Ireland.

that the committee Avould propose would be the formation of an Executive Committee , to be appointed , in the first instance , by the general meeting of contributors now summoned , and in future at an annual meeting of the governors of the institution . To this committee should be entrusted the collection of funds—a task Avhich , considering the large sum of money Avhich it is proposed to raise , will necessarily require much labour .

" Tney should also carry out all the arrangements which the governors may decide upon in connection with the election of candidates , such as the issuing of voting papeis , and the recording of votes ; a \ A & pending the establishment of a separate male orphanage , they should undertake the choice of the schools to which the boys should respectively be sent , and the superintendence of their maintenance and education at these schools . Such duties could not , of coursebe satisfactorily discharged Avithout

, involving continued watchfulness , and daily correspondence of no slight importance and extent . " The Provisional Committee are , therefore , very strongly of opinion that a paid secretary , possessing the necessary qualifications for so responsible and arduous a post , should be appointed by the executive committee , and given , in addition to salary , a percentage on all sums collected for the institution ,

should the committee deem it desirable . " As to the voting privileges which should be enjoyed by contributors in proportion to the amount of their support , the Provisional Committee would suggest that the privileges should be as nearly as possibethe same as those which have hitherto been accorded iu the case of the Masonic Female Oiphan School . " The Provisional Committee have drawn up a code of rules embodying most of the suggestions contained in this report

, and now respectfully submit them to the subscribers for their approval . "They have also made out a list of brethren Avhom they would recommend for appointment as members of the proposed executive committee . " In conclusion , the committee desire to express their fervent hope that the very general favour with n- Inch this effort has

been hitherto regarded may be an omen of its ultimate success , and that the Irish Masonic Orphan Boys' School may soon , with God ' s blessing , take its place , and that a distinguished one , among the recognised institutions of our much-loved Order

throughout the world . The Chairman said that , in order to enable every brother to ask questions and procure the fullest information , Avith the view of adopting the best course of forwarding the proposed resolution , he Avould formally move the adoption of the report . Subsequently ivould be moved the adoption of the code of rules which had been drawn up by the committee for their approval . Bro . Sir J . StewartBart . said : BrethrenI luiA ' e great

lea-, , , p sure in rising to second the resolution which has been moved from the chair . If there be one duty more incumbent upon Masons than another it is the duty of succouring our distressed brethren , and still more , I think , to assist the offspring ivhich they have left behind them . I think Ave all ought to be satisfied with the report which has been just read—that is to say , considering the time during which the movement has been in

action . It is hardly nine months since tho first attempt was made to establish a Masonic Male Orphan School , aud I think that Ave ought to be satisfied to find that so far as Ave have gone the appeal has been replied to liberally . But ive must not stop here , and I fully agree Avith ivhat our " most excellent hon . secretary has just stated . We trust that this movement Avill go on until the Masonic Male Orphan School will take its rank as

one worthy of the Masons of Ireland . I think it is a most important thing to make a beginning , and I have no doubt that when it goes forth to the Masons of Ireland that such a beginning has been made , aud that Ave are prepared to receiA-e votes for the admission of orphans to the means of education Avhich Ave propose to give to male orphans . I have no doubt that many lvho are holding back until the school is

established ivill come forward liberally , and I trust that in a very short time we shall not have to educate diem in other schools , but that Ave shall be able to educate them in a school belonging to the Order in Dublin . I don't Avish to detain you longer , but shall conclude by seconding the adoption of the report .

The Chairman said it would be ivell to pass the resolution at once , and allow a discussion to follow on the rules . ( Hear , hear . ) The report had been carefully considered by brethren who had given much time to tlie subject , and he did not think there was anything in it to which they could take objection ;

if there ivas , he Avould be happy to give every explanation required . The resolution was then put by the chairman and carried unanimously . Bro . the Rev . H . J . Westby said before handing in the rules he would read some letters of apology AA'hich he had received—The first was from his Grace the Duke of Leinster , Graud

Master of Ireland , enclosing a cheque for £ 300 : — " 6 , Carlton-house terrace , London , S . W ., " 30 th Jan ., 1868 . " Dear Bro . Westby , —I have received your letter of the 29 th January , and the report of the PrOA-isioua ! Committee of Masonic Boys' School , Avhich I return . I think the proposed way of commencing very good . I enclose a draft for £ 200 , my donation . —I am , yours sincerely and fraternally , " LEINSTEE . "

The next letter from Bro . tha Rev . W . C . Plunket hon . and one of the G . Chaps , of the Order : — " 30 , St . Stephen's-green , Dublin , Jau . 30 , 1868 . " Dear Bro . AVestby , —I regret extremely that I cannot attend your meeting . Bro . Smyly has , I suppose , told you that ever since I parted from you on Friday last I have been laid up with a smart attack of influenza , and though I am now , thank Godmuch betterand able to be up and aboutyet I feel so

, , , unstrung that I could not venture to attend your meeting or speak to a resolution as I had otherwise hoped to do . As , however , you have been the originator and persevering furtherer of this Masonic effort , you Avould in any case have left me very little to do . All I have done has been to try and assist you iu an humble way , so far as iay in my power . Pray explain to any brethren AA-1 IO may be present the reason why I am thus

reluctantly absent on so important and auspicious an occasion as the present . —Yours fraternally , WILLIAM C . PIITTUKST . Bro . the Rev . H . J . Westby said be would preface reading the rules by saying those who subscribed £ 1 annually to the funds ivould be constituted governors . A donation of £ 10 Avould constitute a life member , Avith a vote for overy additional £ 10 . He then proceeded to read the code of rules drawn up by the

Provisional Committee , and Avhich are aimojt similar to those regulating the Masonic Female Orphan School , at Burlingtonplace . Bro . R . Seeds moved the adoption of the rules , and said he believed the very best proof of their fitness lay in the fact that they were prepared by brethren in whom they reposed great trust , and ivere founded on those of the Female School , AA'hich had worked so admirably . With such a precedent he thought they ought to be accepted . He thought from hearing them read , that they ivere very satisfactory , and he was certain they

all felt proud of their young institution , and he Avished to impress upon all , the necessity of advocating its ehims outside . There is no use in talking to them of the benefits it conferred , for they were all well aware of the fact , but they should go out and impress upon those they met tbe usefulness of supporting it . He believed the resolution now before them would be passed unanimously . Bro . A . Lefroy , M . P ., seconded the motion , and coincided with

what had fallen from the last speaker , ivith reference to the value of rules which had worked so well in their other institution . They should not , at present , hesitate in passing the code . It afforded him great satisfaction in taking part in so useful a work , and lie hoped that it would succeed and prosper , as well as the Female Orphan School . After a short conversation upon the details , in Avhich Bros . BarloAvBouchierRoperLloydand Sir John Stewart took

, , , , part , The resolution was unanimously passed . Bro . the Rev . H . J . AA ' estby then stated that they had been promised £ 1 , 469 9 s . ; there was invested in Government Stock , £ 420 ; cash in the Royal Bank , £ 445 lis . lid . ; expended , £ 15 2 s . Id . ; leaving a balance outstanding of £ 537 15 s ., Avhich , lie trusted , would be doubled by that day week . By July next they would be in a position to place two or more orphans in

one of the best schools in Ireland , under the inspection of the Executive Committee . That system was successlully adopted in England for twenty years , Avhere there was now au excellent school , which cost above £ 30 , 000 , and provided education , & c , for one hundred children . Bro . , 1 . V . Mackey , T . C ., moved the next resolution—TUat the following brethren be appointed Executive Committee for the surveillance and promotion of the above objects .- —