PAEROA ORPHANS CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5209, 28 November 1927, Page 2

PAEROA ORPHANS CLUB.

SUCCESSFUL LADIES’ NIGHT.

VISIT OF AUCKLAND BRETHREN

To commemorate the conclusion of its third season the Paeroa Orphans’ Club held a ladies’ night at the Gaiety Theatre on Saturday night. The club’s annual function has grown to be regarded as one of the local treats of the season, and on Saturday night over 300 Orphans and their wives and friends were present. Long before the appointed hour the theatre was filled, and extra seating and table accommodation was necessary.

The walls and stage of the theatre were tastefully decorated with nikau and other greenery, while suspended from the ceiling was an appropriate centrepiece from which radiated strings of many-coloured electric lights, which sparkled and twinkled from among the lycopodium entwined on the wires. The bright lights, combined with the strikingly pretty dresses of the ladies, made an animated picture of beauty and splendour. Hung in a prominent position behind the dais was the local club’s handsome new banner, which was presented in October last by the Paeroa Volunteer Fire Brigade.

In addition to the ladies, the guests of the Ecal club were the members ot the Auckland Orphans’ Club, of wnieh there were nearly sixty present.

Shortly after 8 p.m. the local club’s president, Bro. P. Williams, and Bro. W. Marshall, vice-president, took their seats on the dais. Immediately following, th© brethren received Bros. Maxwell-Walker (past-president of the Auckland Orphans’ Club), E. V. Sutherland (president of the Onehunga Orphans’ Club), G. Baildon (Mayor of Auckland), H. R. McKenzie (chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board), and officers and brethren of the Auckland Orphans’ Club, Chosen to preside over the gathering, Bro. Maxwell-Walker was duly installed and invested as chairman for the session by Bro. Williams. An enjoyable programme of music, song, and story was dispensed by the Auckland members', the proceedings opening with the singing of; the National Anthem, followed by a selection entitled “Pique Dame,” by the Auckland orchestra, comprising 29 members, including 15 violinists, under the able conductorship of Bro. G. F. Cater.

With such a versatile chairman as Bro. Maxwell-Walker there was not a dull moment. He set the ball rolling by extending a hearty welcome to the ladies, who were, he said, the principal guests, and also to the lesser dignitaries who had “blown in” (referring to the Auckland brethren). In expressing pleasure at having the privilege of welcoming the ladies the chairman reminded the meeting that woman had been born first in the Garden of Eden, and there she had met Adam. It was, no doubt, such a happening that had inspired Milton to write “Paradise Lost.” We were told that Adam fell into a deep sleep, and while in that state a rib was ■ taken from his side and woman fashioned. Such a sleep was no doubt man’s last long repose. It was strange that woman had been made from such a crooked part of man. Later, to Adam and Eve their son Cain was born, but Cain was killed by the raising of. a club. Since that time clubs have frequently been the cause of ‘Raising Cain.” The speaker said he sincerely hoped the ladies would enter into the spirit of Orphandom that night and endeavour to realise what the true spirit of Orphandom meant. The first vocalist! to be called on was Bro. H. Denton, who delighted with his rendering of “The Call of the Wild,” for which he was heartily encored. Bro. Walter Vernon, the well-known and clever ventriloquist, and his pal Ginger kept the audience simmering in a state of amusement. The singing of first a bass and then a tenor song by “G-inger” demonstrated the skill and ability jvith which Bro. Vernon could control and throw his voice. A singer who was in good form was Bro. Stan. Pritchard, whose numbers included "Harbour Lights,” “A song of the Clock,” and “The For-tune-hunter.” This artist, who is the possessor of a rich baritone voice, received well-deserved applause. The inimitable Bro. Dan. Flood contributed much humour by his songs at the piano, and he was compelled to respond to an insistent encore. His elocutionary item, “Nell was a Collier’s Daughter,” invoked roars of laughter. A still further treat was contributed by Brio. E. Mannell, who sang- ‘‘For you alone.” and Tor encores “Take thou this rose,” and “The little Pigs.” A rousing reception was accorded the old favourite Bro. Duncan Black, who sang “Chip o’ the Block,” and “My ain wee hopse.”

Between each item stories, clever, serious, and humorous, were told by Bro. Maxwell-Walker, and the evening passed all too quickly on to supper time, after which the orchestra contributed excerpts from “Belle of New York” and Bros. Pritchard and Vernon further delighted the audience with items.

A feature of the enjoyable programme was the inspiriting orchestral music while the accompanying of the singers by Bro. Cyril Towsey was in itself a musical treat worth going a long way to hear. WELCOME TO AUCKLANDERS.

A hearty welcome on behalf of the club was extended by Bro. W. Marshall to the Auckland brethren, and also congratulations to Bro. J. Crawford, who had been secretary of .the Auckland club for many years and who liad recently been elected president for the Dominion of the Kindred Clubs’ Society, which embraced all Orphans and Savage Clubs. The local club was privileged to entertain distinguished visitors that evening. With reference to the presence of the Mayor of Auckland, the speaker said that it was the second occasion that Bro. G. Baildon had taken part ip a social function at Paeroa. The local public generally, and the club particularly, considered it a gracious I and fraternal act for him to find time I

from his arduous duties in the city to come to Paeroa. (Applause.) Referring to the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, the speaker expressed the hope that Bro. Mackenzie would enjoy his stay in the town and go back to Auckland with a full sense of the importance of the port of Pae-i-oa. (Laughter.) Reference was also made to the presence of the Mayor of Thames (Bro. W. Bongard) and Mrs Bongard. To them a special welcome was extended. In the opinion of Bro. Marshall such visits meant the dawning of a new era in Paeroa and Thames, in that meeting in a fraternal spirit for social intercourse caused a drawing together which must be of mutual advantage. The old feeling of parochialism would be a matter of the past, and in days to come it would be pleasing to look back and remember how Bro. Bongard lead helped to dispel such feeling. (Applause.) A cordial welcome was also accorded Bro. E. V. 'Sutherland, president of the Onehunga Orphans’ Club, to which Paeroa sent fraternal greetings. The speaker also paid a tribute to the work and generosity of Bro. Cater and the members of his orchestra. The local members had been privileged to listen to a musical treat that would live long in their memories. It was hoped that the visitors would spend a happy and enjoyable time at Paeroa, and they could rest assured of an enthusiastic and hearty reception on their return at some future date. The words of welcome, at the call of the speaker, were supplemented by musical honours and hearty cheers. REPLY BY BRO. BAILDON. A hearty reception was accorded Bro. Baildon when he rose to respond. On behalf of the visitors he expressed thanks for the warn and cordial welcome, and said he could not speiak too highly of the generous hospitality that they had 'received. He appreciated the remarks of Bro. Marshall, and was glad to hear that such fraternal feelings and goodwill existed between the boroughs of, Paeroa and Thames. Similar feelings existed between the Auckland City Council and certain other local bodies. When the laughter which greeted this remark had subsided Bro. Baildon said that he was leferring to the Auckland Harbour Board, led by Bro. Mackenzie. The speaker said he knew something of amalgamation, and suggested that Paeroa might very well amalgamate with Thames. (Laughter.) Thames was a short distance only from Paeroa., and the Auckland City Council would willingly sell some buses to travel between the two towns. In fact, the City Council would love to help, and would dispose of its buses very cheaply. (Laughter.)

In conclusion Bro. Baildon said that the visit to Paeroa had been well worth while, and he could assure the gathering that the Auckland Orphans would look forward with pleasurable anticipation to the, trip again next year. ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN. After supper Bro. Maxwell-Walker said it was customary for the chairman to deliver a short address on sjme topic that would appeal to the imagination or the heart. As it was a special occasion —a ladies’ night—he would preface his remarks by reading a little homily from a book entitled “The perfect loveifs guide, or how to select a lover at sea or on shore.” In a humorous vein', freely punctuated with clever satire, the chairman referred to the plane of common humanity, and said that he had had hopes of forming a husband’s union, but the idea had “fizzled out” because woman was dominant. His thoughts then turned to a recuperative institution for men, and he considered the importance of gaol, but on looking round the room, perhaps his views might be too personal. (Laughter.) Included in his amusing references to the gentler, sex he said that if a woman’s words could only be commercialised, what a fortune there would be for someone. (Laughter.) Speaking seriously, Bro. MaxwellWalker said that superiority was pne of the obstacles in life that could never be broken down. It should be realised that every human being had a message, and if he could only express himself it would be well worth xYhile listening. People should be tolerable and full of understanding for others. To reach happiness and contentment it was necessary to draw closer together in a common bond of love and friendship. In ‘conclusion the speaker counselled the brethren to try and live up to their motto, “Happy to meet, sorry to part,” and all would be well with them and the community in which they moved.

In acknowledging the vote of thanks accorded him for presiding, the chairman said that his message to his listeners was to avoid calumny in all its forms, and never believe everything they heard but to extend the hand of friendship and sincerity always. It was his privilege to salute the local brethren with the best feelings of friendship, and he wished to thank them all for their splendid comradeship and hospitality. The club was very fortunate, to have a man of Bro. Percy Williams’ calibre and enthusiasm, and he hoped he would long be spared to guide its After Bro. Reg. Cooke 'had proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the artists, which was carried with acclamation, the session closed just on midnight with tlie singing of the National Anthem.