“NICHT WI' BURNS.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 26 January 1927, Page 2

“NICHT Wl' BURNS.”

HAWERiA SCOT'S FOREGATHER-. NATIONAL' POET HONOURED. On the 16Stli [anniversary of the birth of the Scottish National poet, Robert Burns, Hawera Scots foregathered in large numbers in the Foresters’ Hall last evening to celebrate. the ini mortal memory.” The' function, -which took the form, of a, social evening, appealed essentially to, tile student of the poet s works land the, Scottish temperament, but there were none present who were not stirred by the recitative reminiscences of the verses which flowed from the poets’ pen, or the songs which in the hundred odd years since their composition have, lost none, of their popularity. There were altogether 200 people present ,including members of the Hawera •and neighbouring Scottish Societies. The proceedings opened with selections by the society’s orchestra, appropriate to the occasion. In the course of some introductory remarks, the chieftain of the. society, Mr. TV. G. Simpson, who presided, extended a hearty welcome to all who attended, especially referring t.o visitors from neighbouring societies. He introduced the chieftain, of the, New Plymouth Caledonian Society, Mr. A. M. McDiiarmid. Mr. A. M. McDiarmid expressed his pleasure at being able to be present at the. Burns’ night celebration, of the, Hawera Society. Visits among various societies .served an extremely useful purpose towards the upholding of the old traditions of the institutions. The society of which lie had the honour to be chief had held its celebration the previous evening, and it had been most successful, but he was envious of the success lachieved by the Hawera body. He expressed regret that as a result of ta misunderstanding he had not been aware until his arrival in Hawera just prior to' the function that it was expected that he, would give the memorial address, but it had fortunately been possible to secure the services for this purpose of Mr. J. A. R,. MacGregor, who had given the address most ably at the New Plymouth function the previous evening. “To-night is the 168th anniversary when ‘a blast of Januar’ wind blew hansel in on Robin,’ and in an obscure Scottish home Burns was born. A stormy night heralded his entry land stormy and troubled were the few years he spent on earth,” said Mr. J. A. B. MacGregor, in the course .of his address. Continuing, he said that to fully comprehend his poetical works the student of his writings should know something of the man. It was admitted that Burns had had his failings, hut his passions made his poetry. If he sinned, he suffered, for no one felt liis failings more than he did himself. He had been born of the people and he had remained a man of the people all liis life. The poems of Burns, which sprang from his environment, were such as to' appeal to all mankind 1 . One contention was that only a Scot could fully understand all that Bums wrote, but as for that it was felt that even a, Scot would require the assistance of a glossary to' understand his works, for they. contained words which would stump any Scotsman.. It had often been debated whether the Scotch tongue was worth preserving and in the world of commercialism, it was probable that the language would die away, but it was felt that tire poems of Burns would remain long after the, last '.speaker of the Scot eli tongue had disappeared. There had always been a number of characteristics among the Soots, and even in England several counties had their own prejudices and this was thought to be for the betterment of the nation. The speaker considered that it would he a sorry day for Britain if Scotland became just a, part of the Empire without any distinguirinng traits. Mr. MacGregor quoted from the tributes to the works of Bums of a number of more modern poets and said that liis poems had appealed to the highest in every branch of the, literature. At the speaker’s request the company rose and honoured in silence the ‘ ‘immortal memory. ’ ’ Chieftain Simpson voiced the hearty appreciation of all of the address, on behalf of those present. The haggis borne aloft by Mr. IX McCormick was piped an by Pipers Henson and Pickering. Chieftain McDiarmid pronounced the Ode. 'and the popular national dish was distributed and partaken of with much relish. This was followed by supper. The choir, under the able control of its popular conductor, Mr. CL Lamb, gave valuable assistance by the rendi'tion of a series of numbers appropriate to the occasion, all of which were heard to good effect. The items were : “There Was a. Lad Was Born In Kyle,” “Ye Blanks and Braes,” “Scots Were High,” “For the Sake of Somebody.” Other items were given as follows: Solos, Miss Lunan. “My Highland Mary,” “Ae F’ond Kiss’’; Mr. Duncan, “Duncan Gray,” “A Hundred Pipes.’ 1 “Hail Caledonia.” Mr Peter A. Eadic wass called upon to entertain the company with selections from his fund of humour, and . his efforts were greeted with prolonged' applause. Mrs. L. A. Taylor wais'aecompajasle for the choral numbers. At the conclusion of the proceedings l “Auld Lang Syne” was sung, but the hall was cleared and dancing indulged in until a late hour.