ORPHANS’ CLUB

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21219, 16 September 1940, Page 4

ORPHANS’ CLUB

END OF SESSION LADIES AGAIN ENTERTAINED Saturday evening’s function in the Winter Show Concert Hall proved a fitting finale to one of the most successful seasons the Hamilton Orphans’ Club has experienced. There was a large attendance of members and ladies, as well as a good representation from the outside clubs. President Bro. A. J. Grant was in the chair and extended a hearty welcome to the visitors. Associated with him were the club’s Guardian, Bro. H. J. Baker, and Colonel Loach, secretary of the Associated Savage and Orphan Clubs of New Zealand. Before calling on the orchestra to play the National Anthem Guardian Bro. K. J. Baker made reference to the dastardly attack on the home of Their Majesties the King and Queen. The anthem was sung with deep fervour. British Courage The chairman in his remarks spoke of the splendid courage ol' the British Nation as exemplified in the numerous feats of civilian, soldier, sailor and airman. Citing the words of Sydney Carton in “A Tale of Two Cities,” as he stepped to the guillotine to give his life for his friend, “It is a far, far better thing that I do than I have ever done—it is a far, far better rest that 1 go to, than I have ever known,” the speaker said this was a British trait that was now no less evident than it was then. Deeds such as this required infinite courage. The British Nation showed this national trait when the War Cabinet was formed under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill as an answer to Hitler’s threat of Nazism. The first year of the war had given us ample proof of the courage of the defenders of the Empire—the Ajax, Exeter and Achilles steaming well within the range of a powerful enemy and completing its destruction—the rescue of the prisoners of the Altmark by H.M.S. Cossack, as audacious as it was brave, other epics of gallantry in the Norwegian campaign—and Dunkirk—an adventure which stirred the world in its tenacity and stark heroism. The marvellous heritage left the Royal Air Force by the late “Cobber” Kain, with fifty victories over the enemy forces, often when heavily outnumbered. “All these things,” said the speaker,” “go to prove that the inherent quality of courage in the British race is the predominant factor in the winning of the war.” President’s Thanks Colonel Loach expressed the pleasure of the council of the associated clubs at the fine progress the club had made and said that the movement was steadily growing throughout New Zealand. At the conclusion of the evening the president expressed his thanks to the executive ol the club, the stewards, artists, and all who had assisted him to make the club’s twenty-first year a memorable one. Special thanks were tendered to the conductor of the orchestra, Vicepresident Bro. W. A. King, and the members for the splendid service rendered the club. “The orchestra is the backbone of the club, and we fully appreciate its efforts,” said the speaker. An entertaining programme was presented by the club’s orchestra, Mrs Zelda Fahey (elocution), Miss Alma Burton, Messrs M. Burdis, K. McLeod and P. Herlihy, songs; Bro. H. Wood, Maori songs (in costume); Mr H. Chandler, magic; Bro. Rex Yates (Auckland), comedy. The accompaniments were played by Bros. Stanley Jackson and W. Harrison. A special feature by the orchestra was an arrangement of “There’ll Always Be An England,” in which Bro. E. H. Quill presented the solo, the audience taking up the refrain, I which was sung with great enthusiasm. “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem concluded a most happy evening.