BURNS CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17084, 16 August 1917, Page 2

BURNS CLUB

SIB. WALTER SCOTT NlGasflt. Hie Art Gallery Hall waa crowded last evening on tho occasion of tho monthly meeting of tho Duoedin Burns Club. A very fine, programme of masiool and vocal items and recitations was contributed, and two interesting addresses were delivered. The Chairman, in his opening remarks, made his customary reference to tho progress of tho war. Continuing, he stated that the club was that night celebrating tho anniversary of tho birth, of Sir Walter Soott, who was torn on Augtrat 15, 1771. From time to time ho mentioned to members what was being don© by the local committee in tho way of raising money for the relief of the poor people m tho Highlands and Islands during the war, and it would interest them to know that £2500 had been sent home, and also that tho committee had £700 in hand, making a total of £3200. They were out to raise another thousand for this oauee, and had obtained permission from tho Minister of Internal Affairs to hold an art union. At -the last meeting a collection had been taken up in aid of Midlothian, Edinburgh, and Leith Soldiers' and Sailors' Help Society, £14- le being the result, and this had been since increased to £16 3s 6d.—(Applause.) The Rev. W. Trotter, in some remarks respecting Sir Walter Soott, said ho was glad to find that the club did not'confine its attention to_ Burns, but that it also gave some attention to Wallace and Bruce and Sir Walter Scott. Tho first two were men of action; Burns and Scott were men of letters. Referring more particularly to Sir Walter Soott, the speaker said that in these days of war we needed still more of the spirit of patriotism which characterised this great writer. Sir Walter Scott had immortalised Soottish scenery and had taught us the value of traditions and to esteem men for what they were. He had also taught us in the broadest and grandest sense the meaning of oourage, honour, and chivalry in men, and gentleness, fidelity, and simplicity in women. Scott was a true Tory. There was nothing selfish or ignoblo in his Toryism. The speaker was proud and thankful that it was our privilege to remember and honour him, and trusted that wo might ever be worthy of tho traditions he had left. —(Loud applause.) Tho following contributed to the programme : —Pipe-major Grant and Piper Walker (bagpipe selection), the choir (paxt songs), Miss Elsie M'Doug-all (song), Miss Hardy (monologue), Miss Todd (violin solo), and Messrs Armdtage, Melville, Fleck, and Paterson (quartet), Mr John Johiiston (song), Mrs A. G. Green (song), members Maori Hill Band (instrumental quartet), and Mr George Elvidge (song). The proceedings closed with the National Anthem and " Auld Lang Syne."