Bluff Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 13, Issue 13, 24 June 1905, Page 12

Bluff Notes.

A moat successful gathering of Foresters and their friends was held in the Drill Hall on Wednesday, 21st, the occasion being the anniversary social. Over one hundred couples took the floor for the dance,. His Worship the Mayor (Mr G. A. Whealler), on behalf of the Foresters, extended a hearty welcome to the visiting representatives of other societies, and made special reference to the good work done by friendly societies in assisting the sick and distressed. Reference was also made Ho the picturesque effect of the uniforms worn by some of the members, reminding one of the good old days of Robin Hood. During the evening; the Mayor presented (on behalf of Court Southern Star) two framed emblems —one to the retiring O R., Bro. G-eo. Steel, and one to Bro. S. Gilson for securing the greatest number of new members daring the year 1904. A great deal of the evening’s success was due to the energetic lady Foresters’ committee, consisting of Sisters Moody, Mathieson, M. Valentine, A. Cooper, and S. Preston, and also to Bro. A. J, Lister and his assistants io decorating the hall. The music was an assured success in the hands of Bros. Grant, Bigvood and Moss. Bro. 0. Forbes as M.C. was a host in himself. The catering was under the capable management of Bro. T. W. Parry. A most successful gathering closed in the small hours of the morning, with many expressions of regret that the time had passed so quickly. I should have stated that during the afternoon Bros. A. Lister, J. Halpiu, J. Dale, S. Gilson, B. Johnson, and W. Butler donned the R ibinhood uniform and paraded the town on horseback, and attracted? a good deal of attention with their plumes and bows and arrows, especially among the juvenile population. The B uff Naval Bind have secured a new set of Hawke’s Bxcelsior instruments, supplied by the Dresden Piano Co., which were tested for the first time at the opening of the skat ing tiuk on Tuesday evening. The instruments were on view in Messrs Price and Bulleid's window for a few days, and judging from the man3 r remarks of the public, there .should be plenty of music soon. Why P Because the band will require money to pay for the new instruments. It is an old saying that the Bluff Band never play oat unless they want some money, the public forgetting to take into consideration tbe many difficul ties the bind have been under for a number for years. The public also forget that the band have always willingly given their services for any local affairs, which means in the course of a year at least forty performances, which are not allowed for; but now the proper enthusiasm has been roused, the membership increased to thirty-five, instead of the usual half-dozen, and under the able conductorahip of Mr C. B. Hansen, the band have every reason to believe that they will retrieve their lost position in forthcoming contests. As a preliminary towards expenses of new instruments, Mrs 0. A. Tipping has undertaken the management of a Pit Tournament (the latest American oraze) to be run on 13th July, for which valuable prizes are offered, presented by Mr and Mrs C. A. Tipping, Mr S. Nichol and the band secretary. The band are also holding a grand variety entertainment on 19th July, and daring the coming summer tbe people at the port should be well supplied with music.