FORESTRY

Evening Star, Issue 12308, 24 September 1904, Page 2

FORESTRY

The usual quarterly summoned meeting of Court Pride of the Leith, A.0.F.. was held on Wednesday evenins in the Albshy street Hall, C.R. Bro. George' T. Eace being in the chair. Official "visits were received from Courts Pride of Diinedin, Enterprise, St., Andrew, Excelsior, Woodland's Pride, Robin Hood (Port Chalmers), and Bruce (Milton). The District Executive were also present, and altogether the attendance numbered about 150. After routine business, the C.R. stated that they had met to celebrate the fortieth anniversary. He expressed great pleasure in seeing such a, large number present, and extended a hearty welcometo the visitors. A very pleasing function took "lace during the evening—namely, the presenting of a Hale roller-top desk, made of Canadian oak. to Bro. James Macfie, secretary. P.C.R. Bto. William B. Anderson, in making the presentation on behalf of members, referred to the long and faithful services rendered" to the court by Bro. Macfie, extending over a period of thirty-three years. During that time he had only been absent on five occasions —three times through sickness and twice on account of having to attend to other business in connection with the Order. The members thought the time opportune to recognise Bro. Macfie's services in some tangible .way, and on their behalf it afforded him great pleasure to hand over the desk. He expresed the hope that Bro. Macfie would long be spared to make good use of it, and assured him that it carried with it the esteem and good wishes of every member of the court. The desk bore the following inscription on a silver plate: "Presented to James Macfie, Esq., by the members of Court Pride of the Leith, No. 3,992, A.0.F., as a token of esteem, and {a mark their appreciation of Ids lone and faithful service as secretary extending over a period of thirty-three years." Bros. John. Melville (Enterprise),. A. Watson and H. Youngman (Pride of Dunedin), J. Butler (Bruce), and U. Dillon (Robin Hood) spoke in most complimentary terms of the work done by Bro. Macfie, not only for his own Court, but for the United Otagd District as a whole. —Bros. A. S. Adams (District solicitor) spoke as one who had been closely associated with Bro. Macfie in friendly society work for many years. Although not a member of Court Pride of the Leith, it gave him great pleasure to be present to add his testimony to Bro. Macfie's sterling qualities. He reminded the members that that most useful and flourishing institution the United Friendly Societies' Dispensary owed its existence mainly to his (Bro. Matfie's) exertions, and he had held the position 6f secretary to the dispensary since its inception Seventeen years ago, to the entire satisfaction of the Board of Management, arid in fact to all the members connected with it. It was indeed pleasing to see the members of the Court recognise his worth. He did his work not only well, but in a quiet, unobtrusive manner which commended itself to all .who carrfe in, contact with him.—D.C.R. Bro. John Clark dorsed all the reni&rks' which had beeii made by the previous speakers. Bro. Macfie, on rising to respond, was greeted with loud applause. He said that he hoped it would not be out of place if he briefly sketched the history of the court,- which was opened oil the 14th Soptember, 1864, at a hall then known as " Bailey's," which stood clode to the Water, of Leith. Bro. William Woodland (the late District secretary) occupied the chair, s position he held tor tho first year. He (Bro. Macfie) regretted, as he believed t they all would, that Bro. Woodland, through infirmity of years, was unable to be present with them that night, as lie. was the only member of the Order now living, who attended their opening meeting. He (Bro. Macfie) could not speak from personal experience of the progress made daring, the first six years; but from the . books in his possession he learnt that fair, progress had been made, both numerically and financially. Early in 1370;. however,', the trustees, on going to the Dunedin. Bank to draw some money',. f,ounc|.to their dismay that the whole of the funds belonging to the court, over. £2OO, had boen withdrawn by the then treasurer and appropriated to his b-ivn: nse. ThM disaster nearly wrecked the 'confi. Some, money had to be borrowed, frofn, thh . District id carry on with, and so th'e difficulty was tided over, but hone of the" rnissing money was recovered. Shortly after that occurrence he was introduced to* the court by the late Bros. Thomas Hope and Peter Gibson. On the 21st a strange arid pleasing cOiticidtace', jflsi tbittjt-four jfears- ago- that.Jikbt—fag fcidic

office as and at the following halfyearly meeting he was elected secretary. Previous to his taking office there had been changes in thd iecretarysfiip, Mich apparently -WTasr iksi conducive to the welfare' of th<s court. He was pletfs&l to state that during his loiig'term of office his relationship *ifili tlie tfhole of the* merfibers had Bash., tod wfts still, of the" most cordial and friendly" riature. T|i€ membership now stood at 220, and the court funds amounted to £4,000. Including their share of the District 'funeral fund, the total worth of the court would be about £5,100. As to the handsome and useful present which they had just made.him, he felt at a loss to find words to adequately express all he felt. It was extremely gratifying to fifid His service*' had been appreciated sd mtich, and he heartily thanked the members.for their kitfdrie'ss' and corisidefatiOTi. He rrius't also thank those members of other courts who had spoken so kindly of him. The D.C.R. (Bro. John Clark), in a few complimentary remarks, presented Bro. John Waters with a framed P.C.R.'s certificate and collar, in recognition of his past services. Bro. Waters replied in a few well-chosen remarks, thanking the members for their handsome present. During tho evening light refreshments were handed round, aihd musical selections given. The C.R. (Bro. Race), in formally closing, the' court, thanked the visitors for their attendance' it the meeting, which proved one of the most pleasantand successful the court had ever held. The younger members theh adjourned to the lower hall, and thoroughly enjoyed a few hours' dancing.