The Masonic Charities.

provided with coals during the winter months . The total number of annuitants in both funds is at present 197 , besides 11 widows on half allowance . Owiiig

to the increase of the annuities , an additional annual expense of £ 1 , 150 on the Male Fund , and £ 246 on the Widows' Fund , is involved , which , last , year , precluded the Committee from augmenting the number of recipients

, but it is hoped that in this and in future years an increase will be made . The MALE FUKD has £ 23 , 700 invested in Government Stocks .

. s . d . The Accounts for tho past year show the permanent Income , including Dividends on the above Government Stocks

and A n n ua 1 Grants from Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , to be ... 1 , 299 15 0 Donations and Subscriptions for tho year 3 , 891 9 3 Balance in baud , 31 st March , 1872 1 , 727 15 1

£ 6 , 918 19 4 Disbursements , Annuities 2 , S 00 10 0 Asylum Kates , Taxes , and Maintenance 163 3 8

Salaries to Secretary , Collector , and Messenger ... 371 0 2 Ollieo Expenses , Stationery , & c , Election Expenses . & c . 150 4 S 521 10 10 Purchase of £ 250 Stock 232 3 9

3 , 717 S 3 j Balance in hand £ 3 , 201 11 1 j The Salaries are bare 7 per cent ., and the London Office Expenses , Rent , j 3 cent

Stationery , & c , are per , on gross j receipts . j Of the above balance , £ 1 , 150 is ; condemned by the increased annuities ; of the present year . ! The FEMALE FUND has £ 14 , 200 I invested in Government Stocks . I

£ s . d . The Accounts for the pastyear show the Permanent Income , including Dividend on the above Stocks and

Annual Grants from Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , to be ... 764 15 0 Subscriptions and Donations for the year 2 , 760 6 0 Balance in hand March , 1872 1 , 001 6 10

4 , 526 0 10 Disbursements . Annuitants £ 1 , 979 10 0 Salaries to Secretary , Collector , and Messenger ... £ 32 S 0 2 Office Expenses ,

Stationery , Election Expenses , & c . 145 16 6 473 16 S Asylum Kates , & e . 90 3 6 Funeral Expenses 11 2 0 Purchase of £ 250 Stock 232 3 9

£ 2 , 786 15 11 Balance in hand £ 1 , 739 11 11 The Salaries are 9 J per cent ., ancl the London Office Expenses , Rent , Stationery , fie ., are 4 per cent , on the

gross receipts . Of the above balance , £ 246 is condemned , by the increased annuities of the present year . The present Secretary is paid by a fixed incomeso that in future the

, payments made to him will be less than under the old system of salary ancl commission , and considerably reduce the above percentage .

The percentage of the official , collecting and election expenses , consisting of Secretaries , Clerks , and Collectors Salaries , London Rents , Rates , Taxes , Stationery , and all other payments incidental to the working of

the General Office of each of these Charities , stands thus for the past year as regards their respective gross receipts—Girls' School 13 / ' Boys' , 11 X Aged Male 10 % „ Female 13 a %