ORPHANDOM

Waipa Post, Volume 33, Issue 2010, 24 May 1927, Page 4

ORPHANDOM

TE AWAMUTU CLUB. AUSPICIOUS OPENING OF SESSIION. That the Te Awamutu Orphans’ Club, which was brought into being during the winter of 1923,, is filling an important place in the town and district’s social life was amply demonstrated, when the 1927 session was entered upon. Over one hundred members attended, including very many, new members, while Past-President Bro. F. Lye and other members of the kindred club at Cambridge came over especially to extend fraternal greetings and good wishes. The new year’s president, Bro, A. A. Reese, presided, and with him on the dais were the Club’s patron, Bro. Stewart Reid, M.P., and last year’s president, Bro. S. Clark After the president,had been installed by Bro. Clark and congratulated by members, the evening’s proceedings were opened with delightful selections by the much-augmented orchestra under Bro. Moeller. That this musical is one the Club and the town has good reason to be proud of was the opinion of all present, for it has been improved appreciably since last year, when it won golden encomiums from townsfolk and visiting Orphans. In number 15 at present, the orchestra proved its ability and versatility by playing several selections and marches in magnificent style, and deservedly was warmly applauded. Bro. S. Reid returned thanks for the honour done him by Orphans in again electing him patron, and went on to refer to the great usefulness the Orphans’ Club could be, and undoubtedly is, in Te Awamutu. There was a spirit of fellowship and brotherhood evident at all meetings; and doubtless members carried that worthy feeling outside the clubroom; he had experienced it on numerous occasions. Orphandom was teaching men not to be backward in extending the right hand of friendship. It brought employer and employee, rich men and poor men, farmer , and town dweller, to the one common level and presented the opportunity for men of all shades of opinion to meet under very pleasant conditions and to realise that they had much in common. The more he saw of Orphans’ Clubs the more he appreciated the movement as. worthy of support. He would gladly attend every social night were that possible, but his Parliamentary duties required his attendance in'Wellington during most of the Club’s session. However, he was with them in spirit. He hoped the Te Awamutu Club would have a very happy and successful session under the popular and enthusiastic president, Bro. Reese. (Applause). Bro. F. Lye said he was charged by the Cambridge Club to convey to Bro. Reese hearty congratulations and good wishes. The new president had very many friends in his old home town, and they were glad at his promotion. Personally he regarded the selection of Bro. Reese as president an excellent choice, and Te Awamutu Club would assuredly progress, for members, with an enthusiastic and experienced leader, would also increase their enthusiasm.

Acknowledging the complimentary references to himself by Bros. Reid and Clark (who, in installing him had stressed the part their, new president had taken in the affairs of the Club from its very, inception), and the fraternal good wishes of Bro Lye and the Cambridge* Club. Bro; Reese said elevation to the presidency'of the Club was an honour indeed; he would do i his,best 'to ensure the successful session anticipated. He went, on to expla*n. more Especially for the benefit of the hew members, the reasons for certain observances (including the penny box 'for- orphaned children, the insistence on programmes that would not. offend, punctuality, and encouragement for entertainers) and then referred briefly to the fellowshin that prevailed among members apd the fostering of inter-club visits. He read , fraternal. from Auckland. "Birkenhhad^ ; N6rthcpte. Onehungh andq Hamilton Clubs, and indicated'.-that .the-executive, was, ral suggestions for. still fUrther'TOpu--1 dlub. ’ l .He’'aske'd* l fdT loyab co-operation by aIT niehibers ; ahd an equal sharing of the’tasks float go to make the Club’s social nights such happy ones.

The programme, arranged by Bro. Whittington, was an excellent one, for in addition to five items by the orchestra. much appreciated songs were contributed by Bros. S. Snooks, H. Hey. W. Mißs, W, Weatherell (Cambridge); the vocal duet “Watchman, What of the Night,” by Messrs Snooks and Mills (a remarkably fine rendition): violin selections by Bro. Macky, and a “community sing” led by Bro./ J. Oliphant. The customary and unique Orphans’ supper, dispensed under the direction of Chief Steward Bro. C. A. Reilly, was again .a feature, and, needless to say, it w r as done ample justice to. ■ Proceedings were brought f,o a close shortly after 10 30 with the National Anthem, and members enthusiastically termed it a splendid augury for a wonderfully successful session.