The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-17
THE MASONS' GLORY
Splendid Condition of the
Oxford 0rphanage.
Report 10 The Grand Lodgt---Vow Caring tor
247 ChiIdrer---Nany New lmp'oY--
ments.

n B. Broughton, J. NJ. Currin, T. A.
Green ! n. Ramsey, c. w. Toms. bred
Peacock, and G. Rosenthal, as submitted
to the Grand Lodge, shows condition
| NJ affairs that is cause for congratula
tion. grand work is being well done.
| The number of children being
cared for is 247. an increase of 26 from
| the last report.
The following from the directors re-
port will give some idea of the work
being done:
lowing to the press of orders for sash,
doors. etc, the superintendent has found
it impossible to move the machinery
from the old to the new building. He
informs us that he expects to do so in
very short time and begin work in the
new brick shop on the Asylum premises
The old shop will be torn down and the
material used for cattle sheds. We have
instructed Colonel Hicks to secure the
services of a competent surveyor to
survey and plot the land on which the
shop stands, and we ask your consent
to sell this property.
"a pump has been placed in the we'll
and connection made with the water
tank and hydrants.
THE new buildings have been covered
and will be completed in the spring.
Three hundred and thirty dollars
have been received from the Minneapo-
lis property, but nothing further has
| been heard concerning its sale.
''The circulation of the Orphans Friend
! is gradually increasing and if the breth-
rem will take proper interest in the paper
there is no reason why it should not
reach 5000 within the year.
'An estimate for an electric light
| plant, kindly obtained by Mr.. c. w.
| Toms at his own expense, puts the cost
| at about 81 $50, which leaves its erection
out of the question for some time to
come.
contributions of Lodges show a small
! increase over last year, while those Of
churches Sunday schools, schools and in
dividuals have decreased considerably
THE two trips of the Singing Class
| have been a great financial success and,
in addition, have awakened an interest
in our favor which will be felt for years
to come andsbe Of incalculable benefit to
| the Asylum.
| 1--WE have quite a number of approved
| applications on file and as many chill
| dren will be admitted as be cared
for, as soon as the prescribed conditions
have been complied with The rest will
have to wait until such time as we can
receive them.
THE Sash, Door and Blind Factory is
of great benefit, as it teaches a number
of boys to earn a living when they leave
the Asylum. This applies equally to the
Furniture Factory in the town Of Oxford,
where a good many boys are taught.
I'VE respectfully ask for the usual ap-
preparation of $4,000"
Treasurer RosenthaIs report shows re
ceipts S37 1896, and disbursements $780,
124S2. Balance on hand $5,157S3.
The Treasurer adds:
4 have transferred to the Superinten-
dent 3,759.49 on account of the two
buildings now in course OF construction
and it will require about $500 addition
al to complete them. | trust we shall
have no difficulty in providing the neces-
sary amount.
THE Sydnor Pump and Well Company
was paid $1,16S.16 for q pump, hydrants,
| pipes etc, and there is sufficient water
for all purposes.
THE contribution of Goldsboro Coun-
L. a. vs.
| one received from a non Mason Lodge"
The following are extracts from the
splendid report of Superintendent w. J.
| Hicks
"A pump has been installed at the
deep we'll necessary connections made
from the well to the buildings and two
fire hydrants and a drinking hydrant To-
Gated
THE two industrial buildings, plans
for the construction of which met your
approval are closed in for the winter
and will be completed as early as posi-
BILE. They are convenient and orna-
mental.
THE dangerous plasterng has been
removed from chapel and school rooms
and neat wooden ceilings substituted.
at has been necessary to overhaul,
renovate and remodel the school rooms.
The light and ventilation of these rooms
are improved.
''The halls and stairways in main
building have been repantod
AN engine has been bought for the
woodworking shop and industrial build
! ings.
Including all charges of wood work
| ing shop and farm, and cash expended,
! permanent improvements have cost us
this year about $1,000. The pump and
water connections alone cost 81 300 We
are confident that this amount has been
well spent. These improvements were
| essential to the more economical man
agement and more effective work of the
Oxford Orphan Asylum. To repeat briefly
from last two reports, we desire to con-
Centrate the industrial departments. to
move the superintendent to the main
building, to remove the hospital to the
present superintendent cottage and take
the present hospital for the farmers
residence. With Gods help and the con-
tinued cooperation of brethren and
friends these plans will be perfected in
the near future"
Books to the value of about one hun
dred and fifty dollars have been added
to the library This is largely a result
of the efforts of the Oxford Orphan
Asylum Library Association. The re-
spouse of friends shows that they rec
ognize the need Of library for our boys
and girls.
Twenty four boys are working half of
each day in the Oxford Furniture Fac