Foresters' Ball.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 62, 6 August 1906, Page 5

Foresters' Ball.

It was somewhere in Sherwood Forest in " Merrie England " when Robin Hood and Little John held sway that we' first .read of Foresters. The green coats and wide-brimmed feather-plumed hats of Robin Hood and his merry men are still the characteristic dress ot tbe Forester. A halo o! romance is woven round Robin Hood, and lovers of " Ivanhoe" do not look on Robin as a common highwayman, but- as a genteel sort of footpad, who robbed not the poor, but despoiled the fat abbot and his train of their wealth, should they venture to pass through his They wire ft happy-go-lucky band, and instituted the first OoUri of Foresters. Since then, and particularly of late years, Forestry *as a friendly and benefit society is associated with the relief of distress, and the care of the sick. The original founders of tbe order at stated times held high revels and naturally the modern Forester is not the brother to take his pleasures sadly. An annual ball is the approved method ot carrying out the idea of " revelry by night," and the annual ball under the auspices of Court Bruce, A.0,F., on Friday last, at the- Coronation Hall, patronised liberally, and as attendance makes for success, the ball was certainly ono which must be classed as a success. Visitors, by invitation, were represented by Messrs J. Parlane and A. Campbell (Masonic), Messrs G. Scott and Wight (Oddfellows), (Messrs Calvey and Kreft (Hibernians), Messrs M'Leod and Falconer (Farmers' Olub). Bro. John Pateraon, P.D.C.R., Dunedin, Bro. John Craig, Court Havelock, Waitahuna, and Sister "Woodland, Court Woodlands Pride, Dunedin, were also present. The ball was opened with the Grand March, led by C.R. Bro. G. Gordon and his sister, Mrs T. M'Callum. P.C.R. Bro. J, Norrie acted as marsball. Some 70 couples were present. Messrs Brookes piano), Haig'(violio), and Low (cornet) played -the dance music, which it was generally agreed was very good indeed. Mr Low, of Dunedin, also kindly played some extras on the piano. Those who had charge ot the dancing floor were Bros. G. M'Leod, J» M'Murtrie, G. Reilly, Jos. Powley, and J. Grey, and they gave? every attention to their duties. Mrs M'William put on a very substantial and appetising supper, and no complaints of any kind were made as to any- of the details of the ball a circumstance which reflects very much credit on th» committee of management. The ball broke up about 3 o'clock. The night was fine, and many visitors from the country were present.