SCOTLAND'S BARD.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14885, 27 January 1914, Page 9

SCOTLAND'S BARD.

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S CELEBRATION. The Canterbury Caledonian Society 'celebrated tho 155 th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns last night, when there was a largo attendance. An excellent and varied programme oi Scottish and Highland dances was contributed. The programme wj« opened with a s-ciection troni the Society's Pipe Band under Pipe-Major Erskine. The president, Mr John Connal, in somo introductory remarks, said had been hoped to have present h'.s Excelloncy the Governor (.who is patron of the .Society) and her Exceiiency, but an eng:!j;er.ient previously maile had prevented them from attending. An address on the iiio and works of Burns was by Mr J. J. Doupall, who, in Ills opt-niuy; remarks, said that during the v>ast 1-0 years co much had been written resurdinji rhe poet's liie and works that it was <]i!i:cuit tor anyone to say anything new either in the way of cri'.ioisin or i:i description cf his career. Burn.Vs fame had circled the earth, and even- year Scotia's ploughman poet bocanu* more famous. He had achieved greatness by his own inherent ir.orit, and was tin; noblest poet, since Shakespeare, known to tho English tongue. sir Duugall dealt at some lenstii with the poet's works an 1 their inHuonco. At the conclusion of his remark , !, he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. iKoii'is wore siren by Mr R. T. Cooper. Miss Twose, Mr W. J. Trewerin, Mrs McGiliivray. Miss Tyler, Mr David Crouch, and Mr McLean: a brtnjo solo wax riven by Mr David Thomas; Mr T. W. Watts danced a Highland fiing. Miss Stell.l Glennie daneexl the soaun tmibhals. a foursome reel w,is danrod by -Misses Mabel Kdginton, Daisy ;hhl Ivy Hawkin, and Master Harry F.dcinton; the sword dance was given by JFiss Nannie Taylor, and the reel of Tulloch was danced by Messrs Edginton. A. E. Evans, W. Frnser. and T. AY. "Watts; Miss Lucy Cowan gavo a rending; and Miss Mavis Ritchie a rr-oit.vtion ; ;t ni:ino sojo was contributed by Miss Thomas; Mr V» r . A. East cavf> a mandolin solo, and Master Colin Campbell gave a, Scottish "-election on the concertina. Tho gathering terminated with tho sinjrng of "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem.