MUNIFICENT GIFT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20767, 9 January 1931, Page 12

MUNIFICENT GIFT.

HOMES FOR ORPHAN BOYS.

CARE OF AGED FREEMASONS. ENDOWMENT OF £50,000. The largest benefaction in the history of Freemasonry in New Zealand lias been made by Mr. F. S. Potter, of Panmure. who has donated property valued at more than £50,000 to the Grand Masonic Order for the purpose of providing homes for aged Freemasons and their wives, and also homes for boys under the control of Grand Lodge. About a year ago Mr. Potter gave land and cottages at Panmure for old people and also property at Papakura, and he has now most liberally endowed these gifts. By a declaration of trust certain lands, mortgages, shares, debentures and other assets of a total estimated valuo of £50,265 havo been appropriated as an endowment for tho proposed boys' homes. The endowment and tho income derived from it arc to be applied in establishing and maintaining upon tho land previously presented, and any other land that later may bo acquired, a home or homes for the orphan sons of Freemasons; but if sufficient such boys arc not available, boys of non-Masonic parents may qualify for admission. Committee of Control. The management of the homes is to be controlled by a committee consisting of the donor, during his lifetime, and not fewer than six Auckland city or Papakura Freemasons, to be appointed annually by the Now Zealand Board of Benevolence. Tho board is also to fix the conditions of management. Not moro than ten boys nro to be admitted to any one home connected with tho trust. If additional accommodation is required separate homes may be erected out of the trust moneys. About one-fifth of tho value of the endowment is mado available for buildings, furnishings, and equipment. It is an essential condition that tho income from the other four-fifths of the capital shall always be available for tho management 1 and upkeep of the homes. According to the express desire of the donor, the buildings will be known as Masonic homes and not as Masonic orphanages. In tho conditions drawn up cave has been taken to ensure sympathetic and kindly treatment of the residents, and, in addition to their education, pocket money is to be provided for them, and payment made for work done about tho premises. Tho donor desires that the place shall be as little as possible like an institution and as much as possible like a home. Tho number of boys in each bnngalow is limited to ten, so that there may bo close personal contact between them and those immediately supervising them. Block in Queen Street. The real estate in the endowment consists of a business block in Queen Street, Auckland, near tho Town Hall, and valued at £21,680, The rent from the property is between £6OO and £7OO a year. Thoro are also some 1900 acres of land, consisting of two farms, and there are also income-producing assots amounting to between £I9OO and £2OOO a year. Tho present gift is made in fulfilment of Mr. Potter's promise of a year ago that he would provide endowment for the homes to be erected oil tho nine acres at Papakura which he had given to tho New Zeah ul Grand Lodge trustees. Tho valuo of the gift is equal to nearly half the accumul; ed funds of tho New Zealand Grand Lodge after 40 years.