ORPHANS' CLUB

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2571, 20 September 1915, Page 8

ORPHANS' CLUB

SPECIAL NIGHT AT THE MASONIC ■ HALL. Saturday was a gala night with the Wellington Orphans' Club. The Hon. A. L. Herdman, as Chief Orphan, presided, and thero wero present as guests of honour His Excellency the Governor, the Prime Minister ..(lit. Hon. W. F. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, Sir Francis Bell, and Sir James Carroll. In the course of his presidential address, the Chief Orphan remarked oil the events that had occurred sinco His Excellency the Governor had last visited tlio club, and tho cxcellont record of work ho (Lord Liverpool) had accomplished, a notable one being tho securing and equipment of the Hospital Ship. (Applause.)/ During tho year thousands and thousands of lives had been lost and thousands of brave deeds had been done by the nien who had been sent to the war ( from this country. He thought that tlioy could look forward with confidence to the future of the Empire, and could repose tho utmost confidence in those who were controlling its affairs. The war had called for enormous sacrifices, but it also had its compensating advantages, as when it came to an end the British people would emerge from it stronger and wiser than ever before, and infinitely more able to play their part in the world as its leading Eution. His Excellency, in his remarks, referred to the splendid lot of Maori troops who had been entertained at the Town Hall that day, and the great interest the King took in all the races which formed'ail integral part of his great Empire. Beforo leaving for New Zealand the King had told him of the great, interest lie had hi the Maori people.

Tlio Prime Minister also referred to tho' fino part the Maori people were playing in the war, and the absolute cheerfulness of our men under some of the trying conditions which had cropped up during the year. When the epidemic of sickness had broken out he had visited the men as often as he could, and the sick men were always found to be quite cheerful, even those who were seriously ill. The same quality was observed when they had to break camp during a phenomenal rainstorm. The same fine spirit was also to be found among the poor people who had sustained losses. In reply to one telegram of condolence, a woman (a Native woman, he thought) had replied in a letter which concluded with tho sentence: '"Thank' God, He gave mo men as sons."

Sir Joseph Ward diverged from wartalk to relate some of his amusing experiences in America, and what Mr. Massey might expect as ho journeyed through that country en route to England at tho conclusion of the war). (Mr. Massey: "I'll take you with me.") At the conclusion of his.remarks, Sir Joseph Ward burst into song, giving those well-established favourites "The Bog Down in Yon Meadow" and "There's Bound to bo a How" (unaccompanied).

Sir James Carroll also delivered a splendid oration on tho Empire as it was and as it will bo after passing through the cleansing fires of war. Vocal items wtro contributed by Orphans W. Goudie, H. F. Wood, Hamilton Hodges, L. Exton, and Luks, a comic recitation, came from Orphan A. Hunt, and the club's capable orchestra under Orphan Moschini played a couple of selections, tho "Miss Hook of Holland" fantasia being exceptionally well done.