SAVAGE CLUB COURT

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 June 1948, Page 6

SAVAGE CLUB COURT

MUSIC, SONG ANO STORY IN IHE EVIDENCE

A departure from the usual took place at the Wanganui Savage Cluu’s "Korero ’on Saturday night. Withoui losing the oackground oi Savagery, tne Hign Council became -a Mock Court, and, with judge presiding, empanelled a jury ot lour to hear the petitions oi new members tor membership in the club. More than 20 new members were out through. To give the effort a brightness against the dignity, and decorum oi a court, the programme committee arranged a programme of song, sketch and storv running through the evidence. Those called to testify for or against the petitioners had to sing or act a part and each song was based on a script written round the particular applicant for membership. A trumpet fanfare opened proceedings and the gathering sang the club’s Opening Ode, followed by the National Anthem. Then followed another trumpet fanfare and the court crier (Savage Grant Toop) called for “Silence, for His Honour, the Lord High Savage.’’ The “Rangatira” of the Club (Savage A- ■J. W. Hodder) was cast as His Hobour. and. from Gilbert and Sullivan’s. “Mikado.” he sang “May the Punishment Fit the Crime.” The “Tohunga” (Savage Alf Newrick) was the Registrar of the Court and he swore in the jurymen, and sent them back to the body of the court to await call. A jury was then empanelled, after “Johnathan James Bury” (pronounced “Bewry”). played by Savage J. Kowarth. had an argument as. to the right way to prnounce “jtiry.” In choosing its foreman (Savage F. Wilkie) the jury demanded, ano got. a secret ballot. The petitioners were divided into groups; the first two being Messrs. W. J. Flyger and P. V. Macdonald, representing the farming industry the. “backbone of the nation ” Mr. Fbger sang “Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond” and ‘Just For Today.” The leader of the Savage Club orchestra (Savage W. Bowra) in the character of “Hamish Mcßowrasaid that ability to sing a Scottish song would be a great heln to anyone seeking admittance to Savagery. In support of the farming capabilities oi the tw’O applicants “The Hon. Cocky Goldsmid” (Savage Goldsmid, in character) was called as a witness. Leading counsel (Past Rangatira W. S. Steele, and Savage ‘D. G. Strachan), taking turns, supported or opposed the petitions. They had associated with them junior counsel Savages H. Lampitt and R- Lints. Savage Steele, for instance, produced a copy of Doth Wanganui papers and a jar full of worms to show that worms, and not 1 aimers, are the “backbone of the soil.” “The Gang” made their petition together: Messrs. J. W. Eadie. C. Robertson, E. C. Gee. W. E. Caawallader. F. V. Harrison. W- J. Thomas, A. F. J. Kilgour. R. Ferris. F. H. Donaldson, L. J. Morgan. W. TKendrick, C. Haar, H. Dulieu. C. J. Brandon. A. J. Hansen, R- C. Hodge, and Ewan Granville. Mr. Granville played a cornet solo as “spokesman”’ for “The Gang,” and Savage R. Andrews was called as a witness representing the City Fathers to speak in their regard. The Opdusltion called “Lili Wah Heen” (Savage Sid Newton Hood), who sang two numbers in falsetto voice. “Give Me Help. Lots of Help, Under Justice from the Chief.” and “Underneath the Pine Trees By the Savage Gate.” All the “Gang” were greeted with <he Savage tribute number: “Why Were They Born So Beautiful?” The petition of Mr. D. W. Young was supported by Savage J. D. S. Tizard singing “He is the Ruler of a Big Fac’try,” adapted from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “He Polished up the Handle of the Big Front Door” (“H.M.S. Pinafore”) and also an operatic number “Celeste Aida.” Mr. Young himself sang “The Admiral’s Broom.” The opposition called “Willie Hum” (Savage Jack Shanks) who, when he got to the box. through his interpreter (Savage D. Cornish), told the court he was “Chu Chin Chow.” Savage Shanks sang that number. Two other petitioners grouped for the occasion were Messrs. R. C. Cook (storekeeper, Mangamahu) and H. L. Taylor (publican. Turakina). In support of Mr. Taylor. Savage Ellery Brandon and the Savage Club Pierrots sang "What to Do with the Drunken Farmer, Early in th a Morning .... Hooray, the House is Shouting .... Stick Him in the Tunnel until he’s Sober . . . • Hooray the Trains are Shunting. Early in the Morning.” In support of Mr. Cook Savage Brandon and the Pierrots sang “Give Me a Store. With a Wide Open Door .... and the Cry’s Not for Coupons All Dav” and a verse in tribute to Mr. Cook getting th 6 mails through in winter to the backblocks“Gert Gonville” /Savage J. Mack) was called in support of Mr. Taylor) and the treasurer of the club (Savage B. R. Dobbs) for Mr. Cook. Savage E. J. Crottv and Savage S. Kidd were called by the defence, one to condemn “Gert” the other to define “cooks.” Mr- Norman Neilson gave evidence in his own behalf as a petitioner to the effect that neither the Land and Income Tax Department, though it is housed in Trafalgar Buildings (named after a one-eyed Admiral), nor Rugbyreferees. are one-eyed. “Gert Gonville” was called In opposition. The programme committee went to a great deal of trouble to tie the storv in with the general theme Junior counsel (Savages Lints and Lamnitt) kept nosting the court with the latest racing information, and even with the latest cricket score. When it was found that the “double’’ His Honour and the Registrar had backed “Backbone and Worm”) had won there was great hilarity and the court forgot its dignity. Savage Grant. Toop (as the crier) then got his chance to bring dignity back bv reciting nortion of “Portia’s” address in the “Merchant of Venice” on “Mercy.’ His Honour, once more restored to ealm, called upon the (Savage Newrick) to read “The Creed” of Savagery. A great help throughout, was the nianist of the Savage Club orchestra, Savage W. Johnson, who nlaved the accom nan iments.