ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS

Northern Advocate, 29 June 1925, Page 2

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS

COURT VICTORY. The Court Victory (Whangarei) Lodge &£ the Ancient Order of Foresters celebrated the acquisition of a new hall by holding an inaugural ceremony on Saturday evening. A large company was assembled including 40 visitors from neighbouring lodges. The Mayor of Whangarei, Mr J. E. Holmes, formally declared the hall open and heartily congratulated Court Victory on their good fortune in acquiring so splendid a home. In the course 1 of' his remarks the Mayor outlined a novel scheme which had been formulated' foT increasing the membership of Court Victory. A competition is to be started among members to bring new members to the lodge, a prize of a fully paid-up life

insurance policy being awarded to the member who is successful in bringing the largest number of new members during the period of two current quarters, commencing from next quarter. The object of the founders of the Order, was the relief and maintenance of members during sickness, said the speaker. Financial assistance at the time of death; the provision of medical advice for members, widows and' mothers of members; and payment of superannuation subsidiary benefits were also among the charitable objects of the Order. "Now that Court Victory has a splendid hall of her own, it is desirable that the social side to the Foresters ' activities be attended to,'' said Mr Holmes. \"lt * was' because of these virtues our founders sought to cultivate in society, that they deserve the thanks and gratitude of the Society as it is today, and I trust that this hall, which I now declare to beformally opened, may afford profit, pleasure and advantage to many generations of the people of Whangarei." Apologies for absence were read, and a musical item was rendered, a harp selection, "Annie Laurie," by Bro. j Atchinson. j A toast, " The Ancient Order of |, Foresters, " was proposed by Bro. W. U. j Timewell, who gave an idea how the ' hall was acquired. ! Bro. Watts congratulated Court Victory on being the only friendly society in Whangarei to have a home of their own, with a membership of 74, and he wished Court Victory the greatest success. Mr R. G. Hosking then sang a solo, and proof of his popularity as a vocalist was amply afforded by the hearty manner in which his selection was applauded, an encore being called for, A toast "Court Victory" was proposed by Bro Darlow, who recited a poem relating to Forestry. "The Society," said the speaker "dates back to the 17th century." Court Victory was opened in 1919, and received the name of "Victory" as a result of being \ opened when the Great War was { brought to a victorious ending, j A church parade was arranged for Sunday at 10.30, to the Presbyterian ' Church, and at 1.30 a trip to the Falls. | A recitation by Bro. Hutton followed, 1 then a reply to the toast "Court Victory." 1 Bro. Millar made a presentation of j of a Past-Chief Ranger's collar to Bro. j King, who, said Bro. Millar, had I helped considerably in obtaining a home ! for Court Victory. j A song, "Till the Sands of the j Desert Grow cold," was then sung and I the visitors were invited to join in the chorus. In reply to the remarks by Bro. Milj Jar in making the presentation of the collar to Bro. King, the latter member | stated that he had been a member for i 20 years, and referred briefly to the inI numerable benefits to be gained by association with such an order.

A toast "Kindred Societies," was next proposed by Bro. D. M. McLean, who extended a hearty welcome to visitors from neighbouring lodges, and in the course of his remarks threw much light on the difficulties which had been met and overcome in raising Court Victory to her present position. Mr E. G. Hosting then gave a splendid rendering of the ever-popular "Mother Mnchree," which ' was applauded with much zest by the assembly. Bro. Moloney replied to the toast '' Kindred Societies,'' and stated that the Star of Whangarei intended using the new hall for their meetings. The speaker also dwelt briefly 011 the fact that he was a member of the Druids of

YVhang'arei and also a member of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. At the conclusion of the ceremony toasts of "The Harbour Board," "The Hospital Board" and "Local Bodies" were proposed aud honoured, the "Press" also being included, and the Loyal toast having been honoured and the National Anthem sung the company dispersed.