ORPHANS’ CLUB

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4857, 24 July 1925, Page 3

ORPHANS’ CLUB

LADIES’ NIGHT. ENJOYABLE EVENING AT PAERiOA. Paeroa has been the scene of a number of social functions recently, but probably one of the most enjoyable so far held tliijs winter was the social evening tendered by the local Orphans’ Club to the ladies and held in the Gaiety Theatre last night. Members, their wives-, and lady friends present numbered close on two hundred. There appeared to be a note of expectancy and not a little curiosity among .the ladies as to what an Orphans’ Club was like, and how such gatherings were conducted, and no doubt these feelings contributed in large measure to the recoid number that attended. The theatre w.ais prettily decorated for the occasion, pungas, nikaus, and other greenery, together with bunting, being tastefully arranged, and the provision of lounge chairs, sofas, and cushions gave the hall the appearance of a comfortably furnished drawing-room. The' president (Bro. P. Williams) opened the proceedings, and after the National Anthem had been sung he handed over control to Bro. C. E. Andrews. In initiating Bro. Andrews to the chair the president delivered and received formal acknowledgement of the ancient charge of Orphandom. Bro. Andrews was invested with a gold jewel, suitably inscribed, being a replica of the club’s monogram and presented by the Auckland brethren to commeeprate the formation of the new baby at Paeroa, after which the brethren greeted their presiding brother. The right atmosphere was quickly produced by an orchestia from Thames, and a lively interest, which was preserved right through, w.as aroused.

In returning thanks for, the honour conferred upon him Bro. Andrews extended a hearty welcome to the ladiesand visitors and fraternal greetings to the brethren. He said that the meeting was to be conducted as nearly as possible on the lines of a normal orphans’ meeting, and he hoped they would all enjoy themselves. He congratulated the club on the progress it had made and on the success of the arrangements for that evening. Special tribute was paid to those who had undertaken the musical portion of the programme, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Thames brethren who had so willingly braved the clement»s and made the long journey to assist the club. A most enjoyable musical programme, interspersed With interesting anecdotes by Bro. Andrews, was proceeded with.

Among those contributing to the harmony of the evening were : The Thames Orchestra, Bros. Galloway, Williams, Twentyman, Discon, Costain, and Hocken. The accompaniments were ably played by Bros. J. Buchan and A._L. Mitchell.

After a delicious (supper had bee□ served Bro. Andrews delivered a very enjoyable address on the mysteries and wonders of Egypt, and dealt specially with the sphinx, pyramids, and the ancient tombs of Rameises. The remainder of the musical programme being disposed of, the hall was cleared and dancing indulged in, the function terminating with the singing o-f “Auld Lang Sync.”