FORESTERS ANNIVERSARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6832, 10 October 1883, Page 5

FORESTERS ANNIVERSARY.

COURTS ZEALANDIA AND EUREKA. The united anniversary of Conrts Zealandia and Eureka, holding under th ß Ancient Order of Foresters, was celebrated last night m the Lorne-Bteeet Hall by a banquet and balL There were 60 couples present, and the spread, which was provided by Mr. T MeEwen, of the City Buffet, was in his usual liberal and well-served style, affording complete satisfaction to all present District Chief Banger Shepherd presided, and was ???> por^d on Wa right by Brother Wilson, 0.E., Court Zealandia, and on his left by Brother Keesing, C.R., Court Eureka. Brother Councillor Garratt, District Secretary, occupied the vice-chair. After ample justice had been done to the viands, the tables were cleared, and the Chateman proposed the toast of "The Queen and Royal Family," which was loyally responded to. I

Brother C.R. Wilson then proposed tb toast of "The High Court," coupled wit] the name of Brother Shawcross, the Hiel Court Secretary. The Chaibman responded to this toast He wished the duty had fallen to one mon able than he was to do justice to it, for i> was one of the toasts which wanted a brothei who was well up in Forestry, and who hac taken on active part in it all his life to do if justice,.andeventhen he wouldhardly be abl< to do it full justice. The high court repre sented so vast a number of people and sucl an injmense amount of money. It was th< centre from which everything emanated anc 1 through which everything passed, even th< affairs of the order in these distant coloniei and in the Fijis, where a court was now established. He (the Chairman) was a com parattvely young Forester, being only eighi years a member, and he did not under stand sufficient to do justice to the toast but he was sure, from-the way the toast bat been drank, and the manner in which. th( name of Mr.Shawcross had been received— a name which was familiar to them all, having been for forty years Secretary of tht High Court—that it required little from him to commend the toast to the brethren present. The next sitting of the District Court would be its fiftieth anniversary, and whei they considered the enormons amount of work which had to be gone through at these meejangs, and by the High Court, thej would all agree that they were entitled tc their hearty thanks and respect. The court consisted of 800 delegates, who met in one hall, representing all parts of the world, The order was constantly increasing. Or the 31st of December, 1882, the order com prised 28S districts, 4657 courts, 583,79J benefit and 13,184 honorary members, being an increase on the year of 1 district, 70 courts, 19,890 benefit, and 187 non members. The aggregate worth of the couri funds was £2,856,988, and of district funds, £345,868. During the year there wen 53,733 new members admitted, or 2669 mort than in the previous year. The number oi members' deaths in the year was 5589, and oi members' wives and widows, 3876. The juvenile societies at the end of 1882 conv prised 50,315 members, with £54,908 in funds. There were 10,143 persons whe joined these societies in the year, and in the same period 3493 were transferred to various courts as members of the order. The total number of members was 597,000, with funds amounting to 3£ millions. Could they wonder, then, at seeing here a happy brotherhood and sisterhood of that noble order? He said sisters advisedly, and was glad to see such a number present with them to-night— (cheers) —for they took quite as much interest in Forestry as the members did. He would conclude by again thanking | them on behalf of the High Court. (Cheers.) Brother C. R. Kbesing proposed the toast of " The Auckland District Executive." They had them all present except one member, and he hoped the brethren would join him in drinking prosperity and success to the Auckland District Executive. (Cheers.) Mr. GARRiTT, District Secretary, responded. He said this was an unexpected call <m him, as he did not represent the district, but the Ancient Order of Shepherds, although he was District Secretary. It, however, afforded him great pleasure to respond to the toast. It afforded him great gratification to be present, and at seeing such a numerous attendance. Indeed he felt more than gratified, for. the Court Zealandia was the child of the Court City of Auckland, and the Court Eureka was her grandchild, so that in celebrating this anniversary they were really celebrating the anniversary of the establishment of Forestry in Auckland. Today they numbered 1000 members, with £1400 district money and £10,500 court funds. This was the first decade of the Auckland district. Ten years ago it was formed, and he only Baw present at the table two of the members who were then present at its formation—Brother MeEwen and-him-self. Time had worked wonders. Many who helped on that occasion had joined the great majority in eternity. He could'not conceive what the future of Forestry in Auckland might be when he looked at its_ wonderful progress in the past. Referring to the opening of the new court in Helensville, Mr. Garratt said that it promised to be the best and most flourishing court in Auckland. It was only six weeks opened, and it already numbered 44 members, and 25 others had been proposed. Subject to the erection of a hall, a gentleman had given a site, and a considerable amount had been collected for the purpose. Though only six weeks in existence, the Helensville Court had £100 in funds. He then referred to the influence exercised by the Order, the immense sums disseminated amongst the homes of those who were afflicted, and could not understand why the leading men of Auckland did not identify themselves with the cause. They occupied the proud position of being the premier benefit societyamongst 12,000 rival friendly societies. He conclnded by quoting from a speech made by Mr. Morley, M.P. for Bristol, that no objects should be more dear than providence and thrift, and social union. Nothing could make men more conscious of their manhood than sympathy • with others, and Forestry fostered these principles in a high degree. (Cheers.) Mr. Garratt then proposed the toast of "The Court Zealandia, 4741, and Court Eureka, 6171."

Brother P.P.C.R. Webley responded for the Court Zealandia. During the past year they had forged ahead, and added 29 new members to their number, which, seeing the competition of other societies, he thought spoke well for them. They now numbered 107, of whom 100 were financial members, and that,.he thought, another pleasing item. During the past month there had been an exceptionally heavy expenditure from the sick fond, but they had a balance of £846 in this fund, and the benevolent fund, which had just been formed, and to which each member contributed a halfpenny a-week, had already £11. This fund was formed to aid a brother in distress who may not be entitled to sick pay. After being so long in arrears with their management fund they would now be glad to learn that they had now £4 Is to their credit. (Cheers.) He might attribute a great deal of-the success of the court to the untiring zeal of Brother Phillips, their Secretary. (Cheers.) Brother P.C.R. Loveli. responded for Court Eureka. He said they were onfy four years old, and were, as had been stated, the grandchild of the Court City of Auckland, but the Court Eureka was a -very sturdy grandohild indeed, and the grandmother had thrown out some goodoffshoots. They were about the Bame strength as the Zealandia. The trustees had wisely bought a site for a hall in Wakefield-street, the rent for which was paying interest, and although it may be some years before they had funds to build a hall, he thought the purchase a wise one. The Court City of Auckland were forestalling them in the erection of a hall, and in less than a year they would have a Foresters' hall in which to meet, and that would be a red-letter day in the history of the Order in Auckland.

Mr. Keesino proposed the toaut of "Sister Courts and Kindred Societies," to which Brother P.C.R. Jones, of the Court City of Auckland, responded. The toast Of " The Ladies," " The Press,"' and " The Caterer," followed, and were duly honoured and responded to, and the toast of "The Sick and Distressed," which was drunk in silence, brought this part of the proceedings to a close, and there was a rapid adjournment to the main hall- for the most interesting portion of the anniversary. THE BALL. 'As already stated, there were about sixty couples present. The hall was decorated with flags and bunting; the floor was in excellent order. Brothers W.-H^Tucker and J. Cobine proved to be agreeable and competent masters of ceremony. ,Excellent' music was provided by Messije. Reid and I Morris' band,'and the programme of twentyfour .dances being well arranged, the company thoroughly enjoyed themselves until I morning.