FORESTERS

Evening Star, Issue 20986, 28 December 1931, Page 12

FORESTERS

The vcarlv meeting of the Court Pride of tht Leith was Judd on Wcdnesday last, the G.R., Bro. T. F. Al‘X T atty, being in the chair. Several remits were considered and wore passed to be placed on the business paper for the next annual meeting of the district, and a remit dealing with the disposal of the surplus fund of the court was also agreed to, and will be placed before the registrar of friendly societies. P.C.R. Pro, A. W. Jones reported on his recent visit to Court Pride of Oamaru, and conveyed greetings from that court. Several members, with President Bro. Craig, gave lengthy reports ou the yearly meeting of Court Pride of the Valley, and the officers of that court were congratulated on being the first winners of the Benfcll Memorial Shield for general efficiency. The toast of “ The Visitors ” was responded to by P.C.R, Bro. W. Himrnel on behalf of Court Enterprise. _ Two new members were admitted, bringing the total membership up to 9G7. The quarterly summoned meeting of Court Bruce, Milton, was held on .December 11, when there was a good attendance of members. C.R. Sister A. D M'lnnes presided. The District Executive advised that the memorial scholarship competition had been conducted in conjunction with the proficiency examinations, and the results would be known shortly The court was invited to give its opinion on a district syllabus. A discussrin ensued on the advisability of the the combined friendly societies’ picnic this year, due to the depression, and a motion instructing tho delegates to support such a resolution was _ negatived in favour of the matter being left to the decision of the Picnic Committee. Owing to next meeting falling during the holidays, it was resolved that it should lapse, and the secretary and treasurer were deputed to attend to routine business. The Foresters’ tribute to the fallen was rendered by P.C.R. Bro. K. J. Gibb, and honoured in sience, prior to tho close of the mooting. The last meeting of Court Little John was well attended, with 1.P.C.R.. Bro. A Gibson in the chair. It was decided to support the proposal to issue a handbook for tho district. A vacancy having occurred in the office of J. 8., Bro. W. Reynolds was elected to that position, and P.C R. Bro. H. L. Thomson was elected assistant secretary. These officers were installed by P.C.R. Bro. A. S. Sinclair. _ After the close of the meeting the sisters were entertained to supper by the brothers. A hearty welcome was extended to tho sisters by Secretary Bro. R. C. Wilson, who referred to the great assistance the sisters had been to tho court. He stated that Court Little John was the first court to admit both male and female members in tho Australasian colonies. In contrast to the average rate of sickness, which showed very high among female members, the sickness of the sisters of the court was far below tho average, and m fact the average for female members bad been much lower than for the males. P.C.R. Bro. A, S. Sinclair, one of the original members, expressed his pleasure at being present, and stated that it bad been the custom for many years for tho brothers to entertain the sisters at this season, and he hoped the function would be continued. The noted hospitality of Court Little John was largely duo to the sisters P.C.R. Sister M‘Minn returned thanks on behalf of the sisters for the splendid way they bad been entertained by tho brothers, and as one of the oldest members present, she could always look back to many pleasant functions similar to the present one. and hoped tho social side of the court would always be well maintained. The quarterly meeting of Court King Edward’s Pride was bold on Thursday last, and, being the eve of Christmas, the attendance was not as largo as usual. In the absence of the C.R., P.C.R. Bro. W. Ross took the chair. Greetings from the Districe Executive and several members were acknowledged. The Foresters’ tribute to tho fallen was given by P.C.B. Bro. A. S. Dyke, and responded to in silence. .1 bo nominations of three candidates were received. After the close of the meeting a pleasant time was spent in dancing. . „ The fortnightly meeting of Court Pride of Gore was held on the 10th, when C.R Bio. Cottrell presided over a good attendance of members. One member was reported on the sick funds. It was decided that tho court should join in with the other friendly societies in holding the picnic, as m former years It was decided to forward a ’resolution of sympathy to the relatives ol the late P.13.C.R. Rio. L. Churchill. One new member was admitted and one nomination was accepted. It was reported that tho dance recently held by tho court was a financial success. The vearlv meeting of Court Pride of tho Valley, "attached to Court Pride of the Leith’, was bold on Saturday last, when there was a largo attendance of members present, with C.R. Bro. J. C. Cooper in the chair. One member was reported on the sick funds. The president (Bro, E. Stanley), secretary (Bro. J. K. Macfie), and Bros. Gaudm and Dyke, of the Juvenile Council, were welcomed. An official visit was received from Court Star of Dunedin. On behalf of the council, Bro. Stanley presented the 1.P.0.R., Bro. Nisbet, with tho Benfell Memorial Shield, which had been won by Tjio court in the recent general efficiency competition, and was" the first court to win that honour. The officers were congratulated by the councillors on their fine performance in the competition. Bro. Nisbet replied in a suitable manner, and spoko ol the good training they had received from the president, Bro. E. Craig. After the close of the meeting members and visitors were entertained with Christinas cheer, and a happy time was spent in games, etc., and a good supper. The third anniversary of Court Sherwood Forest was celebrated at the last mooting, when there was a largo number of members and friends present. The president, Bro. Davies, extended a heartv welcome to the visitors. At the invitation of the president, Secretary Bro. "Wilson spoke pn the benefits to he derived from juvenile Forestry, and invited all who were not connected with a friendly society to give the matter careful consideration. Music was contributed by Bros. A. Miller, O. Walker, W. Holmes, and H. J,. Thomson, and Sister M‘Mann, also Misses Watson J. and H. Thomson, Muir, and Hayward. Items from Messrs Kerslcy, Hayward, and Watson were much appreciated. Master J. Flott did a sailor’s hornpipe, Miss A. Stewart a skipping rope dance, and Highland dances were given by Misses Stewart and Flett. The accompanist was Miss 0. Morton. Following supper, P.C.R Bro. Gibson conveyed thanks to tho performers and to those who assisted in the entertainment, and a successful meeting closed with the Rational Anthem. Court Excelsior, No. 0,128, A.0.F., held its meeting, C.R. Bro. .). IV. Leiteh presiding over a very large meeting. A letter was received from tlio district secretary stating that A!aster W. G. Rcay (son of P.C.R. Bro. W. H. Rear) had won the James Maefio memorial scholarship prize. This is the fifth year in succession that a member or child of a jnember of Court Excelsior

has won this prize. Festive greetings were received from Bros. A. Salmon (Mosgiel), T. Smith and J. Galloway (Christchurch), J. W. Duff (Brunswick, Victoria), and A. Wills (Invercargill), Bro. R. Reynolds was congratulated on being selected as a member of the Otago crew in the forthcoming Sanders Cup races. Bro. Kerr, after being in Australia for the last eight years, was welcomed hack by the C.R. P.C.R. lire. A. J. Morrison gave a very impressive rendering of “ The Fallen Soldiers’ Toast.” The secretary (Bro. E. Patton) reported that an old member had donated £1 towards the building fund.