THE BURNS STATUE AT DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 787, 1 April 1887, Page 11

THE BURNS STATUE AT DUNEDIN.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE.

(united press association.) Dunedin, March 26. A large number of people from the country are in town for the Burns statue ceremonial. The Governor was absent owing to a mistake in forwarding the invitation to Wellington. Later. The laying of the foundation stone of the pedestal for the Burns statue was made the occasion of great ceremony to-day. A procession headed by pipers and the Highland Rifles, and composed of members of Friendly Societies and Masons, was formed bv the triangle in front of the Railway Station, and after marching along Crawford, Princes, and George-streets, the procession, which was a very long one, four bands being placed at intervals, entered the railed-in enclosure in the Octagon and formed a semi-oircle. The Masons then came forward and took charge of the laying of the stone, an operation performed with the usual Masonic ceremonies by D.D.G.M. Bro. Gore, M.H.R, Coins of the realm, papers, a scroll, etc,, being placed in the cavity, Mr Gore delivered an address. He explained that a letter of invitation to the Governor had been addressed to the aide-de-camp, and he having left for Wellington his Excellency only knew of the invitation on Friday, by which time he had made another engagement. The Rev Dr Stuart and Mr Gibb delivered addresses, and the ceremony ended. The unveiling will take place in about a month. Among the spectators were A. J. Burns, grand-nephew of the ipoet, and Mrs Stephenson and Miss Burns, grand-nieces.