ORPHANS’ CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5058, 29 November 1926, Page 2

ORPHANS’ CLUB.

SUCCESSFUL SESSION. MEMBERS’ OWN NIGHT. The final but not .the least enjoyable session of the Paeroa Orphans’ Club was held on Thursday night last, when a very successful season was brought to a, close. The programme was mainly contributed by local members, and the evening passed in happy strain throughout. The chair was occupied by Bro. F. E. Flatt, who very ably upheld the traditions of its previous occupants. The members, ’realising it was the last session, entered into the evening’s entertainment with a good deal of zest. The president (Bro. P. Williams), on behajlf of the executive returned thanks to the members who assisted in making the ladies’ night such a success. He read a letter from the Auckland Orphans which stated that “the boys were delighted with the welcome they had received, multiplied by the congenial atmosphere, and as for decorations, they were ‘stunning.’ AU were pleased and proud to be at the great function, which was surely a great night, and congratulate you on the colossal success of the evening. One and all hope they may be privileged to return to Paeroa in the near future.”

“ So you see,” continued the president, “the visitors were pleased with the manner in which the brethren entertained them.”,

Bro. A. Steedman, in extending a J welcome to the visitors, said that the club was pleased to see ajnd welcome a past president of the Pukekohe Club, and also Bro. Maxwell Walker. Bro. Walker had done a very great deal for the club, and .to show the members’ appreciation he asked, him to become the first honorary member and presented him with the club’s badge.

The president, in presenting Bro. Maxwell-Walker with a brace of pipes, said that it was through his kindness and help that the club was in its position to-day. Bro. Maxwell-Walker, thanked the members for the proud position .they ■had invited him to take, and also for the presentation, .which would remind him of the very fine friends he had made in Paeroa.

During the evening Bro. Reg. Cooke, who has been the official accompanist during the past season, was the recipient of a pipe. In making the presentation to Bro. Cooke the president said that the members were deeply indebted to him for .the manner he had carried out his. duties.

Bro. Cooke, in responding, said it had given him the greatest pleasure to assist, and he assured the club of help in the future if it was possible tor him to do so.

The chairman gave a review of th© clu,b since its inception. He said that just a little over two years ago a band of men got together and decided to start the. club, and it has been a success. The club held proved a good institution in the town, and he would like to see the youiig men up the cudgels. It was a great opportunity, for getting to know one another. He divided life into three stages : first, there .was the youth who wobbled about; then middle-age—struggling for wealth and position—and later in life you were looking for friends. He thought that Bracken’s “Not Understood,” which he recited, was very true to life. He urged the members not to forget that in another few months the third session would start, ®ind he hoped to see the young men taking a hand in .the management. In proposing the toast of the “Leader and Organiser oif the Paeroa Orphans’ Club” Bro. Edwards said that many predicted that it would go off with a bang for a few mohths ajnd then draw out ajnd die ; but this predict! n had not been the case. The programmes had been attractive, and the goadfellowship such .that .the club had gradually ■ increased. He also wished to couple with the toast the name, of Bro. Carden, the secretary, who had been an ideal man for the task of organising, and who had done splendid work. He called, for three hearty cheers and the singing of “ For They are Jolly Good. Fellows,” which were heartily given. In responding, the president thanked th© members fo'r honouring the toast so heartily.. There .was, he said, one thing in life he obtained a lot of pleasure out of, and that was trying to make others happy. He was fortunate in having spme good friends, whom he' treasured, and they had helped him with his task. He felt prdud that the club had been a success, but he or the secretary could not take all the credit. It was due to the strong committee and the hearty support of the members. The mother club (Auckland) elected vice-presi-dents, who were expected to take the chair, and this policy should be adopted here.

Hearty cheers for the chairman and artists for the evening .terminated a most enjoyable session.

Those who contributed to th© evening’s enjoyment were: Orphans.’ orchestra, Bros., Foster (songs), B. V. Slyfield (recitations and humorous sketches), Max well- Walker (stories and sketches), E. Edwards (songs), Adair (mouth-organ selections), EL W. Porritt (reminiscences of early court days), P. E. Brenan (imitations and sketches, of some of Paejoa’s early characters), Reg. Cooke (accompanist and musical monologues), and S. J. Hedge (songs).. An innovation was the listening-in to the urireless, a set of which had been installed free for the Occasion by Bros. W. Fleming and Son.