THE AUSTRALASIAN CLUB IN EDINBURGH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6815, 20 September 1883, Page 6

THE AUSTRALASIAN CLUB IN EDINBURGH.

The annual dinner given to those members of the Australasian Club, Edinburgh, who have graduated during the University session, and to the vice-presidents of the club, took place on Friday night, July 20, in the Wa-er.oo Hotel, Waterloo-place. The idea of forming an Australasian Club in Edinburgh first suggested itself in 1874, when tue Australian medical students attending the Cniversity there entertained at dinner the late Dr. J. W. Alston (of New South Wales), the Ettles scholar of 1573. It was not until 1577, however, that the club was actually instituted. The first President was Dr. James Foulis, who by his unwearied efforts soon brought the club into a substantial position. Its membership now numbers 54 gentlemen resident in h'dinburgh, and besides these many who have returned to the colonies on the comp etion of their studies. The rooms devoted to tie use of the club are situated in Chambers-street. Each year the members entertain to dinner those of their number who have gradu?.ted during the session. Thi3 year the Vice-Presidents were also included among the quests. The names of the graduates were : —Dr. F. W. A. Godfrey, Victoria; Dr. H. S. Lloyd, South Australia; Dr. H. llacandrew, New Zealand ; Dr. B. M. Moorhosne, New Zealand ; and Dr. Chisholm Ross, New South Wales. And of She VicePresident i Mr. Robert Richardson, New South Wales ; and Mr. E. S. Hanaon, New South Wales. The chair wag occupied by Dr. P. A. Young, Victoria, President of the club. S JAfter the toast of "The Queen" had been loyally given, the Chairman' proposed "The Graduates and Vice-presidents." The a n nual dinner, he said, aa it came round, was mixed, in his mind at least, with sorrow and gladness. First of all with gladness, because they met together as brother Australians, and tried round the social board to make themselves better acquainted with one another than they could under other circumstances. It was a period of sorrow, hec inse it was the nignal for farewell to many whom they looked upon with esteem aud regard, It wrj a good thing in many ways for their graduates that they cime to tho old country. It was very good for them in the way of extending their minds, apart altogether from sirictly professional work, and it was good for the colonies to have men who bad been educated liere going back again with the light and learning of the old country. Mr. Richardson, one of their distinguished Vice-Presidents last year, told the world that the Australians had no tail, but he waa qaito satisfied, after seeing the distinguished position which their graduates had taken at the University here that the Australians all had heads at any rato. (Applause.) He had always found that Australians, if they wished—and he was glad to say a great many of. them did— took extremely good positions i,n all their closes and on the graduate list 3. He had the independent experience of many men who had been in our colonies of the great brain power of their young men. They were met that night to wish the young graduates. God-speed in their different walks of life, and to hope that while they reflected credit upon themselves, they would also reflect credit upon the various colonies from which they came. (Applause.) This year their graduate list was a very cosmopolitan one, containing representatives from almost every one of the Australasian Colonies. (Applause.) Mr. T. J. Henby, in reply to the toast of "Tha Colonies," predicted a glorious future for the Australian colonies. As to federation, he said the time was not far distant when Austalasia, in conjunction and friendly alliance with the mother country, would have a voice among the nations, and exert aome influence in the settlement of the great Questions of the world. (Applause.) It was a matter of congratulation for them that, at the present time, a greater interest was taken hero than formerly in Australasian affairs. Mr. K. R. Hobslby, New South Wales, proposed " The Universities." Dr. F. W. A. Godfkev proposed the toast of "The Old Country." Thsy as Australasians, he Baid, were inclined to laugh under their breath at "old world" sayings and doings, but that he considered was a great mistake. (Applause.) Those who had been here soon learned better. He was of opinion that it would be a bad day for Australasia and for Britain when those colonic# set themselves up aa an independent empire. (Applause, and cries of " No, no.") Mr; Richardson replied, and at the close of his speech thanked, on behalf of the members of the club, the committee for their work in connection with the dianer.