STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 212, 27 January 1913, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

lFrom Our Resident Reporter). '• A NICKT Wl' BURNS." T-VRANAKI'S PROVINCIAL SCOTTISH SOCIETY'S GATHERING. A SIGNAL SUCCESS.

The Town Hall, Stratford, was brilliantly decorated and capitally filled from all over the province on Friday night, when the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society held its second annual supper to commemorate the birthday of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. At the head of the table sat chief Kennedy. Above and behind him was the Scottish Royal Standard, lion rampant on a ground of yellow. Still higher, and commanding the room, was the illuminated ! crest of the Society, a shield bearing on the upper half Mount Egmont, and on the lower the lion rampant, and the thistle all over. Punting floated everywhere. Erin's harp being honored with a proud position. The tables were prettily decorated. This effeet was heightened when the viands made their appearance, and Mrs. Brooking must be complimented upon the excellence of her catering in every detail and department. The arrangements were perfect —a distinct credit to the secretary, Mr. Alec Henderson (the mainspring of the Society) and his little army of eo-work-On the right of the chief was Mr. W. P. Kirkwood, Mayor of Stratford, and Chieftain A. Morton, of Inglewood; on ; his left Mr. Robert Bruce and Chieftains j Jas. Davidson (Hawera), Jas. Grant (Ha- I wera) and Mr. McKenzic Forbes, secretary of the Wangariui Caledonian Society. The chief was played to his seat by the pipers, who were also in evidence when the haggis was brought in and piesented "wi' a" the honors." Chief Kennedy proposed and (he gathering loyally honored the toast of His Majesty the King, Mr. Robert Spence proposed "The Imperial Forces of the Crown," which was, he said, a loyal toast. In matters of patriotism anil devotion. Scotsmen were, second to none. (Hear, hear.) In every sea and every country were to be found British ships' and British sailors, and it was pleasing to see the toast placed second only to that of the King on the list. He included in the toast the army of New Zealand. Lieutenant-Colonel W. G. Malone responded. The British Army was usually toasted in a perfunctory manner, for we knew the army of Scotsmen, Irishmen and Englishmen usually got through. He cited the six weeks' disastrous war in Turkey, and the defeat of one of the greatest old-time fighting nations of tne world, and stressed the need for preparedness, for war might come at any time, and none could predict how soon. It was resting on a damnable fallacy to believe that we could lick a volunteer army into shape in six months after the declaration of war. and then win through. He hoped the Turkish catastrophe would be taken as a warning. Today the British Army was as well prepared for fight as it ever was, but how small! If every part of the Empire were to train its young men to fight, every man a soldier, we would have universal peace, for no nation would dare to tackle an empire united for peace. '•'Caledonia" was proposed by Mr. Arthur Morton. He confessed that he had not yet seen Caledonia, but his ambition was to set foot on the land his fathers had I rod. Caledonia deserved to be highly honored in a toast to-night, for Scotland had produced a race of men who made an ineffaceable mark in history. Scotsmen were in the van in every walk of life, and the British Empire stood where it was to-day—the greatest Power on earth —because Scotsmen had helped to bvild it up. As long as Britain should exist, and as long as Scotland remained an integral part of it, so long would Scot-men be honored throughout that Empire. He coupled with the toast the name of Mr. James Davidson, a pioneer Scot who had done so much for that part of the Dominion which he had made his adopted home. Mr. -lames Davidson, replying, said his foot was far from his native heath, fai from where Burns' bones were lying. But they knew that when they came here to make a name for themselves. Speaking with deep feeling, Mr. Davidson praised auld Scotland. "You can't find a better country anywhere," he continued more lightly, "barring New Zealand." Scotland was the .land of warrior heroes, and hero Kings, who had given political liberty to Scotland; and warrior reformers who had given political liberty and liberty of conscience, to choose their own creed. But if they wanted to know more of Scotland, let them go to Sir Walter Scot Let them read the Waverley novels, to find Scotish heroes and Scottish women fit to go anywhere. They were here, he said, to do'honor to Robert Burns, but, with all respect to Bmr"" and to the gentleman who was to propose the immortal memory. Burns never had the power to write "The Lay of the Last Minstrel," "The Ladv of {he Lake," ""Marmion," or "Lord of the Isles." Scott's description of Floddcn Field was one of the world's greatest pieces of word-painting, and the speaker quoted therefrom. The speech colluded amidst applause. Mr. R. C. Bruce received a warm reception when he rose to propose "The Immortal Memory of Robert Bums," whom he described as "the peasant poet and bard of Scotland, who had given elo quent and articulate expression to its loves, its joys and its sorrows, and the hopes and aspirations of its race—a, Renin- who held such a singularly warm idace 'n the hearts of his kindred all the v,nrld over. His mana was increasing at such a pace that it was difficult to" gauge it by any ordinary standard. Although Burns was born in Scotland, and wrote largely in the vernacular of his eiHiutrv. it was quite a mistake to claim him as exclusively a Scottish poet, for the man who wrote "A man's a man for a' that" could not be claimed for anv country, but wrote for humanity, anil belonged to mankind. The speaker said lie had often had his feelings outraged by people speaking of the "humble origin of Burns,'' as though he cam? from a pigsty. As a matter of fac", he. wa< the son'of one of the Scotch peasian try. That peasantry was equal to that of any country at any age. His falher was a man described by a contemporary a- one of whom the world was not worthy. His mother was typified in the. '"Cotter's Saturday Night." From such surroundings they can expect the highest from Burns. The proposer of the" toast traced Burns' life, on the farm, in society, and his unfortunate companionships at Dumfries, his "success among the galaxy of literate in (he Edinburgh of his day—a triumph unparalleled in the whole range of British literature. Illustrating his story with well-cho-en lines from Burns' works, the speaker reached Burns' untimely end at the age of 38. and asserted that when the poet's spirit was yielded tip to Kim who gave it, one of the noblest hearts that ever pulsated in human bosom ceased to beat. Literary men of his tune all recognised that the tallest cedar in Lebanon had fallen. Burns' character was shown in bis works —a character of

noble independence, tli.it might be bent but not subdued, a hatred of hypocrisy n kindlv consideration for the snfTeriiii} and afflictncl not only of his own specie.but of all nature. He was just ovi!

I flowing with generosity. Who but Burns I could have written that poem on the little mouse he saw in the field ? Burns had been a teacher as well as a seer, a teacher of charity that knew no evil. Reference was made to the fact that the church of his day was airau'd against him, due to his outspoken lashing of it for its vices and hypocrisy. But hia works give a flat denial to the allegation that he was an irreligious man. Passing on, right through an explanatory version of "Turn o' Shantor," and touching on lines that proved Burns' nobility of character, Mr. Bruce said it was a l fallacy to say that Burns' fame would rest on his songs, although a great writer had said that no other song-writer had ever been more than second to Burns. Concluding, he said that in the Valhalla of the poets, Burns must always occupy a conspicuous position in the line of British poets. (Hear, hear.) Mr. J. Laurenson proposed "The Land we Live in," and struck the loftiest note sf the evening. Mr. Cyril R. Croker replied. Other toasts: "Otr Guests and Visitors," proposed by Mr. A. F. Grant (chieftain), reply by Mr. W. P. Kirkwood and Captain Stevens; "The Ladies," proposer, Mr. Alex. Patrick, response Mr. Campbell Jackson; "The Chief and Secretary," Mr. Geo. Sangster; and "The Press."

The following gentlemen contributed with song and story to the evening's entertainment: Messrs. Tarrant, Searle, Sutton and Hooker (Hawera Liedertafel quartette), Messrs. H. W. Douglas, F. H. AVilkie, F. T. Hale, A. L. Jones, C. Mackie, Sheriff, with Mr. J. H. Thompson as accompanist. The pipers were Messrs. A. Sangster and McAllum.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT In the S.M. Court on Friday, before Mr. W. G. Kenrick, S.M., there was a short list of civil cases, a few military training and by-law eases. J. A. Thompson was charged, on the information of the borough inspector, witli a breach of the by-laws by keeping for hire an unlicensed vehicle. The inspector said he had received instructions from the town clerk to withdraw the charge, but the Magistrate declined to allow this. The case was adjourned to allow of evidence being given as to the facts.

The Inspector of Noxious Weeds proceeded against W. H. H. Young for failing to eradicate gorse on a native leasehold at the Waitara river end of the Douglas road. In pleading guilty, the defendant stated that, in common with the other settlers in the hlock, he had believed that that part of the property was "tapued," and that the PuWic Trustee was responsible for it. Upon the settlers there asking the Native Department to have this strip of land cleared, enquiries were made, and it was ascertained that the area was included in the lease. He thereupon arranged, with some difficulty, for men to tackle the gorse, and the work was just about to be undertaken. On a second charge, of not clearing foxgloves, Mr. Young said he had asked a neighbor to pull out a few roots on the property, and thought it had been done. Mr. Young said he had no wish to evade his responsibility, or to incommode the Department in any way. In the circumstances, the Magistrate said a light penalty would meet the case, and inflicted a fine of 10s and costs 7s on each charge.

Judgment by default was entered in the following cases:—H. Crawford (Mr. Macalister) v. Hugh Hanson, claim £3 8s 9d, costs 16s; Louis Revell and Derby Bros., claim £2O !)s Gd, costs ,£l' 8s; Wickham Bros. (Mr. Duff) v.- H. Fisher, claim £2 12s 3d, costs 10s; 11. W. Silk (Mr. Fookcs) v. W. F. Dowman. claim £3 fls 7d, and costs 10s; Bright and Backhouse (Mr. Fookes) v. F. Calgher, claim £2O 13s, costs £2 14s. In a judgment summons case, Bellringer Bros. (Mr. Fookes) v. Win. Cleaver, there was no appearance of judgment debtor, who was ordered to pay the amount of the claim, £2 18s 7(1, forthwith, in default seven days' imprisonment.

CASUAL CADETS. W. S. Birdsall, a cadet, charged with having attended only one parade since August, 1011, said he had attended a few 'other*. lie pleaded that often it was impossible for him to attend, as he was working at a cheese factory. A fine of £2, with 7s costs, was inflicted. A senior cadet named Bernard Diamond, who had moved to Inglewood and was reported to have attended four drills out of thirteen called there, said he thought he had attended all the parades. Sergt.-Major Dallinger said the boy had been very irregular at Stratford. The lad said he was learning the cabinetmaking trade, and earning 7s fid a week. The S.M., in inflicting a fine of 30s and costs, remarked that the parents ought to do a little to see that boys turned up on parade.

Samuel Cuthbertson, a cadet, charged with failing to attend parades, was represented by his father, the cadet himself being away at Mercury Island. It having been shown that the boy missed many parades both before and afterbeing duly registered, a fine of 10s and costs was inflicted. The Magistrate corrected the prevailing impression that eligible youths were not liable for training until they had been registered and sworn in.

A kd named Jones, charged with failing to attend parade, pleaded illness. Sergeant McXcely said that he couldn't be very ill, for when he (the sergeant) called him in from the front of the courthouse the lad was smoking a cigarette.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS '■My boy has never told me a lie," said a proud parent during the hearing of the Territorial cases.

A USEFUL CITIZEN In presenting the silver epergne to Cr. Ward on behalf, of the Borough Council and office staff, the Mayor eulogised Mr. Ward's public-spiirtedncss, to his outspokenness, and his ability to work hard and talk straight without getting angry with bis opposition. It was a pity, he said, that so few men were permeated with what he called the municipal spirit. They wanted more of the young men in municipal management. Tt might be a good idea to have a moek borough council in the schools, for many men were restrained from entering public life by their ignorance of the forms to be observed. As one of the oldest councillors, Gr. King added a tribute to Cr. Ward's work in the public interests, and wished him every prosperity in his new sphere. Should he return to Stratford at any time ho could be assured of a welcome from the people and from the Council. Cr. Ward replied briefly. He thanked his colleagues and the town clerk for all kindnesses extended to him. He considered it a pleasure and an honor to have boon a member of this borough council, and wherever he went he would ever look back to pleasant days in Stratford, and particularly on the Council. He remarked that he was not done with municipal life, but would re-enter it at an opportune time. Cr. Ward is essentially a man prolific in ideas, unsparing in his energy and outspoken to a degree, which qualifications make him a most useful member on a local bodv.

BERNARD'S PICTURES—TO-NIGHT Monday's change at His Majesty's Theatre is the most thrilling programme on record, no doubt. The star feature presents great scenes in circus life and

cvery-day life. Patrons of the above theatre will proclaim "Nellie, the Liontamer" the greatest animal picture ever screened. Jt is a subject which does not allow the attention to wander from the sheet for an instant, showing Nellie, the star tamer of the big lions, tricking them. The story is a very line our., indeed, making this picture perfect. It is both convincing and novel. This picture is too long to describe; one must really see it to believe. "The Charge of the Light Brigade," an Edison marvel, io a very fine picture, the charge being one of the greatest sensations in moving picture art. The rest of the programme is very interesting, including "Bandit's Mask" (Selig), "Seeing Detroit," "Tokio Fire Brigade" and "Dorothy's Bandits." The comic section is a real bunch of dough-nuts.