COURT PRIDE OF THE FOREST.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13653, 19 February 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

COURT PRIDE OF THE FOREST.

OPENING OF THE NEW HALL

The opening of the new' Foresters' Hall at Wakapuaka, erected by' Court Pride of the Forest with a bequest left by the late Bro. William Northam, took place last evening. There was a large attendance of local residents and visiting brethren, including delegates from the various courts who had been attending the annual district meeting. Bro. Geo Dod&on, P.D.C.R. presided, and in his opening remarks expressed tlie gratification of members of Court Pride of the Forest at seeing such a large attendance. He called upon Bro. L. J. Frank, D.C.R., to formally declare the new hall open. In doing so Bro. Frank congratulated the Forester® of the district on having such a fine commodious building, -which .he said would supply a long felt want in the district. The hall had been erected through the generosity of their late Bro. W. Northam, and'had cost approximately about £350. The largo attendance he interpreted as an indication of the. interest taken in Forestry in the district. The court had been established practically fifty years, and. their Ijcsitioh showed;that the court was well managed and that the finances were well conti-olled. Bro. Frank mentioned that Bro.. Tibbie, one of the oldest members of Court Robin Hood, who had been at the opening of Court Pride_ of the Forest, was present at the opening of the new hall. (Applause.) Bro. Frank, amidst applause, then declared the hall duly opened, and wished the court and members continued prosperity. The chairman/on behalf of the relaties of the late Bro. Northam, thanked the D.C:R. for his remarks, and again expressed his plcasuro at seeing so many visitors present. Bro. W. H. Alborough proposed, "Prosperity to the Nelson District," which was responded to by Bro. F. R. Crispin, D.S.C.R., who congratulated Court Pride of the Forest on their fine hall,1 and expressed t'ho hope that the new meeting place would be the means of increu/sing the membership (of the court. .

Bro. J. Cordcr uroposed hearty votes of thanks to the architect (Mr. 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 tho "Visiting Brethren" wa-s proposed by Bro. G. Dodson, and responded to by "Bros G. E. Perkins and \V. J. Moffatt. both of whom thanked the members of Court Prido of the Forest for th-& kind invitation, extended to them and tho splendid mannor in which they had been entertained. Bro. A. Small proposed the toa-st of tho "Toadies" which was carried by acclamation. .■

During the, evening, songs were contribixtedJ)y Mrs. Wafitnoy^ Miss Hebberd. Messrs. E. W. Bond^ F. Whitwell and T. Condell, and stories by Messrs. J. R. Allen and E. W. Bond.

- At, tlie conclusion of the- first part of tho progranlmo refroshnrents on a liboral -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,: • viTh©' new.;building,:which was .erect-. :;ed'vby;-j^ quirejmeiii^^of/^theV-^distnct v for ; some years" tb corned '^The-main hall is 30feet

CNVMNF

long hy 24 fectj in the'front of which are two dressing rooms, each eight feet square. :* At the back is an ante room I*4 feet: by 24 feot,1 fitted with cupboards, washing up basins, and a copper. The walls .are 14 feet in height, with a coy© ceiling, and the building matchjined throughout with neat dado.