The Foresters' Hall

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 1, 3 January 1884, Page 2

The Foresters' Hall

The new Foresters' Hall i 0 Bowen street was formally opened on Monday last. Having already given a full and detailed description of the building, it is needless to say more on this head than that it has been finished according to the plans and specifications, and that the building, which is a very handsome one beth internally and externally, refiecit the greatest credit both upon the architect, Mr Clere, and the contractors, M essrs Watts and Bilderberk, the design, workmanship, and finish being, in fact, all that eonld be desired. ' At 5 o'clock the members of the Court Loyal, Feilding. started in procession, from their former meeting place, the Templars* Hall, and, dressed in fuU regalia, paraded the principal streets. headed by the Feilding- Brass Bandi .^ Arriving at the hall, the members, with"' their wives, families and friends, inclnding some of the leadiag citizens, sat down to a most sumptuous tea, .the caterers for which were] Messrs Summers & Co., and it is only just io say that the viands and the tea itself were of the very best quality. When the company were seated, the beautifully finished ball, the richly laden and decorated tables, and the sight of so many officers and members, not only of the Foresters, but of other societies, in their regalia, together with such a goodly number ef neatly dressed ladies and young people, presented one of ths prettiest scenes ever witnessed, in Feeding. His Worship the Mayor occupied ths chair, who, when tea was finished, said it afforded him much pleasure to presideon such an occasion. He congratulated the Foresters on getting such a nice building. One could scarcely credit ths sood that Friendly Societies did, inculcating and fostering as.tbey did habits of sobriety, thrift asd independence. He> instanced the case of one of their townsmen who had intended joining one of them, but just as he was about taking; steps to do so, met witb a sad accident, and had since bad to depend on local charity, and he was proud to say the people of Feilding were not behind in lending a helping band in such cases. Still it was better to be independent of this, and if the person referred to bad belonged to a benefit society he would not have to depend on the charity of his neighbors. He again congratulated the Foresters on tbeir ball, which was an ornament to the town and • great credit ts tbe architect;, Mr t'lere, and tbe builders, Messrs Waits and Bilderbeck. He wished Forestry generally, and especially the Foresters of Feilding. great success, and might they continue long in their good and noble work. Tbe first person he had to call upon was Mr Clere, the architect of the building,,, wbo, he was sorry to say, wax unfortunately not present. He then called upon Mr Watts, one of the ' builders, who said he was proud of the praise that bad been bestowed on the building, wbich he was glad to find gave such, satisfaction. Tbey had used their best endeavors to produce a good building, and to carry out their work faithfully to the design and contract, and be hoped the Foresters would find it in everj, way suitable to their purposes. v v : ■ Mr Cottrell, Chief Banger, was pleased they had such a nice place for their meetings. He spoke highly of the pait officers, and hoped be would be able to follow in their footsteos. . X Mr Macarthur, one of .tiie Trustee!, congratulated the Court on their new hall and the state ef their funds. He spoke in very complimentary ; terms of the Secretary, and concluded by wishing the Coart many happy meetings in its new hall; " Mr Foster, Secretary, - said he was proud of his position. He then gave a "short history of Forestry in Feilding, tracing its progress 'since the Court was established in February, 187& when it was opened with 12 members. Hia speech was chiefly statistical, and showed the Court at thepresent time to be ma state of numerical and. financial 'efficiency and ' prosperity. 7 He alluded to Major Atkinson's proposed insurance sdteme against want, and distress, and pointed out its great inferiority to. the.. provisions made by Foresters and, similar, societies. Mr Bray, Fast Chief Kangrr, said they were all proud tohave^snohanicehall, and he felt almost overjoyed aithe fact, as he had never -anticipated: -any such success. > What also much pleased him was to see their -wives 1 and' little ones around them on the present happy occasion. (Applause.) Mr P. Thompson, another P.C.E.. said Six months ago there was much discussion about building the hall, as there was only a certain sum i of money to lay out. They, however, resolved to have one, which he was pleased to find was in every way suoh a suitable building, and which he was glad to state was free of debt. (Applause.); J: r'X; - . The next "toast" (if we may borrow' that 'term) the chairman proposed was " Kindred , Societies," and Mr J. W. Eade was called upon to respond for tbe ▼ Oddfellows. He said be was- taken unawares, but was pleased to be present at mch a pleasing event. The Oddfellow** Society was the youngest, but for its age not the weakest of the Friendly Societies jf Feildiug, and had made more, progress luring tbe nine months of its existence ban the Foresters had in their first year, but he could not but congratulate them >n tbe splendid hall they had erected. .Mr Eade' afterwards informed us he . vas unaware of the recent institution in Feilding of a lodge of the Hibernian 3ocieiyJ Mr Patten was called to respond for he Bechabites. He said he represented ill the temperance bodies iti the town, md was pleased tO'be present at' tuck a iappy gathering. The Foresters had

done well to inaugurate their new hall on teetotal principles, and he was glad to sec the present unity of all the orders in the town. Each society benefitted itseit by being friendly with and helping others. The ball was a credit to any place, and he heartily wished the Foresters prosperity here and throughout the colony. Mr Driscoll, in responding for the Hiberniaas, spoke of the progress the local lodge of that order had made since its institution a few weeks ago. He • strongly recommended every man to join . come Friendly Society, and he thanked the Foresters for inviting a representative of bis society on that cession. The next call was "The Ladies, and Mr R D. Worsfold, one of the youngest m mbera, was asked to propose thanks to those ladies who had provided such an i excellent tea. This he did v i rather ba„_f*l but neat little speech, which was followed by acclamation- :-• The chairman said the next item on tiie programme was " The Press, coupled with the name of Mr Kirton." In responding, Mr Kirton said there was a certain amount of association between the Press and Friendly Societies. The men who joined these were, as a rule, men who appreciated and supported the Press, as they were generally thinking and reading men, and took an interest m public affairs. He spoke in high praise of such • societies as the Foresters, and was proud. te belong to their body and also to a kndred society, the Oddfellows. He congratulated the Foresters oa their ■ new hall, and wished them great pros■perity. Mr Foster proposed thanks to the Mayor for presiding, which were given amid applause. Ki* Worship responded in a few suitable remarks, in which he aaid he had felt it a high compliment to preside on such aa auspicious occasion, and at such a happy gathering as had taken place that night. He then asked Mr Bray to start the National Anthem, which was heartily sung by the whole assembly, and thus closed the opening proceedings. At about niae o'clock the hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept up with unabated spirit until about 4 a.m . to the inspiriting strains of the Makino String Band. About 40 couples were present.