HALLOWEEN CONCERT

Evening Star, Issue 14511, 1 November 1910, Page 7

HALLOWEEN CONCERT

“Tho auld folk know all about Halloween, and the young don’t care; so we’ll dispense with a speech about Halloween,’! was the speech of Mr D. Stevenson, president of the Burns Club in the Garrison Hall last night, when the club, true to tradition, celebrated Halloween. It was the only reference to Halloween, and so tho social meeting was commemorative merely in name. There was nothing to carry Scotch mu-ds far hack to too dear days of old, when fairies flitted over roaring chimney-tops —lum-heads, yo ken—to answer the wishes of simple hearts, when one could read fate in the leap of a nut from a hot hob, or see mirrored in a moonlit stream tho face of one’s wife to be, and when wo plunged into ice-cold water, docking for apples that seemed fairer and more desirable than the apple which is said to have been man’s undoing. Tho times are changed, and more prosaic ways are taken by Scotch folk. Mr D. Stevenson explained tho change in a single sentence: “The odd folk know, the young don’t care." It’s the young folk’s loss. Tho celebration last night was no more than an ordinary Scotch concert. The hall held a largo audience, whose hearts, no doubt, were in the Hielans, or by yon bonnic banks and by yon bonnie braes, or on heathery hills and stubbled rigs. Everything about tho gathering was entirely Scottish, save an impromptu speech competition ; and in it the subject of tho competitors was about Scotchmen. The president had with him on the platform Mr D. M’Pherson (chief of the Gaelic Society), Mr J. Loudon (judge of the competition), Mr M’Ewan (city librarian), Mr J. Bain, and a portrait of Rabbie the Ploughman Bard. At the back of the stage a lion rampant showed that hearts were leal. Tho ladies of the choir wore white frocks banded from shoulder to waist with a tartan sash, representing different clans. In the body of tho hall and upstairs Scotch folk greeted braidlv ither folk frae hame, and sprigs of heather were given and accepted like true lovers’ kisses. Without complaining or hinting, let it bo said that there was nao whusky. One man sang rather agreeably that grand Scotch song ‘ Gae bring tao mo a pint o’ wine,’ but that was all. There was not a drop of mountain dew, which, joking aside, really proves that Scotch folk can be very happy together without a dram, ye ken. And then the pipers came in—the Dunedin Pipe Band. Their selection was exceptionally well rendered. The choir, under the direction of Mr J. Paterson, sang ‘Hail to the chief’ with much effect. Mrs Wakefield Holmes was very successful in her singing of ‘When the kye come hame.’ As an encore she sang that song which makes auld Scotch people give a laugh with a “ greet ’’ in it. The song was all about minding auld lang syne, when tho simmer days were fine, and tearin’ claes on brambles, and being tawsed in the morning. Later on Mrs Holmes sang ‘ Cam ye by Athol,’ and took part with Mr W. H. Mackenzie in a duet, ‘Loch Lomond.’ Mr Mackenzie also sang ‘My love is like a red, red rose’; Mrs Monkman-Dempster sang ‘ Caller ou,’ ‘ The flowers of the forest,’ and (with Miss James) 1 Within a mile.’ Mrs Monkman-Dempster was recalled for her fine rendering of ‘ Caller on.’ Mr G. W. Johnstone (Milton) was weil received for his singing of ‘ Border- ballad ’ and ‘Gae bring to mo a pint o’ wine.’ Miss E. Carter won favor by her dancing of seantreus, and was recalled, ns were four kilted lads and lasses who danced a reel. Tho choir irere encored for their rendering of ‘Tho Cameron men.’ It was not so well rendered as ‘Hail to the chief.’ Miss E. Wright played the accompaniments, and shared largely in’the success. A few of the singers put hardly enough pith into their singing. Tho impromptu speech competition yielded some fun to tbo audience. Seven competitors took part-, and the subject was ‘Are Scotchmen justified in holding the opinion that they lead the world?’ not tho best subject that might have been chosen. Mr Loudon, judge, explained that he proposed giving points for originality of matter, for elocution and delivery, and for humor. Each competitor answered in the affirmative. One or two of the competitors apparently thought that a negative reply would have vexed the audience. There was a marked scarcity of humor. Throe of tho competitors were terribly serious, although 'each appeared to have plenty of words in stock. They were put out of court, right away. The winner proved to he Mr -T. M. Haslett, whoso opinions as to whether Scotchmen are entitled to hold tho opinion that they lead the world were offered in a happy manner. His speech was easily the best as a whole. Mr 0. (J. Mazengarb made ono excellent point. Ho gave it as his opinion that there was only ono class of persons! move justified to hold the opinion that Scotchmen led the world and that class was Scotch women. Another competitor won | easily if tho test had been who could say! most often “ entitled to hold the opinion that Scotchmen lead tho world." Another said he had looked up the dictionary and found that humorous meant “to sweat and become moist.” If that were to he was humorous- Mr D. H. Waldie was tho most humorous speaker. He pointed outhow Scotchmen led the world, and quoted as an example Captain Scott going to tho South Pole. He was Scott by name, and would get the land down there. Scotchmen always were looking for land. They wanted the freehold. 'Then a Scot always wanted a sheep to shear, and then made a kilt out of the fleece. Then he wanted to grow oats for oatmeal, and ho winded mutton, “Give a Scotchman his mutton and porridge and you will never drive him out of tho country.” Mr I-oudon placed the winners thus;—Mr T. M. Haslett. 105 points; Messrs D. H. Waldie and L. Hunt (equal). 103 points. The other competitors were Messrs 0. C. Mazengarb, A. J. Hcighway, Stevenson, and Brown. The concert was concluded with the singing of ‘Auld lang syne.’