FORESTERS' BALL & SUPPER, BANNOCKBURN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 81, 30 May 1871, Page 5

FORESTERS' BALL & SUPPER, BANNOCKBURN.

The fourth anniversary of the Court Royal Oak of Kawarau, A.O. F., was celebrated 'on Friday evening last by a hall and supper at Richards’s Bannockburn Hotel, and it proved to be one of the moat successful affairs of the kind that we have witnessed in the district. The attendance was exceedingly good, there being between 00 and 70 present, including a fair proportion of ladies. Cromwell and the Gorge were well represented. The Court-room was beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens. The most conspicuous ornament was the Dispensation ami Respect Board, which was garlanded with flowers. The ladies’ toilettes wore very tasteful, and contrasted pleasingly with the regalia of the Foresters and Oddfellows, the latter being well represented by several members of the Loyal Cromwell Lodge. The Stewards wore very zealous in the discharge of their duties ; and the musicians, Messrs Whetter, I tods, and l-lsoott, acquitted themselves satisfactorily. Mr J. Grindloy performed the duties of M.C. admirably. The Ball was opened with a polka, Mrs Goldsmith and F.G.R. Bro. Fraur leading oil'; after which dancing was vigorously kept up till midnight, when an adjournment was made for the supper, of which we cannot speak too highly, the host and hostess and their assistants having succeeded in producing an unusually excellent and elegant repast. Bro. M. Fraer, F.G.R., occupied the chair, and was supported on his right by Bro. F. ishambrook, C. K. Court Royal Oak, and on the left by Bro. Brown, C. R. Court Star of Cromwell, F.C. R.s, Bros. Koch and Moore filling the vicechairs. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, The Chairman said he felt great pleasure in proposing “ Prosperity to Court Royal Oak of Kawarau.” He regretted that one of the members, Bro. .!. Marshall, who was attending the Mining Conference, and to whom the Court, in a great measure, owed its success, was unable to be present, but. he trusted that his absence would be of advantage to the Bannockburn district ; lie considered that the Court had progressed very favourably, and hoped it would continue to do so. This toast was well received. Bro. Barlow led off with the 11 Foresters’ lire,” after which CJ.lt. Bro. Shambrook, in an appropriate speech, responded, dwelling on the advantages to lie derived from acting up- to the true principles of Forestry. The next toast, “ .Neighbouring Courts,” was drunk with musical honours. Bro. Barlow, F.G.R. Court Star of Duustan. in responding, expressed the pleasure he felt in being present, and in lindmg the Court progressing so well. “ Kindred Societies,” coupled with the name of Bro. J. Crombie, N.G., and the Loyal Cromwell Lodge, was next proposed, Bro. Crombie, in responding, remarked that although Oddfolows and Foresters were ranged under different banners, their objects wore nearly identical ; he hoped they would always act with the same unity and good feeling as at present. “The Ladies” found an eloquent champion in Mr Talboys, who returned thanks for the toast on their behalf. The toast of “ The Press,” was then given, the Cromwell Argus being specially mentioned. The Chairman said he was pleased at calling on them to drink “Success to the Host and Hostess,” for they at all times had done their best to give satisfaction. Mr Richards’ returned thanks on behalf of himself and wife. Bro. Barlow said ho felt highly gratified at proposing the next toast, “The health of the worthy Chairman,” who ho considered had filled that office to the satisfaction of every one present. This toast was well received and drunk with efusical honor. Bro. Fraer, in reply, said ; ladies and Gentlemen, I have to thank you for the very kind manner in which you have responded to the toast proposed by Bro. Barlow. This is the third anniversary of Court Royal Oak which I have attended, and on each occasion the members have conferred upon me the post of honor, of wishing mo to preside as Chairman, and I have to thank them for so doing. ( have also to congratulate thent on the success of their fourth .anniversary, and to assure them that if enabled to attend •any future celebration I. shall always feel pleasure at rendering them every assistance to add to the success’ of the same. Dancing was then rch’ifm’cd and kept up till six o’clock when all the dan'civfg as per programme was finished, and the party dispersed, all expressing satisfaction at the excellent manner in which the affair \Va‘S carried out, — CovtnlaniccUed: