FRIENLLY SOCIETIES.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 18, 21 July 1898, Page 6

FRIENLLY SOCIETIES.

4 The thirtieth anniversary of Court Sir George Bowen, A.0.F., was celebrated by a banquet—the iirst for the last 12 j-ears— held in the Foresters' Hall, Tory-street, last evening. About GO members attended, and Bro. H. Baldwin, D.C.It., was in the chair. After the repast, the Chairman proposed the toast of " The Queen," and referred to the progress of Forestry during the Queen's reign. To-day the Order has a membership of 900,000, expends the film of £900,000 in sick and funeral pay every year, and has an annual income of £1,200,000. The total funds of the Order amount to £4.500,000. The toast of "Success to Court Sir George Bowen " was proposed by Bro. J. T. Webber. In responding, BrcT. Foloy t-aid tho court started in 1867, and this was practically the its 31st anniversaiy. The report and balance-sheet lip to October last showed .assets of £4200 14s ?A, of which £2930 was invested in mortgage. From tho t-tart of the court £2250 has been received in interest; £5847 had been paid away in tick pay, and £GOOO for medical aid. The membership totalled 330. Bro. Foley was of opinion that some provision .'■hould be made for old members. The remaining toasts were: —"The Wellington District," proposed by Bro. W. Ferguson, aud responded to by Bros. Upton, D.S.W., and Birch, D.T.; "Town and Country Courts," proposed by Bro. Birch and acknowledged by Bros. Kershaw and Newell; "Kindred Societies," replied to by Bros. Perrin (M.U. Oddfellows) and "Webber (Shepherds); "Absent Friends," "The Ladies," " The Press/ " Tlio Caterer (Mr. Skinner) and the Catering Committee." During tho evening songs were given lnJJros. J. T. Webber, Alpe, A. Byles, Green, Dixon, Perrin, and Sparrow, a recital ion by Bro. Smith, a violin solo by Bro. King, a banjo s-6!o by Bro. Jones, an Irish jig by Bro. Dor.m, and grapliophone selections manipulated by Bro. Alpe. Bro. Foden played the accompaniments. Members of Court Sir George Grey, A.0.F., are reminded by advertisement of tho nnniver-ary banquet of that court, to be held to-morrow evening.

Tho seeming negligence of some person or persons was nearly Ihe cause of a very serious accident early this morning. The Fire Brigade's carriage with the firemen on board was being drawn along Taranakistreet at the i.jual brisk pace, when a solitary light was seen in the middle of the road, and from tho light to the footpath Mas a cutting about Oft deep, in connection with the drainage works. This "mantrap," however, was not visible to those on the carriage, and it was only b} r skilful handling of the ribbons that the pitfall was avoided. The dauger of not properly lighting such excavations is apparent. Here is a record. Alfred Troup, of Woodvilie, has been at school for eight years, and has only missed a day and » half 'during that time.