£100,000 GIFT

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 142, 16 June 1923, Page 8

£100,000 GIFT

ABANDONED BY MASONS

TERMS TOO EXACTING.

(FROSI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

SYDNEY, 7th June.

The circumstances in which the United Lodge of Freemasons in New South Wales has decided to terminate the trust under which the gift of £100,000 was made by Mr. Charles Kolling, are remarkable. The gift, which comprised the fortune amassed by Mr. Kolling in America and Australia, as a mining engineer, was made about a yeir ago, Mr. Kolling and his wife having decided to retain only sufficient money to enable them to live comfortably and supply their modest requirements. So unassuming were the old couple in their generous act that it 'was long before their identity leaked out. The college was duly founded, at Baulkham Hills, a beautiful district near Sydney, and about a dozen boys were accommodated in temporary quarters preparatory to the erection of the college building. A start was made with these to hold, for the time being about 50 boys, the object being that it should be the secondary school in connection with a masonic orphanage which has also been established recently, forming the nucleus of a strong chain of Masonic educational foundations which it is desired to create. Under the deed of trust, the then grand master, Most Worshipful Brother Thompson, became chairman of the trustees, and he and his colleagues went enthusiastically to work in administering the terms of the trust. It was not long, however, before difficulties arose. The donor, having succeeded in life by great perseverance, self-sacrifice, and untiring effort, had formed definite and rather exacting views regarding the hours of work, menus for meals, clothing, and other details of the domestic affairs of a boy's school. Not only were the boys to have strenuous mental training, but, by work on the farm attached to the school and in other directions, combining utility with exercise, they were to be kept in bodily fitness. Furthermore, Mr. Kolling was unwilling to allow that any special rights to proceed to this secondary school should be conceded to the boys from the primary orphanage which "was recently opened. Pending the inclusion of adequate safeguards in these and other directions in the rules and regulations of the establishment, Mr. Kolling declined to execute the transfer of securities for the large sum involved. After months of negotiation Mr. Thompson resigned and the other trustees declined to agree to _Mr. Kolling's provisions without submitting the whole matter to the Grand Lodge. At a meeting attended by about 500 past masters, wardens, and others, it was finally decided to terminate the trust. It has not yet been decided whether the craft will proceed with the establishment of the college, upon which, up to the present, about £10,000. has been expended in addition to £6500 for land, which amounts were provided by Mr. Kolling. The opening of the primary orphanage and school has involved heavy expenditure and the full cost .of the higher establishment would be placing a heavy burden upon members. However, it is" desired to make the educational course complete up to the university entrance, and members are determined that the college shall at least be carried on in its present dimensions, and shall some time be built up to the original plans.