JUBILEE BANQUET

Evening Star, Issue 22571, 12 February 1937, Page 13

JUBILEE BANQUET

COURT EXCELSIOR A.D.F. In connection with the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Court Excelsior, a banquet was held in the Mornington School Hall last night. There was a large attendance, presided over by C.R. Bro. G. D. Hay, P.C.R., who extended a welcome to members and friends.’ Proposing the toast of “ The United Otago District, A.0.F.,” the Chairman referred to the work carried out by the pioneers of the various Forestry courts in the district, and said it was to them that the district owed its being and stability. It was a body of which they had every reason to be proud. Before 1912 it was not fully united, but in that year an amalgamation of all the funds in the district was decided upon. Owing to the vast amount of machinery which had to be put in operation, it was not until 1917 that the actual union was made. Some of the early courts had been in financial difficulties, but the amalgamation had put them on their feet again. They were now a united body, and each was helping the other. The sound financial position which was shown to-day was due in a large measure to the good judgment of the trustees. To-day every Forester had the backing of the whole district. The value of the-work they were carrying out was not to be estimated in pounds, shillings, and pence, but in the amount of assistance which was given to distressed .members. In reply D.S.R. Bro. A. Gibson paid a tribute to the work of the pioneer members who laid the foundations on which the order was- so firmly built. They realised the value which would be derived from a court in the district, and from its inauguration the court had always carried out the spirit of consolidation. Court-Excelsior had given capable officers and workers to both senior and juvenile branches, and every member should be proud to belong to the United Otago District. _ They could look over the past years with satisfaction, but the order must not rest on its past, as that would lead to decay; it must always go forward. The speaker reminded his listeners that friendly societies were always a necessity. In prosperity and adversity there was always work for them. It was not on a few that the future rested, but on all, and it was therefore imperative that every member should strive for conditions which would make the order stronger and more serviceable. D. Sec. Bro. J. K. Macfie said that 73 years ago there were two courts in Dunedin, one at Port Chalmers and one at Queenstown. At the present time there were courts all over the district and the members were numbered in thousands. They all realised that unity was strength and was the keynote of all friendly society social work. There were no distinctions in the order, and the initials A.O.F. could stand for “ All One Family.” Since the decision to amalgamate the funds continued progress had been made, and to-day members were receiving more benefits than had been promised thin. Courts had been formed all over Otago in the early days, especially in Central Otago. Court Excelsior had produced some excellent men who had served the district long and well. The district was the strongest, both financially and numerically, in New Zealand, and it had also been the district to pioneer the movement amongst the younger generation. Reference was also made by the speaker to_ the very cordial relations which existed between the Court Excelsior and kindred societies. The toast of “ Court Excelsior ” was proposed by P.D.C.R. Bro. C. C. Robertson, who said that the pioneer members must have possessed courage, determination, and vision. Vision had inspired people in all walks of life and had proveda power in the advancement of civilisation. The pioneer members did not work for themselves alone, but for those who followed. Figures gave little idea of the large amount of work which had been carried out in the district by the court. It had admittedly known its dark days, but had now pulled through, and was a successful court, which was ably taking its part in the work of the order. In the course of his reply C.R. Bro. G. D. Hay said that the court was one of the best in the district, and at the present time four or five of its officers were sons of former members. With regard to the future there was little fear of trouble under the present conditions. Other toasts honoured during the evening were:—"Old Members,” proposed by P.D.C.R. Bro. R. S. Vercoe and responded to by P.C.R.s Bros. W. R. G. Mearns and F. B. Smith; "Juveniles,” proposed by P.D.C.R. Bro. W. R. Brough and responded to by P.C.R. Bro. C. H. A. Alack; ‘ Kindred Associations,” proposed bv P.D.C.R. Bro. T. M. M'Ahan and replied to by P.D.P. Bro. A. E. Jelly (U.A.0.D.); “Absent Members,” proposed by P.D.C.R. Bro. H. L. Thomson and responded to by P.C.R. Bro. J. Fleury; “The Medical Officer.” proposed by P.D.C.R. Bro. G. L. Wamlsley and responded to by Bro. Dr A. A. Reid: “The Ladies,” proposed by P.C.R. Bro. T. R. Wallace and responded to bv (Bro. J. T. Wilson, P.C.R. During the evening the following items were contributed:—Solos—Mrs N. M’Quarrie. Mrs M. Olliver, Bro. X. M'Quarrie. Mr E. Paris; recitation, P.C.R. Bro. T. R. Wallace; violin solo, Bro. R. H. Kerr: and accordion solo. Mr J. Moore. Mr L, Paris played the accompaniments.