THE ORPHANS’ CLUB

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6565, 13 September 1948, Page 4

THE ORPHANS’ CLUB

SATURDAY NIGHT’S MEETING LARGE ATTENDANCE OF VISITORS AND MEMBERS The last session of'the present season of the Te Awamutu Orphans Club to be held in the Kihikihi Town Hall took place on Saturday night. The occasion was made memorable by the visit of some 30 odd members of the Hamilton Orphan’s Club, headed by Vice President Bro. Murphy. Included in the Hamilton delegation was Mr De Rose, the conductor of the Hamilton Civic Orchestra, and one of the Dominion’s most celebrated composers and conductors. There was a total attendance of just on 120, many members availing themselves of the privilege of being able to bring a friend.

The chairman for the evening was Dr J. B. W- Roberton and he was installed with fitting formality by the president of the Te Awamutu Club, Bro. L. W. Spence. Associated with the two above officials were Bros Murphy (Hamilton) and Bro. J. B. McLean (Immediate Past President). After the National Anthem and the Opening Ode had been sung, members at the request of the chairman, stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Mr G. Bridge who was a Past President and an honorary life member of the Club. Tributes were paid to the long and faithful services rendered to Orphandom by Mr Bridge. The orchestra: Messrs R. J. Judd (violin) leader, W. Harrison (piano) Hamilton, S. Barrett (clarinet) and L. Lee (cornet), gave two greatly appreciated selections “The Bohemian Girl” and “Serenade” (Schubert).

The chairman then welcomed the visitors, especially Bro. Murphy and his fellow visitors from Hamilton. He trusted that at the end of the evening they would be able to say that they had enjoyed themselves and that it would be so enjoyable as to make visitors who were not members of the Club become such. Mr Hugh Parker gave the maximum of pleasure by his singing of “Lighterman Tom” and “McNamara’s Band”. Mr Lloyd Lee was in first-class form, and his two cornet solos, a polka and “The Rosary” indicated that Mr Lee is without peer as an outstanding cornetist. His two contributions were greatly enjoyed. Mr Parker, a visitor from Hamilton, displayed a well trained virile voice of pleasing quality in three songs, “Away With Philandering”, “She’s Mine, All Mine (a delightfully told humorous story in song) and the ever popular “My Father’s Shillelagh’’. Future appearances of Mr Parker will be welcomed, not only by members of Orphans Clubs, but by larger audiences, if his presence on the Te Awamutu concert platform could be arranged. Mr Cyril Linehan, always a popular singer with local audiences, maintained that reputation, with his tuneful and tasteful presentation of “Niruana” and “The Old Refrain”. The usual Orphans Club supper was-served, the stewards being Mr A. J. Tailby (chief) who had the assistance of Messrs Robinson (assistant), C. Rae, J. B. Wilson, F. Laskey, A. Brill and G. Mearns. The second part of the evening’s proceedings opened with the orchestral selections “Eagles Nest” and the “New Colonial March”, and again great pleasure was given those present. At this stage it was announced that Messrs A. J. Tailby and J. Robinson were the winners of a competition, and the popularity of their success could be guaged by the applause that greeted them as they received their prizes from the hands of the chairman. Dr Roberton then gave a most interesting and informative address on the “Early History of Te Awamutu” and a full report of the address will appear in Wednesday’s issue so that the larger number of Kawhia readers may be able to share in the pleasure of reading the address and thus learning more aboyt some aspects of the early history of the town and district. Mr T. Watson, of Hamilton, sang “Dreaming of Thee” and “One Alone” most acceptably. Mr Murphy, in returning thanks on behalf of the visitors, first brought fraternal greetings from the Hamilton Club. The speaker then went on to express the sincere thanks of the visitors to the local Club for the wonderful evening they had put on. The welcome and the general atmosphere of friendliness that prevailed, together with the programme and supper, made the evening a tip-top one. Inter-Club visits were excellent things, said Mr Murphy, for such visits made for greater friendship and helped to break down barriers. After again thanking them for the enjoyable evening, Mr Murphy assured members of the Te Awamutu Club of a warm welcome at any time they visited the Hamilton Club, “for we are always delighted to have you in Hamilton” concluded the speaker. Mr H. Spooner, the possessor of a pleasing tenor voice, then sang “Where e’er You Walk” and “Sielnt Worship” most acceptably and the beauty of the old yet ever popular songs gained added acceptance by the singer’s understanding treatment of them. The accompanist was Mr W. Harrison, of Hamilton, and he discharged his duties with credit to himself, satisfaction to those he accompanied, and to the great delight of his audience. Mr Harrison is always in great demand throughout the Waikato, and deservedly so. He is always assured of a warm welcome in Te Awamutu.

President L. W. Spence intimated that the next meeting would be especially memorable in that it would mark the silver jubilee of the Club, and in addition it would be ladies’ night. It was anticipated that a delegation of members of the Auckland Club, who helped to form the Club in 1923, would be present. It was also hoped to have as many Past Presidents in attendance as possible. Mr Spence then extended the congratulations of members to Mr McLean on his appointment as a Justice of the Peace. Mr McLean briefly returned thanks. The chairman then thanked the artists, especially Mr Harrison, for the delightful evening’s entertainment provided. The singing of the Closing Ode and the National Anthem brought a very pleasant session to a close.