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

The Architects' Benevolent Society.

The annual general meeting'
e Ro Institute
held yesterday, in the rooms of ti. al ;. y
of British Architects, 9, Conduit
of this society Was
-siceet, Re g ent-
street. The meeting was presided over by the pre-
sident, Sydney Smirke, Esq., R.A.
The report, which was read by the Chain:lof
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 cow
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.
The
large amount of arrears of subscriptions. 111
number of subscribers had increased ; ele nA.evrA
members had been added to their list, and on.Y
had been lost through death. Every individuaLitt
of expenditure in 1864 was somewhat lower than
tha
1863. The total expenditure during the year, af
the deduction of sums due to applicants, &C.,
elusive also of sums invested during the year, a 4
'
the balance in hand, had been during the year 181 A
148 Bs. sd. ; whilst during the preceding year 1'-
amount was £77 3s. sd. It was also satisfactol
state that whilst the amount funded in 1863 virsil
£3l 10s. 6d, the amount funded in 1864 was £6B
e
19s 6d., and whilst the balance in hand at the clos
of 1863 was £7l 10s. 2d. the balance in hand last
Christmas was £ll4 7s. ld. These figures showed
distinctly that the financial position of the socie.,ltt
was good, and that its funds were administered vilwa
due attention to economy. The society bad hide°
to regret that very many members of the professiol
continued to -withhold their support. Since Its
foundation in 1850 the society had constanti
creased year by year in numbers and the roans
doing good, but it must be admitted that '—
progress had not been so rapid as it ought to have
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 Inighi,t
be fairly expected that much time must
fairly elapse before a numerous. body of men, wide 4
scattered over the country with no bond of unil
but that which united men of like pursuits, 3'w
-
be induced to combine for one common object,lo
ever excellent that object might be. and
The CHAIRMAN then moved the reception j
adoption of the report, the motion being seeond'"
by Mr. MOCATTA, and carried unanimouslY•
,ted
A protracted conversation followed, which eli'the
a general feeling that many of the members of of
profession were singularly apathetic in the cansetta
their poorer brethren, and showed (as Mr. 14°c3; 0
termed it) " a want of heart." Various suggest'c'to
were thrown out by sey eral speakers with a view
improving the funds of th.e society.
Mr. R. W. BILLING proposed a parallel in to
to that of the actors, and expresed his readine6s,be
follow the example of any one who -would suscte,
£lOO to attain that object—nay, if it 'were absolti
necessary, he would contribute £5OO. (APP,l3fity
The proposition did not meet the vies 0'1"'

of the gentlemen present.
The usual complimentary thanks were Pas- ote
the retiring officers, who were re-elected, anclfteel ,3„ 0,-
of thanks to the president was passed with the
tion. The president was compelled to leave
midst of the discussion, having to meet a Pilo
body at four o'clock, and his place was ablY °-
plied by Mr. Mair.