ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 December 1927, Page 3

ORDER OF FORESTERS.

COURT PIONEER. J ÜBILEE CELEBRATED. The jubilee gathering of Court Pioneer, No. (PISS, A.0.F., was held in the Tinui Hall on Tuesday night, when the anniversary banquet took place. About eighty guests were present. Prior to the commencement of the banquet Bro. 8. Schofield, who presided, briefly introduced the visitors to the gathering and extended to them a hearty welcome from Court Pioneer. After the Loyal toast came tho chief one of the evening, that of “Court Pioneer” which was proposed by Bro. Richard Brown, of Mastcrton, who was one of the representatives of the Masterton Court which went out to Tinui in 1577 and initiated the first member of the Tinui Court. ■ln a highly interesting speech in reminiscent vein Bro. Brown, sketched

the early history of those years. 110 spoke of the difficulties of transport, when, for instance, the road through the Mangapakc-ha Valley was but a bullock track, of that memorable trip to Tinui exactly fifty years ago to open the lodge there, and of the well-known names connected with the order of those far-off days. He heartily congratulated Court Pioneer on its wonderful progress, and on its strong financial standing, and wished it every success in the future. After having read numerous apologies for absence, Bro. S. Schofield, in reply, gave the gathering something of the early history of Court Pioneer and its growth'. There were believed to be only three members still living of the original seventeen. Bro. Schofield went on to mention the names of those 'who have devoted much time and labour to the welfare of the Court, and he especially instanced the untiring work of the late Bro. A. T. Hancock, who was secretary for some 25 years. The other toasts were: “The District Officer,” proposed by Bro. J. MacFarlane Laing and responded to by Bro. Worth; “Pioneers of Forestry,” proposed by the Toastmaster and responded to by Bro. Richard Brown, who outlined tho arduous nature of travelling to Wellington District Executive meeting of fifty years ago, and also spoke in eulogistic fashion of the early pioneers of the friendly society movement. “Visiting Courts,” proposed by the Toastmaster, and replied to by Bro. Leadbeater, on behalf of Court Epuni; Bro. Bedding, Court Makakahi; Bro. "Sladden, Court Marquis of Normanby; Bro. Mclntyre, Court Pongaroa; Bro. Scrivener, Court Loyal Enterprise; Bro. Worth, Court Sir George Bowen, and Bro. Brook, Court Star of Dunsandel, Canterbury. “Trustees of Court Pioneer,” proposed by Toastmaster, and responded to by Bro. S. Schofield, who expressed regret for the absence of the Senior Trustee, Bro. A. J. Speedy, owing to illness. “Kindred Societies”; “Our Friends,” responded to by Mr \Y. G. Groves; and the “Ladies,” replied to by Bro. F. Bennett. Interspersed with the toasts were numerous items. Especially welcome were those given by Messrs "V aughan and Wilson. Bros. Bedding, Meek, Pavitt, Worth, Leadbeater and Messrs Paliser and Maunsell also contributed most enjoyable and varied items. To the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” a memorable evening came to a close.