ANNIVERSARY OF COURT HAVELOCK, A.O.F.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 232, 11 July 1872, Page 7

ANNIVERSARY OF COURT HAVELOCK, A.O.F.

The third .anniversary of the above society was celebrated by a soiree, concert, and ball, in Coghill's Assembly Room, on evening of Friday last, the sth inst. The inclemency of the weather prevented the turn-out from being so large as ib would otherwise have been, but it was surprising to find s'icli a numerous attendance. The hall was elaborately decorated withferns andartificialflowers, which gave it quite a renovated appearance. On this occassion, as formerly, Mrs. Cook catered for the refection of the guests, and crowded tho tables, as usual,, with all kinds of edible 3in ample supply, and the beverage that "cheers and not inebriates." The concert followed the tea, and \vrs kept up with great spirit. Bro. Craig, CR , occupied the chair, and was supported on his left hy Bro. Wm Hay, C.R. of Court Star of Tuapeka, and Bros. M'Farlane and M'Mucheon, of Court Bruce of Tokomairiro ; and on his left by Bro. Cairns, P. C.R. of Court Havelock, Bro. Hansen, N.G. of the Loyal Waitahuna Lodge of Oddfellows, and Bro. Haath, Secretary of the Court. " Ring the bell, watchman," was sung by several ladies and gentlemen. The Chairman, in a few appropriate words, proposed the first toast, namely, "Success and prosperity to the Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society." Mrs-. Cook and Miss M'Kinnon sang " Poor old Joe." Bro. Heath then laid a statement of the financial position of the Court before the assembly. The Court, he said, had experienced many difficulties daring the year which had juSt clos3d. They had been a considerable time without a doctor, thus entailing heavy expenses,, which had resulted in a serious pecuniary loss to the Court. But in spite of all this the Court was prosperous, Last year they had the sum of J853 t > their credit, with a membership of 31, and Court property to the value of £22. This year they had the sum of £72 to their credit, and Court property ta the value of £32. During tho year six new members had been initiated, but four of them had become unfinancial. The migratory habits of the goldfields' population, he said, accounted for so many becoming unfinancial. A. man would join the Order to-day and be away to-morrow. Bro. Heath expatiated upon the advantages of frieudly societies, referring especially to the benefits derivable from them, which weue such as the recipi-

ents could avail themselves of without feeling that they were indebted to tlie cold hand of charity, and concluded his remarks by making a warm appeal to thosj who were settled in life to join the society. Bro. John Robinson sang "I saw Esau kissing Kate ; " and for an encore san*' " Arabella." Miss Phillips and Bro. .John Philips sang " Write me a letter from home ; " encore, "Bonnie Eloise." Bro. Citirns then proposed "Health and success to kindred societies," which was responded to by Isro. Hansen, N.G. of the Loyal Waitahuna Lodge, who hoped the same good feeling which had always existed between the two societies would continue unbroken. Bro. Cromarty sang a comic song and received an encore. Mr. Jame3 Smith sans? " Driven from home ; " encore, " The slave ship." Bro. Heath proposed "The Visiting Brothers." Biv). Win. Hay, C.Pt. of Court Star of Tuapeka, responded first, and congratulated the brethren of Court Havelock on the success which had attended their third anniversary. Ho was pleased to say Court Star of Star of Tuapeka was never in a more flourishing condition than at tlie present time. Bro. Pai-lane, on behalf of himself and Bro. M'Mucheon, of Court- Bruce, acknowledged the toast. He was happy to meet so many on this occasion. lie hoped Forestry would flourish amongst them, and that they would long be able to hold their anniversary, and never ha without a surgeon. Court Bruce had been nine mouths without a surgeon, and the results were very serious, but now it was getting on steadily, but surely. Bro. Peimcll sang "The white squall;'" and on receiving an encore gave " The fidgety man." Mr. Bosustow sang "The exilo of Erin." Bro. Cairns proposed "Success to the Tuapkka Times," which was respmdod to by Mr. Ferguson. Mr. Cameron sang a comic song on " Education," and received an encore. Mr. Douglas Brown recited MarkAntony's "Funeral Oration." Mr. Black gave a soiv^ ; encore, " The bonnie hills of Scotland." Bro. Heath, in an addi-ess on the advancement of women, wished success to the visiting ladies. Bro. Philips sang " The bloated young aristocrat," and received an encore. Bro. Cairns said the concert would close by the Chairman, Bro. Craig, Chief Hanger, reading a local song of his own composition . Bro. Craig then read a few very humorous verses, in which many of the Havelock worthies were immortalised. So great was the applause that Bro. Craig was obliged to get to his feet again, when he read a few more verses of equal merit. The room was then cleared for dancing, which commenced ab tut eleven o'clock. The programme was long. Those present, however, seemed to. consider it far too short, and accordingly repeated eacli dance three times. When, therefore, we state that the dancing did not couclude till eight o'clock in the morning, no surprise need be excited. Mr. Cross acted as M.C., and had an able second in Mr. Turner.