ORPHANS’ CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5004, 23 July 1926, Page 2

ORPHANS’ CLUB.

LAST NIGHT’S SESSION.

ENJOYABLE EVENING SPENT.

The Paeroa Orphans’ Club held its monthly session at the Soldiers’ Club last night.

The proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem, after which th’e president (Bro. P. Williams) duly invested Bro. C. BArm; strong, of the Hamilton Orphans Club, with the chairman’s, emblem of authority and invited him to conduct the session. This solemn mony being completed, were upstanding to receive Captain W. Moore and members of the Paeroa Volunter Fire Brigade, who were th guests of honour at the s essioa ' Although there were not so m<_y members present as usual, the gathering lacked in more than made up for in enthusiasm, with the result that everyone had a really enjoyable time. An excellent programme of appropriate songs and instrumental selections was co tributed, largely by a party of Ha - iltonians who accompanied Bro. Armstrong 'at the invitation of .the Paeroa club. The programme opened wit couple <ff inspiriting selections by the orchestra, comprising Bros, R. Cooke (piano), C. Waines and W- Armour (violins), G. Royal (clarionet and ukulele), E. A. Porritt (drums), and L. E. Cassrells. (S.wanee flute). These items, together with all the items, both instrumental and vccai, were, encored several times. Bro. L. Foster sang pleasingly “Out of, the night,” and responded with ‘ The Company Sergeant-Major.” One ot the gems of the first-class programme submitted was an instrumental trio comprising Messrs T. Piper (piano), L. Swales (violin), and H. Y. Lusk (cello) The first selection rendered was, “Three fours,” followed by “A Serenade.” The humour of the evening was provided by Bro. Reg- COoke, with songs and stories at the piano. Bro. Cooke proved himsejf an entertainer of considerable ability, and his inexhaustible store qf topic comic songs delighted the gathering. A specially enjoyable novelty was introduced by Bro. T. Jolly, who displayed considerable s,kill as a whistler, accompanying his iteijns on the piano. I£is efforts drew rounds of applause. Bro. Piper’s rendering of “The Admiral’s Story,” and ‘'Hale and Hearty,” was much enjoyed. The cello solos contributed by Bro,. H. Y. Lusk were well worth going a long way to listen to, and the brethren were insistent in their demands, for more. Bro. Swales’ violin solos were greatly enjoyed, and he was compelled to respond to several encores. The item supper, comprising potatoes baked in their jackets, baked onions, biscuits, cheese, and coffee, was dispensed with promptitude and thoroughly enjoyed.

During the evening Bro. W. J. Towers, on behalf of the club, extended *a hearty welcome to the visitors. He pointed out the desirability of encouraging a closer contact with men and the fostering of a Ifraternal spirit, and this end could be obtained very largely through such an institution as an orphans.’ club. The Hamilton brethren had come a long dis,tance to fraternise and entertain the local Orphans, who were grateful and deeply appreciative of their visit, and especially of the, splendid, progilamme submitted. He trusted that the visitors would enjoy their brief sojoiurn at Paeroa, and that the present visit would be the forerunner ofl other visits in the future.

Bro. Armstrong thanked the members for the cordial reception that had been given the visitors, ne»t only at the session but from the time they had arrived that afternoon. , Bro. T. J. Reynolds also added' to the remarks, and said' that the visitors had been overwhelmed with hospitality at the hands* of the club’s president (Bro, Winihms) since their arrival. It was gratifying to know that the programme submitted had been appreciated, and he could assure the local brethren that the visitors appreciated the honour of having been invited to Paeroa, and they had thoroughly enjciyed themselves. He hoped that in the near ftitwre the Paeroa brethren would visit Hamilton, when they could be assured of a hearty welcome, A formal welcome was* extended to the Fire Brigade by Bro- P. E. Brenan, who said that while orphandom promoted goodfellowship among men it was a privilege to pay a, tribute to the fire brigade members, of the town. Such members not only gave, considerable time to their arduous .duties, but gave their services freely and willingly, without thought of reward or recognition. Speaking reminiscently he said that the local brigade had been formed in 1892, following a disastrous fire which occurred in a block of buildings, that occupied the site where the soldiers’ Club how stood. The equipment at that time comprised mainly a manual fire engine which had to be worked by a hand pump requiring the services 6>f four men. Later on a manual reel was purchased to be in keeping with the reticulation of the water service in the borough. The brigade was now blessed with a motor fire-epgine fljid up-to-date fire-fighting equipment. To-day Paeroa.-was included in the towns which enjoyed the most advantageous fire insurance rates in the Dominion. Such a happy s,tatq of affairs. had been largely brought about by the enthusiasm, efficiency, and energy of the local brigadesmen.

Captain W. Moore returned thanks for the hearty welcome and honour conferred on the brigade, and said that it was now the brigade’s proud boast that it possessed. the best standardised gear in New Zealand. The members were deeply appreciative of the support and encouragement it had always received from the public, and with the provision of up-to-date equipment it was hoped to reach a conflagration in quicker time and render more efficient service.

During an interval in the second half of the programme Bro. .Armstrong pointed out that orphandom

had its own etiquette, and he wished to point out that the Hamiltonians present did not constitute an official visit of the Hamilton Orphans' dubIt had given the visitors pleasure to see round Paeroa that afternoon, and note the decided progress that it was making. He always had a sdft spot in his heart for Paeroia because the local racecourse was one of the few “on which he could “strike a winner.” (Laughter.) He congratulated Bro. Williams, and his officers on launching an orphans’ club at Paeroa, and expressed the hope that it would continue to prosper and grow, at the same time keeping in view the true spirit of blrphandom. In addition to the fostering of the fraternal spirit, orphandom was, an excellent medium to bring men “out of their shells,” and not infrequently a follow who was a confirmed grouch apparently.

under the softening and elevating atmosphere of a session was found to' be a real good sort, and not infrequently possessed of talent. He was pleased to know that the efforts of the Hapiiltonians had been appreciated, and that the harmony of .the evening haid not been marred by his oc- - cupancy of the chair. The second haff of the programme being disposed of, the gathering was; brought to a close by an exchange of 4 cheers, followed by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.’’