MASONIC CHARITIES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 19, 20 June 1868, Page 3

MASONIC CHARITIES.

(COMMCNICATBD.) England possesses a special reputation for the number and excellence of its •haritable institutions ; among them those belonging to the Masonic body undoubtedly hold a very prominent position. Indeed, we believe that the Masonic Order is the only institution in this country, and perhaps in any other, which can claim the merit of originating and supporting five distinct charities — five separate channels for extending their benevolence to those who are unable to help themselves. First, the Royal Benevolent Institution for aged and decayed Masons and their widows ; secondly, the Royal Freemasons' charity for female children, who are lodged in a noble school at Wandsworfch ; thirdly, the Royal Institution for boys ; fourthly, the Board of Benevolence for granting sums of money to distressed Masons, or the widows of Masons who have been left in penury ; and fifthly, a private charity fund, which is founded in most Masonic lodges with the object of relieving distressing and urgent cases of want that may arise among such needy members of the craft as may be deserving of "assistance. To support these excellent charities, upwards of £20,000 is annually subscribed and distributed by the Freemasons of England and Wales, with what beneficial result may be easily imagined. To extend the advantages to be derived from the institutions, especially from the schools, has been the persistent object of those immediately connected with their management, and no labor or perseverance seems to have been spared to accomplish it. Of this fact the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys is rather a striking example. The institution was founded in 1791. Its object was the clothing and education of the sons of needy Freemasons, whose circumstances were such as to forbid them giving those advantages to their children. The fund raised was, however, so meagre, that it sufficed only to provide clothing of a very inferior description, and such education as common day-schools in the neighborhood of the residences of the boys* parents could furnish. Subsequently, as the annual subscriptions for this worthy purpose increased in amount, the boys were better clothed, and their education more carefully attended to. This arrangement was found, however, to fall far short of what was desired by the Masonic brethren, for there could be no satisfactory supervision of the boys, like that which worked with such admirable effect in the management of the girls' school. A movement was therefore organised in London to provide funds for the purchase of a building with lands attached, in order to place the boys under one roof, and afford them a class of education which would prove a benefit to them when they entered the world to commence the great battle of life. The funds required to carry out the design were large ; but a few leading members of the Order — active, energetic men — j applied themselves to the task, and succeeded in obtaining the means of purchasing a mansion with ten acres of land attached, situated in Lordship^s Lane, Wood Green. The sum paid was £3,500 ; and in 1856 the house was opened, with a school capable of accommodatingtwenty five boys. After two or three years' experience, the experiment was found to be so successful that further funds were raised ; and in 1860, the mansion Was enlarged to such an extent that seventy boys were received and maintained. It was found, however, that even then the requirements of the institution were insufficiently met, and that further enlargements and alterations, involving a large outlay, would become necessary. After long and anxious deliberations, the committee appointed to manage the school affairs decided, to erect an entirely new structure ; and the handsome and commodious building is the result of their labors. The old mansion has been entirely removed ; and the new school was opened with a full Masonic ceremonial, which was very largely attended by the Brotherhood, on July Bth, 1865> The j new building, which has been erected, j from the joint designs of Mr. Edwin Pearce and the late Brothers Stephen J Barton Wilson, by the eminent builders ! George Myers and Son, of Lambeth> at a cost of nearly £35,000, is capable of J accommodating 150 boys ; but the number at present in the school is 103. To furnish the large sum thus required, the money invested iv the funds, as a reserve^ has been expended; but there is every rerson to believe that the unfailing liberality of the members of the craft will speedily replace the amount. It is not an nninteresting fact, and it is certainly an honor to the fair sex, that nearly £1000 has been subscribed to the building fund by the wives and daughters and sisters of Freemasons. The building is in the early English Gothic style ; the materials are white Norfolk bricks with facings and dressings of Kelton and Amaster stone. The dining hall, which is a noble room, is 46 ft. high, 60ft. in length, and 28 ft. in width. The schoolroom is of almost equally handsome proportions, the difference being only 2 ft. less in width and 6 ft. in height. Two large classrooms adjoin the schoolroom ; and in immediate proximity is an extensive library, which can also be used as a classroom. The dormitories and refectory are also comfortable, spacious, and well furnished, as are all the offices used for domestic purposes. The head master is provided with

a residence closely adjoining the school ; while tlxe matron and assistant masters have apartments provided for them in the building. The conrse of education given to the boys is similar to that furnished at our best public and middle class schools ; and there is an annual examination, with a distribution of prizes. The reports of the examiners have thus far been very satisfactory. On leaving the Institution, at the age of fifteen, the law empowers the committee to assist the boys in their future progress by a grant, according to circumstances, not exceeding £15. Every facility is afforded to all persons, whether members of the fraternity or not, to visit and inspect the school and grounds : a personal applicacation at the building itself is alone necessary. Still further to test the value of the educational system adopted by the school, candidates are now submitted to the local middle class examination instituted by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.