A BURNS CLUB SOCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11642, 27 January 1900, Page 10

A BURNS CLUB SOCIAL.

A .very pleasant social reunion took rjlaca

at the close of the Burns anniversary gather-

ing on Thursday night, in the ante-room at the Garrison Hall. About 30 members of the club were present, and the chair was occupied by the president (Dr Gordon Macdonald).

Tho President proposed the health of tho Hon. John M'Kenzie, and in doing so he expressed tho dce.p gratification he felt at seeing the Minister of Lands restored to them in Ms normal health; and, after referring in very complimentary terms to the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie, said he was sure the members of the club had exceedingly enjoyed the excellent speech he had given them that evening. The Hon. J. H'Kenaic, in replying to tho toast, said that there was noplace where ho felt more at home than in Dunodin. Ho had looked forward to the gathering that was just over with very great pleasure, and his anticipations had been fully realised. . Ho sincerely hoped the- association was permanently established, and that its objects would be fulfilled.

Dr Gordon Macdonald said lie also felt bound to propose the health of Mr Thomas Mackenzie, who had just, returned to the colony. Mr Mackenzie was a gentleman who had jilone much to promote the best interests of New Zealand in tho Home land, for whenever a good word was required to be said on behalf of New Zealand Mr Mackenzie- had been quite ready to say it. He had ulra done invaluable service in removing prejudices that had existed against our frozen meat and other produce; and not only had he been successful in his mission Home, but he was a citizen of this colony in the truest sense of the word. He was a distinguished explorer, having discovered many passes in what had been regarded as inaccessible parts of the country, and in Alpine work his record stood amongst tho highest in New Zealand. He was sura they did well to highly esteem sucii a man and to pay him honour.

Mr T. Mackenzie acknowledged.the compliment riaid iiini, and said that lie had only endeavoured to do what lie had seen was necessary, and that there certainly had been room for very much improvement in connection \viLh the handling of our produce in the mother country. Ho hoped to yet have the opportunity of giving the colony the benefit of his experience at Homo. Alluding to tha Burns Club, ho remarked that" ho had attended on many occasions the meetings of these clubs at Home, and had always been proud to tell the members there that their kinsfolk on the other side of the globe were enthusiastic, and loyal to the mother country to the last degree. The next toast was that of the health of Professor M'Kenzie, the brother of the Minister of Lands. . In proposing the toast, the Chairman remarked that they had to welcome into their midst a man who had attained a considerable position in the literary world, who had come to this colony for the purpose of advancing the cause of higher education. -No country, the Chairman said, could be great unless the highest educational advantage? were extended to its people, and it was, therefore, essential tli.it exceptionally able men should supervise higher education. Professor M'Kenzle veplicd'that he had yet to win his spurs, and that ho sincerely hoped ho might bo ab!o some day to justify in part the high encomium piissod upon him by tha chairman. ,'He next dwelt upon the advantages of literature to a country, and said that time would not permit him to refer to matters of special interest to members of a Burns Club, but he hoped some time to address himself to the subject. • Someone here interjected, " Come to Dunedin and give us a speech," and Professor M'Kenzie replied that ho should be only too glad to do so off some convenient occasion.

The other toasts were Dr Stenhouse, the poet of the club; Mr A. J. Burns, a descendant of Scotland's national poet; Mr Barclay, the junior member for Dunedin; and the Chairman, Dr Gordon Macdonald, the last toast being proposed by I'rofessor M'Kenzie.