THE ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 4462, 3 October 1883, Page 2

THE ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

OPENING OF THE NEW HALL. We referred the other day to a building erected by the Ancient Order of Foresters for the purpose of holding their meetings in. Last night it was opened, the occasion being celebrated by a banquet which was well attended and passed off with great success. The Foresters Society in Taranaki appears to be a very successful institution, and although Courts have been established here for the last eighteen years, it is only recently that those connected with it considered themselves strong enough to become a district — that is, for the various Courts to appoint delegates, who form a sort of controlling body over the lodges, preventing misuse of funds At about naif-past seven, over seventy of the brethren and their friends sat down to an excellent repast provided by Mr. D. Callaghan. The room was decorated with flags and the " dispensation boards" of the district, and the various Courts who will hold their meetings in the hall, were open. The chair was occupied by Brother Past Chief Ranger Abner King. On his left was His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. Bayly), Mr. Cliff (the builder), and Dr. O'Carroll ; and on his right, Mr. T. Kelly, M.H.R., Dr. Harvey, and Mr. Sanderson, the architect of the building. The ViceChair was occupied by Brother Peach, of Inglewood Court. After the good things had been done ample justice to, the Chairman proposed " Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family," afler which the Vice-Chairman proposed " The Governor," both of which toasts were loyally responded to. The Chairman, after referring briefly to what had been done in Parliament during the last session, concluded by proposing the toast of '• The General Assembly," coupling with it the health of Mr. T. Kelly, the Member for the Town of New Plymouth. Mr. T. Kelly said, in returning his thanks for the very enthusiastic manner they had drunk his health, he must first congratulate them on their possession of such a handsome building as that in which they were now assembled. He must also express his pleasure at being able to see so many assembled who were connected with an institution which had for its object the material welfare of its members. He must also thank them for the manner they had responded to the toast of the General Assembly. It was true that last session had not been a very great success, although a quantity of work was got through. He thought that the tri ennial Parliament had something to do with them being less interesting than formerly. Since the Provinces had been abolished, a quantity of local work dcv olved on the House, and he thought it was a pity that there was not aome legislation by which such matters could be dealt with by local bodies. He, however, supposed that now the Public Works scheme was drawing to a close — although he would be sorry to see the public works stopped — there would not be that scrambling foi local expenditure as had been formerly the case, and the affairs of the Colony would consequently receive greater attention from Members of the House. He did not think that there was any falling off in the t bility of the members ; in fact, he might say that, to take the House as a whole, it was as good as he had ever seen it. Most of the Members were able men, and the present Parliament compared favourably with the past. He again thanked them for the way they had received the toast (applause). Mr. W. Bennett, sen., said he had been deputed to propose the toast " Prosperity to the Town of New Plymouth," coupling with it tho name of His Worship the Mayor, Mr. William Bayly. His Worship the Mayor (who was loudly cheered on rising) said he must congratulate the Foresters on having erected such a magnificent hall as the one they had met in that evening. The very fact of their building such a substantial hall was one of the best evidences of the prosperity of New Plymouth. He had great faith in the future of the place. The finger of scorn had been pointed at New Plymouth as long as he could remember, but he thought the bright day when they would assume their true position was not far distant, and the prosperity of the town would be an established fact. The present outlook for the future of the town was tnost favorable. It was better now than it had ever been. The country that surrounded it was being well settled upon ; their breakwater was progressing satisfactorily, and would be a success ; and he therefore thought that they could not complain of the progress they were making. The prosperity of the town was a natural result of such progress, which he hoped they would all live long to enjoy. He thanked them for the kind manner they had drunk his health, and had great pleasure in being present amongst them that evening. The Mayor then resumed his seat amidst much applause. Mr. Wray proposed " The Arm)', Navy, Volunteer, and Colonial Forces." He referred to the deeds of the army in Afghanistan, Abyssinia, and Coomassie, which were a credit to any nation. The local Volunteers had done good service in the past, and their massing together at Parihaka from all parts of the Colony when called upon a year or so ago, showed that they were imbued with some of the British pluck that was their birthright. The Colonial Forces had done good service ; and ho had great pleasure in asking them to respond to the toast, coupling with it " The Health of Dr. O'Carroll." Dr. O'Carroll (who was loudly cheered on rising) said that the proposer of the toast had not done the naval service justice. He supposed that was through modeßty, us Mr. Wray had belonged to the navy himself. Great reforms had taken place of late years in tho army, some of which had been useless — but others had been a great improvement. Tho abolition of the system of purchase was a grand reform, as it en abled the most able men, whether in tho ranks or otherwise, to be appointed as officers. With regard to the Volunteer and Colonial forces, Parihaka had been alluded to, but there were other achievements in which they had taken part, and which stood out in bolder relief— such as Waireka, Ngatapa, &c. Amongst the Volunteers there were to be found men of mettle, and of sterling courage, men who would be a credit to any corps. (Cheors.) He was sorry to see that Volunteering was not so popular in the district as in the past, and he regretted to see the mounted corps disbanded. He would like to Bee it reformed, and would be willing to join as a trooper himself. They had an excellent commander in Major Sfcapp, whom any man might feel proud to serve under, and he really hoped that the spirit which imbued the Volunteers of old would be revived in the breasts of the young men of the place, and that Volunteer corps would be as numerous as in the past. Mr. Rondle, in proposing tho toast " The Anciont Order of Foresters," said ho wished tho Society every success and prosperity. Ho was most agreeably surprised to find that the Society had erected such a fine building. It wa« a credit to them, and they had a right to feel proud of their work. Ho was a member of the oldest Society in New Plymouth— and perhaps the oldest member of any Society in the room. He had seen tho benefit the Societies had done, and, therefore, he advised all young men to join one or the other of them. The New Plymouth Friendly Society was the first that existed in the town; the Odd Fellows' came next ; and then the Foresters. He hoped the Society would continue to prosper. He would couple

with the toast the name of the founder of the Order in New Plymouth — Mr. Vivian. Mr. J. M. Vivian said he was very glad to tee so many connected with Friendly Societies present that evening. The Order was introduced into New Plymouth some eighteen years since, and formed part of the Nelson District. Since then it had gone on prospering till at last they had become large enough ta form themselves into a separate district. The young men in the place he was glad to see were taking an interest in it, and joining the Foresters. They now number 222 Foresters in the district, and the Courts were also well up in funds. He thought that their meeting in a hall of their own spoke in stronger terms of the progress the Order was making than anything he could say, aud he hoped in a few years to see the hall enlarged. He hoped the members of Parliament would do their utmost to help Friendly Societies — for with their aid there would be no need of the National Insurance scheme. If the Government would aid them, instead of causing them to go to a great expense in supplying returns, &c, they would only be acting in the right direction. These societies were conducted on almost a co-operative principle, and therefore could not afford to go to the expense of paying first-class accountants who were required if Government returns had to be kept. If the Government wanted those returns they should pay for them, and not make the expense fall on the Societies, who required all the money for benefit purposes. He thanked them for the manner they had drank his health. Song : Mr. W. Perry — " You get more like your dad every day." Song : Mr. Ainsworth — " Glass, with care." Mr. Wolner briefly proposed "The Taranaki District of the Ancient Order of Foresters," coupling with it the name of Mr. J. T. Davis. Mr. J. T. Davis said eighteen years ago a few of them in New Plymouth formed a small club, and connected themselves with the Nelson District of Foresters. After a fine some thought that they should secede from the Nelson District and go alone, but he did not think that the time had then arrived, as they wore not strong enough. However, since then they had formed themselves into a district, and, as far as he could see, they were likely to progress. With regard to the district, he might state it was formed of four Courts, and there was an application for another to be started at Waitara. The following would show them the position of the Order : — Court Waireka had 124 members, accumulated funds to the amount of £855, and £05 in hand, and £30 they had put in the hall. Court Taranaki had 60 members, £770 in funds, £55 in hand, and £30 in the hall. Court Inglewood had 38 members, £180 in funds, and £5 in hand ; and the Juvenile Foresters had 15 members, and £78 10s. in their funds. The district had £54 10s. in funds, which, he thought, was a very good start. The total amount of their funds was £2,123, and the number of members 222 ; or, with the Juvenile Lodge, 237. He concluded by saying that if the young men in the colony would only join Societies of the kind there would be no necessity for charitable relief, nor for Major Atkinson's scheme of National Insurance. Song : " The Soldier Child." Mr. Bendal proposed " The Kindred Societies," coupling with it the names of Mr. Ainsworth aud Mr. Rundle. Mr. AiNbWORTU, as representing the Egmont Lodge of Oddfellows, expressed his pleasure at being present at the opening of the new hall, which was a credit to the Order. He believed in the Societies assisting one another, for they were all aiming at the same thing — the relief of the sick and distressed. Mr. Rundle replied on behalf of the Friendly Society. He said everyone must see the good these Orders accomplished, and if they were supported by the young men there would be no need for Benevolent Societies. He thought the Government should recognise the benefits they do by assisting the Societies, instead of throwing impediments in their way. The Friendly Society had ceased to be a registered Society owing to the Government interfering with the manner they spent their funds. He did not know how the Foresters had managed, but they would not when registered have been allowed to build a hall. Song : Mr. Curd—" The Pimlico Hairdresser." Mr. S. Howell proposed the " Building Committee," connecting with it the names of Messrs. Vivian and Wray. Mr. Wbay, in responding, referred to Major Atkinson's scheme of National Insurance, and to the progress Benefit Societies had made not only in England but in New Zealand. He pointed out that in the Government trying to base their calculation on the English mortality table they were making a great error, as there was no comparison between the two places with regard te health! He concluded by stating that they were indebted to Mr. Sanderson, the architect, for tho handsome building, and to Mr. Cliff for the manner he had carried out his contract, and asked them to drink those gentlemen's health. Mr. Saundkrson replied that tho work he had undertaken had afforded him considerable pleasure, and he was pleassd he had given them satisfaction. It had always been his practice to carry out faithfully whatever was entrusted to him. His duty in connection with the erection of the hall had been a pleasant one, for Mr. Cliffc had been willing to carry out his contract in a very liberal spirit. He hoped the Society would progress so that they might have to increase its length. Mr. Cliff had to thank Mr. Sanderson for the complimentary manner he had referred to him. He had done his best to satisfy the Foresters — and was glad he had succeeded. He was an old member of both that Society and the Odd Fellows — having joined them some thirty years ago. They had heard a great deal about manhood sufferages, but if the Parliament would do away with it and let no one have a vote but those who belonged to Friendly Societies it would be better for the Colony. Of course he did not refer to a vote for property, but merely as regards manhood sufferage. Song : Mr. J. Vail, "My Judy's Black Eyea." Dr. O'Carroll proposed " the health of Major Atkinson," and. in doing so, said that tho Major had been much abused respecting hiß National Insurance scheme, but there was considerable good in it; for how were those who could not join lodges to be provided for ? Song : Mr. H. Appleyard, " Sweet Chiming Bells." Mr. Peach then proposed " the Visitors." Song : Mr. Clark, " Hamlet." Mr. Wray proposed the health of the " Medical Attendants/ coupling it with the name of Dr. O'Carroll. Ho said they were fortunate in having such attentive medical gentlemen attached to their Societies. Dr. O'Caruoll, in his reply, said he had been connected with Court Waireka Bince it was Btarted. Some years ago they had presented him with a cup and he thought that had had something to" do with his Bticking to the Court. Ho suggested that before a member was proposed it would bo better for them to got tho doctor's opiuion on his health, for, when they had to refuse, it often had a depressing influence which sometimes ruined the applicant for life. Mr. Vivian proposed " Tho health of Dr. Harvey," who had taken Dr. Gibboß' place during his absence in England. Their medical attendant had given every satisfaction. He had not heard a single com- , plaint respecting them.

Dr. Harvey briefly replied, thanking them for the kind reception they had given him. Mr. Walker proposed " The Ladies," which was responded to by Mr. T. G. Sole, and, after the toast of the " Press," the company separated, after spending a very pleasant evening.