BURNS CLUB.

Evening Star, Issue 12768, 22 March 1906, Page 7

BURNS CLUB.

The annual report of thO Dunedin Bums Club was distributed at last night's mohtlily meeting of members in the Choral Habit stated that the membership is 426 (324 double and 102 single), producing £ll2 10s in subscriptions, or an increase of £37 13s over the previous year. The debit balance of £23 2s 6d, with which the year was started, had been converted into a credit balance of £l7 Is sd. The report states that the monthly meetings were well attended, and the object of the club—to foster a love of Scottish music and literature in young colonials—had been Maintained. Reference is made to the Halloween and anniversary gatherings, which were veiy successful. Thanks are expressed to Messrs William Barron, D. MTberson, G. R. Hart, W. Burnett, Rev. J.Gellie, and others for giving addresses, to the Dunedin Pipe Band and the Citizens’ Band, to those who during the year had given their services in musical programmes at the monthly meetings, to the choir and the Musical Committee, to the conductor (Mr R. Don), and the accompanist (Mies E Wright); also to Mr P. Sutherland for acting as M.C. at the society’s dances and to the ‘Weekly Scotsman,’ bliss Forgan, bliss Purves, Mrs Menzies, and Mr R. Sandilands for boxes of heather, also to Mr Jas, Brown for acting as auditor. Ibs report expresses regret at the resignation from the office of vice-president of Mr R. Brown, and satisfaction at the appointment to the vacancy of Ms D. MTherson Allusion is made in the rs)ort to the death of Mr John Brown, an old and respected member of the club. The report states that twelve committee meetings were held during the year in Mr Fea’s office, and thanks ate expressed to that gentleman for its use. An interesting paragraph in the report states that during the year an oboe was presented to the society by Mr and Mrs Mackenzie, of Seaforth, Auckland. The instrument was formerly the property of Thomas Fraser, chief oboe player at the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, about 1780, whose feeding tendering of Scottish airs on this instrument had specially appealed to Robert Bums, as evidenced by his letters to Mr George Thomson. The oboe, together with, some interesting MSS. and newspapers relating to Thomas Fraser, are deposited at the Early Settlers’ Association Rooms -on behalf of the Bums Club, A pleasant evening was spent by those present. Mr R. QilMaon presided, and musio was provided by bins A. 0. Boring, Mrs F. W. Holmes, Mr Farquhar Young, Mr A. Ibbotson, and others, Mr Don, as usual, being musical director and bliss E. Wright accompanist. During an interval, Mr R. Sandilands addressed the meeting about a recent visit of his to the Old Country.