Heath and Heather Day.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1922, Page 2

Heath and Heather Day.

TO-MORROW—ALL DAY SATURDAY. Burns, by an appreciative countryman—himself no mean literary genius —has been described as the greatest Scotsman of all time. It has been said of Robert Burns, that “to a country impoverished artistically lie restored the most widespread and universally enjoyed form of art, and gave' Scotland such a body of popular song, melodious, joyous and pure as hardly any other people possess.” Burns was a great lover of Scotland. It was his native land, anil lie loved her wondrous beauty of mountains and glens, her hills and dales, her lakes, her rivers, her . wealth of purple heather, her modest bluebells, her castles, her legends, her heroes, lmr heroines. These wonders and beauties he has embalmed in song. Many nations share in what Burns gave to the world, which is the richer because Robert Burns lived in it. What people has not sung of “Auld Bang Svne, ’ Burns’ composition:" The love of Burns is world wide and in many countries there are monuments to his memory—certainly all English speaking countries. There are some three or four monument,s to Robert Burns in New Zealand. Another is to he erected in Hokitika, for a statue of the Poet is to he placed in Cass Square where it will be prominent for all time. To-morrow has broil set apart us Heath and Heather Day as a means to raise funds for the object in hand. An enthusiastic committee of ladies is working hard to make the o~ easion a success iiuaucially, and no doubt, realising the value to the town, the citizens will readily co-operate, and assist in a practical way towards the end in view: The “Don” premises ill, Revell Street will be the headquarters all day to-morrow of the hand of workers for the fund. The flowers of Scotland, together with other spring flowers, will he on sale. Everybody should make it a point of wearing a. buttonhole of heath or heather. In addition fruit and vegetables, and in particular Scotch cooking will be on sale. There is no end of variety to Scotch recipes, and these goods will he available at the temporary premises all day. Sweets and other delicacies will he provided also, and visitors will find something tempting in other directions beside the culinary art. At night tomorrow the Caledonian Pipe Band will parade, and add national color to the occasion. There will he dancing, and at 8.30 o’clock from Keller’s verandah there will he a- hall hour of community singing, when several Scotch songs and choruses will be rendered. Altogether it will be “a brnw Scotch nieht,” the central idea being to augment the Burns Statue fund to the lullest extent possible. The proposed monument will be an ornament to the town. It is. to be erected in Cass Square and it is hoped will be the first of other memorials to adorn the remaining three available plots which are so placed ns to render themselves useful and prominent .sites for the purpose in mind. The monument itself is now on order. It is hoped during the present month of September to raise the full amount required, and it is the intention to have the statue erected and unveiled ,as early in