ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS. UNITED WESTLAND DISTRICT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1672, 7 February 1882, Page 2

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS. UNITED WESTLAND DISTRICT.

ANNUAL MEETING. The proceedings of the annual meeting of the United Westland District of the Ancient Order of Foresters were opened by D.C.R. Chambers precisely at two o'clock yesterday afternoon, at the Lodge Room, Kumara. P.C.R. Barry, of Court Pride of Kumara, was elected Beadle. The following d«legates were also present :—D.S.C.R. Auderson, Kumara; and D.S. Sandle, Stafford; from Court Pride of the West, Hokitika, P.D.C.R. Allen, and P.C.R. Thomson; Court Waimea, Stafford, P.D.S.C.R. Turner; Court Piide of Kumara, P.C.R. Dove, and Bro. J. 11. King. The report of the District Officers fur the past year showed an increase in both the number of members and the amount of Court funds. During the past year the district has not lost either a member or member's wife by death ; in consequence, the Funeral Fund has been considerably augmented. After sundry matters pertaining to the welfare of the district were consideied, the election of officers for the district was proceeded with and resulted as follows :—D.S.C.R. Anderson (Kumara) waselected D.C. R.; and P.C.R. Dove (Kumara) as D.S.C.R. The Secretary and Treasurer being elected during the pleasure of the district, Bro. H. W. Sandle (Stafford) retains the office of District Secretary, and Bro. B. Turner (Stafford) District Treasurer. A unanimous vote of thanks was accorded to P.D.C.R. George Chambers for the able and energetic manner in which lie had discharged the duties pertaining to the office of D.O.R. for the past year. The next annual meeting is to be held at Stafford. THE SUPPER, Shortly after nine o'clock in the evening, the officers, delegates, and several members and visiting members of the A.0.F., to the number of about twenty-five, sat down to an excellent repast (which included wines and a variety of delicious fruits of the season), at Pearn's Buck's Head Hotel, Main street, D.S.C.R. Dove occupying the position of Chairman, and P.C.R. White that of Vice-Chairman. After the more substantial portion of the good things provided had been partaken of. The Chairman gave the order to charge glasses for the first toast of the evening—" The Queen'and our Ancient Order;" which was mobt heartily responded to. The Vice-Chairman then favored the company with the first song—" Merry Men of the Forest Glen." The Chairman then proposed—" The Executive Council of the A.O.F.,coupled with the name of D.S. Sandle." Song by Bro. B. Tonkin—"The Young Recruit"

D.S. Sandle responded, giving some figures showing the increase which had taken place in the number of members and the funds of the Order during tinthirty years between ISSO and 1880. Quoting from ttie Quarterly Report of the Forty-eighth Executive Council, held at Weymouth in October, 18S1, he found that in 1880 the Order comprised 298 Districts; and 4554 Courts, with 555,062 benefit and 12,909 honorary members. There was an increase of 13,553 members for the previous year, and £141,988 in funds, giving a total accumulated capital of .£2,945,774. [Applause.] PiD.CiR. Allen then proposed a toast to "The United Westland District Ancient Order of Foresters; coupled with the name of D.C.R. Anderson." Song by P.C.R. Thompson—"l like a Claf-s of Good Beer." D.C.R, Anderson responded. He reverted to the present state of the Lodge in hopeful terms, and said he believed at the end of twelve months there would be a largo increase in the number of members. Bro. Orams rose to propose a toast to those gentlemen who were of most vital importance to the interests of the Order —"The Fast Officers United We-tland District A.O.F. • coupled with the name of P.D.C.R. Charabeis. Song by Bro. Draper—" Since we were Boys together." P. b.C.R. Chambers responded, thanking those present heartily for coupling his name with so important a toast. The Vice-Chairman proposed—" The Court Pride of the West and Court Waimea, coupled with the names of Bros. Allen and Turner." Song—" For they are jolly good fellows." P.D.C.R. Allen and P.D.S.C.R. Turner replied in appropriate terms. Song by Bro. Blake—" In the little old Log C.bin down the Lane." P.D.C.R. Chambers proposed—" The Court Pride of Kumara, coupled with the name of D.S.C.R. Dove." Song by Bro. Orams—"The Bay of Biscay." D.S.C.R. Dove responded to the toast to the Order. F.S.C.R. Thompson had great pfeasiue in proposing—" Kindred Societies; coupled with the name of - P.D.S.C.R. Turner. Song by Bro Tonkin—" My dear, my Native Home." P.D.S.C.R Turner replied in suitable terms ; as did also D.S. Sandle. D.S.C.R. Dove had a toast to propose which he was sure all would join with him in drinking to the health of—-th-se were " The Sick and Afflicted of out Order." Song by Bro. Sandle—" Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep." D.S. Sandle proposed—" The Press ; coupled with the name of Mr Janion." The speaker paid a very flattering compliment ro the present management. Song by P.C.R. White—" Th* Old Musketeers." Mr Janion replied to " The Press." S.C.R. Blake (the youngest member in the room) then proposed the toast to—" The Ladies." "He did not know much about them—(laughter)—biit as the gentleman sitting next to him was on the eve of getting married, he would know more about them and be able ' to do more justice to the toast than he could.—[Applause.] Bio. Johusen then responded appropriately, and was applauded. P.C.R. Thompson considered that next to the first toast of the evening he had now the most important one to ) propose -" The M ining and Commercial Interests, coupled with the names of Bro. M. Borlase and D.C.R. Anderson." Song by Bro. Blake—" My Grandfather's Clock." Bro. Borlase responded. He was pleased to say the sludge-channel was very nearly completed, and the dam would lie finished in a day or so. There was reason to hope that in the course of a year or so, when a few more claims were opened out, things would be better than they are now in Kumara. D.C.R. Anderson responded suitably on behalf of "The Commercial Interests." P.C.R. White proposed—" The Host and Hostess," who had provided such an excellent supper. The toast was drunk with great glee. P.C.R. Thompson sang—" Simon the Cellarer." Mr J. S. Pearn said all the credit was due to Mrs Peatn; but he was highly pleased to know that satisfaction was general and hearty. Song by Bro. Tonkin—" The Men of merry, merry England." The Chairman then thanked the delegates and visitors for their attendance, and hoped they would live to see many more such annual gatherings. The singing of "Auld lang syne" and the "National Anthem" concluded •a very enjoyable evening's regalement.