BURNS ANNIVERSARY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 104, 26 January 1933, Page 9

BURNS ANNIVERSARY

Wellington Club’s Dinner POET’S GREAT MESSAGE The one hundred and seventy-fourth anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, was properly celebrated by a dinner given by the Wellington Burns Club last evening. The chairman, Mr. Donald Macfarlane, was backed by the Royal banner of Scotland, and immediately in front of him was stood a bronzetoned statuette of the poet himself. After the haggis—“warm, reekin’, rich” —had been “piped in” by a kilted piper, and the other good things had been partaken of, the president proposed the usual loyal toast, after which he proposed “The Immortal Memory of Burns." In doing so he said that all round the world people were meeting to keep the memory green of Robert Burns, and they were perpetuating his memory because of the appeal of the poet to them. It was perhaps true that when his name was mentioned it to some suggested drunken orgies, but though the poet’s name had wrongfully been associated with drink, Burns, the poet and the man. was very human, and it was his fine humanity which made the greatest appeal. ' Robert Burns was not a drunkard. Scott could do a great deal more drinking than Burns, and yet one never heard of Scott being a drunkard. His appeal touched their hearts, because he wrote from the bottom of his own great heart, and put his wonderful thoughts into poetry. Not only was he a poe., he was a teacher. He was a builder, and he built well. There were two things Mr. Macfarlane wished to point out about Burns —one was what he taught about family life, and he knew that without good family life you cannot build a good country. His heart was full to overflowing with love for every living thing, and he taught us to love one another. As a Burns Club they should endeavour to put that into practice in their daily lives in these trying times; and for that reason they should study his works., and try to cultivate what he came into the world to teach —brotherly love. Mr. J. Burns, who proposed the toast of “Kindred Societies,” dwelt on the social value of Scottish societies the world over, and told a number of funny stories indicative of the generosity of Scotsmen. Mr. Burns also mentioned the part Mr. R. H.' Nimmo had played in bringing about a federation of Scot tish societies. In replying to the toast, .Mr. R. H Nimmo said the Burns Club in Welling ton had done a lot for Scots literature, music, and culture generally. With Mr Hogg be had done what he could to bring the Scotch people together in Wellington, not altogether with the greatest success; but he wished to make an appeal to all Scotsmen to forgather on St Andrew’s Day. It was true that the Scots were clannish, and even in a city they liked to be with thei» own particular set, but at least on one day of the year, the day of their patron saint they'should drop all differences and get together in the real Burns spirit. Mr. Nimmo said he had been talking with his old friend Mr. David McLaren that afternoon and had gathered from him that of the 26 mayors Wellington had elected 15 were of Scottish extrae tion. Among these were Messrs. J. R Blair, Hon.. J. G. W. Aitken, R. A. Wright, Hon. T. W. Hislop, David Me Laren (who was present), and Mr. I C. A. Hislop. So it would seem tha> Scots had played no inconsiderable part In the development of tbe city, and they must up and assert themselves Surely if the Irish could take the Town Hall on St. Patrick’s Day, the Scotcl could on St. Andrew’s Day. Mr. Johannes C. Andersen, in propping the toast of “The City of Welling ton” discanted upon its ever-ehangim? beauty. One thing about a city was that the older it grew the more youth, ful and beautiful it became, and Wei lington was growing in beauty witl. each successive year. Mr. J. Burns. .- member of tbe council, replied. “The Chairman” was proposed by th Rev. John Hubbard. M.A., and a fr ting reply was made by Mr. Macfarlatn The singing of “Auld Lang Syne' brought the formal proceedings to .- harmonious close. During the evening a pianoforte sob was contributed by Miss Doroth? Spinks, and songs were sung by Medames Pengelly and Stirratt. and Mr 11. Matthew.