CAMBRIDGE ORPHANS.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17485, 20 August 1928, Page 8

CAMBRIDGE ORPHANS.

AUCKLAND BRETHREN’S VISIT. , SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. . One of the most successful evenings held by the Cambridge Orphans’ Club took place on Saturday night, when the club was honoured by a visit from 60 brethren from the Auckland Orphans’ Club. The .whole of the splendid programme of musical and elocutionary items was given by the visiting brethren, who were supported by a very fine orchestra of 30 instrumentalists. When local and visiting brethren were seated the number totalled about 200. It is a long time since the people of Cambridge have had the pleasure of listening to a programme of such a high order. The orchestral selections, under the leadership of Bro. H. Baxter, were a rare treat. The president, Bro. Lionel Harvie, presided. The visitors were received with great enthusiasm, vice-presidents Bros. Stanton and Croft taking their seats on the right of - Lhc president and the secretary (Bro. Crawford) on ins left. The president asked all present to -stand in silence for a moment in memory of their comrades who had fallen in the Great War. Tim proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the orche.stra rendered the selection “Tales of Hoffmann.” Upon receiving an enthusiastic encore, Mr Baxter (conductor) announced from the stage that he noticed in the hall an old and esteemed ex-member of the Auckland Orphans’- Club (Mr Arthur Towsey). Mr Tcwsey was conductor of the Auckland Orphans’ Orchestra before he (Mr Baxter) was horn, and he would consider it an honour if Mr Towsey would step up and conduct the encore number. Mr Towsey immediately responded to the invitation, and Look lhc baton from Mr Baxter amidst a din of applause and cheering. $> Visitors Welcomed. The president, Mr Lionel Harvie, extended a .welcome to the visitors. He wished on behalf of the Cambridge brethren to extend to the Auckland Club their deepest sympathy in the recent sad loss in the death of one of their most faithful and talented members (Bro. Cater). His Worship Lhc Mayor (Mr T. F. Richards) welcomed the visitors on behalf of the citizens of Cambridge. Bro. Richards thought it not out of the question for Cambridge Club to rclurn the visit at some future date. Bro. Stanton, vice-president of the Auckland Club, in reply, apologised for the absences of their president, Bro. J. B. Johnson. He expressed the thanks of the Auckland brethren for their very nearly welcome. Vice-president Bro. Croft also spoke. Presentation of Badges. During the evening the president, Bro. Harvie, said he felt that lie wished to do something to mark his term of office, and had finally decided to present the three past presidents with badges in recognition of their services to the club when in oilloe. Bros. F. Dye, D. J. Lundon, and W. White, who were the recipients of the honour, suitably returned thanks. The programme rendered was of a high standard, and encores were demanded in every case, and the performers cheerfully responded. ■ The items were: —Overture, “Tales of Hoffmann,” Auckland Orphans’ Orchestra; song, “'Three for Jack,” Bro. E. Mannall; cornet solo, Bro. J. Hogg; songs, “Drake is Going West,” “Hats Off to the Stoker,’’ and “'The Bandolero,” Bro. J. Lonergan; humorous items, Bro. Rex Yates; vocal duets, “Land of Long Ago” and of My Heart,” Bros. R. Dormer and E. Mannall; songs, “Arrow and the Song” and “For You Alone,” Bro. R. (Dormer;' orchestral selections, “Belle of New York" and “Down by the Swannee River," Auckland Orphans’ Orchestra.

At the conclusion of the evening the president ex'ended thanks to Bro. H. Baxter (conductor of the orchestra), Bro. Sparling (accompanist), and the performers for the excellent programme given. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought to a close one of the most enjoyable evenings spent in the history of the >