PORT SOCIETY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 9, 26 January 1937, Page 8

PORT SOCIETY

The Port Caledonian Society honoured the anniversary of Scotland 's national poet, Kobert Burns, in the usual way with a real "Burns night" in the Buffalo Hall, Port Ahuriri, ,iast evening. A largo eoloured portrait of the poet occupied the place of houour on. a small taoio iu front of Chieftain John McConnell, who presided, while a spray of thistle also reposed alongside it. Tahere was a very large attendance, visitors coming from Wellington, Lower Hutt, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Gisborne, and even from Victona, to tio iionour to the poet, while almost every district in tne pro'vinc.e was represented m the gathering present. 'The Ciiieftain welcomed all the visitors present aild read a piece of poetry composed 101 years ago and read at a Burns anniversary at Leeds, and also an extract from Burns 's works. The musical programme uor the evening was in the hands of Mrs. J. A. Rosewarne, and |eldom have the Port people had such a splendid programme presented to them. Almost every itein was encored in spite of the usual ban on recalls at these gathermgs. In addition to part songs "Red Sarafan" and " Where ;er You Walk" were nicely sung by a strong choir conducted by Mrs. Rosewarne. Other items on the programme weres Vocal solo, 4'Caller' Herrinj" Mrs. Barclay; vocal solo, "Banks and Braes," Mrs. Tate; piano duet, "Russia," Mesdames Berry and Fairey; vocal duet, "Huntingtower," Mr .and Mrs. Barclay; vocal solo, ' 'The. Keel Row," Miss G. Nielsen; vocal solos,, "Bonnie Dundee'" and "Mary of Argyle," Mrs. Barclay; vocal solo with ■chorus, ''Soldiers in the Park" ("Yeoman of the Guard"), Mrs. Sorrell and party; humorous monologue, Mr. J. A. Rosewarne. The last two items were most enthUsiastically enthusiastically encored. Accompaniments were played by Mesdames Berry, Rosewarne and Fairey. The usual dance prograimne was carried out, Mr. W. J. Key being & most efficient M.C., and Mr. and Mrs. Berry providing the dance music. Pipe-Major Lawson piped for the Highland dances, and the pipe band under his direction, with due ceremony, brought in • the haggis, which "was treated with that great respeet which haggis deserves. A dainty supper was dispensed by the ladies.