ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 April 1917, Page 2

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

A PRESENTATION.

A WELL attended meeting of Court Star of Helensville A.O.F. was held on Tuesday evening, 3rd inst. The meeting was " opened according to the rites of the Order by the Chief Ranger. The Woodwards reported that ' several brothers were still on the sick list. - The routine business having been disposed of the meeting received, and welcomed in the customary manner, the District Chief Ranger, Bro. W. J. Barton, the District Secretary, Bro. R. Darlow, and the District Senior Woodward, Bro. J. R. Salt, who had come up from town to attend the meeting. The Chief Ranger. Bro. Geo,^ Campbell, invited the Disjtricjpi Chief Ranger to the presiding officer's chair. The D.C.R. having assumed the chair thanked the brethren for the courtesy extended to visiting district officers, and called up the District Secretary, Bro. Darlow, to make a presentation, on behalf of the members, to Bro. R. M, Becroft who was present on final leave before leaving for the front. Bro. Barton said he was pleased to be present, although the notice of the meeting was very short, because it was the duty of those that remained at home to show their appreciation of the splendid response to the call for service. s Bro. Darlow. said he was very pleased to be able to say a few words on behalf of the Court. He had known Bro. Becroft for many years, and he assured him that he carried with him the good wishes of all the members. Bro. Becroft was one of a family that had won their respect and esteem. Bro. Darlow said the members watch the course of events in the hope that the immediate future would give such a peace as can only follow victory. Bro. Becroft would doubtless meet many brother Foresters at the front. He was asked to convey to them the best wishes of the members, and tell them that they are not forgotten, that we are filled with admiration at their splendid achievements, and are looking forward to their return. Bro. Darlow said the record of Court Star of Helensville was very creditable ; 13 members had joined the forces, one member having made the supreme sacrifice. On behalf of the Court he asked Bro. Becroft to accept a wristlet-watch, which he hoped would be useful to him at the front. Bro, Carleton was asked to accept and forward a similar present to his son, Bro. A.H. Carleton, who had already gone forward. Bro. Becroft thanked the brethren for the present, and said that he was of opinion that when the enemy caught sight of the Twenty-fifths they would cave in. Bro. Barton said Bro. Becroft had got hold of the right spirit, namely—We are It. Bro. Salt, D.S.W., congratulated the Court upon the orderly manner of conducting the business. The Court was setting an example that might well be followed by some of the town Courts. He referred to the large amount of the District Officers' time that was devoted to the service of the Order. The manner of their reception and the kindly references to the District Officers was much appreciated. During the evening it was announced that a scheme was on ~ foot to raise a sum of £1400 for the purpose of fittingly recognising the services of the returned soidiers. Matters of general interest were discussed with the District Officers, and a hearty vote of thanks to them closed a very harmonious meeting.