THE FORESTERS BANQUET.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 169, 26 October 1881, Page 2

THE FORESTERS BANQUET.

The Court Mauawatu, ; A.0.F., celebrated tlie fifth anniversary ©fits existence on Saturday night, with a banquet, which was a moat successful affair. Aboutfifty sat down to an excellent dinner prepared by Host Batcbelar, m his usual, good style. The Hall was tastefully decorated with evergreens, and at the head were hung the Ensign, and IDnion' Jack of Old England, 7 together with the symbols pt the Court, The; chair was. occupied by O.K. Bro. Keeling, supported on his right and left by brother officers of. the tent. : The dinner having been done full justice to, the company proceeded. to enjoy themselves. . ] ' The toast, " Queen, and Governor of N;ew Zealand," by the Cbairmany ;w,as drunk m a bumper; after which- Bfo. Harrtey favored with a song, "They're getting thisupfbr me,'\which gained a well deserved eacore. • - Toast* "-Court Manawatu, coupled with the names of the past aucl present officers,'* was responded: ta by BVo. Lee. Song, " Starry night for. a ramble," by Bro. S. RogerSj caused considerable merri--ment. ' '■ Bro. Keelhig having beea called upon to respond on behalf of the present officers, said he was pleased to state, that theCourr, althongh so youn]?,' was a most thrivjng, and progressive one. It -now mustered sojne seventy eisfbt members, and still mlmbers were continually seek--ing admittance:. Each.. Lodge ..night several members' were initiated, and always more proposed. The officers, he was pleased to say, worked well for the Oraer, and of course, everything de r pendedupon them, The progress made by the Court during the past few months was most encouraging, and he trusted they would continue to prosper. - Song, "Jump Out of Bed," by Bro. Partridge, deserved the round of applause it received. 1 Toast, "Sister Courts, coupled w^th. the name of Bro. Jolly." „ ' .; ; Mr. Hart, a visitor, then favored with a song entitled " You'll never know the reason why," au-1 was vociferously encored, after which Bro. Jolly, responded to the last toast, and sang '•'• We're going to married be,*' which completely brought down' the house, from the manner m which the gentleman gave expression to the wording of the song, Mr. Haybittle, who represented the Good Templar Lodge, next thanked- the meeting for the kind way m which they responded to the toast of" Siiter Court's," and favored with a recitation, which was delivered m first class style, and which earned him a demand, for a repetition. Toast, Bro. Marsh, "Our sick, and absent Brother," was drank, wtthlmusical

Song, " All is not gold that glitters," by Biro. Midhoe, was given m good style, and well received.

Song, "Do the best you Can," by Bro. Charles, was applauded. Toast, "Kindred Societies, coupled with the names of Messrs Woods and Haybittl^" was drunk with musical honors, after which Bro. Hartley again favored with* a song, "Blow the candle out John," which was highly appreciated. In responding to the toast of Kindred Societies. Mr. Woods, who represented the Odd Fellows, said he was pleased to hear of the success of the Court, as reported by the Chairman, and he trusted it would contiuue to prosper. He liked to see men taking time by the forelock, and becoming members of these Orders, and all who did so, did a good thing for themselves, and families. It matters not which Order they prefer to join,- as all worked to the same end, but certainly every man ' should belong to such an institution. Mr. Hay bittle said he fell it imperative upon him to thank the meeting for the hearty manner m which they had drank the last toast, on behalf of the Lodge he represented. He said he had been a Forester for some time at Inyercargill, but on removing from that place, he bad, he was sorry to say, allowed himself to run out, but he hoped before long to become a member of Court Manawatu. He was at present an Oddfellow, and could heartily endorse all that fell from Bfo. Woods, with regard to the benefits derivable fr»m such Orders, Both worked for the same purpose, that of providing ft means of help, and assistance m timoTof sickness, and to ingender feelings of good fellowship among men. He hoped the Court would continue to prosper m the future, as" it had done m the past. Bro. Jolly again favored with a song, after which Bro. Chester, sang, " Roses Underneath the Snow." Mr. Uaybittle being again called upon, gave another recitation, "The Execution of Montrose,'' which from tie pathetic manner of delivery, fairly enraptured the ■ house. " The Ladies," a toast -which i» at all times received with applause, was drank with musical honors, and was responded to by Bro. Clarke. The Chairman proposed "The health of Brother Coleman," and m doing so said he knew, the Court would receive it with cheers. The absent, and sick member, was much missed on this occasion, as he had always borne such a prominent part m such festivites heretofore, and had been, and is now, deeply interested m the welfare of the Order., The toast was receivedj and drank with cheers. The Chairman proposed The health of the Host and Hostess," Mr. and Mrs. Batchelar, which was received with loud cheers. Iv response Mr. - Batchelar thanked the meeting, for the hearty man* ncr m which they had drank his and Mrs. Batchelar*s health, it was a° honor he had not expected. He trusted that so far as his catering was concerning he had given satisfaction. He then sang, by re-, quest, "Pour Out the Ehine Wine" which earned a really well deserved encore. - : i- I ■ The meeting broke up at abjaut five minutes to twelve, all having enjoyed themselves thoroughly well. \