FESTIVE ORPHANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 133, 26 August 1927, Page 4

FESTIVE ORPHANS

A LADIES’ NIGHT A rainless evening—quite a weather rarity nowadays favoured what proved to be almost the leading “hit of the season” in social affairs of Onehunga. This was “Ladies’ Night,” arranged by the Onehunga Orphans’ Club, and held in the Foresters’ Hall last evening, when about 500 folk were present.. The hall was artistically decorated by Mr. Walter Knight and his wife, the centre-piece consisting of a huge festoon of vari-coloured balloons, afterwards used to create much fun and frolic in the subsequent dance programme. Among brother Orphans and Savages from other districts present were: Auckland Savage Club, Bro. J. Lusher; Auckland Orphans, Bro. J. Crawford (secretary); Devonport Orphans, Bros. J. King and P. Lollitt (secretary) ; Otahuhu, P.D. Bro. J. Gillies and secretary Bro. Geo. Pearce; Birkenhead and Northcote, Bro. Bowles and secretary Bro. H. Harris; Takapuna, V.P. Bro. W. Travers and secretary Bro. A. Wilson. The whole of the main company was representative of the people of Onehunga, and among well-known public men of the township and adjoining districts were the following:—Mr. W. J. Coldicutt, Mayor of Onehunga; Messrs. R. G. Speight and J. Carlton, members of Onehunga Borough Council; Messrs. H. J. Davies, president, and A. Holdsworth, secretary, Onehunga Chamber of Commerce; Messrs. W. Kerr, member, S. Scarborough, ex-chairman, and J. Warren, town clerk, Mount Roskill Road Board; Mr. T. Gilbert, Onehunga Fire Brigade; Mr. C. Gilbert, superintendent Onehunga Fire Brigade; Captain R. Gibbons, harbourmaster. The most attractive feature of the concert part of the programme was the presence of the Orphans’ Club Orchestra, a band of no fewer than thirty accomplished instrumentalists, many of whom are leading musicians in the local musical world. These were under the baton of Mr. W. Webb, and each item submitted was ended amid prolonged plaudits, particularly the “score” of “The Pirates of Penzance.” For vocal contributions during the evening, Mrs. Len Elliott gave all possible satisfaction. Those who contributed to the programme were:—-Miss Mavis Grevatt, harp solos; Mr. Walter Vernon and his ventrioqiual “pal,” “Ginger”; Mr. Dan Flood, pianoforte and song patter; Miss Gammon, recitations; Mr. Rainger, flute solos; and songs were given by Miss Beryl Smith, Miss Alma McGruer, and Messrs. Frank Sutherland, George Bennett and E. Snell. The chairman judiciously eschewed anything approaching speech-making during the evening, but at appropriate points he kept the audience amused with a number of well-elected storyettes and anecdotes. At 11 p.m. the hall was rearranged for a most enjoyable programme of dances. Mr. A. Holdsworth acted in the capacity of M.C. The whole of the secretarial arrangements were in the hands of Bro. G. A. Osborne, and the success of the function reflects great credit on him. KING COUNTRY NOTES At the residence of Mrs. J. Box, Matiere, on Saturday evening, a delightful social was held, guests being present to the number of 30. The proceedings were devoted mainly to dancing, which was interspersed with vocal items by Misses Lola Sinclair, Delma Sinclair, Ivy Carter and Alma Box, and Mr. Geo. Rhynd. * * * The recent plain and fancy dress ball held in Ohura in aid of the funds of the Ohura District High School was very successful financially as well as socially. The clear balance was £24 9s 9d, which will be expended on improvements to the grounds. A charmingly decorated hall, and complete arrangements greeted a very large number of guests at the Hikimutu Hall last Saturday evening, when the settlers and a big contingent of town visitors gathered to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Anderson, who are leaving the district. Evidence of the chief guests’ popularity was given by the representative nature of the social, visitors coming from all parts to be present. Mr. C. Pittams performed the duties of M.C., and the music was provided by Mr. E. Thurston After supper, Mr. Barker, on behalf of the gathering, referred to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson’s long and useful stay in the district, and asked them to accept a wallet of notes to mark the esteem in which they were universally held. The function concluded at midnight with the evergreen “Auld Lang Syne.” A dancing class held at Matiere last week included a Monte Carlo competition, which was won by Miss Lola Sinclair. Mr. Houchen supplied the music, and Mr. S. Petley was M.C. This enjoyable dance class was the first of a series. A very enjoyable send-off social was held at Ongarue on Friday evening, when the many friends of Mr. J. Hyland, who is entering business in Owhango, met to tender him a farewell. The proceedings included dancing, cards and vocal items, the latter being rendered by Messrs, Meehan and Prussing respectively. During the evening Mr. O. J. Gardiner, on behalf of those present, referred to Mr. Hyland’s interest in all forms of sport, and in all that was for the good of the district. He then presented the guests with a handsome travelling rug, from his Ongarue friends. Mrs. Watson and Mr. Hyland won the competition “spot waltz.” Delightful music was rendered by Mrs. McCracken.