FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21365, 19 June 1931, Page 16

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

FORESTERS. The fortnightly meeting of Court Pride of the Leith was held on Wednesday lust, when there was a large attendance of members and a full complement of officers. with the C.R., Bro. C. K. Heaton, in charge. A circular from the district executive relative to the appointment of a Relief Committee to deal with the fund for unemployed members, was referred to the next meeting. Invitations were received and accepted from Courts Pride of Green Island and Pride of Dunedin. The C.R. reported on the official visit to Court Marion at Mosgiel. After the close of the meeting the C.R. was in charge of the “ hard-up ” evening, when a large number of members paraded in various “ down-and-out ” costumes. The competitors were judged by Mrs R. S. Vercoe, and prizes were awarded to Bro. W. A. Nelson first, and P.C.R. Bro. S. T. D. Gaudin second. A community sing took place under the direction of P.C.R. Bro. C. S. Hawes, and was entered into very heartily by all present. Harmony was contributed by P.D.C.R. Bro. C. C. Robertson, P.C.R.’s Bros. J. Benfell, C. S. Hawes, and A. E. Brown, Bro. James White, and I.P.C.R. Bro. D. S. Munro. A successful function closed with a “ hard-up ” supper. The fortnightly meeting of Court Bruce, Milton, was held on June 1, when C.R. Sister Fiddes presided over a fair attendance. A resolution of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Bros. G. Finch and H. A. B. Gray. Correspondence was received from the district executive notifying that the court’s nominee (P.D.C.R. Bro. R. S. Vercoe) had been appointed as district deputy installing officer. Owing to the vacancy caused through the illness of S.C'.R. Sister Nichoils, each of the subordinate officers were promoted, "“‘I Br?- I>- G. Marshall elected as J.B. E- Paul acted as installing officer. Bro. Paul reported upon the arrangements for entertaining the Juvenile Court on June 4. It was resolved to hold c- T, ul 3, c . e following the next meeting, and L.K. bister I 1 icicles find 5.33. Bro. Roe were appoauod to the Management Committee of the Juvenile Court. Three nominations of new members were received. The toast of “The Visitors ” was responded to b -y Rro- Goodall on behalf of Court Pride ot Oamaru.

Bro. J. Hand presided over a good attendance of the youthful members of Go art Pride of Bruce, attached to Court Bruce, Milton, on June 4, and there was also present a good number of adult members. It was reported that there were no members on the sick lists. A good deal of general buoihets included a report by the secretary on the proposed visit to Court Sherwood Forest (Roslyn) early next month. The quarterly accounts were passed for payment. Bro. £• -M. Paul responded to the toast of The v isitors.’’ Two new members were initiated. At the close of the meeting the juvenile members were entertained by members of the adult court, and a pood night’s enjoyment was provided with games and competitions. The winners of trophies for the latter were Bros. W. Lyall and W. Nimmo.

There was a large attendance of members at the meeting of Court Little John on June 2, the evening set aside for P.C.R.’s and old members. The C.R., Bro. A. Gibson, extended a hearty' welcome to the older members, and referred to the pood work done by them in the past. The initiation ceremony was conducted by the following P.C.R.’s:—C.R., Bro. S. Edwards (initiated 1896); I. Bro. A. S. Sinclair (1888); S.C.R., Bro. W. Webster (1898); S.W., Bro. D. P. Heatley (1898); J.W.. Bro. J. Walker (1893); 5.8., Bro. W. Taylor (1902); and J. 8.. Bro. J. Herbert (1898) -all well over 25-year members. The C.R. and P.C.R. Bro. Goodlet were appointed delegates to the committee to consider the question of arranging a combined ball early next year. An invitation from Court Woodlands Pride was accepted. The secretary expressed his pleasure at meeting so many of the older members, and referred to the services they had rendered the court in its early days. The progress made was in no small measure due to the foundation laid by these members in the younger days of the court. P.C.R. Bro. Edwards, in reply, stated that the older members thanked the court for the privilege given them to occupy the chairs. They appreciated the kindness shown them, and congratulated the court on its strong progress. P.C.R. Bros. Jamieson and Frame spoke on the many enjoyable evenings spent indays gone by, and although now unable to attend the meetings, they still took a keen interest in the welfare of the court. They spoke highly of the services rendered by Secretary Bro. R. C. Wilson during his long term of office, extending over 42 years. Regret was expressed on the illness of an , old member, Bro. J. B. M‘lntyre, who had been instrumental in organising many happy musical evenings. P.C.R. Bro. A. S. Sinclair, a foundation member, spoke on the difficulties they had to contend with in the early days, when the meetings were held in a small room at the rear of the building now known as the Methodist Church. In those days every member of the court attended the meetings. P.C.R.’s Sisters Woods and Moreton, who were original members of Court Pride of Roslyn, formed in 1896, and since amalgamated with Court Little John, also expressed their pleasure at being present. It was decided to extend the sympathy of the members to Bros. Hillary and J. B. M'lntyre in their illness. D.C.R. Bro. J. H. Reynolds complimented the P.C.R.’s on the manner they had conducted the initiation ceremony, and expressed the hope that similar meetings would be held from time to time. Court King Edward's Pride held its fortnightly meeting on Thursday last, when there was a large attendance of members. In the absence of the C.R., P.C.R. Bro. W. Ross occupied the chair. Relief was granted to many members who were laid aside by illness. Invitations were accepted from Courts Robin Hood, Pride of Green Island, and Pride of Dunedin. Court Excelsior also notified its fifty-fourth anniversary, and members were asked to give their support to the function. P.C.R.’s Bros. A, S. Dyke and P. Holdaway, with the secretary, were elected as the Benevolent Committee to administer the district relief scheme on behalf of the court. A hearty welcome was extended to the visitors from Court Pride of the Leith and to the district secretary. P.D.C.R. Bro. R. S. Vercoo briefly responded. The district, secretary (Bro. J. K. Macfie), in replying, congratulated the court on the fine progress it had made in recent years. General satisfaction was expressed on the unprecedented success of the recent ball conducted by the court, and the committee responsible was congratulated on its thorough organisation. Two new members were admitted, which brought the total membership up to the 300 mark, and three nominations were received. After tlie meeting, the district secretary gave a most interesting lantern lecture on “ Travels Round the District.” Among the many fine slides displayed were several showing the progress of the works at the Waitaki hydro. Votes of thanks to Bro J. K. Macfie for his lecture and to Mr W. Simpson as operator, were carried by acclamation. The evening was brought to a conclusion with dancing to the music of P.C.R. Sister M. Fraser. The fortnightly meeting of Court Woodland’s Pride was held on June 8, when the various chairs were occupied by P.C.R.’s. P.C.R. Sister Davis acted as the C.R. In response to a letter from the district secretary, the court secretary and the C.R. were appointed as delegates to the meeting to consider the combined ball. Invitations were received and accepted from Court Pride of Green Island and Court Pride of Dunedin. Official visits were received from P.C.R.’s of Court Pride of the Leith, Excelsior, and Enterprise. P.C.R.’s Bros. A. C. Skinner, S. Brettel. and J. Fleury responded for their respective courts. Seven new members were initiated and four nominations were accepted. At the close of the meeting a progressive euchre tournament was held, the winners being P.C.R. s Sister V att and Bro. Fleury.

KECHABITES. The Otago Provincial Council meeting was held in the Y.M.C.A. on Tuesday evening, when the following representatives were presided over by C.R. Sister jl. Verngrcen: —D.R. Bro. T. Fraser (Star of South Tent), P.S.J.T. Sister M. Benfell. Sister Edwards, P.C.R. Bro. J. Rhodes (Sobriety Tent). Bro. W. Walkin•lriw (Port Chadmers Tent). Bro. A. T. M'Tndoe and Sister A. Steednian (Hope of Dunedin Tent), and D.G. Bro. A. V. Gain There was a large amount of business transacted, chief amongst which was the finalising of the arrangements for the juvenile competitions to be held on Saturday, Julv 18. It was announced that the Martin Cup had been received from the

donors, P.D.C.R. Bro. A. Martin and his wife, to whom members expressed grateful thanks for the handsome trophy. It was decided that in future the initiation competitions be held half-yearly, so that each new set of officers would be able to participate, and that the points for both competitions be added . together so that the tent securing the highest aggregate points would be declared the winner of the Martin Cup. The Prov. C.R. and P.S.J.T. were heartily thanked for the manner in which they had carried out their duties in installing the officers of the adult tents and juvenile tents respectively. Satisfaction was expressed at the action of the District Executive in forwarding copies of the minutes of its monthly meetings to the provincial councils.

The Port Chalmers Tent held its meeting in the tent room on Wednesday evening, P.C.R. Sister ATQueen occupying the chair. The business of the evening was quickly disposed of, including the nomination of officers to be installed by the Provincial Council on July 1. Routine business oyer, a pleasant hour was spent in a quoit competition, the winning sister being Miss Gillian, whilst Bro. W. Walkinshaw (the energetic secretary of the Port Chalmers Tent) won the brothers’ prize, both prizes being presented by Sister ATQueen. Visitors from Hope of Dunedin and Star of South Tents were present.

There was a good attendance of members at the fortnightly meeting of the Crystal Spring Juvenile Tent, held in Caversham Methodist Hall on Wednesday evening. One candidate was initiated. There was keen competition in the election of officer’s, which resulted as follows: —C.R., Bro. V. Gain; D.R., Sister J. Carrington: P.C.R., Sister Mavis Friend; secretary, Sister Yalma Gain; levite, Sister W. Gerrie; guard, Bro. J. Ferguson. The officers were installed .by. P.S.J.T. Sister M. Benfell, who received a hearty welcome. An invitation was extended to tire members of the Primrose Juvenile Tent to the next meeting. With a view to installing the newlyelected officers, P.S.J.T. Sister M. Benfell attended the meeting of the Primrose Juvenile Tent. C.R. Bro. Lex Williams presided over a good attendance of members. Nominations having been received, the following officers were duly installed by Sister Benfell, Sister J. Robertson acting as installing levite:—-Chief ruler. Sister O. Ross; deputy ruler, Sister B. Barnett; secretary,. Sister E. Johnston (reelected) ; levite. Sister F. Dey; guardian, Sister M. Fleury; and P.C.R., Bro. L. Williams. After a few words of encouragement and advice by the P.S.J.T.. the meeting was closed, the remaining portion of the evening being spent in parlour games.