ORPHANS’ CLUB

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 12369, 7 June 1938, Page 2

ORPHANS’ CLUB

OI'EXIXt; OF SEASON

The Tauranga Orphans’ Club opened the 19 3 S season at the Bell Tea Rooms on Friday night, and the vitality evident augurs veil for t'he future of the Club. ‘ There was a large attendance of members. PastPresident Bro. H. Gilmore Rodgers, presided, and was applauded on taking his seat on the dais. The ceremonial approach of the Presidentelect, Guardian Bro. Dr. J. B. MacDiarmid, was hailed by all members standing and clapping, the announcement being made by the master of ceremonies, Bro. J. Mantell, and the orchestra under the leadership of Bro. G. C. Mockler, playing a bar of appropriate music. Bro. Gilmore Rodgers welcomed the new President by saying that as Bro. Mac Diarmid was familiar with the working of the club, it would not be necessary to enlarge on the points of Orphandora, which was usual when a new president was installed. He said it gave him the greatest pleasure to invest Bro. Mac Diarmid with the collar of office and in doing so he was sure that he had the unanimous support of Orphans. They could not place the direction of the club in better hands than Bro. Mac Diarmid’s.— (Applause. After all joining in singing the National Anthem, the orchestra which has been re-organised, played the overture for which it received an encore. The President elect said he was glad to welcome such a large number of new members and visitors, among whom was Bro. Fred Baker of the Auckland Orphans’ Club. It gave him great pleasure to propose the toast of “The Visitors,” coupled with the name of Bro. Baker. The toast was received with musical honours and Bro. Baker suitably responded and conveyed the fraternal greetings of the Gisbprne Savage Club, Rotorua Orphans’ Club, and his own club. A bright programme was then presented as follows:—Song, Bro. W. Stevens; piano accordeon solo, Bro. Capper Starr; songs, Bro. Fred Baker (Auckland); humorous stories, Mr G. H. Wills. After the supper adjournment the President gave an interesting address on “Orphandom” and outlined the points observed by all orphans, stressing goodfellowship and social conduct. Judging by the number of new members elected, Bro. Mac Diarmid said it was evident that the spirit of Orphandom was spreading in the community. During the evening the orchestra rendered several very tuneful items which were highly appreciated and received well merited applause. The Secretary, Mr T. Wylie, read invitations from the Thames Orphans’ Club for Saturday, June 11, and from the Cambridge Orphans’ Club which was holding a “combin-‘ ed” night at Cambridge on Saturday, June J 5. Those members who were desirous of making the journeys were requested to hand in their names to Bro. Wylie. At the conclusion of a verv pleasant evening all joined hands in singing Auld Lang Syne.