ORPHANDOM.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5293, 29 June 1928, Page 2

ORPHANDOM.

SESSION OF PAEROA CLUB. , LAST NIGHT’S GATHERING. The second session of the 1928 season of the Paeroa, Orphans’ Club was hold at t'he Soldiers’ Chib last night. The president (Bro. P. Williams) opened the proceedings; in the usual orthodox manner, after wh’ich Bro. V. J. Innes, who was chosen to pre. side, was called upon to receive his investiture. Owing to the non-arrival of the artists the session was nearly an hour late, in commencing,. Consequently dcsp te the tact and endeavour of the chairman and orchestra, it was a bard matter to obtain that requisite amount of atmosphere that makes things go with a swing, and which is usually characteristic of an Orphans’ Club meeting. Among the contribut'oiis to the harmoii.v of the evening, in addition to those of the orchestra, were : Recitations. Bro. 14. Bradley (Te Arolia) ; anecdotes. Mr M. J. Harris ; songs. “Parted” and “Come; Sing to Me,” Bro. F. Firkin (Te Aroha) ; comic sketch, Bro. M. E. Woolfe (Te Aroha) ; songs, “Long Ago” and “.Star of Eve,” Bro. O. Firkin (Te Aroha) ; song, Bro. J. Young; monologue, Bro. E. V. Slyfleld; rm noforte.solo. Bro. O. Firkin. Bros. J. Ri i i””. O. Firkin acted as accompanists. The numerous and varied selections of anecdotes and humorous incidents from his experiences told by Bro. Innes in his own inimiitable style added in no small measure to the enjoyment, of those present. After supper the chairman delivered an interesting; address on aviation. dealing with the blazing of the trail of commercial flying. VISITORS WELCOMED. A welcome to the visitors was extended by Bro. E. Edwards, who said that it was his pleasure, on behalf of tlie club, to extend a, special welcome to Mr M. J. Harris, who was an old and highly respected ex'-resident of Paeroa. In welcoming; the Te Aroha brethren the speaker paitj a tribute to the artists, who had presented an enjoyable programme. It had been arranged that Bro. R. Cooke should bring a number of Hamilton brethren to contribute a programme, but unfortunately, as late as. that morning, Bro, Cooke had advised that owing to a wave of inllucnza, it was regretted that a suflicient number of members couk] not be mustered to visit Paeroa. With his customary alacrity and enthusiasm Bro. Will’ams got into communication with the Te Aroha orphans and asked them to pull tlie local club out of a difficulty. With the true spirit of Orphandom they had readily stepped into the breach and ■made tlie journey to Paeroa, the result being, the submission of the programme that had been so thoroughly enjoyed. The local club was most grateful to the visiting brethren and all who had assisted to pass the evening so happily. The local brethren hoped to return the compliment later on in the season, when every endeavour would be made to show Te Aroha what .Paeroa could clo. He Imped the visitors had enjoyed themselves and would have a safe and pleasant journey home. In responding oh behalf of Te Arolia Bro. Bradley, president of the Te Aroha Club, thanked the Paeroa brethren for the warm welcome and cordial hospitality. They had certainly enjoyed themselves, and he wished to apologise for not being able, for various reasons, to have brought a larger number of -members with him. Te Aroha was looking forward with keen pleasure to Paeroa’s visit, and. they co.uld .rest assured that a warm welcome awaited th;em.

Mr Harris, who was received with applause on rising to respond,, said that lie felt it a privilege, to be present at tlie session that night. He always regarded Paeroa as his real home, and it ’was indeed a pleasure to look round and sec so many familiar faces and meet old friends. He congratulated the local club on tlie progress it. had made, and said that in Auckland the Paeroa Orphans’ Club w'as looked upon as one of tiie brightest and most progressive, in Orphnndom. He felt very proud at hearing such glowing accounts ’of the doings in liis old home town. He desire Ito congratulate the members on launching such a splendid institution., and he wished it continued success and every prosperity. Valuable .advice and help had been given him by Bro. Williams, and he intended on his return to his home in Victoria to make an honest endeavour to start an orphans’ club there. He was leturnin.g to Australia in July, but wonk} always remember Ips first night at the Paeroa Orphans’ Chib and look forward to visiting it again bn some future occasion. With the contribution of several more items and tiie singing of the National Anthem t'he session was brought to a close at a late hour.