ORPHANS' "AT HOME"

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 80, 1 October 1924, Page 13

ORPHANS' "AT HOME"

A FAREWELL EVENING.

The Town Hall was a very bright and cheerful place last night, when members of the Orphans' Club and their friends crowded into the hall, finding at the doors becoming .bandeaux for the ladies and caps for the menkind, brightly coloured, and made of the popular crepe paper. These donned, all found places in the gallery, or on the ground floor, which was arranged cafe chantant fashion, with the dainty "cosies" over the good things, which are a feature of the Orphans' gatherings, the main tables being set. under the gallery, and in the Concert Chamber for the guests upstairs. The decorations were very bright, the central electrolier being encased in yellow, with a broad, black band, the lesser lights being, draped in pale heliotrope, fringed, and with cross-way fringed streamers of royal blue to the sides of the hall, while the front of the gallery was decked with panels of fringed paper in many shades. The programme opened with an overture played by the Orphans' Orchestra, under the conductorship of Orphan T. Goodall, following which came the installation of the Chief Orphan C. C. Odlin, by Lord Jcllicoe. Members, he said, had felt it a great honour to have been associated with Lord Jellicoe during the time he had been patron of the club, and it was with the greatest regret that they viewed his departure. The warm regard in. which Their Excellencies were held by the people of the Dominion was spoken of, and it was with very sincere good wishes for the future health and happiness of Lord and Lady Jellicoe and their family that the club bade them farewell.

A recitation by Orphan G. E. G. Chapman, "A Farewell," addressed to His Excellency and family, and specially composed for the occasion followed, ani then His Excellency made a, brief farewell speech, thanking the club for the pleasant evenings he had spent with the members, and alluded to the versatility of the Chief Orphan, Mr. C. C. Odlin. He spoke in kindly Temembrance of Colonel R. J. Collins,"who had sent an apology for not being present, owing- to ill-.health, and recalled that Colonel Collins had welcomed him when he came to this country in H.M.S. New Zealand. He regretted that he was not well enough to be present at this farewell party. His Excellency alluded to the regret which they all felt at severing the pleasant connections with tho Dominion^ and, after allusions to the "splendid epic," which had been composed in his honour, read one which had been composed at Government House after much thought, pleasing all as it concluded with the Maori words, "E noho ra." Contributions to the first part of tho programme were: Recitation "A Farewell," Orphan G. E. G. Chapman, Orphan Robert Moore, Orphan Edgar Swain, and Orphans H. Phipps G. Howe, W.'Goudio, and W. B. Brown The production of "M'Namara's Wedding," an interlude of songs, dances, quartettes, and choruses comprised the second part of tho programme. The extravaganza was written and produced by Orphans E. A. Horron and Will B. Lambert. Tho dances were arranged by Mr. J. Knowsley, and the scenery was lent by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., and Mr. S. Warwick, and the piano by The Bristol. At the conclusion of tho programme supper was served, and dancing followed. Chief Orphan C. C. Odlin, and Mr. P. Barcham were M.C.'s, and the jazz orchestra, under Conductor Goodall, provided the dance music. Lady Jellicoe, who accompanied His Excellency, wore a frock of navy velvet, with georgette- sleeves and diamond clasrjs on the shoulders. The Hon. Lucy Jellicoe wore apricot crepe de chine. Mrs. Odlin was in cerise marocain with fur coat, and the Mayoress, Mrs. R. A. Wright, in bla«k msirocaiu. Orphans' Liardet and Cooko were responsible for the decorations, and accompaniments were played by Orphans Godber and H. E. Wilson. Among those present wero: Mr. Marcus Marks and his sister. Miss Marks, Mr. J. P. Firth, Mr. and Mrs Colley, Mr. J. Hislop and Mrs. Hislop! Mr. and Mrs. I. Salek, Mr. and Mrs. H Nathan and Miss S. Nathan, Mrs. and Miss Buckleton, Mr. and Mrs. Nowton Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Hunt, Dr. and Mrs. Herbert, Mr. and Mrs. D. M'Laren Mr. and Mrs. Teasdale. Mr. and Mrs! M. Carr. Mr. and Mrs. Herron, Mr. and Miss Barcham, Mr. and Mrs. N. Aitken, Mr. and Mrs. Shovland, Mr. and Mts.' K. Lyou, Mr. and Mrs. Amos, Dr. and Mrs. Harty, and many others.