COURT SIR CHARLES NAPIER.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3010, 17 February 1881, Page 3

COURT SIR CHARLES NAPIER.

The celebration of the ninth anniversary of Oourt Sir Charles Napier, 5502, A.0.F., was held last night at the Caledonian Hotel, when forty-two members of the Order sat flown to a banquet which was served in Mr Barrows' best style. Bro. P.D.C.U. Garner occupied the chair. the vice-chairmen being Bros. P.C.R. McDougall and C.R. Taylor. Full justice having been done to the viands, the usual loyal toasts were proposed from the chair and duly reponded to. Bro. C.R. Taylor, in proposing the "Executive Council of the A.0.F," eulogised the administration that showed itsexcellence in the economy and harmony of its working. Song:—"Good Rhine Wine." The Chairman, as senior officer of the Executive, replied to the toast, and in referring to the good work accomplished in the past by the old officers regretted that many, when they had attained to a certain position in the Order, allowed their energies to flag. There was not the same enthusiasm as was shown when the Order waa established in this district, and he thought that if the old zeal had been exhibited Forestry would have been holding the position which was justly its own. He then read from the annual returns showing that the 46th Executive Council have granted 112 dispensations for the opening of new Courts—6B for the United Kingdom, 36 for the United States, and 8 for the colonies. There have also been formed 9 districts. December, 1879, the Order comprised 290 districts, having 4,050 Courts connected with them, and 464 Courts out of District; j the funds of the3e Districts and Courts amounting to £2,791,583: and their membership to 554,040, including 12,531 honorary members. The increase upon the totals of the preceding year was, in Districts, 3; Courts, 60; members, 10,709 (including an increase of 376 honorary members) ; in funds, £142,424. Song : " Beautiful Nell." Bro. Secretary Sidey, in proposing " Success to Foresters," was compelled to endorse what bad fallen from the chairman with respect to the want of enthusiasm. He pointed out that the success of the Order depended on the individual efforts of its members. Pong: " When the Corn is Waving." Vice-chairman Bro. McDougall responded in a humorous speech. Song : " Windy Weather." Bro. Gilberd proposed "The District Officers," and io doing so thought, from the fact of the district being only two years old,andthatitstartedwiththreeCourtsand now had six, that the chairman's remarks concerning the apathy of the members could scarcely be borne out. The progress of the Order, at ail events, showed that the District Officers bad done their duty. The district now numbered 350 members, and had £1,500 to its credit. Bong : " The Old House at Home." Bro. District Secretary Gilpin returned thanks. Bro. District Treasurer Spence proposed the "Courts comprising the District," all of which were represented that evening with the exception of the two newly formed and distant Courts of Wairoa and Waipukurau. Song : " Annie of the Vale." The toast was responded to by vicechairman C.R. Taylor on behalf of Court Sir Charles Napier; vice-chairmam P.C.R. McDougall for Court Car tain Cook j by C.R. O'Brien for Court Sir Henry Havelock ; and by Bro. Sidey for Oourt Robin Hood. The several speakers repudiated the application of the chairman's remarks to their individual Courts. The Chairman said he had referred more particularly to the paid officers, who had every ability to push the Order onwards, but who lacked the energy to do so. He paid a high compliment to the late secretary, Bro. McLeod.

Song : " CruiskeeD Lawn." The Chairman proposed the health of " Our Medical Officer, Dr Hitchings," in suitable terms.

Dr. Hitchings replied in a feeling manner. He reminded them that he was the father of Napier, being the oldest inhabitant of the town, with the exception of Mr Newton. He had built the first house here, and had seen every otber building erected. From the first establishment of Forestry in the district he had been connected with it, and hoped to be BO through life. He liked Forestry ; the members could all meet on a level of equality as friends, while tbe principles of the Order required the exercise of thrift and the consideration of the future. Although he still had a lingering hopp that he might one day revisit England, it was impossible for him to pay whether he would ever get away from the coiony, but wherever he might be he should always cherish feelings of the liveliest gratification at the many acts of kindness he had received from the brethren of the Order.

Song : " Cottage by the Sea." Vice-chairman Taylor proposed the "Juvenile Foresters."

Song : " The Trumpeter." Bro. Cohen, as the treasurer of the Juvenile Foresters, had much pleasure in responding to the toast. He thought the young branch of the Order would get on better if it were better known outside tbe ranks of Forestry. The Juvenile Court bad only been established six months, but it now numbered 61 .-nembers, comprising the most respectable lads in the town, and if adult members saw how they worked in Court they would acknowledge there was something to be learned by visiting them. From that Juvenile Court the future officers of the district would come. Juveniles were received at 11 years of age, and drafted out to the adult Courts at 18 ; and, as in the course of a few months the first draft would be made, they would soon have an opportunity of judging of the efficiency of the training. From the fact that out of the small weekly payments, ranging from 2Jd to 5d per week, a sum of £25 had been placed to the credit of the Court, it would be seen that economy had been studied. So far from taking, as their chairman had done, a despondent view of Forestry, he (Bro.. Cohen) conceived that its progress and prosperity were assured in the existence of the Juvenile Court.

The following toasts were next given and responded to : —"Kindred Societies," by Bro. W. A. Carnell, replied to by Bros. Cooper and Spence respectively on behalf of the Oddfellows and Loyal United Friends ; " The Ancient Order of Shepherds," by the Chairman, responded to by Bro. Sinden ; the "Visitors" by Bro. Cohen, responded to by Mr Leonard and Mr Conroy; " The Ladiee," by Bro. Fernandez, responded to by Bro. Stubbs; "The Press," by Bro. Cotton, responded to by Mr R. Price and Mr T. Sidey; " The Host and Hostess." by Bro. Glen, which was drunk enthusiastically, and which brought the proceedings to a close