SUBURBAN NORTH.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13420, 18 March 1914, Page 3 (Supplement)

SUBURBAN NORTH.

JUBILEE OF COURT PRIDE OF THE -" \ •'./ FOREST,, A.O.F. (From~ "ThViDolonist,'^ March 4.) | Yesterday the members of Court Pride "of the Forest, Order of l<orescers, celebrated the jubilee of the court by holding a' picnic in Wastney's paddock. The day was a perfect one, the assemblage large, and the grounds suitable. The large company soon'got to work, and'the games, favourites of picnickers, were quickly, in full swing. After a bountiful and substantial-lunch, Bro. George Dodson, P.D.C.R.,'addressed the company. He said he was pleased,to see so many friends present. He congratulated the court on attaining its, jubilee, and on its sound financial position. Among the visiting brt-hren was Bro. Robert Tibbie, of Co rt Robin Hood, who was present at tho institution of Court Pride of the I'oicsfc. . (Applause.) Many of .the pioneer members had passed away, ibut Messrs Westley and Brown were: still surviving.' .■•-;,- -;^*;;;:. ■■ •. ,:.,.■■:

>- Bro. Robert Tibbie said tie" .was pleased_to be present^ as he was present at the opening, of tbejr court. In \ 1863, fiye> Foresters met to discuss the. possibility6f starting a court in Nelson. They put an advertisement in the paper, andin the ensuing weeki they had seventeen ..persons willing, to form a txmrt, and/those seventeen - brothers comprißed»Ctf^t llobm-| ; Hood at^its start. The; dispenb&tion 1 obtained^ from Wellington.- Of those seventeen members he (the speaker) Iwas the only survivor. '.He. remembered. that Court Pride of the Forest was started in the schoolroom,'and that two hew members, were initiated that evening. The Foresters from the start decided never to hold their meetings in a. public house.' He was present when tie .cot>rt held it& 25th anniversary, and en.the occasion of the.opening of their hail. He always enjoyed himself at their gatherings. (Apiplause.) ' He had been n Forester sixty^on© years, having joined in England. He contended every Forester obtained good value for his money. He advised all the young people to join as soon as ever they could." (Applause.) Bro. David Barnett, secretary, said their first court officers were: Chief Ranger, Bro. E. F. Jones; Sub-Chief Ranger, Bro. Kenneth Ross'; -secretary, Bro. It; Edmonds; treasurer, Bro. Edmund Wastney; senior woodward, Bro. W. T. Pitcher; junior woodward, Bro. J. With^ts; senior beadle, Bro. John Bungftto>;? junior .beadle, -r Bro; . John Brown. The members present at the opening of the court were Bros. Edmund Wastney, Daniel Slater, William Westley, John Bungate, Robert.. Edmonds, Kenneth Ross> Edward Frost, W, T. Pitcher, John. Brown William Brown, and John Withers.. Th© opening ceremonies were conducted by Bro Burn, P.0.R., assisted by Bros. Robert Tibbie, C.R., Bro. E. F. Joneß (secretary), Bro. T. C. Crooke, S.C.R., and L'ro. William StaJlard, all .of Court Robin Hood. Bro. Barnett stated when th©..court celebrated its 25fch anniversary it had- 34 members, and its financial worth was £806 Is lid; -to-day (its 50th' anniversary") the members numbered 86, and the financial worth reached £2,736. 19s 3d. (Applause.) Bro. E. Grill had be-en for forty years treasurer of the court, and himself (the speaker) thirty-nine years its secretary, both being record periods of holding office. (Loud applause.) Bro. L. J. Frank, P.D.C.R., on behalf of the district, congratulated the court on its memorable anniyersary. The District Chief Ranger and the District Secretary were sorry they could not bo present. As having just, filled the chair of District Chief Ranger, he could testify that the business of Court Pride of the Forest was well conducted. There approximately were one thousand Foresters in the Nelson district. He hoped the court would continue to prosper, and swell its membership,' and they would all be present to enjoy the celebration of the court's 60th annirersary. (Applause.) , Bro. W. T. Bond, P.D.C.R.: conveyed tho congratulations of Court Robin Hood on the auspicious occasion. He would like to emphasise thai; the officers and members of Court Robin Hood had pleasant recollections of picnics and celebrations in connection with Court Pride of the Forest. They'wished the court continued prosperity. (Applause.) The picnic was kept merrily going until milking time arrived, all having enjoyed themselves thoroughly. During the afternoon Mr F. N. Jones (a grandson of the first Chief Ranger of the court) took photographs of the members, grouped; also of the whole picnic party.