ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 22, 27 January 1936, Page 10

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY.

NEW LYNN BRANCH. 1 There was a large gathering of mem--1 bers of St. Andrew's Society in the St. ■ Andrew's Hall, New Lynn, to celebrate the 177 th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. The, evening commenced with the "piping in" of the chief, Mr. E. F. Stanley George, who was preceded by Piper A. Livingstone and the St. Andrew's Standard, half-masted on- a draped staff, which was carried by Mr. A. Ferguson. The guest of honour, Mrs. Victor Macky, was then "piped in," escorted by the chieftain, Mr. R. Younie. Before proposing the toast of "His Majesty, King Edward VIII.," the chief asked the assembled members aJid guests to stand in silence in memory of the late King George V. The singing of the National Anthem was followed by Scotland's own anthem, "Scots Wha Hae," sung by Mrs. Parry and Mr, R. Parry. The toast, "The Immortal Memory," was proposed by Mrs. Macky, after which Piper Robertson played a lament. Others who spoke to toasts were: Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Cathie, the Chief, Rev. W. P. Rankin, Mrs. Donne (Granny of IZM), Mr. Cruickshank, Mr. Hardie (Otahuhu Caledonian Society). The toast of St. Andrew's Society of New Lynn was given by Mr. Dunn, an overseas visitor. This toast was replied to by the chieftain. Songs were sung by Mrs. Parry a.nd Mr. Robert Parry, and other contributors to a popular programme were I Miss Isobel Langlands (violinist), Miss M. Ferguson (pianoforte solo), Mrs. Black and Mrs. Massicks (duets), Mr. Kay (recitation), Mrs. Kersey (Scottish character songs), Mr. Ramsay (songs), Rev. W. P. Rankin, Miss Phyllis Davis (Highland dance), Mr. G. Parry (cornet solos), Mrs. Black and Mrs. Massicks (songs). The supper tables were decorated with the society's colours, blue and white, while prominent on the stage, which was festooned with coloured lights, was a large portrait of Burns, and a black and purple bordered painting of His late Majesty, King George V., in Highland dress. During the evening Mr. McKenzie distributed sprigs of heather, which was sent from Scotland for the occasion.