The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-02-27 00:00:00

Past Chief Ranger Perkin responded, and in
doiug so said he thought opposition suited him
best, for compliments seemed to unnerve him,
whilst opposition, on the other hand seemed to give
him nerve. He would not say that he had not done
anything to deserve it. He had been complimen-
ted for his efforts to obtain the chair on behalf of
the Court, and the honorary members had also
been complimented for subscribing to it. That
was the mother court of the district, and it was
the duty of the mother to hold her head up and
set a pattern to her daughters. Very few mem-
bers knew the origin of that chair. To explain
this fully, he should have to carry them back 18
years. At that time he first joined a friendly
society. It was a time when friendly societies
were on their trial, and when many of the bubble
insurance companies were bursting. He deter-
mined before he joined any of them to ascertain
for himself which of them stood on the firmest
basis. For this purpose he borrowed the laws of
many of them, and after carefully perusing them
he came to the conclusion to join the Foresters
because they offered him the best choice. He be-
lieved that there should be a good and easy method
for the members to obtain redress for any wrong
that might be done him, and an economical man-
agement, and he arrived at the conclusion that the
Foresters possessed these qualifications. That
night his belief in Forestry was 18 times stronger
than it was 18 years ago. At first he did not think
of stopping among the Foresters altogether. The
Ancient Order of Foresters was divided into three
parts; the High Court, the District and the Court.
But he never thought he should ever be able to
go to the High Court. They could, therefore, im-
agine his gratification and surprise about twelve
months ago, when Brother Broughton moved that
that Court should be represented at the High
Court, and still more so when Brother Broughto n
followed this up by moving that that representa-
tive should be himself (Past Chief Ranger Per-
kin). He watched very carefully the business of
the High Court during the week he was at Wor-
cester. The Order was represented by 500 dele-
gates, two of whom were from the United States
of America, and he saw with pleasure that the in-
terests of the Order were thoroughly safe in the
keeping of those whom they had placed in power.
He felt so grateful that he determined to make
some special effort on the part of that court for
having sent him as a member. He mentioned the
scheme first of all to the worthy secretary, and
then to Brother John Chappell, and they seconded
his efforts. Brother Charles William Collis also
said he would render him all the assistance in his
power, and a few days afterwards he wrote to'say
he had received four half-sovereigns and two half-
guineas. He took that opportunity of thanking
Brothers Collis and Stringer for the support they
had given him. The thing had since then gone
on sureiy and slowly. As a proof that it had gone
on surely, the chair was there, and he believed it
answered all their expectations—(tremendous ap-
plause). It was the duty of all the members to
work and do the best they could for the Order,
All the members could do something to forward
the cause of Forestry. They had no paid agents,
but they were all unpaid agents, and they could
all do their best. It, was an act of duty—of im-
perative duty-----on all to pull heartily together. If
they saw a member bringing forward any project
for the welfare of that Court, and they placed ob-
structions in the way of that member, they in-
jured the Court as much as they did him. If he
could do them any good in any shape or form he
was willing to do it at any time or anywhere—(pro-
longed cheering).
Brother Collis said he rose to propose the health
of a brother Forester, and he did so with very
great pleasure. It was very gratifying to him to
see so many young members in the room. By be-
coming members of that Order they were making
a provision for old age and sickness. It was also
a good school, as there they learned order and
obedience. It was a good thing for any young
man to join a court like that. If he (the speaker)
had had any necessity for joining financially, he
should have had much pleasure in doing so. It
was also with very great pleasure that he now
looked at the chair and saw a worthy old Forester
presiding there. They wanted such men as
Brother Broughton, to guide their conduct. He
had very great pleasure in proposing the health
of Brother Broughton—(applause).
Past Chief Ranger Perkin seconded this, and the
toast was cordially responded to.
Past Chief Ranger Broughton returned thanks,
and said that when he first came into the neigh-
bourhood the name of Forestry was unknown. He