DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19256, 21 August 1924, Page 8

DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

MONTHLY GATHERING. The monthly gathering of the DunediA Burns Club, which was held in the Early Settlers’ Hall laM evening, was very largely attended. Mr Neil M'Donald, one of the vice-presidents of the club, occupied the chair, and apologised for the absence of Mr J. Wallace, the president, aid Mr W. Nicolson, vice-president. He offered hie congratulations 'to Mr Wallace on his re-election to the position of chairman of the Education. Board for /a, further term. The evening a programme,, ae usual, opened with a bagpipe selection b,y Piper Donald Mackay, and the choir, under the direction of Mr Bert RawHnson, sang the part song, “Hail, to the Chief,” and later contributed “Pibroch o D'onnil Dim.” Mr J. Ferguson sang “Standard on, the Braeai” Miss Elsie Bryant “Jock o’ HaaeVdean,” Mr Geo. Cnrtie “Ho, Jolly Jenkin,” Miss Edith Morrison “Cornin’ Thro* the Bye,” and Mr R. Waterson “Jcanie’s Black B’e.” The Misses Miller contributed as a vocal duet ‘Ye Banks and Braes,” and a pianoforte duet was played by Mies Maaie McDonald and Miss Alice Wilson. A recitation by Mr H. Russell was much appreciated, and Miss Ethel Hilliker’s recital of “Lochinvar” met with favour, the remaining item being a Highland dance by Master Jack JT’ox. Very few of the performers escaped a recall. About tbe middle of the evening. Miss M. ’ H. King, lady principal of the Girls’ High School,, gave a short address on "Sir Walter Scott.” She pointed out that Bums had presented the life of the Scottish peasantry and Scott had preserved far posterity the picturesque side of Scotland, It had been for Scott to immortalise chivalry and romance. Speaking of Scott’s energy and industry, she mentioned that he wrote 20 or 30 pages before breakfast, and had been known to produce GO pages. He came of a Borden family and was connected with the oldest and proudest houses of Scotland. At the age of 18 months he bad been stricken with an illness which left him with a life-long lameness that prevented him embarking upon a military career. Following his illness he was sent to his grandfather, and became familiar with the countryside. He afterwards went to Edinburgh, attendee, school, and in due time became a lawyer. He occupied his mornings before breakfast in literary work, and devoted attention to legends, ballads, and history. His first publication was “Border Minstrelsy,” and Ij o went on to write heroic tales. Miss King proceeded to refer to several of Sir Walter's books and' mentioned that when advanced in ago ho found himself with the enormous debt of £117,000. He had always lived lavishly. Of the sum owing he paid off £70,000, and the remainder was paid afterwards. Scott would live more by his novels than by hia poems. Miss King was loudly applauded at the .dos.' of her address On the conclusion of the concert programme a dance was held..