The M.W. Grand Master At York.

The following Past Masters of lodges were present : Bros . W . Santon , 1040 ; F . Kawling , 236 ; J . Marshall , 393 ; J . A . Thorn t on , , 019 ; H . YVIialey , 1670 ; W . Wilson , 660 ; J . Winfindale , 643 ; M . Walmsley , 1337 ; J . Wheldon-, 1337 ; A . Balmforth , 779 ; H . YV . Wrigley , 149 ; J . Sowray , 660 ; ) . Johnson Field , 643 J . Sutcliffe , 12 S 3 ; M . Scott , 566 ; J . A . Barstow , 23 G ; I . " R . Dippie , 200 ; H . J Watson , 602 ; C . YVilkinson , 1235 ; VV . P . Shee , 120 ; j . YV . James , 957 ; J . Dodd ; i 3 go ; R . Gifford , 570 ; YV . Budd , 643 ; F . Creaser , 734 ; J . Hemingbrough , 14 S 2 ' . R . Radford , 779 ; J . Laughton , 422 ; C . F . Liversidge , 422 ; VV . Temple , 344 '

, J . Rhodes , , 24 s ; YYT . Milner , 734 ; T . J . Wilkinson , 1416 ; G . Taylor , , 6 iS ; J Fidlcr , 602 ; R . YV . Gibbs , 602 ; D . YV . Dixon , 161 S ; J . Swann , , 902 ; J . W . Smith ' 123 ; A . Arnold , , 121 ; YV . Nicholl , 317 ; R . Beevers , 57 ; H . Shaw , 521 ; G . Perkin » 3 S 0 ; YV . H . Steward , 3 S 0 ; YV . Peacock , 200 ; F . Thornton , 312 ; R . Leason , 1393 > G . C Lee , 1230 ; E . Balchin , 250 ; T . C . Lazenby , 297 ; J . Wyld , , 12 , ; T . Nicholson , 294 ; A . J . Green ; A . Haffner ; ] . M . Meek , 1379 ; andS . Reed , 312 . The following Worshipful Masters of lodges also attended , viz .: —Bros . YV . Gill , 602 ;

R . Bell , , 416 ; C Holloway , 472 ; E . Linck , 974 : G . Housham , 422 ; A . Temples , 344 ; R . Wood , 14 S 2 ; T . Dickinson , , 6 iS ; A . Parkinson , , 24 s ; VV . Stead , 1337 ; J . A . Thompson , 240 ; A . Winterbottom , 734 ; VV . B . Bellerby , 5615 . : G . H . Anderton , 630 ; H . Forden , 1010 ; P . R . Littleton , S 50 ; A . Verity , 3 S 0 ; J . Stonehouse , 7 64 ; G . Kirby 23 6 ; M . Millington , i 6 u ; E . J . De Salis , 199 , ; J . Calverley , 1211 ; R . YVood , , 2 S 3 : R . J . Smithson , 660 ; J . . '• 'heard , 2 C 4 ; J . Howcroft , 1244 ; J . Willing , junior , VV . j . Williams , 1 S 4 S ; E . T . Cheesman , 5 th Dragoons , YV . Cranswick , 643 ; H . T . Sortwell , 277 ; G . YV . Pickard , 1019 ; E . Watson , 1391 ; J . Bland , 731 .

Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , President , Bro . James Brett , Senior Vice-President , and Bro . Charles Atkins , Junior-Vice President , occupied the respective chairs of those offices . There were also present : Bros . YV . H . Perryman , P . M . 3 ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D .: Henrv Garrod , P . M . 719 : YV . Mann , 1 S 6 ; Lord Leigh , Prov . G . M-

Warwickshire ; Charles Dairy , P . M . 141 ; Thomas Cull , P . M . 144 * 5 ; J . MKlenck , P . M . 1339 ; C . E . Mitchell , P . M . 944 ; H . Dehane , [ . P . M . and W . M . 1 543 ; J . H . Taylor , YV . M . 1767 ; Alfred Bryant , W . M . 1237 ; J . Wilson , P . M . 1155 ; Capt . A . Nicols , YV . M . 1974 ; Charles A . Grammer , YV . M . 27 ; Francis Egan , P . M . 1694 ; l . YV . Thompson , W . M . 1695 ; Joseph House . W . M . 1716 ; Aug . Darch , P . M . 72 ; C . H . Cumberland , W . M . S 5 S ; A Marvin , W . M . 176 S ; T . YV . Ockenden , P . M . 1512 ; Walter Hopekirk , W . M . igS 5 ; and H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 192 S ( Freemason ) .

After the lodge had been opened the President before proceeding with Ihe business inlormed the brethren that a very large number of letters had been received at Grand Secretary ' s office from petitioners who were relieved at the former meeting , and from lodges recommending them , thanking the Lodge ol Benevolence for the grants made . The brethren first confirmed grants recommended at the last meeting to of 22

the amount of £ z ^ ° - The new list contained names applicants for relief . Of this list one petition was dismissed , and one was deferred on account of the non-attendance of the visiting brother . The remaining 20 petitioners were relieved with a total sum of £ 570 , which was made up as follows : One grant of £ 100 ( £ 100 ); two grants of £ 50 each (^ 100 ); one grant of £ 40 ( £ 40 ) ; four grants of £ 30 each ( . £ 120 ); three of £ 25 each ( £ 75 ) ; five of £ 20 each ( £ 100 ); three of £ 10 each ( £ 30 ); and one grant of £ 5 ( £ 5 ) - t , . 'Ihe lodge was then closed .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The July Quarterly Court of the Subscribers and Governors of this Institution was held last Saturday at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Lieut .-Colonel Creaton , Past Grand Treasurer , in the chair . There were also present Bros , the Rev . A . F . A . YY ' oodford , C . H . Webb , H . A . Dubois , Frederick Binckes , Henry Lovegrove , Robert Grey , John A . Rucker , C . Hammerton , Henry Smith , James Stevens , C . F . Matier , W . H . Saunders , E . Bowyer , George Allen , Edtvard Johnson , H . E . Dehane , F . R . \ V . Hedges ( Sec ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) .

The brethren having confirmed the minutes of the Court of 14 th April , declared eight vacancies for next election in October , lor which there are 32 candidates . The next business referred to the following report of the General

Committee : The General Committee reports to the Quarterly General Court that , in consequence of an intimation conveyed to the House Committee from the owner of the freehold land adjacent to the Institution—that he was about to offer for sale nine acres , or thereabouts , bounding two sides of its grounds , and that the lowest sum he would take for the whole , which he declined to divide , was at the rate of £ 4 , 000 per acre—Col . Creaton , with the concurrence of his colleagues , had obtained from him a promise that such land

should not be sold until the views and opinion of the General Court as to the advisability of acquiring the property for the Institution could be obtained . That taking into consideration the facts that the land , if sold to a third party , might be dealt with in a manner most prejudicial to the School , and that if purchased by the Institution a very considerable and valuable portion of it could be re-sold , this Committee consider the subject is one which should receive the fullest consideration at the hands of the governing body of the Institution .

Bro . H EDGES in reading for inlormation the following resolution passed at the last meeting of the General Committee : That the House Committee be authorised to obtain a report from Messrs . Clutton as to the value of Mr . Noel Whiting ' s land at Battersea , and the manner in which a portion of it could be disposed of , and submit the same to the General Court , stated that Bro . Ralp h Clutton had informed the House Committee that he could not be prepared with the report in time for to-day ' s meeting of the Court .

Col . CREATON , with reference to this report , said he thought before entering on the discussion of the business now coining before the brethren it would perhaps clear the air a little if he said a few words . It must not be thoug ht that the owner of this land was forcing it upon the Institution : it was quite the contrary , and fame about in this way . YVhen the Institution purchased half an acre of land some time ago Mr . Whiting promised him ( Col . Creaton ) that whenever the land was for disposal he would give this Institution the first refusal . That had been done . Both himself and the

House Committee thought it would be a very improper act on their part if they decided the matter without bringing it first before the Quarterly Court . That was the position of affairs . He had seen Mr . Whiting more than once as to the price , and Mr . Whiting said the price was £ 4000 an acre ; but in the event of the Institution purchasing it he would give £ 900 to the Institution . Mr . Whiting did not feel disposed to part with the land for less than £ 4000 an acre . He ( Col . Creaton ) asked him if he would be bound by the decision of any one as to the value , and he said certainly not ; that was his price . In that position affairs were left and it was now in the hands of the Court .

Bro . L ETCHWORTH thought that before the matter was gone into they had better be in order , by moving that the report of the General Committee be received .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Bro . ROBERT GREY , P . G . D ., Vice-Patron , thereupon moved "That the report or the General Committee with reference to the land offered for sale be received and considered , and such action taken thereon as shall be deemed advisable by the General Court . " Bro . W . H . SAUNDERS felt startled at such a price being named for land in such a nei ghbourhood . £ 4000 an acre seemed to him simply outrageous .

If the land at Wandsworth adjoining the institution was worth £ 4000 an acre did it not open the brethren ' s eyes to the importance of selling the Institution ' s property there and taking the Institution five or ten miles away where they could buy land at £ 15 an acre . The Court , as custodians of the moneys voted by the Craft , should very serio'isly consider how they should spend the money and be very careful about laying it out on property

adjoining the Institution . He should be very sorry to see public money spent—he would not say squandered—but spent in so broadcast a manner . Personally he felt a great interest in the Girls' School , and its remaining where it was . If this property was to be bought at a reasonable price , then he should say by all means buy it . But how Mr . Whiting could ask such a sum as £ 4000 from a charitable institution was to him surprising . If land he

at Wandsworth was worth ^ 4000 an acre would strongly advise the Committee to consider the propriety of doing what many other educational establishments , such as Charterhouse , had done—go further afield , obtain better air , where they could have more pupils ; for £ 15 an acre , within 25 miles of the City of London in the most charming spot that could be imagined . He only threw that out by the way . He thought the House

Committee should consider the matter , and he should feel only too happy to support them when he knew they had considered the various points and features of the case . He knew a spot near Chislehurst where there were 50 acres at £ 250 an acre , and every one was aware what a charming spot that was . There were other places near railway stations , where land was under £ 400 an acre within hal -an-hour ' s ride of London ; other places situated on a

range of hills , a most charming resort , £ 315 an acre . When they were dealing with other people ' s money all these circumstances should be taken into consideration . If the Institution sold its land at £ 4000 an acre , and went further afield , instead of having 230 girls in the School they might have 250 , or even more . He was entirely with the Committee if the price was a fair price , but it was not a fair price . It was a matter of life and death , but

he would ask the Chairman whether there was any power in the memorandum of constitution for the Institution to deal with land f Bro . Col . CREATON : No ; we have no power at all . We do not advise the purchase ; we simply bring the matter before you ; we have no feeling in the matter ; and I think you would have blamed us if we had allowed this to slip without letting you know .

Bro . SAUNDERS said he simply mentioned it . He thought they might tell Mr . Whiting what portion of the land they required ; he might put a price upon that . Bro . Col . CREATON could assure Bro . Saunders that Mr . Whiting would not budge . He offered the whole or none . Would Bro . Saunders make a motion .

Bro . SAUNDERS said he would move "That it is inexpedient to accept the offer of Mr . Noel Whiting . " Bro . J AMES STEVENS seconded . No one would object more to a change of site for the Institution than he . He knew the value of property in the neighbourhood in question . The frontages that would be made out of these nine acres of land could under no circumstances produce the money that

had been named . Other land in the neighbourhood in a better situation had sold for £ 2300 , £ 2200 , and £ 2150 . The Court need not fear any buildings coming near the Institution which would prejudice it . Bro . LETCHWORTH said they were all very much indebted to Bros . Saunders and Stevens for the valuable information they had given the Court . Bro . Stevens was well acquainted with the nei ghbourhood , and no one

could speak with greater authority than he on the topic under discussion ; but he ( Bro . Letchworth ) , asoneof the House Committee , wished to correct the misapprehension he was afraid some of the brethren entertained with regard to the Committee ' s action in the matter . The House Committee recommended nothing and suggested nothing . The matter was brought under their notice , and they thought it only due to the governing body of the

Institution to bring it under their notice . In the meantime they obtained power from the General Committee to engage the services of one of the most eminent land agents in England — Bro . Clutton , one of the Vice-Patrons of the Institution—and it was extremely to be regretted that his report had not yet come to hand , and suggested the advisability of adjourning until after the receipt of the report .

Bro . Saunders s motion was then put , and carried unanimously . At the request of Bro . Col . Creaton , Bro . HEDGES read a letter from Bro . Belton , land surveyor , Norfolk-street , fully bearing out the statements of Bros . S mnders and Stevens with regard to the value of the land ; and on the motion of Bro . LETCHWORTH , which was duly seconded , a letter was ordered to be written to Bro . Belton thanking him lor his trouble and kindness in the matter . A vote of thanks to Col . Creaton for presiding closed the proceedings .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The Quarterly Court of the Subscribers of this Institution was held on Monday , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . George Plucknett , P . G . D ., Treasurer of the Institution , in the chair . There weie likewise present : Bros . A . M . Broadley , C . F . Matier , Col . J . Creaton , S . J . Parkhousc , L . Ruf , G . Bolton , G . Bolton , junr ., J . J . Murray , B . Baker , A . E . Gladwell , D . M . Dewar , J . Moon , B . Lemerc , F . Adlard , F . Davison , T . Cuhi'r , C . ] . Perceval , H . Venn , H . Dicketls , D . Rolls , H . Smith , S . B . Wilson , C . H . Webb , R . W . Stewart , H . S . Goodall , A . Torkington , A . F . Binckes , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) .

After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the Quarterly Court of April last , the Court declared vacancies in the school for ' 20 boys at the election in October next , and 64 candidates for the same . On the motion of Bro . RAYNIUM VV . STEWART , P . G . D ., Vice President of the Institution the two following resolutions were come to unanimously : 1 . That , having regard to the unprecedented success of the recent Festival , which involved unusual and excessive labour , and in appreciation of the result , after 22 years ' service , the sum of £ 250 be awarded to the Secretary , Bro . F . Binckes .

2 . That , in accordance with the recommendation of the House Committee , the sum of £ 105 be awarded to Miss Elizahe'h Hall , now in the 20 th year of her servce as Matron , in consideration of her valuable services generally , and during periods of sickness , especially in the outbreak of scarlatina last year . The resolutions were flatteringly introduced and seconded , and strongly supported by numerous brethren . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .