The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-09 00:00:00

The Architects' Benevolent Society.

The annual general meeting of this society was
held yesterday, in the rooms of the Royal Institute
of British Architects, 9, Conduit-street, Regent-
street. The meeting was presided over by the pre-
sident, Sydney Smirke, Esq., R.A.
The report, which was read by the Chairman,
stated that upon the whole the position of the society
was satisfactory. At the same time it was true that
the annual amount received last year did not come
up to that of the year 1863 ; but it would be found
that that excess was due to the zeal shown by the
collector, Mr. Hill, who in 1863 had collected a
large amount of arrears of subscriptions. The
number of subscribers had increased ; eleven new
members had been added to their list, and only to°
had been lost through death. Every individual item
of expenditure in 1864 was somewhat lower thafter
n ill
1863. The total expenditure during the year,
the deduction of sums due to applicants, So.,
ex
elusive also of sums invested during the year, and
the balance in hand, had been during the year 186'*
£4B Bs. sd. ; whilst during the preceding ye
tiLe
amount was £77 3s. sd. It was also satisfactory
to
state that whilst the amount funded in 1863 was
£3l 10s. 6d, the amount funded in 1864 was £6B
19s 6d., and whilst the balance in hand at the close
of 1863 was £7l 10s. 2d. the balance in hand last
Christmas was £ll4 7s. Id. These figures showed
distinctly that the financial position of the society
was good, and that its funds were administered with
due attention to economy. The society had indeed
to regret that very many members of the profession
continued to withhold their support. since its
foundation in 1850 the society had constantly
creased year by year in numbers and the means el
doing good, but it must be admitted that /to
progress had not been so rapid as it ought to hale
~
been, and that it had not reached that state
efficiency which the importance of the profession
justified the council in expecting. The council,
however, placed great reliance on the good feel-
ing which pervaded the profession. It might
be fairly expected that much time 131115
fairly elapse before a numerous body of men,
widely
scattered over the country with no bond of uni°ll,
but that which united men of like pursuits, Nell'
be induced to combine for one common object, 11°-
ever excellent that object might be. and
The CHAIRMAN then moved the reception _a
adoption of the report, the motion being seconae'
by Mr. MOCATTA, and carried unanimouslY• „.nd
A protracted conversation followed, which elleTo
a general feeling that many of the members of tof
profession were singularly apathetic in the cause
4s
their poorer brethren, and showed (as Mr. Alec3'no
termed it) " a want of heart." Various suggesl4°-0
were thrown out by several speakers with a view
improving the funds of the society. •tutioa
Mr. R. W. BILLING proposed a parallel instlto
to that of the actors, and expressed his readlness.be
follow the example of any one who would subserl_,,
£lOO to attain that object—nay, if it were absohlteel
necessary, he would contribute £5OO. (APPS'
The proposition did not meet the views of
of the gentlemen present. •
ea to
The usual complimentary thanks were pass ow
the retiring officers, who were re-elected, and
of thanks to the president was passed with nee 'the
tion. The president was compelled.to leave taie
midst of the discussion, having to meet a Pilo.
body at four o'clock, and his place was 011
plied by Mr. Mair.