COURT "STAR OF TUAPEKA." OPENING SUPPER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 45, 19 December 1868, Page 3

COURT "STAR OF TUAPEKA." OPENING SUPPER.

The -Foresters'- Court "Star of Tuapeka" was formally opened on Thursday evening. After the business .connected with the Order had been completed, the members and many of their friends sat down to supper. Mr. Clark, of the- Masonic Hotel, waa the caterer, and he proved himself equal to the occasion, indeed, we have seldom sat down to a more comfortable and well-arranged spread. The chair .was taken by the C.R. of the new Court, Mr. Titchener ; and over fifty persons were present. When the eatables, had been consumed and cleared away, The Chairman called upon all present to charge their glasses to honour the toast of "The Queen." In a few well-chosen words be described the claims of her Majesty as a woman, mother, and Sovereign to a place in our affection and esteem. The National Anthem was then sung by Mr. Prances, who was in particularly good voice. The Chairman proposed " The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Boyal Family," which was duly honoured. Mr. Donovan then sung " The Eed, White and Blue." : Mr. G-oodman said it gave him great pleasure to have that opportunity of congratulating his newly-made brethren on the success which had attended their exertions. , Thirty-three persons had been initiated that evening — a greater number of members, he believed, than any other Court in the Province had started with. There was every reason to augur success from so fair a beginning ; and he had great pleasure in calling for a bumper to the toast '• Success to the Court Star of Tuapeka," coupled with the name of Mr. Titchener, which was drunk with musical honours. . Mr. Titchener said that a curious coincidence had occurred in reference to the opening of a Court in Tuapeka. TJbiS night on which the first meeting had been held was, he discovered, the anniversaryi versary of his initiation. When he wi\s. first introduced to the principles i?f Forestry, he had declared his i || fJQiiffit'** > " c cou^ t° advance i-j^^i'Wjs ; and^aifchough comparaWvely ■ a ' \wanjjgw]ftL Lajfc 1*"-^1 *"-^ the <ratherig|£^^^^^^K|HflHW)ow tnuch^T^^^^^^^^^^^^^ta^ refef|i^^^^^^^^H|

might meet with equal success, and avoid an error which had too often to be deplored, namely,, that men should so soon forget the solemn obligations they took on themselves. He often saw men bound together by the most solemn ties squabbling about a trifle, which he trusted the Forresters might avoid. They had made an excellent selection in their choice of a Chief Ranger, having decidedly placed the right man in the right place. With such a captain and with a worthy crew the " Court Star of Tuapeka" started on her voyage under the most favourable auspices. Mr. Maule next favoured the company with a song, " Hearts pf Oak," which received enthusiastic applause. Mr. Bastings proposed "The Health of the District Officers," coupled with the name of Mr. Groodman. He briefly described the arduous duties which those gentlemen had to perform. The toast was received with musical honours.

Mr. Groodman acknowledged the compliment. He had visited Tuapeka on this ocpasion for the first time, and had been very much gratified by all he saw. Mr. Woodlands, the District Secretary, had meant to accompany him, but had unfortunately, been prevented by an accident, much to his disappointment He urged upon the members the necessity of carefully studying the new code of rules, and making themselves thoroughly conversant with them. Messrs. Francis, Maule, and Hall next gave " Willie Brew'd a Peck o' Maut " in a most effective manner, and they were enthusiastically encored. Mr. Ferguson proposed " The Medical Profession," coupled with the name of Dr. Halley. He said that Tuapeka was fortunate in being able to boast of two professional gentlemen of such -ability as Dra, Stewart and Halley. Dr. Halley acknowledged the compliment. Mr. Morrison proposed "The Press," which waa suitably acknowledged by the representatives present, Mr. Matthews bearing witness to the good feeling which existed between the two local papers. The Chairman then proposed " The Ladies." The Foresters, he said, wore a gallant Society, and gave privileges to the fair sex denied to males. The widow of a Forester might keep up her, connection with the Society for a trifling fee ; and this was one great inducement for married men to join the Society. Mr. Thornly responded to the toast, and expressed his devotion to the fairer portion of humanity in a most lqjmpurous manner. He declared his intention to take to himself a wife as soon as possible ; and painted in glowing colours the pleasures of domestic life. Mr. Keen proposed " Our Host," a toast which needed no speech to recommend it, as all present had seen the efficient and excellent manner in which Mr. Clark had performed his duties. Mr. Clark returned thanks. Mr. Bastings was next called upon for a song, and gave "Little Cock Robin " in a most admirable manner. Mr. Thornley proposed " The Mayor and Town Council," which was duly honoured. Mr. Mills then sung "Here's to every Grood Fellow " in a capital manner, and was cordially applauded. Mr. Groodman proposed " The Chairman," which was drunk with all the honours. Mr. Ferguson proposed " The Strangers Present." Mr. Coverlid responded. " Auld Lang Syne " was then sung by the whole company ; and all dispersed, highly gratified at the success of the entertainment.