Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The Quarterly Court of Subscribers to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys was held on the 13 th inst ., at Freemasons' Tavern . Bro . George Everett , Past Grand Treasurer , was called upon to preside . He was supported by Bros . Capt . S . G . Homfray , C . E . Keyser , Major J . E . Le Feuvre , W . A . Scurrah , A . C . Spaull , and George Russell , Prov . G . Treas . Kent .

There was a large attendance of brethren . On the summary of minutes of General Committees being read , a BROTHER expressed his regret that the Committee had not seen its way to accept the 1000 guineas from Warwickshire for a perpetual presentation

to the School . He thought it was an unfortunate thing that they should have fixed the sum at 1200 guineas and so lost the Warwickshire gift . Bro . JAMES BRETT , P . G . P ., rose to order . The resolution had been come to and passed , and it could not be altered .

The BROTHER said he did not rise to have the resolution altered . He merely wished to express his regret that the Committee had lost to the Institution 1000 guineas . Bro . GEORGE EVERETT , Vice-President of the

Institution , P . G . Treas ., moved , and Bro . GEO . RUSSEU . seconded , "Tlnat the Quarterly Court be recommended to declare a further vacancy at the election of this day , to fill the place of the boy Herbert Charles Edwards , elected April 14 th , who died before being admitted to the benefits of the Institution . "

The motion was carried . The brethren then proceeded to elect 26 boys from an approved list of 46 candidates , scrutineers of votes having been first chosen . The following are the unsuccessful candidates :

Name Votes . Reginald Branwhite Jay ... ... ... 2099 Harold Ewing Hind ... ... ... ... 1247 Louis Augustus Greenwood ... ... ... S 93 Charles Percival Colman ... ... S 61 William Seth Scantlebury — ... Sri George Leopold Woodliffe ... ... ... 764

John William Messenger ... ... ... 756 Herbert Youngs ... ... ... ... 74 8 George Acres Procter ... ... ... 477 Frederic Herbert Johnson Gabbutt ... ... 456 Hugh Owen ... ... ... ... 346 George David Irons ... ... ... 160 William John Robert Woodgate Blackler ... 13 G

Arthur Crane ... ... ... ... 113 Reginald Guy Martin ... ... ... 111 Harold Warburton Norbury ..- . ... ... m Phineas Johns ... ... ... ... 74 Percy Alexander Thomas ... ... ... 71 Edmund Percy Mabin Goss ... ... ... 42 John Henry Hurst ... ... ... ... 1 The list of successful candidates will be found in our advertisement columns .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

After the election of candidates for admission to the above School on Thursday , the 12 th inst ., Bro . HENRY SMITH , P . G . D ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master for West Yorkshire , who had presided during the day , gave the Scrutineers of votes some particulars of the state of the Institution occasioned by the severe epidemic which had prevailed in the early part of the

year in the School , on which he grounded an appeal for still further aid in the shape of subscriptions . He prefaced his observations with the narrative of his first intimacy with the Institution in 1858 , at which time there were 68 children in it . At the present time they found there were 200 girls added to that number , and they were in an exceptionally excellent condition .

Indeed , he did not know any institution where children were better cared for or where the influence brought to bear upon them was of a better character . The Institution could boast of this , that nothing could excel it , and any visitor to it must be delighted with the appearance of the children . During the last year unfortunately the Committee had had to

contend against a very serious attack of scarlet fever , but they met the matter boldly . They did not lose a single case from that malady . One child did , in fact , die , but it was from diphtheria , to which she was susceptible , and no powers could save her . The whole of the Institution had been thoroughly disinfected , bedding , carpets wallsand ceilings . He had heard it expressed

, , by one , whose opinion was expressed in a jocose manner , after he had seen what had been done— "Positivel y the place is beastly clean . " To effect this they had been obliged to go to great expense , and he hoped the supporters of the Institution would remember this and bring further subscriptions . The Committee had left nothing undone that could save the children , and he

believed there was not now any Institution in a better state for the health of children . The fabric itself was Perfect , and he was very proud of it . Instead of having three Institutions to support , he wished they could concentrate their efforts to all in one . Sometimes they 'avoured one , and sometimes another , but they dipped very deeply into the brethren ' s pockets . During

jhe past year his province had done their ' 'e share , though , perhaps , they had not none as much as they ought to have done . He hoped , however , that the influence they had brought to bear would have the effect in the coming year of increasing I subscri ptions . He was happy to say that the reuits of the local examinations were exceedingly " ¦ ncourag ing , but on account of the illness in the School ,

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

which had handicapped the children , it could not be expected that so good a result would be obtained this year . Once again , with regard to the illness and the steps taken by the Committee consequent upon it , they did not throw the whole burden on the friends of the children , but in cases where such friends found it necessary to make the application , allowed them ios . a week for each girl ' s support at her own home during

the extention of the holidays on account of the illness . This had been a heavy charge on the Institution , and he hoped it would have the effect of drawing a much larger amount at the next Festival . In conclusion , so long as his services mi ght be required , he hoped he should discharge them in a becoming manner , and for the acknowledgment he had received of what he had done in the past he gave the brethren his hearty thanks .

Our Portrait Gallery Of Worshipful Masters.

Our Portrait Gallery of Worshipful Masters .

BRO . JOHN CLAYTON , W . M . 321 , P . P . G . W . CHESHIRE .

Bro . John Clayton , who was installed W . M . of the Unity Lodge , No . 321 , on the 28 th June last is one of the leading spirits of Freemasonry in the Province of Cheshire , and there was a numerous assembly of the elite of the province to do him honour on the occasion

of his installation in the chair of this distinguished lodge . The Provincial Grand Masters of Cheshire for several generations , as well as the Deputy Provincial Grand Masters , have been members of this lodge , the meetings being only four in the year , and intended for the fraternising of brethren who have attained distinction in the province , and who may

therefore be reasonably supposed to have the best interests of the province at heart . Bro . Clayton is a solicitor , practising at Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester , and for upwards of 20 years has been successful in his profession . He has been a Councillor of the borough of Ashton-under-Lyne since 1887 , and has devoted much time and attention in the details of the municipal

work of that important manufacturing centre . Although resident in Lancashire , it is only " across the border , " and his Masonic career has been identified chiefly with the adjoining Province of Cheshire . He was initiated in the Unanimity Lodge , No . 89 , Dukinfield , in December , 1870 . This lodge enjoys the distinction of being the senior lodge in the Province ol Cheshire , the warrant dating from 1754 . After serving several offices in his

mother lodge , he became W . M . in 1876 . He is still a member ol the lodge , as well as its Treasurer , an office he has held during the last 12 years . In 1880 he was honoured by the late Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Lord De Tabley , by being appointed Prov . S . G . D ., and in 1890 , in recognition no doubt ot his services in the province , and especially of the interest he has taken and . the work he has done in connection with the

Masonic Chanties , he was appointed Prov . J . G . W . by the present Prov . G . M ., Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton . Bro . Clayton is a Life Governor of all three of the Masonic Institutions , and has served 8 Stewardships—2 for the Benevolent and 3 each for the Girls' and Boys' Institutions . In the Province of Cheshire he has been honoured by being elected Vice-Chairman of

the Committee of Benevolence for the last five years , and in conjunction with its Chairman , Bro . J . Salmon , of Chester , P . P . G . W ., and Bro . Newhouse , the Prov , G . Secretary , who constitute the Election Committee of the Province , has been uniformly congratulated and thanked for the excellent manner in which the elections on the London Institutions have been managed on

behalf of the province . It is 10 years since Bro . Clayton joined the Unity Lodge , No . 321 , and certainly the lodge , as well , as Bro . Clayton himself , are to be congratulated on his being placed in the position of its W . M . Outside Craft Masonry Bro . Clayton is a P . Z . of the Royal Cheshire Chapter , No . 89 , Dukinfield .

Our Portrait Gallery Of Worshipful Masters.

and P . P . G . J , of Cheshire . In Mark Masonry he is a Past Master of the Skelmersdale Mark Lodge , No . I 4 i , Lancashire , a joining member of the Benevolent Mark Lodge , No . 67 , Stockport , and P . P . G . Registrar of Lancashire . In Kni ght Templary he is a P . E . P . of the Royal Edward Encampment , No . 89 , Dukinfield , and P . P . G . First Constable , Cheshire . He is also a

member of the Stanhope Rose Croix Chapter at Chester . As mi ght naturall y be expected , Bro . Clayton has been one of the foremost brethren in promoting the successful establishment of the new local Charitythe Cheshire Masonic Benevolent Institution , which is intended as an auxiliary to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and for the purpose of granting

smaller annuities to worthy aged Freemasons of the province and their widows , and at the inauguration festival , which was recently held at Chester , it was announced that a sum of no less than . £ 3280 had been paid and promised by Cheshire brethren by way of setting the Institution on its legs . But irrespective of his valuable assistance in the Charitable work of the

province , Bro . Clayton is well known in Cheshire as a good all round Mason in every respect . He is well versed in Masonic law and procedure , and possessing as he does great discretion and tact in dealing with Masonic matters generally , his abilities are recognised

and his advice sought whenever subjects of more than ordinary import are under the consideration of the authorities of the province . We have only to add that Bro . Clayton's installation was very ably carried out by Bro . J . Beaumont Piercy , P . P . G . W . Staffordshire , the retiring W . M ., assisted by Bro . J . Salmon , P . P . S . G . W .

Devon Masonic Educational Fund.

DEVON MASONIC EDUCATIONAL FUND .

A meeting of the Educational and General Purposes Committee of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund was held on Monday , the 9 th inst ., at Freennsons ' Hall , Plymouth , to examine petitions from candidates

for election on the fund , and to place on the list such as were eligible . Bro . W . Powell , P . P . G . T ., presided , and a large attendance included Bros . J . R . Gover , P . P . G . S ., Sec ; J . R . Lord , P . P . G . T ., Treas . ; R . Cawsey , P . P . J . G . D . ; S . Jew , P . P . G . T . ; G . Whittlev , P . P . G . O . ; D . Cross , P . P . G . T . ; R . Pengelly , P . P . A . G .

D . C ; J . W . Cornish , P . P . G . T . ; R . G . Bird , P . P . G . T . ; G . Horswill , W . Allsford , C . Mutten , W . Sweet , and W . H . Dillon , Asst . Sec . It was explained that three candidates who were unsuccessful at the election in April last were still eligible , and that the votes which thev then polled would count in their favour at the approaching election . Two other

applications have since been received ,- one from Okehampton , the other from South Moltonyand , the usual forms having been complied with , it was decided to put both names on the list . This will make five candidates for two vacancies . The election will take place at Exeter on Monday , the 30 th inst ., and it is desired that subscribers who wish to exercise their voting power

should at once send their subscriptions to the Honorary Treasurer , Bro . J . R . Lord . A statement having gone forth that the Educational Fund was self-supporting , Bro . GOVER , the Secretary , explained that , so far from this being the case , the invested funds did not exceed . £ 1000 , the interest from which was no more than sufficient to support two

children . They had , however , 18 children already on the fund , and these would be increased to 20 by the election on the 30 th inst ., involving an annual expenditure of . £ 300 . They were , therefore , dependent on annual subscriptions to that amount , unless they

encroached upon their invested capital , which they Were most anxious not to do . It was stated that Bro . W . Willoughby had offered to arrange another concert in Plymouth Guildhall on behalf of the Educational Fund , similar to that of last year , which proved so great a financial and musical

success . The offer was accepted , with thanks to Bro . Wil . loughby , and a Committee , consisting ot Bros . Gover , Lord , Bird , Mutten , and Dillon , was appointed to consult with him in carrying out the necessary arrangements . It is proposed to hold the concert about the middle of November .

Opening Of A New Theatre.

OPENING OF A NEW THEATRE .

Bro . S . Barnard , of Lodge 700 , who has had a large experience in theatrical management , gave , on Thurs » day , the 12 th inst ., an invitation to all the Past Masters and Wardens of lodges in the Woolwich district , to attend at the laying of a foundation-stone at the new and handsome the itre he is now erecting at Woolwich .

The stone was laid by Bro . Col . E . Hughes , M . P ., P . M . 913 , and among the brethren present we noticed Bros . VV . Lawson , W . M . ; F . G . Taylor , [ . P . M . ; J . H . Roberts , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Warren , PAL , Sec ; J . McCollough , P . M . ; S . E . Southgate , P . M . ; and G , Porter , I . G . all of 700 ; G . W . Mitchell , P . M ., Treas ., P . P . G . D . C . Kent ; II . King , P . M ., Sec . ; j . G . Cashfield ,

P . M . ; and G . Letton , P . M . of 615 ; J . Stratton , Rahtz , Newton , G . H . Campbell , Pryce , Littlewood , and Wallis , of 913 ; C . Jolly , P . M ., Treas . 1472 ; beside a number of the Local Board members , and several of the fair sex . The COLONEL having declared the stone well and

truly laid , was presented with the handsome silver trowel used . Bro . Barnard was also presented with a trowel by the architect , Mr . E . Clark . The new theatre will accommodate about 900 people and will cost over ^ 12 , 000 to complete it . Votes of thanks to Bros . Hughes and Barnard were proposed .