BURNS CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 17920, 16 March 1922, Page 10

BURNS CLUB

There was a large attendance last night at the Dunedin Burns Club’s monthly social, held in the Art Gallery Hall. Mr A. MT.eod presided, and in a few brief introductory remarks dealt with tho subject of Burns being in an impoverished condition at the time of his death. He proceeded to show that tho evidence contradicted this belief. The president’s remarks were prefaced by bagpipe selections from Piper Robert Burns, and at their conclusion the Burns Club Choir, under the direction of Mr H. W. Armitage, rendered: the part song 1 Tho Standard on the Braes o’ Mar ’ most creditably, and later gave ‘ The Kilties’ March,’ winding up tho concert with a spirited rendering of ‘The Men of Harlech.’ Tho lady vocal soloists were Miss Mavis Smith, who eang ‘ Tho Haunted Garden ’ ; Mrs Morison M'Donald, whose selection was ‘ The Auld Scotch Sangs ’ ; and Miss Bessie Denford, whose contribution to the harmony of the evening was ‘Annie’s Tryst.’ Mrs Morison M’Donald, in a second appearance, sang ‘ The Sound of the Pibroch.’ The gentlemen singers were Mr Douglas Craigie, Mr A. MT.oocl, and Mr Hamilton Eagar, who respectively sang ‘ The March o’ the Cameron Men,’ ‘ O’ a’ the Airis,’ and ‘Cam’ Ye. by Athol?’ All the mimical items were very cordially recognised. In addition Mr Chas. Frye played as a violin solo a fantasia on Scottish airs, Miss Doreen Wheeler gave a Highland dance, Mr Herb. Smith a recitation (‘ That Beastly Eyeglass’), and Mr J. Runcio Chisholm some humorous anecdotes. Miss E. Wright, acted as accompanist with her usual efficiency, and the concert portion of the evening was brought to a close with the hearty singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne.’ At the conclusion of the concert a dance was held. ANNUAL REPORT. The thirty-first annual report contains the following clauses: —There has been a substantial increase in tho membership, the number on the roll now being 511 (double 355, single 155), as compared with 446 (double 293, single 153) inst year. Financially, the year has -been a record one, there being now on deposit and in the bank the sum of £4OB 3s sd. Tho not profit for the year amounted to DIGS 14s Id, this amount being made chiefly from the Hallowe’en and anniversary concerts. The membership subscriptions were just sufficient to pay working expenses of the club for tho year. The membership, especially in double tickets, shows a considerable increase. Tho thanks of the club are duo to Mr James Brown for his continued services as hon. auditor. The committee has had difficulty in providing accommodation for tho large audiences which havo attended the monthly concerts. Our thanks arc due to the ladies and gentlemen who have so willingly assisted in carrying out one of the main objects of the club. Teachers of music and elocution havo generously assisted the musical director in arranging tho programmes, and to these we tender our sincere thanks. We are also indebted to the pipers and dancers for supplying so many enjoyable items. The members of the Club Choir, under tho baton of Mr H. W. Armitage, deserve our best thanks for their continued service. Thanks are also duo to Miss E. Wright for her valuable services as accompanist. Pipers Leslie M‘Killop and Donald Bowman, who have acted as dub pipers during the year, havo both left Dunedin. We are now indebted to Piper Robert Burns for opening our meetings and providing music for tho Highland dances. Tho president desires to express tho club’s thanks to our secretary (Mr Jas. Paterson) for his work in maintaining tho high standard of the monthly concerts. It is mainly duo to his efforts that such excellent programmes have been provided for our enjoyment. Thanks are also tendered to Mr Gilchrist for his help in securing dancers throughout tho year. Several old and esteemed members of tho club have passed away during tho year, among the number being Mr Dugaid MTherson, a past president, who for many years was a staunch supporter of tho Scottish societies of Dunedin. To tho relatives we tender our deepest sympathy.