FORESTRY.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13649, 14 February 1913, Page 6

FORESTRY.

COURT PRIDE OF THB FOREST,

OPENING OF THE NEW HALL

The opening of the new Foresters' Hall at Wakapuaka, greeted by Court Pride of the. Foresfc Wjth a bequest left, by the lata Bro. WdlHaw Nortfoam, took place last evening. There was a large attendance of jtocaj residents and visiting brethren, including delegates from the various courts who had t>een attending the anritjal district meeting. Bro. Geo Dodflonf J?;I).C.R. presided, and in his opening remark© expressed; the gratification pf members of Court Pride of the Forest at seeing such a large attendance. He called Upon Bro. L. J. Frank, D.C.R.j to formally declare the nf>Vf hall open. lit doing so Bro. Fraok congratulated the Forester© of the./dij^rict.on having such a fine commodM>u& building, which he said would supply along felt want in the district. The haijl had been erected through the gen/ero&j&y of their late Bro. W. Northam, and had.cost approximately about £350; The large attendance he interpreted as an indication of the interest taken in Forestry in the. district. The opurt Jwid been established practically fifty years, and their position showed thas th© court was well managed arid that tho finances were well controlled. Bro, Frank mentioned that' Bro. Tibbie, <qn« of the oldest; members- of Court Bobiri Hood, who had been at the opening of Court Pride of the Forest, was present at the opening 'of the new pa|j. . (Applause.) Bro. Frank, amidst applause, ihen cfeclared the hall duly opened, and wished the court an 4 members continued px'osperity. ■ . '■'. : .' .■"/■■

The chairman, on behalf of the relaties of'the'late Bro. Northam, thanked the D.C.R. for his remarks, and again expressed his pleasure at seeing so many visitors present. Bro. W. H. Alborough proposed, "Prosperity to th,e filekon District," which was responded to by Bro. F. R. Crispin, D.S.OJI.j who congratulated Court Pride of the Forest on their-fine hall, and expressed the1 hope that the new meeting place would be the means of increasing the membership (of the court.

Bro. J. Corder proposed hearty votes of thanks to the architect .(Air. H. Leaper) and the builder (Mr. A. Miller) both of whom he complimented on the manner in which they had carried out their work.

The toast of the "Visiting Brethren" was proposed by Bro. Q. Dodsori, and responded to by Bro^ Cr. E. Perkins and W. J. Moffatt, both of wihom thanked the members of Court Pride of the Forest for the* kind jnyitaljion extended to them and the epleridid manner in which t<hey had been entertained. Bro. 4.. Small jp*opoaed •tfoa 'toast of the "Ladies" which,, was parried by acclamation.

During the evening, gongs were contributed by Mrs. Waetney^Miss Hebberd, Messrs. E. W. Bond", F. Whitwoll and T. Oondell, and stories by Messrs; J. E. Allen and E. W. Bond.

At th© conclusion of the first part of the programme refreshments on a liberal scale, provided by the ladies, were handed round, and the floor cleared) for dancing. The whole function passed off very successfully, and was much enjoyed by all present. The new buildiing, which was erected by Mr. A. Millar,, should fill the requirements'of the. district for some years to come. The main hall is 30 feet long by 24 feet, in the front of which are two dressing rooms, each eight feet square. At the back is an ante room 12 feet by 24 feet, fitted with cupboards, washing up basins, and a copper. The walls are 14 feet in height, with a cove ceiling, and the building matchiined throughout with neat dado.