... ... ¦ — Votes of thanks to the Scrutineers of votes , and to the Chairman of the day , Col . Creaton , terminated the proceedings .