BURNS ANNIVERSARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2409, 26 January 1909, Page 5

BURNS ANNIVERSARY.

CALEDONIAN DINNER

There was a. large attendance at the annual dinner held by tluyßurns Club -at Whinray’s Hall last evening to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. Upwards of 60 gentlemen attended. Mr. A. F. Kennedy occupied the chair, and was supported on his right by -Dr. Gitas. F. Scott (president of the Burns' Club), and Mr. W. Lissant Clayton, and on liis deft by Mr. -J. B. Kells and Mr. G. J. Parker. Messrs A. J. Cameron and Eweii Cameron acted -as “croupiers.” An excellent menu was provided by the -Gisborne 'Co-operative Bakery Company, the service and attendance being eyerythng that could be desired. The bil'l-of-f-are was of a thoroughly -national character, and included “hame-made haggis, frae Glesca, taken wi’ a wee sook o’ Auld Kirk an’ a bit skirl of the pipes,” and also locally-made haggis. The Scottish royal standard was (prominently displayed in the hall, and Piper Mclntyre enlivened the proceedings hv his skilful performances -on the Scottish national instrument. , After the bill-of-faro had concluded “wi’ anither drap-p-ie o’ the rale Mackie to keep a’ doon,” the toast list was proceeded with. The toast of “The King” was proposed by tlie Chairman, and loyally honored. Mr. R . Macduff Birrell sang “There -was a Lad,” the company joining in the. rousing chorus. The Chairman, iu his Opening address, paid an eloquent tribute to the genius of Burns, whose memory, be stated, would never die. The earlv training of the -poet had shown his power to -conquer education and to take his place with the finest scholars of his day. 'He was by- his geni-us enabled -at- will to throw off the hodden grey of the farm laborer and don the singer’s robe. “The Army, Navy,- and Volunteers” was proposed iu an able speech by Mr. W. Lissant Clayton. Experience, Ihc said, had proved that the volunteer system had bred men wno could ride and shoot straight, and the defence of tho Empire must do-' pend in the future on a voliuiTcc-. system, and not on serfs or conscripts. They should endeavor to maintain power not for military glory only, hut for the honor and peace of the world. They should give more support to their volunteers, -and take more interest in defence matters genoral'y. Mr. R. Cole, a sergeant of the E-art Coast Mounted Rifles, responded to the toast, and said that- nowhere was loyalty stronger than in the Dominion. He considered that- volunteers did not receive the consideration they should. If trouble ever came the men who gave their time to learning the art of war would be found bestable to defend our shores. He -was of opinion that the time was not far distant when military service would be m-ade compulsory.

“The Immortal Memory of Burns” was proposed in eloquent forms k Dr. -Scotty who traced the life history of the bard through the changing fortunes of his chequered career. Iu the words of Carlyle, “his heart flowed out with sympathy to ail mankind,” and this wRs the reason he' had gained such a lasting -place in the hearts of tho -people. .Burns was a- brilliant conversationalist, and it was a great tribute to his genius that be had entered Edinburgh, Hie most conservative city in the world, unknown, and in a few short weeks had become the lion of society.

Other toasts proposed were : —“Our Legislators,” proposed by Mr. J. R. ‘ Kirk; “T!he Land o’ Oakes,” jpro-' posed by Mr. R. M. -Birrell; “Kindred Societies,” proposed by Air. R. ’ ■Robertson; “Oor Local Bodies ami Commerce,” proposed by Mr. R. j Johnston, and responded to by His Worship the Mayor; “The Lassies,”, proposed by Mr. J. B. Kells, and re-i sponded to by Mr. H. J. Grieve;“The, Press,” -proposed by tho Chairman, and responded to by the 'representatives present; “The 'Chairman,” proposed by-Mr. C. J. P-arkor, and re-' sponded to by Mr. Kennedy ; “The. Croupiers,’ -prn-"'-a>d I>y Mr. G. K. i Paisley, land responded to by Mr. A. ; J. Cameron;“The President of the Burns Club,” proposed by Mr. AY.! Lissant Clayton, and responded to by Dr. Scott; “Messrs Mackie and -Co,” who had contributed haggis and shortbread and heather, proposed by, Mr. Ewen Cameron. - >. i

During the evening ‘songs were sung by Messrs Birrell, J. Allen, if. DeCosta, R. Johnston, and B, Bird, and recitations by Messrs W. Johnston Brown, Dr. Scott, J. B. Keks,! J; Reid, Nicholl, And D. Douglas, ! and MAssrs Grieve and Johnston Brown contributed as a duet “Ye Banks and Braes.” j Mr. M. A; Neill acted as accompan-i Ist, Mr. Birrell as secretary, and ; Messrs J. Nisbett, Cameron, and R. j Robertson (members of committee) j bad ‘ all the 'arrangements working, smoothly. { _ Mr. Kennedy made an ideal chair 1 -! 'man, and Dr. Scott (president) also contributed greatly to the undoubted success of the gathering. “Auhl j La.ng Syne” brought a highly enter-; taining evening’s entertainment to a’ dose. ,