DUNEDIN ORPHANS’ CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 23684, 18 September 1940, Page 5

DUNEDIN ORPHANS’ CLUB

ANNUAL LADIES' NIGHT Membership of the Dunedin Orphans’ Club is confined entirely to the male sex; nevertheless, once each season an open night is held at which members are permitted to bring along their wives or lady friends. This year’s “ Ladies’ Night ” took place in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night, and was an unqualified success. The floor of the chamber was completely occupied by happy parties of members and visitors seated at tables, and the programme arranged for their entertainment was an excellent one. The president of the club (Bro. Arthur MacDonald) presided, and he and Mrs MacDonald were supported by the mayor and mayoress (Mr arid Mrs A. H. Allen), who were among the honoured guests. The first part of the programme consisted of individual items, these including two which held more than usual club interest. One was the Centennial march, ‘ Poneke,-’ which was composed by the club’s pianist, Bro. A. H. Pettitt, and played by the orchestra, and the other'a song, ‘Boys of the Royal Navy,’ -written by Bro. G. A. Wycherley and composed by Bro. Pettitt, and this was sung by Bro. E. Ottrey. Both these items were very cordially received. Other items in this portion of the programme also piet with warm approval. -They were by Bros. R. J. Laurenson (prologue from ‘ Pagliacci ’), H. W* Hunter (recitation, ‘Babies’), 3. M'Farlane (song, ‘Ah, Moon of My Delight ’), R. Kerr (violin solo, 1 Meditation,’ from ‘Thais’), P. L. M'Killop and A. M'Millan (bagpipes selection, ‘Gems of Scotia’). The club orchestra’s contributions (Bro. J. Clark conducting) were, as usual, specially welcome. After the interval the, proceedings swung to almost pure comedy, the fun being provided in the form of a wide variety of items by brother orphans who had, for the time being, been transformed into members of a ship’s company assembled on deck. Here the captain (Bro. C. H. Russell) organised a “ sing-song,” and bo’suns, gunners, A.B.s, stewards, stokers, and whatnot, together with members of the other arms of the service were called upon to ‘‘ do their bit.” And they did it with gusto; songs, recitations, legerdemain, sketches, and a piano-accordion selection which proved to be a hoax, following each other rapidly and delighting the audience. The contributing members in this part were Bros. C. H. Russell, R, Stevenson, R. M'Dougall, J. W. G. Pringle; B. Deighton, T. R. Thomson, R. Wilson Brown, A. Clarke. P. H. Oates, W. Mawhinney. R. P. Murphy, R. S. Moloney, and A. H. Pettitt. After a nicely served and enjoyable supper dancing was indulged in until midnight. ■