FRIENDLY SOCIETY JUBILEE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 4 March 1914, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETY JUBILEE

COURT PRIDE OF THE FOREST, A.O.F, ENJOYABLE FUNCTION. __ The members of 'PiJut't Pritie "of the Fo»-p«t v Ancient Order of Foresters, 'celebrated the jubilee of the Court yesterday by holding a picnic in Wastney's paddock. The weather was perfect for the outing, and the large gathering spent a most enjoyable dnvAtt»v lliflcti had been served, Bro. George Dodson, P.D.C.R., gave an address. He was pleased to see so many friends present, and congratulated the court on attaining its jubilee, and on its sound financial position. Among" the visitino- brethren' was Bro. Robert Tibbie, of Court Robin Hoed, who was present at the institution of Court Pride of the Fo'rest. (Applause). Many of the pioneer members had passed Away, but Messrs West-ley and Brown Wei'e.still surviving. Bro. Robert Tibbie expressed pleasure at being present, as he had attended the opening of the court.' He went on to state the initial steps taken in 1863 to form the lodge, with 17 members, of which he was the sole survivor. The Foresters, from the start, decided never to hold their meetings in a- public house. He Was present when the court held its I 25th anniversary, and on the occasion, of the opening of their hall. He always enjoyed himself at their gatherings. (Applause); He had been a Forester 61 years, having joined in England. He contended every Forester obtained, good value for his money. He advised all the young people to join as soon, as ever they could. (Applause). ' ' _'. Bro. David Barnett, secretary, said their first court officers were as follows: Chief Ranger, Bro. E. F. Jones; SubChief Ranger, Bro. Kenneth Ross, secretary, Bro. R. Edmonds; treasurer, Bro. 'Edmund Wastney; senior - wood-, ward, Bro. W. T. Pitcher; junior woodward, Bro. J. Withers; senior beadle, Bro. John Bungate ; junior beadle, Bro. John Brown. The members present at the opening of the court were Bros. Edmund Wastnev, Daniel Slate, William Westley, John ' Bungate, Robert Edmonds, Kenneth Ross, Edward* Frost, I W. T. Pitcher, John Brown, William Bro-wn, and John Withers. The opening ceremonies we're conducted by Bro. Robert Burn, P.C.R., assisted by Bro. Robert Tibbie, C.R., Bro. E. F. Jones (secretary), Bro. T. C. Cooke, SX.R., and Bro. William Stallard, all of Court Robin Hood. Bro - . Barnett went on to remark when, the court celebrated its 25th anniversary it had '34 members, and its financial worth was £BO6 Is lid ; to-day (its 50th anniversary) the members ' numbered 86. and the financial worth reached £2736 19s 3d. (Applause). Bro.- E- Gill' had been for 40 years treasurer of the court, and himself (the speaker) 39 years its secretary, both being record periods of. holding office. (Loud applause). Bro. L. J. Frank, P.D.C.R-, on behalf o'f zhe district, congratulated the court on its memorable ■ anniversary, and apologised for the unavoidable absence of the District Chief Ranger and the District Secretary. /Having 3"st filled the chair of District. CHief Ranger, he could testify that the business-of Court Pride of the Forest was .well conducted. Approximately there were 1000 Foresters in ' the Nelson" district. He hoped the court wo'uld continue to prosper, and swell its meirbership, and they would all be present to enjoy the celebration of the court's 60th. anniversary. (Applause), f. '„,_,'' Bro. W. T. Bond, P.D.C.R., conveyed the congratulations of Court Robin Hood on the auspicious occasion. He mio-ht tell them ix, was his jubilee year as a Forester. He arrived a* Nelson in 1863, and after considering the matter he became a member of Court Robin Hood in 1864. The officers and members of Court Robin Hood had pleasant recollections of picnics and celebrations in connection with Court Pride of the Forest They wished the court continued •(ssnu-dclv) •£j:.isdsojd During the afternoon Mr F. N. Jones (a orandson of the first Chief Ranger of the°cour±) took photographs of the members, grouped ; also of the whole picnic party," which ' dispersed late in the afternoon.