HAMILTON ORPHANS

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19984, 7 September 1936, Page 2

HAMILTON ORPHANS

VISIT TO AUCKLAND. PARTICIPATE IN GREAT RALLY. Saturday night was a great occasion in the history of Orphandom, for a rally attended by about 1200 members of Orphans’ Clubs in the Auckland district was held In the Auckland Town Hall, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. Fifty members from Hamilton and representatives of the Te Aroha, Matamata, Te Awamutu and Thames Clubs were among those present. Mr Ernest Davis, Mayor of Auckland, presided, his reminiscences ol' the early days of Orphandom being very interesting and amusing. Among the guests were the Right Hon. R. B. Bennett, a former Prime Minister of Canada; the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works; and Sir Alexander Young, a former Minister of Health. A very happy time was spent, the true spirit of Orphandom prevailing throughout. A strong orchestra, under the baton of Mr Harold Baxter, led the company in Noel Coward’s "Cavalcade” of wartime and other favourite choruses, which at once broke down all formality und created a spirit of friendliness und good cheer. Unity of Purpose Necossary. In returning thanks for the warm welcome extended to him, Mr Bennett, whose address was extremely statesmanlike, said that no Canadian could be a stranger in New Zealand. Canadians and New Zealanders lived under the protecting aegis of the isame Throne, while the splendid sons of both countries had fought together for a common cause. There never had been a time when there was the same necessity for unity of purpose lor the freedom ol’ mankind. In New Zealand he was pleased to see evidences of the appreciation of that responsibility. Mr Semple said: "We can see today that the British Empire is the only one in the world that is holding last to the rights of her people. If she slips, civilisation is gone. The British Eknpire and her Commonwealth of Nations Is the only real safeguard for God’s people in the days to come.” Enjoyable Programme. A very fine programme was presented as follows:—Selections, Orchestra: cornet *olu. Mr Alan Moreton; songs, Messrs Frank .Sutherland. Ernest rhiell, l.en Barnes, Gordon Kagan. Robert Simmers and the Lyric Four; magic, Kardo; organ solos, Mr Trevor Sparling; humour, Messrs Rex Yates. Alan MeKlwain and Alan McSklmming; elocution, Professor Maxwell Walker: violin solo, Mr Vincent Aspey: rag pictures, Mr R. Harris; physical culture, Mr Lon Wilson and troupe.

“Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem brought u noteworthy gathering to a close.