BURNS’ ANNIVERSARY.

Evening Star, Issue 4030, 26 January 1876, Page 2

BURNS’ ANNIVERSARY.

The members of this body celebrated Burns's anniversary by a supper at the Glasgow Pie House last evening, fflr W. Caldwell, the vice-president, occupied the chairj and Mr J, Andrew acted as croupier. Alter justice had been done to the good things provided by Host Donaldson, The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given. In proposing the health of the Prince o* Wales, Chairman the said that if his Royal Highness could be induced to visit the Ansfara lian Colonies, although he w uld not find that magnificence accorded him in India, utifi his reception would be the more gratifying to him than that pomp with which he was now being received.—(Applause. ) In responding to the “Army, Navy, and Volunteers,” Captain Andrew remarked that the Volunteer movement was not held here in th t respect at the present time which i ought to be. For many years be did not s. e any good in volunteering—many did not see (he good till they joined—but when once he joined he saw the benefit of the movement. Every man should be compelled to become a Volun teer, then the country would be able to defend itself if required. A country well trained in the use of arms was the least likely to I e attacked.—(Cheers.) If the Volunteers got a little more encouragement they would be found to be a great deal more efficient. The Croupier, in pro osing the toast of “ His Honor the Superintendent ” said that he had known h : s Honor for twenty years. «■««! had always found him an honest worker for the interests of all classes. The Mayor responded to the next toast, that of “ The Mayor and Corporation of the City,” which had been most cordially received. He said the Corporation need not feel mbMnftd 0 f its position either financially or socially—for they had in their possession taking the proportion of the population and number of tenements, more actually useful works than any Corporation in the Colonies. The purchase of the Gasworks was a boon to the City, and he looked forward to the twin when rates would be reduced to a minimum—(applause). He defended the Corporation’s action in re the Fever Hospital, and fearlessly and unhesitatingly maintained that had it not been for the sanitary precautions taken instead of only thirty-three cases the number would have been nearer three hundred. They had to construct a hospital somewhere, an 1 was it not for the benetit of the City to erect it in an unpopulated part ? Those very merchants who now made so much talk about the illegality of the act would wish to see it erected near the present hospital, in one of the most thickly populated parts of the town, if there was an election to-morrow he would not be frightened to allow the matter to be his electioneering card. Mr Maclean gave “ The Memory of p ums,” and briefly related some of the circumstances attendant on the somewhat chequered life of the immortal bard. ' The Mayor proposed “ The Ayrshire Association, ’ and dwelt at length on the advantages of the Society. Mr Maclean, in replying, said that he could not enter into statistics, a- the society had not been long enough in existence, it merely dating from August last. At present there were between 70 and 80 members on the roll, with a capital prospect of increase. To the untiring exertion of Mr Andrew they were in a great measure indebted for their present success. So far there had been no applications for relief, and he hoped it would be a long time before they would see a hard-up Ayrshire man in unedin. The society disclaimed any charge of clannishness, and they would expend as much money as was compatible with their means in diffusing knowledge. The other toasts were-“ The land we live in,” “Kindred Associations,” "‘Our Country Members,” “ The Chairman,” “ The Croupier and Committee,” “The Ladies.” “The visitors.” ** The Press ” and “ Our Host.” Some capital songs were given during the evening. The anniversary of Burns, Scotland’s poet, was celebrated last evening at Knott’s Railway Hotel, Mo<giel, by a capital supper, which included a really good haggis. Mr R. Charteris occupied the chair, and. Mr D. Reid the vicechair ; the company consisting of thirty gentlemen. After doing ample justice to the good things provided, several toasts, songs and readings were given, a very pleasant evening being spent.