ORPHANS’ CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4832, 20 May 1925, Page 3

ORPHANS’ CLUB.

FORMATION IN PAEBOA. SUCCESSFUL OPENING FUNCTION For some months past a few local men have been quietly working up the formation of a local Orphans’ Club,-and their efforts culminated last evening in the official opening, which was held in the Soldiers’ Club. Judging by the attendance of over ninety members and visitors, the future success of the institution se&ms assured, and there is little doubt that the club will be the means, of filling a long-reit want in this town and do a lot wards fostering the friendship of men, and also the cultivation of ratioTiai amusement, music, and fraternF-v. The success of the opening night was due to the efforts of the president (Bro. P. Williams) and the enthusiastic secretary (Bro. R. S. Carden), backed by a.numbey of strong committees. Last night everything went with a swing, and there was not a dull moment. Although following orphans Club procedure throughout, there was an entire absence of formality, an I the spirit of goodfellowship and buu homie prevailed.

Probably one of the best musical programmes yet heard in this town was presented, and suffice it to say that every performer was gongqd at least once, and in a number of instances two and three' times. The promoters are deserving of hearty congratulations for thq success of the function, and to those contributing to the harmony hearty thanks are due.

The. club’s Guardian (Bro. ,H Poland, M.P.) presided, and seated on the dais with him were Bro. P. Williams (president), and Bro. .W. Marshall (vice-president). The proceedings opened with the National Anthem, followed by an opening address by the president, during the coursei of which he extended greetings to the members and. visitors and briefly outlined the object of the club, which, he said, was not only to provide enjoyment for the members, but it was hoped to have a wider sphere of influence. He hoped, in due course, when the club became more firmly established, to visit the Waihi and Thames hospitals occasionally and endeavour to brighten the lives of the inmates. He also hoped that the. members would be in a positio-i to .assist in the establishment of the local hospital, and suggested that it would be a laudable object to work with a view to endowing a bed in the institution, (Applause.) The immediate) project was to build up .the membership and conserve its finances. He firmly believed the future success of the club was assured, and trusty that members would co-operate anl work not only for their own pleasure and profit, but generally for the betterment of: the town and district. The. president them formally handed over control to the Guardian for toe evening.

In rising to speak Bro. Poland was greeted with prolonged applause. In a happy little speech he) thanked the members for the honoured position in which they had placed him, and said he felt that only good could accrue from the formation bf such a club. It would do a lot towards bringing the townsmen and the country folk together for mutual-benefit, exchange of ideas and opinions, and the development of fraternal feelings. A brotherhood of citizens must, he felt sure, be an acquisition to the! place, and by doing good they would not on>y be helping themselves but would derive inestimable pleasure in helping and providing pleasure for others. He hoped the club would grow in membership and increase in popularity as the session wore on. Telegrams of congratulations and greetings were received from the Auckland, Te Aroha, and Morrinsville Orphans’ Clubs, and a number of apologies for absence were read. Those contributing to the harmony of the evening were : Bros. J. Galloway (Thames), song; J. Kiddey (Hamilton), recitations; H. Beech (Thames), comic song; A.' M. Costain (Paerqa), song; G. Hocke i (Thames), song; R. Foster’ (Paeroa/, ■song ; J. Wilson (Hamilton), sbng ; C. E. Andrews (Paeroa) sketch. The accompaniments were ably played by Bro. J. Buchan (Tharntp). By special request the Guardian gave an interesting resume of procedure, during the course of which he paid a glowing tribute to the sterling qualities of the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey. ' After-supper had been partaken of Bro. Marshall, on behalf of thq club, extended thanks to the visitors, many oi whom had come a; considerable distance, and especially those who had contributed items. He also heartily thanked the Guardian for the presentation (by request) of a large framed portrait of himself, and said that the members were proud to accept it and Jiang it in the club-room (Applause.) Thanks were also due to Ero. F. E. Flatt for the. gong, Bro. G. P. Lamb for platforms, and other brethren who had materially assisted in the formation of the club. It was gratifying to state he continued, that the club could already boast of a membership of 90, 51 of whom had paid their subscriptions. He recognised the need for such an institution in the town, :and said that there was no end to tne good work that it was possible to accomplish. The enthusiasm and enjoyment of the function that night was a good augury for the future, and he hoped the sessions to follow would be equally enjoyable. He concluded by wishing the club good luck anl prosperity. The musical portion of the programme was then continued, and cheers and congratulations concluded an enjoyable and epoch-making event in the history of the social life of Paeroa.