BURNS ANNIVERSARY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 103, 25 January 1939, Page 15

BURNS ANNIVERSARY

Caledonian Society Evening

There was a large attendance at a gathering held by the Wellington Caledonian Society on Saturday evening to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns and pay tribute to his memory. The chief of the society, Mr. L. McKenzie, who presided, introduced Mr. W. L. Mcllveney, who gave a discourse on ‘‘The Life and Works of Robert Burns.”

Miss J. Stirling sang "Here Awa’, There Awa’ ” and ‘‘Last May a Braw Wooer”; Mrs. U. McWhinnle, “Whistle and I’ll Come to Ye” and “Cornin' Through the Rye”; Mr. T. McNair, “Bonnie Wee Thing” and “Ye Banks and Braes.” .Mr. Newlands gave a violin solo of Burns's songs, and Mr. J. Thomson recited some of Burns’s works. A Highland Hing was danced by Audrey Cuthbert, Alastair McLeod, Joan Dunstall, Nancy Macdonald. Betty Sines, Audrey Young, Phyllis Marsh, Peggy Tovey, Peggy McKinnon and Nola Hansen, and the Highland Reel by Misses Audrey Cuthbert, Joan Dunstall, Nancy Macdonald, Audrey Young, Nola Hansen, Phyllis Marsh. Peggy Tovey and Peggy McKinnon. The pipe band played "The Earl of Mansfield,” “Marquis of Huntly,” “Mrs. McLeod of Raasuy,” and, ns an encore, "The Athol Highlanders.” The playing-in of the haggis was .quite a ceremony. Preceded by PipeMajor C. Stewart and Pipe-Sergeant W. Smith, the haggis was borne aloft on a tray lighted by a SI. Andrew cross in electric light, the hall being darkened; behind were the bearers with the knife and fork and Hie other accessories for the occasion. When the lights again went on Mr. J. Stirling recited Burns’s “Ode to a Haggis,” and then all partook of the dish. After supper a dance was held, oldlime Scots dances comprising Hie prourn mine. Mr. W. Wills Johnson was M.U. and Mrs. McGowan was at the piano. The music for the Scots items was played by Pipe-Major C. Stewart and Pipe-Sergeant W. Smith.