ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2107, 5 February 1908, Page 2

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

THIRTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY',

The 31st anniversary of the Court William Gladstone, A.0.F., was celebrated last'- night at, the Masonic Hall by a social re-union.

At supper, Mr, W. L. File, secretary of the Foresters’ Lodge, proposed the toast of “Kindred Societies.” In doing so lie stated thatthe receipts on the night the Court opened wore £5. while to-day they had a combined capital of £3400. He would like to see a cessation fund —a fund to enable men who were growing old to cease contributions.

Mr. Sharland (M.U.1.0.0.F.) congratulated the Court on its strong financial position. It was quite right that the members of a friendly society should see that .the members who started the society should be relieved in old age. Mr. Whinray (1T.A.0.D.) said the Court William Gladstone had a record for Gisborne, if not for the Dominion, for the small number of deaths.

Mr. Alley (H.A.C.8.5.) said that nowhere in New Zealand could be found a better feeling than existed between the friendly societies in Gisborne. Mr. R. Robb (American Order of Oddfellows) said it was proved by his books that it was the young men who had the most serious and the longest illnesses. During the evening songs were given by .Messrs. P. and N. Galloway. -T. Dore, Whinray, C. Lewis, Trent, and File, and recitations were given by Messrs. Mackrell and Fraser,