ONEHUNGA SCOTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22950, 31 January 1938, Page 4

ONEHUNGA SCOTS

burns anniversary CELEBRATION FUNCTION A crowded and representative gathering of Scottish people assembled on Saturday evening in the Orphans' Hall, Onehunga. to celebrate the 179 th anniversary of the birth of their national poet, Robert Burns. The chief of the Onehunga and District Caledonian Society, Mr. David Hay, presided, and was supported by the following chiefs of kindred societies: —Mr. R. McLeod (Franklin), .Mr. W. Kay (New Lynn), Mr, J. M. Dcas (Otahuhu), Mr. D. Marshall (Sandringham). Among the guests were: —Mrs. A. Donne, Mr. C. R. Petrie, M.P. for Hauraki, Mr. J. E. Gillies, president of the Onehunga Orphans' Club, and Mr. R. V. Wooff, president of the Onehunga Returned Soldiers' Association.

In proposing the toast, "The Immortal Memory of Burns," Mr. J. M. Deas alluded to the poet's remarkable prophetic genius in picturing the many social reforms which had evolved since his death, including the rights of women, the condemnation of war, and his plea for the brotherhood of man. Other appropriate toasts were; "The Lasses," proposed by Mr. Gillies; "Scotland," by Mr. Kay; "Kindred Societies," by Mr. Robert Buchanan; "Onehunga Caledonians," by Mr. Petrie.

A feature of the proceedings was the piping in of the haggis and the spirited rendering by Mr. W. Shields of Burns' appropriate address to the "Chieftain of the Pudding Race." The musical programme comprised Scottish lyrics by tjic society's choir, under the conductorship of Dr. James Kirkwood. solos by Mr. W, Macfarlane, Miss ML Stewart and Miss H. White. Highland reels and other dances were gracefully executed by Miss Doreen Dunn, Miss P. Gwillan, Miss Ida Setters and Mr. G. Dunn.

Mr. H. Tonquist played the accompaniments. and Mr. Jftmes Cowper provided the bagpipe music.