CURRENT TOPICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11642, 27 January 1900, Page 6

CURRENT TOPICS.

The Dunedin Burns Club kept high festival

on Thursday evening, when ST. ROBIN'S there were canticles, incense day. (metaphorical), Ministerial sermon, and a' that. There are lesser monthly lioJy-days, but this was the liis»h choral service—the Feast of the Burns Nativity. We would not be misunderstood, or have it supposed, that we desire to poke fun at the- Burns enthusiasts. To ridicule a religion is the paltriest occupation on earth, and the Burns cult has waxed into at least a sub-religion. Our ecclesiastical terminology is used in all sincerity. Satire would be quite justifiable if the Burns Club were a mere literary society, busying itself with the criticism aud interprctaton of the poet's work. The cynic might say: " Yi'hy, theso people never say anything now; long ' ago they got through with all that is possible in the way of criticism and interpretation: What, then, is the reason of their, continued existence? " And it would not be easy to rebuko the cynic. As matters are, however,, sarcasm would be pointless and unreasonable. The Burns Club programme is, to all intents, a liturgy, and the club itself is a congregation of faithful worshippers. Now, liturgies do not vary with the passing months or years, aud sensible congregations do not ask .for a variation. Thoir traditionary sentiment clings to the old faith, the old phrases. Moreover, the faithful (when they arc really the faithful do not tire of the reiterated services. We feel sure that this is the'true, interpretative analogy in regard to Burns Clubs, and if non-enthusiasts will only accept it, as they should, they will never again bo templet*, to indulge' in the cheap and fuolish irony which we know so wc.ll. The Burns cult, then, is a sub-religion,—we say a subreligion because it in ro way interferes with the devotee's pure-nt cf t!ie higher rei'gion,— and a very Lo!cral>le sort of «""-rel'jriQn jt :s----ton. ' ,

Of very tolerable quality, moreover, was the sermon,' —preached, as was fitTHE ting, liy the Hon. John SERMON. M'Kcnzie. For Mr M'Kenzie has quite recently returned from tho land o' cakes; he has had the privilege of satisfying himself that Scotland stands where it did; and presumably the aroma of Caledonia, stern and wild, hangs about him in a spiritual degree. Sermons vary —occasionally—if liturgies do not; but Mr M'Kenzie adhered resolutely to the ancient standards. He wouldna presume to say anything new concerning Burns, albeit himself a Minister of the Crown. No inconsiderable portion of his discourse was taken up with a demonstration that nothing new could be said on the great subject; and, indeed, ;fc was this lengthy prologue of Mr M'Kenzie'a that gave us the hint of our ecclesiastical analogy. "It is unnecessary for me either . to inform you or to inspire you as to the. great qualities of the poet." The people had come together to repeat an old and wellloved tale, not to manufacture a new one. , It is sufficient praise to say that Mr M'Kenzie told the otri tale in iu.lcqu.ato fashion. One thing -we would beg of him, however,; Soma day, if hot now, we do hops that lie will'give us the names of those "critics" who have urged that "if Burns bad been born in the purple and nursed in the Jap of luxury he would have been a nobler and a greater man." Tho idea is too terrible for ■ anything. How Charles Lamb would have longed to examine the phrenological bumps of those egregious "critics"! Mr M'Kenzie has taken them with grim seriousness: "for my own part, I do not believe this "! A writer in the Times has commented in an interesting fashion upon Lord battle Methuen's statement that the STATISTICS, bat'tla at tlie Modder River was one of the hardest and most .trying in tho annals of tlie British army. Premising.that a battle is hard and.trying in proportion to the danger encountered and overcome, and that the gauge of danger is the loss incurred, tho writer proceeds to com- . para the Modder River action with some other British battles of the past. • ■ • ■ "" ■ ~ • ■• i if i m , k> >-< (5 Talavera, 1809 .. ~ 20,500 G.2SO 30 Albuera, 1811 .. ■~ 8,200 3,990 48 Barossa, 1811 .. ... 4,400 1,210 27 balamanca, 1812 .. 2G.000 3,386 13 Quatre Bras, ISIS .. 12,000 2,504 2.0 Waterloo,' 1815 .. .. 23,991 6 932 29 lirozshah, 1845 -.. .. 18,000 2,415 15 Spbrcon, 1846 .. .. 15,500 2.0G3 13 .Chilhauwallah, 1840 ..15,000 2 353 15 Alma, 1854 .. „ o 1)500 n' m t) iukernian, 1554 .. .. ■ 7,464 2,357 31 Modder Eiver, 189-3 .. 6,500 475 • 73. The Times writer, after noting that Lord Methuen_ lost four officers killed and nineteen wounded, calls to mind that one battalion " entered the action at Salamanca with 27 officers .-and 420 rank and file; it had. 24 orrtcere and 3« rank and file killed and •wounded." The comparisons are interesting, but 'are ' tlie writer's premises'quite sure? Might not an action be almost unprecedentedly hard and trying, and still result in no '.abnormal loss? ■

The Minister of Lands, the Hon. John •M'Kenzie, remained in Dunedin yesterday, and was fully employed with departmental matters, and in receiving; people who desired to see him in connection therewith. Ha will return to his home, Hcathfield, by the train thin morning, but will visit Dunediu again next week, and, in company with the Premier and other Ministers, will go to Invercargill in order to be present at the banquet to his '■.colleague, the Hon. J. G. Ward, on the even- , ing of the 31st inst.

. It was reported to the council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society yesterday that a very fine cock pheasant had recently been shot near Atshbum Hall by a Dunedin resident. A good deal of indignation was expressed at this, as the conservation- of pheasants in Otago is deemed very desirable, and it was loft to the. executive of the council to prosecute,' if Sufficient evidence was procurable.

'A meeting of the committee of the Technical Classes Association was held on Thursday afternoon. No definite reply having been given by'.tho Government to the eommiUeo'3 application for a grant for additions to buildings, it was resolved that the electrical apparatus imported at a cost of several hundred pounds bs in the meantime stored, an action which, members regret, is forced upon th,em. In order to meet the requirements of those students of mechanical engineering who purpose'sitting for the City and Guilds of London Institute examination, it was agreed to forthwith open a special ehse. January being the last month of the financial year; arrangements wero made to pay all accounts, and to get in all subscriptions.

■ A sitting of the Supreme Court in Bankrupty was held before the registrar yesterday, when a creditor's petition to have a debtor declared bankrupt was heard and the order of adjudication mads, an act of bankrupty having been proved.

According to the Wyndham Farmer, there has been a fresh outbreak of swine fever at the Piggery adjoining Mataura Dairy Factory premises the property of Mr J. B. MacEw«n. The herd numbered 300, and 25 had Buccumbed by Saturday;' last. The herd has been isolated, and the,stock officers are not without hope of saving a large .proportion of the herd.

The announcement that Mr F. B. Stephens, who has held, the position of .lecturer on metallurgy, in the Otago School of Mines, has resigned will ■be received with regTet by all past and present students,' but this will,be tempered by the knowledge that he has been appointed director of the Stawell' School of Mines, Victoria. Mr Stephens intends to leave Dunedin about the 12th pros. -,

'The Southern Starr-Bowkett Society hold another,-, ballot for £500 last evening, the winning' cluster being No. 156, hold by one member. A sale by tender of £500 was also held, the premiums obtained being £30, -526 £20, and £18.

A telegram from Capetown to the London Daily Telegraph', dated 4th December, says: — '■'It is now certain that the unfit condition of.the cavalry horees was the only thing that prevented the complete annihilation of the Boer fort* after the battle of Belmont. The difference in condition between the Australian and the English horses on their arrival is very marked. : The majority of English horses suffer greatly on the voyage, and arrive with their joints stiff and swollen, whilst the Australian horses reach bore in good serviceable condition. The New Zealandera' horses were especially fit, and thia contingent was better mounted than any that has yet landed."

■• Different sections of the community will draw different deductions (says the Press) from the statement made in the annual returns of offences in the Canterbury and North Otago p.olice district, that the number of cases of drunkenness reported in 1899 showed a decrease of ,255 as compared with the numbers for 1896. The districts which show the greatest decreases-are:- Christchuroh 60, Fairlie 7, Mothven 12, Waimate 4, Pleasant Point, Rangiora,- Sydenham, and Bingsland 3 each. The districts showing the greatest increases are:. Ashburton 45, Lyttelton 55, Oamaru 67, RnJeaia 10, Temuka 20. The total number of convictions for drunkenness last year was 1345—males 1147 and females 198.

Another good house greeted the Waxworks !ast night. Mr Martyn Hagan and Miss Lucy Eraser appear to-night for the last time. The Leslie Bros, and Andrew Sisters open on Monday evening. A complete change of programme is announced for this evening.

•Everything ii- connection with the forthcoming performance by the Roseius Dramatic .Society if "British Born," "First Mate," ="d "Lot 49" is going well. Each piece is in active rehea-'saJ, at.d thoroughly good rejriwentations may bn confidently anticipated. " Bntish iiorn " was the initial performance :n aic1 of she., patrin tis fund given by this society, and 'we understand it * will be produced with tne amo attention to detail which' marked its former success. The box plan will t,-. opened at the Dresden on -Monday next. .'

TO-KOEROWS CHUBCH SERVICES. St. Paufs rWicdrnl^—Holy communion, 8 a.m.; matins and litany, 11 a.m.; evensong, B." 0 p.u.. Preacher (morning and evening), ' > on. ArcMcacon Kobinson,

All Saints' Church.—Holy communion, 8 a.m. Morning preacher, the Bishop; evening, Rev. C. S. Bowden.

St. Andrew's Church.—ll a.m., Rev. Dr Waddell; 6.30 p.m., Mr J. S. Thompson.

Trinity Wealeyan Church.—ll a.m. and 0.31 p.m., Rev. P. W, Fairclough. , . ■

Wesley Church, Cargill road.—ll a.m., Rev, T. G. Brooke (" Appearing before God"); G. 30 p.m., Rev. T. G. Brooke and Miss Powell ("Aunt Kate"). Mosgiel Church.—ll a.m. and 6.30 p.m., Mr W. R. Tuck.

First Church. —Morning and evening, Rev. C. A. Gray.

St. Matthew's Church.—Holy communion, 8 a.m.; matins, 11 a.m.; evensong, 6.30 p.m. Preacher (morning and evening), Rev. W. Cur-zon-Siggers.

' Methodist Central Mission.—Anniversary services. 11 a.m., Sister. Christian; 3 p.m., P.S.A., Mrs Don presiding. Addresses: Sister Christian, " Glimpses of a Sister's Work." Sister Ruth, "No Limitation." 6.30 p.m., Rev. W. A. Sinclair, assisted by Sisters Christian and Ku'.h.

Mr D. M. Spedding will soil teas, etc. at his rooms on Tuesday, 30t)i inst., and he will sell 40 acres of land at Musselbnrgh in March. Mr Spedding has a number of fireproof safes for private sale. Mcssts James Samson and Co. will sell furniture, eta., at their rooms today at 2 o'clock. Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Co. will sell shares at 'their rooms to-day at 12.30 o'clock. The Otstgo Farmers' Co-operativa Association will sell crossbred sheep and lambs at Burnside on Wednesday, 31st inst. Messrs Daigety and Co. will 801 l crossbred wethers and ewes at Bulclutha on Friday, February 2. The New Zealand Lon.ii and Mercantile Agency Company will hold a Dale of stock at Clinton on Thursday, February 8. The Perpetual Trustees, Estate, and Agency Company will sell, early in February, a farm of 192 acres, near Palmers'ton. The election of two members to represent the City of Dunedin o:i the Otago Harbour Board will be held on Monday, February 12. Nominations close on Monday, February 5. The Secretary of the Dunedin. Pipe Band notifies that all collecting cards must be handed in to the treasurer by Wednesday, 31st inst. Members of the Caledonian Society arc notified that they can be admitted at the Anderson's Bay gate only to the cycling sports today. The Braeinar House School reopens on Tuesday, February 6. . Mrs Collet-Dobson re3um.es tuition of elocution the first woek in February. Country teachers' classes reassemble on Saturday, February 10. The botany, mechanical engineering, and elocution classes will be resumed at the Technical School on Thursday, February 1. . Applications are invited for the position of lecturer on metallurgy, blowpipe analysis, and assaying at the Otago School of Mines. The.election of one member to represent the boroughs of Maori Hill, Morniugton, and Eo3lyn on the Otago Harbour Board will be held on Monday, February 12. Nominations close on Monday, February 5. "Dr Speer publishes a testimonial from Mr James Craig, of South Dunedin, in our advertising columns. The Theosophical Society will hold a public meeting in their rooms to-morrow evening, when there will be reading and discussion. The Methodist Central Mission will hold a public meeting in the Choral Hall on Wednesday, 31st inst. The Hawthorn Private School and Kindergarten will reopen on February C. The Otago Athlotic League will hold a smoke concert in the Agricultural Hall to-night. Tenders are invited for tho supply and delivery at Maruwcmia of 189 tons^ of malleable iron pipes. A meeting of tho General Committee of the patriotic fund will be held in tho Town Hall on Monday-evening to report progress and deal with any other matters. Members, of the Dunedin Liedertafel are reminded that practice will be resumed on Monday next. A supply of new music is to hand, and a full attendance is requested. Special services will be held in tho Garrison Hall on Sunday in connection with the anniversary of the Centred Mission Sisterhood. The morning service will be conducted by Sister Christian, of Christchurch, and at 3 p.m. a P.S.A. will be held, at which Mrs Don will preside, and addresses will be given by Sister Christian and Sister Ruth. A musical programme, vocal and orchestral, will be provided under the management of Mr E. W. Hutton. In the evening tho service will be conducted

by the Hey. "W. A. Sinclair, On the following Wednesday a public meeting will be held in the Choral Hall, presided over by Mr James Allen, M.H.R. Addresses will be given by Sister Christian, Mr J. P. Arnold, M.H.R., Sister Hnth, avid the Eov. \V. A. Sinclair. A splendid musical programme is being arranged by Mrs Blandiord, L.H.A.M. Collections will be taken at all the meetings on behalf of the sisterhood

We have to acknowledge receipt from Mr "W. A. "Walton, the Royal Exchange Assurance Company's superintendent for New Zealand, of

a neat book blotting pad, a card calendar, and a desk or house calendar. Prom Mr G. B. Qhesseman, the general manager, we have received a' patriotic calendar issued by the" Lovell's Flat Coal Company. . The management of the Polypathio Institutes oi Melbourne and Sydney, who have opened a permanent branch at Christchurch, purpose visiting Dunedin every two months, and are sending one of their physicians on Monday next for a 12 days' .visit, givKig free private lectures at Choral Hall on Tuesday—afternoon, ladie3 only; evening, men only. .. ■

A mo3t enjoyable evening is in store for the inhabitants of Warrington andSeaciff districts next Wednesday, when a dialogue will be produced by two Indies from Dunedin, and there will also be performed a screaming farce, in which five well-known artists will take part; also selections by band, etc. , Refreshments will be provided. The proceeds will be given towards defraying expenses of repairing church organ at Warrington. Who is Peter Dick?— The most reliable Watchmaker and JeweHer, opposite Coffee Palace, Moray place, Dunedin. Charges strictly moderate.—Advt. ■ ■

John Hislof, oldest, established Watchmaker nnd Jeweller, 74 Princes street. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles ouit all sights.—Advt. The place to purchaee presents is undoubtedly G. and T. Young's, watch and jewellery establishment, 88 Princes street/ You can always rely upon getting value for your money there, See advt. first page, Cabtek and Co.'s great sale is now on. Great bargains in all dspartments. Call early at Carter's great sale.—Advt.

My mother says you need only scan the newspapers to know which Teas to avoid buying. She never buys extensively advertised tea, or tea with which you are promised something for nothing. It all has to be paid for by reducing quality. She buys Kozie, at 2s, and gets value and purity abvay3.—Advt.

Treatment by massage and electricity for rheumatism, paralysis, nervous, and "joint troubles. Mr and Mrs Edivjn Booth, Stuart street. Under medical patrinage.—Advt.