DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13394, 21 September 1905, Page 8

DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

The wsiml monthly meeting of members of tho Uurns Club was lieM in the Choral Hall last night. The. attendance, owing to counter Scotch attractions, was not so largo as usual. Mr 1!. Gilkison (president) presided, and apo'.og-ieed for tho shortness of tlio programuM. to b? submitted, as several of their musical! members were attracted (o the Jessio Mftclnchlan concert. Hβ said he had just vetoed from Alexandra, where lie had had the pleasure of attending a most enthusiastic meeting of tho local Scottish Sccioty, where about 15 members, including Heme ladies, took part in tho entertainment" in full Highland costume. If any of the members of tlio Dunedin Club could visit Alexandra ho could assure, them of a vary heiirly welcome; During tlio evening Mr W. Burnett gave a short but very intcEqsting biographical, rJtetch of tho Scottish poet, the Rev. ■J. Skinner, who, niter tho rising in 1745 to extinguish Presbyterianisni, was _ imprisoned for six.'months for reading n service.to more tban four people, the penalty for the second offenos being transportation to the. plantations and 1 - being there sold for a slave. Sirinnor's son slmred hig father's uupjisomr.ent, • end ■ aftMwaWta became a bishop. Thirty-five.years after, in tlie samo city of Aberdeen, he was presented with the freedom of (he city, Skinucr's description of Burns was read, and was described by Mr Burnett as the best and truest ever penned. It was also mentioned that Burns considered Skinner's ." Tulluohgorum" the finest song over written. This.was read by (ho chairman at the'close of the'address. Amendments to the club's .constitution were then considered, discussed, and agreed to. .Rule 2 was 'enlarged to permit assistance being givon to deserving Scotchmen, and giving scholarships to members and their children. Me 10 ma altered-,' reducing • the qualification for life membership from sgs to 3gs, and giving tho club power to elect as life members distin-guished-visitors, such :as the late-Hector MacdoiiaJd. Rule 11 was amended to provide for the. election.of an auditor at the annual meeting,.by members. During the evening part , ; songs 'were given-by the choir, under the direction; of Mr W. R. Don; a flute solo by. Mr H.- a/cornet eolo by Mr I)il (encored); n piano duet 1 by tho MiBSCfl Birehall • arid' Bain; apd 'a Tecifation by Mi W. 1 , . Wallace, Miss E. Wright was an «fff Cknt.RCOOTPWist CTfiDWg. '.