ALFORD FOREST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1346, 20 September 1886, Page 2

ALFORD FOREST.

' [FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT 1 The Loyal Pioneer Lodge of Oddfellows' celebrated its anniversary at Springbnrn on Friday last by a concert and ball. The concert was given by members of the Lodge almost exclusively, and consisted of songs and choruses given in “ darkie” costume and phraseology, interspersed with jokes, pans, and local bits, which were greatly appreciated by a densely packed audience. It was impossible to find standing room for all, and many had to rest - satisfied with an outside ticket. Three farces where given, in character, the dresses being somewhat severely criticised by the fairer portion of the audience. Some good scenery adorned the stage erected for the occasion, with footlights, drop curtain, side wings, &0., in fact nothing was left undone to bring the affair off satisfactorily, and the applause from start to finish showed bow delighted the visitors felt. It is intended to give a similar performance at Alford Forest shortly. Large as the attendance was the outlay for preliminary expenses was also heavy as is usual in all such business. A pleasant feature of the evening was the presentation of a handsome testimonial to Bro. E. Cooper, in the shape of a beautifullyframed certificate of P.N.G., which was suitably acknowledged. Dancing commenced at 11 o’clock, over fifty couples standing up, and if all could not well dance at once the necessary patience to “ bide a wee” was displayed, and a pleasant evening was spent; indeed, the sun was just peeping out as as the last dance concluded, Mrs Knight gave every satisfaction by her supply of refreshments of every kinds. Following is the programme of the concert; —Opening chorus, “ Happy are we," company; overture, the Band; song, “ Old black snow,” Mr J. Boss : song, “ Joseph" orange blossom,” Mr H. Knight, junr.; song, “ Alabama Sam,” Mr V. Ellen; song, “ Johnny, will you wait," Mr : W. Gillam; song, “ Again and again,” Mr John MacFarlane ; song, • “ The slave's dream,” Mr T. Fagan; song, “ I’m waiting,” Mr E. Cooper; song, “ Scotland for ever,” Mr T. Johnstone; song, “ I’ll bet you a dollar you don’t,” Mr W. Byrnes; song, “ Eighteen pence,” Mr Gid Johnstone; song, “ Yes, it was a pull back,” Mr A. W. Smith; song, “ Grandfather’s clock,” Mr Brough; stump speech, “ Women’s rights,” Mr A. W. Smith; , stump speech, “ The Smith family,” Mr A. W. Smith ; step dance (encored), Mr C. Hart; 1 farce, “That boy Pete,” company; farce, i “ Musical Maniacs,” company; farce, , “ Ebenezer’s visit to New York,” company; “ Qod save the Queen.”