ORPHANS’ CLUB

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6604, 26 May 1925, Page 4

ORPHANS’ CLUB

A HAPPY GATHERING VISIT FROM MORRINSVILLE BRETHEREN The Orphans’ Club held their fortnightly gathering in the Masonic Hall last evening, and the programme was right up to the best standard of these well-known entertainers. From first to last the items, many of which were given by the Morrinsville visitors, were excellent, and every performer received esthusiastic applause. The visitors were given a warm welcome. The programme was opened with Tibbott’s Jazz Orchestra and dull care immediately took its flight, leaving all in the right frame of mind. The first vocal item was by Mr Robinson, who sang in fine voice “The Bandelero.” He was encored and responded with an item that stirred the patriotism of his auditors and no seconded invitation was needed before the chorus “Rule Britannia” was heartily taken up. There was much applause when Bro. Andrew, who presided, - announced that the next number would be by their old friend Mr D. Weir, of Auckland. “The First Time I Ever had a Shave” was his choice. Soon the room was filled with laughter. Recalled he sang to his own accompaniment “When I was a Boy on the Road,” in which was set forth some experiences of a young commercial traveller. Yet a third item had to be given by Mr Weir, and this time the title was “Pass the Salt,” which might be described as a series of stories by one who was impersonating an unblushing liar. Bro. Andrew filled in a little time with good effect on the humour of -the bretheren by asking a few conundrums. Before the laughter had ceased Bro. Hitchman had the platform, and with “The Deathless Army,” in which all assisted with the chorus, made a valuable contribution to the evening’s amusement.- His next item, given as'an encore, was “Devon.” v Before announcing the next item the chairman begged for the performer the clemency of the audience. It was <3ne of their rules to encourage' and support the weak and backward, and give every novice a chance to make good in public. The audience was taken back when Bro. Wykes presented himself and gave three recitations, bringing his best gifts into play. Bro. Eichlen sang with remarkable effect “The Bedouin’s Love Song.” Up to this stage there had been nothing better. An encore was inevitable, and the second number was as enjoyable as the first. Bro. Fortune filled in a few minutes with some delightful stories, after which a break was made for supper. The cold night, gave keenness to the appetites, and the baked potatoes and coffee quickly disappeared. The Morrinsville Orphans were welcomed by Bro. Andrew, who spoke of the good feeling between the two Clubs and the readiness with which they helped each other at all times. He hoped that the visit of that evening would be repeated. Later the Te Aroha Orphans were to visit Morrinsville, but on what date they did not know yet. When they did go they hoped to take their orchestra with them. Speaking of the good work of the Morrinsville Club, Bro. Andrew said that men could be divided into two classes —those who got busy and did something and those who sat down and asked why it was not done some other way. Morrinsville Orphans belonged to the firstnamed class. Bro. Andrew, speaking of the work of Orphans’ Clubs generally, said there were 27 Clubs in New Zealand with a membership of 5000. Only eight years ago the Te Aroha Club was formed, it being then the fifth in New Zealand, and they then had only 16 members. The Orphans were growing. It had been said that nothing could be a success without enthusiasm, and one writer had said “In all thy getting get enthusiasm,” and it was this that they looked to for the life and'progress of the Orphans’ Club movement.

The next item was by The Jazz orchestra, and according to an announcement by Mr Tibbott the title was “Habaeus Corpus,” written by an undertaker. Bro. Crawford continued the programme with a song “Just for To-night.” The chief honours of the •„evening rested with the singer and the same pleasure was conferred with his second number. Yet a third time had he to sing before the audience was satisfied. Mr Morgan, a visitor to town, took the platform and in an excellent voice sang three well selected songs, demonstrating in each case exceptional powers as a singer. The audience showed their appreciation with loud bursts of applause. Bro. Eichlen (Morrinsville) thanked the Te Aroha Club for the way in which they had been received. They had not forgotten that Te Aroha had given the first programme at Morrinsville, and had taught them how to run a ' Club. They had at every meeting the gong presented by Te Aroha Club iij remembrance of the good feeling towards them. They hoped soon to have a visit from the Te Aroha bretheren, to whom they could promise a good welcome. Bro. Andrew said that the idea of putting on short comic sketches at some of their meetings had been discussed. The idea had come to fruition very quickly and Bro. Nicholl had prepared one of these sketches for that evening. Bro. Andrew also referred to the decision arrived at at the annual meeting that a box for the reception of pennies for the poor should be-placed ab the door. He hoped that no one would "forget the box. Two farces were then staged and caused a great deal of merriment. A court scene was presented and two cases were heard, one a charge of assault by Mrs McGinty (Bro. E. C.

Wykes) against her husband (Bro. Connolly), and the other a motor ’bus collision. Bro. G. H. Nicholls was magistrate, Bro. G. Gilchrist clerk of the court, and Bro. A. H. Caudwell

constable. The witnesses included Bros. M. Wykes, and Chadwick. Both farces created uproarous laughter and were an undoubted success.

The.-accompaniments for the musical part of the programme were played by Bro. Margison.