“NICHT WI' BURNS.”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 37, 26 January 1912, Page 5

“NICHT W l' BURNS.”

A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. The success of the Burns supper in the Stratford Foresters’ Hall last iiigut exceeded all expectations. It is omy a very short time ago that Mr. Alec. Henuerson and a few “brither Scots” conceived the idea, and wnat »s better, made endeavours to put it into effect, of holding “A Aleut wi’ liurns,” as a stepping-stone to tlm formation of a Taranaki Scottish Society. As a result of their efforts the Scott.sh Society is at last an established fact, and if the Burns dinner is now a memory, it is at least one that will remain green in the hearts ol the hundred and more Scotsmen who gathered together in Stratford last night, as marking the laying of the foundation stone of their Society. And who would say that it was not well and truly laid? Proceedings commenced with the saying of the grace, famous the world over: ‘‘Some hae meat that canna eat, And some nae meat that want it; But we hae moat, and we can eat Sac let the Lord be thankit.”

Then followed the serious portion of the programme—the “Sautit Soo’s Leg Roastit,” the Boiled Bubbly Jocks wi’ guid stuffin’,” and “Trumlin Tam.” Nor must the Haggis be forgotten. It was a long address that ushered it in to the tables, the last verse running:

‘Ye pow’rs, wha’ male mankind your

care, And dish them out their bill of fare, Auld Scotland wants nae skiuk.ng ware, That jaups in luggies; But, if ye wish her grateful’ prayer, \ ■ ‘ Gie her a’Haggis!” Mr/ J. B. Hine telegraphed as follow “Best wishes for a pleasant githering to-night. Very sorry cannot be with you this time, but look forward to future occasions.”

Sympathetic messages were received from sister societies in Wanganui, Hawera, Dunedin, and Christchurch. In his opening remarks the Chairnan (Mr. W. L. Kennedy) said that ne never anticipated anything like such a gathering, as was now before lim. He hoped the gathering would >0 the forerunner of many others of inch a kind. (Hear, hear.) “Scotsnen,” continued Mr. Kennedy, “while perhaps the most übiquitous race on earth, are also the most patriotic. They never forget the land of their birth, however humble may have been their heritage therein. Wherever they wander, whether under the burning suns of India; or on the snows of Canada, or the far distant lands of Australasia, Caledonian Societies, Gaelic Societies, Inglesides, and Burns’ Clubs, are proof of the yearning affection they have for their native land—--1 What is it draws me .to you, ,■ • 1 Cold North land ? With your hills anu your mists, and ' your weeping trees Shivering where they stand?

What makes my heart dwell in yon , Sweet 'Hbme Land? sir --.I . 1

The glowing fires on yoffr watm hearthstones .', M And greetings in dear familiar times And the clasp of an old friend’s hand.

The idea of a Scottish Society does not as Has 'been often suggested ■limply as an occasion for old topers to neet together and get fu’. (Laughter.) A society, such as they desired to see in Stratford, would consist of Scotsnen , banded together, and the descendants of Scotsmen, actuated by ffiat spirit which Robert Burns espoused from his.early boyhood, and which ho expressed in one of his earliest poems: ■a'" l

“That we for poor auld Scotland’s sake Some useful plan or hook could make v)r sing a sang at least.”

That by meeting together from time :o time avc should help to keep alive, n our breasts, love for our dear native land—that we might cultivate a fuller knowledge of her literature. The younger generations in these far-away mnds, especially, are apt to forget the Rock from which they have ‘been hewn. They need to be taught not to forget.” (Applause.) The Chairman vent on to refer to the ‘‘Unspeakable Scot,” as trying to brand Scotsmen with all that is mean and despicable. “You cannot have read that book,” le added, “that his very arguments went to show the exalted position the Scotsman holds among the nations of the world to-day.” (Applause.) The first and chief object of their meeting :o-night was to do honour to the glorious memory pf him, who had left them such a heritage. Short and dormy was the life of Burns, but how much richer was their* literature because, of that brief life. The night >f his birth, 150 years ago that night, was cold and boisterous. It would be unnecessary for him to tell them in detail of the subsequent history of bums, in his short but varied career. If they were asked to point out the chief merits of Burns’s writings, they would say it was because of their spontaneity and force. Minerva-like they ■.prang ready armed from the head of this creature Jove. They eame"straight from the heart, and went straight to the heart. Of all the poets Alexander ■smith said that Burns was the most directly inspired. His poems did not grow like stalactites, by the slow process of accretion ; like Adam, they had no childhood. Burns produced all his great effects by single strokes. What would his poems have been like, had be been highly educated? As to his life, if he had been rich and comfortable, they would never have heard such strains. In . a word, swift am? direct passionate force was the ruling factor, and his very life was kept at fever heat. He was convinced, though all might not agree witli him, that Burns lived the very best life he could have lived in order to' produce the results he did. But that life so far as he himself was concerned, was by his passions, so wild and "tumultuous the very moans of wrecking, a constitution that was naturally Titanic. There were some things in his writings that they could wish had been left unsaid, but these were few and far between. Some dross, but how great the quantity of very fine gold. “Thou chief of Scotia’s bards and king of song, Thy natal morn with happy memories ' greet, Witli laurels wreath thy brow. While

at thy feet. We grateful homage pay. By myriad tongues Encnniums to thy honour shall be sung From every breast where Orpheus hath her seat, Let kings command the honour of the lips That strangers are to poetry and art, Thou art of genius shall their power eclipse, For thou dost claim the homage of the heart,

Therefore shall we whene’er the day returns Swear fealty to thy memory, oh Burns.” (Applause.) The Chairman then proposed the toast of the King, Queen, ana Royal Family, which was cuunk with entnusiasm, and followed by tiie National Anthem. me toast of “The Army, Navy, and Auxiliary Forces,” was entrusted to air. Wilkie, and responded to by Captain Lampen. * Captain Lampen commenced with a remaiK that brought forth much laughter “As a Scotsman seeketh after knowledge to improve his mind, so docs a soldier strive hard to make a speech.” He knew that many a celebrated soldier had failed in the attempt, but would do his best. He thanked those present for the loyal way in which tney had responded to the toast. Scotciimen had always proved loyal when Great Britain had jeen at. grips with any enemy .with which she has been confronted. They were all proud to recall the deeds of mi very and of loyalty that have been Jone by Scotsmen. _ Captain Lampen went on to speak of sucli men as S:r Hector Macdonald, of such a regiment as tiie Black Watch. Referring to the Navy, he said, amidst applause, chat they knew that the British Navy relied on Scotsmen for her engineers, and, amidst laughter, that Japan had mid to requisition two hundred Scotch engineers to run her ships. “As you know,” the speaker went on to say, “we have loosed a scheme whereby we rope to train the young New Zealanders to take their part when the time irises. It is our duty to see they do their best, so that when the time comes they may be “Ready, aye, ready!” , The speaker appealed to ins audience to give the defence scheme a fair hearing—to encourage it for all they were worth. He instanced the example set by a City Father of this town who “jeered *and laughed” atone jf the lads going to parade. Captain Lampen concluded his remarks by urging upon his hearers the vital necessity for being prepared, and “holding he stronger hand.’ .To Mr. D. Maxwell fell the great honour of proposing the toast of the .■veiling, “The Immortal Memory oi Turns.” He showed that lie himself rossessed a memory, and a very good me, too, for he punctuated his address vith verse after verse of the great loot’s writings. “Scotland,” ho said, ‘had a large number of poets—Ramsay, Ferguson, Sir Walter Scott. Flow lid it come about that Burns should vrest the laurels from such a distinguished company? His immense polularity consisted in the fact that ho rang the songs of Scotland’s bays in ho brave old Scottish tongue. Biit Burns was more than Scotland’s poet: ie was Scotland’s hero.” The speaker vent on to refer to those men whose cla’ms to the latter title had been sot iside. “The term, I think,” he added, “is justified; this gathering proves t.” (Applause.) The toast was then drunk in silence. Mr. A. D. McDonald, in proposing ho toast of the “Town and Trade of Stratford,” said that Stratford had .■•eason to congratulate herself in the fact? that, for a-number of years she bad selected capable pion in, the map-) agement of her affairs. By carefiil! adrt ministration, and wise ; government,, Stratford had made' rapid progress, and. was in a fair way to become one if the leading towns of Taranaki. The Mayor, in response, said, I midst laughter, that he was at a disadvantage—he was not a Scotsman, vnd did not like Haggis. He felt honored to be asked to respond to this mast, because he was one of the oldest msiness men in this town, Mr. New.oll King and Mr George Smart being lefore him. He had seen Stratford in its' infancy. . He came there when mud, was the rule, and metal the exception.,' Stratford had not grown with leaps and bounds, but had progressed surely and slowly. With regard to the dairying industry, lie remembered when butter was Bd or 5d i pound. When there were shillings corning in, tliere were pounds coming n now. He instanced the increase in revenue, and population, and claimed ffiat to-day Stratford was one of the ;est inland towns from a business icaiiclpioiiit in the Dominion. In ten or ifteen years she would have few jquals among the inland towns. The Mayor went on to refer to tiie high prices ruling for land in this locality, rle expressed the opinion that these . ames were not inflated, and that land vus a safe speculation. (.Applause.) Owing to tiie inability of Mr. W. 0. Anderson to .be present at the gathering, Mr J. McAllister was called *ptm to give the toast of the indus■ncs of Taranaki. In an optimistic .pcech, Mr McAllister referred to the adustries whic.li had not. yet swelled Avranaki’s revenue, hut wore going to n tiie future. He mentioned 0.1, coal, Reel, and pottery, as having before fficra a future full of brilliant possijilitics.

In responding Mr. A. Morton dealt ;if actively witli the dairy industry, i’ho money now derived from this lource would increase as new land was ipened up, and old land was more fuly cultivated. He referred to what night be termed the by-products of die industry, and instanced the fact if the Eltham Box-making Factory, which had paid in wages during the hist three years £30,000, and £SOOO innually to the Railway Department. That was just one phase of the indus:ry. Referring to the oil industry, Mr Morten said he looked to it to help ;o make New Plymouth a harbour worthy of Taranaki. (Applause.) “The Ladies” was proposed by Mr. Jackson, and responded to by Mr. 0. Cameron.

Mr. A. Henderson proposed the toast of “The Chairman,” eulogising Mr. Kennedy for the hard work ho had done for the Society. In the ear'y stages there had been cold water thrown on the movement, but the enthusiasm of the promoters had been iroof against that.

Mr. Kennedy briefly acknowledged the toast.

“The Croupiers” was proposed by Mr. H. Cameron, Mr. George Songster responding, Mr. Mackintosh hong absent. Mr. Morton proposed “The Secretary.” Mr. Henderson, ho said, must have expended a great deal of workin organising the gathering—the work must have been very hard. The attendance that evening testified that in a few years’ time the Scottish Society of Taranaki would be a very strong body. Mr. Henderson, replying, saU much of the work had been done by the committee in charge of the gathering. Not only had ho to thank the Scotsmen of Stratford, but it was also necessary to thank people of me town not of Scots extraction for their help to the Society. Members of the committee deserving of special mention were Messrs. Mackintosh and Wilkie; but all the committee were deserving of great praise. Mr. R. McIC. Morison proposed “The Press,” which was suitably responded to. Mr. George Songster proposed “The Visitors.” He predicted for the Society a brilliant future. The A. and

P. Association had caused a bit of a stir, but lie thought the Scottish Society would cause even a greater stir. Mr. Morton, in reply, said that in both Inglewood and Hawera there were large numbers of Scotsmen who would support the Society.

During the evening .songs were given by the following:—Messrs. H. W. Douglas (“March of the Cameron Men,’” “Scotland Yet”), F. Bird (“My Love She’s but a Lassie Yet”), .1. Lamb (“The T)iel’s Awa’ wi’’the Exciseman,” “Scots Wha’ Hae”), E. W. Lewis (“Mary o’ Argyll,” “Afton Water”), W. Elder (“There was a Lad was Born in Kyle”), J. FT. Thompson ('“The Skipper”). F. H. Wilkie (“Jock Maekay”), D. Twohill (“When Yon Como Down the Lane.” “Garden of Boses”) J McAllister (“Duncan Gray)-”’ Mr. F. H. Will vie recited “Tam O’Shanter,” “A. Wee Scots’ Nieht,” “A Nicht wi’ Burns,” “MaePhcrson’s Calamity.” Mr. F. Bird recited “The Scotsman to the Mosquito,” and “Lasea.” Messrs. F. Dunlop and D. Twohill sang “Annie Laurie” as a duet, and as an encore “Larboard Watch.” _ Mr. Crossan gave a patriotic recitation.

A SCOTSMAN'S VIEW OF !T.

A WEE BIT CRACK

For the benefit of some of our readers who prefer their reading—like their haggis—of the true Caledonian brand, we have impressed The services of a true Scottish gentleman, who speaks the native tongue, and who provides the following exclusive and D xcellent account of that great “NICHT wr BURNS.”

Noo! jeist draw up yir chair an’ jet’s hue a bit crack, Sandy; an’, tell ye a’ about boo we formed oor Taranaki Proveencial Society the ither nicht fan we wis a’ oot'ivi’ Burns. Yon Secretar’ chiel (ye ken him), hired rcokit me o’ five sliullin’s—losh, Sandy, it’s a hantic o’ money—bit mm’ ye A’ra nae grudging’t noo aifter sic a nicht’s we haed. The 25th of Januar s Robbie’s birthday, ye must understan’, or, raither, th.e anniversary o t, sae two or three Scotch birkies thoent it widna be a bad idea tae hae a bit supper tae celebrate sic an occashun. A heard thir wis tae be a Haggis an’ Whusky, sae, of coorse. A wisna hard to induce tae fork oot ma hard won bawbees. Wed! on the nicht referr d tae A gacd daundcrin’ up Broadway wi’ ma Sprig o’ Heather in ma bittonhole, fan a’ o’ a sudden, A heard the oipcs skirling i’ the distance. Fan A 'rot tae the ha’ far we wis handin’ oor denner, a bit chiclio wi’s kilt and plaid on gaed me a bit Ta.rtan Ribbon a safety pin in’t—A suppose as a kin’ o’ resate for ma ither ticket. Wecl! A p : nn’d the bit Tartan aneath mo heather, and jeist managed tae secure a sate. Sic a steer, mon. Thir wis Scotchmen tae richt o’ mo, Scotchmen tae left o’ me, Scotchmen in front o’ me, crackin’ and lauchin’. The ha’ wis decoratit wi’ twa braw picters o’ Robbie, an’ fiegs and ••banners galore. Ae diver chielie liaed painti ta bit sum biddin’ us “Weelcome a’- tae a Nieht wi’ Burns.” Ma hert up tae the tartan. Sandy, A gird prooorshun o’ the birkies liaed oh thir kilts,, and bagpipes stared’me*’em ivory" side. Mon’ 1 Satfcly,' wurds near fail me tae tell ve a’ aboot oor denner. We bacd. Biled Bubbly Jocks "an’ Burns Puddin’ an’ kebbucks green and mitoy, an’ michty fine ither fairin’, tae. Ahune a’, Sandy, thir w : s a Haggis—losh, sic a Haggis. A chid frae Glesga wi’ braid accent ga’s a grace as lang’s ma airm, an’ wed worthy wi’s o’ a grace, ,for mony a ane wed fill’t Ins kvte wi’ Haggis, Hot, .Reekin’,•Rich. Wed! dennors 'will com’ tae an en’— at least the oatin’ hit same da^s—so oor Chairman, wha we oleetit President o’ oor Society, ga’s a few wurds, and sine we ane an’ a’ aop’intit offeedals for oor Proveencial Society. A like that wurd'Proveencial. divna ye mon? It’s an embracin’ kin’ o’ wurd. an’ of coorse we inten’ tae embrace a’ Taranaki. Ma ccrtes, Sandy, spake aboot enthoosi.asm, wo wis a’ enthoqs'asm, au’ a’tbing wis carried unanimously. Chiels frae Stratford hersel', and chiels frae farreiV-aff ga’s thir opcenious, bit a’ wir entboosiasts, for tJiey wir a’ Scotchmen, ivory ane o’ them Scotchmen. The Secretar’ chiel tauld us it wis proposed tae baud a’ .dn’s o’ meetiu’s, literary debates, social getherin’s, an’ sic like, an’ maybe gin we dee weel we’ll get mail' amoeeshious an’ try sometnin’ granner. Aifter we liaed, like loyal Scots as we a’ are, drank the King’s health, we’d twa three sangs, the real Mackie ye gen—guid aid’ Scotch snugs, mine o’ yir bletherin’ balderdash—an’ sine a chiel rqcitit ‘‘Tam o’ Sh.inter,” an’ r elit wed lie tauld the story, and weal dues he desarve tae get ids fairin’, for he ga’s some guid lengthen’d sage advices. The chapman entrustit wi’ the proposin’ o’ Rabble’s memory did’s warlc richt wed; ye wid almost hae thocht it wis a plecsure tae him tae dae’t, an’ nae doot it wis. He spake aboot Rabble’s warks, and ga’s a quotation or twa jeist tae nail’t.

Weel! A doot a’ll nae liae time tae outer intae deetails o’ fat iverybody did, bit we liaed sangs an’ toasts an’ recitations ane aifter anither ontil weel on i’ the early oors o’ mornin’. An’ A manna forget the dancin’, which was gran’. Weel! a’l things hae tae come tae an en’, an’ it’s a lang lane that haes nae turnin’, so aboot ane o’clock we fecnished up by singin’ “Aul’ Lang Syne” an’ shakin’ bans'* a’ roon. As sune’s we wir oot the pipers startit playin’ an’ we haed a few tunes o’ the pipes, an’ richt fine, mon, it is tae hear them. Must ye be gaun, Sandy, Weel! Weel! heist vo back. Hech bit talkin’ dry wark. Wait till A get the bottle (it’s real Tartan label, an’ jeist as gnid as fat we got at the Burns Nicht, tho’ that wis gran’ stuff, tae), an’ afore ye tak’ yir gate, we’ll jeist hae a dram tae drink “Success tae oor Scottish Society an 1 mony anither nicht v.i’ Burns.”