DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2199, 23 April 1896, Page 13

DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

Thera was a very large attendance at the monthly meeting of the Burns Club, held ia the Choral Hall on the 15th both the body of the hall and the gallery being crowded. - Mr J. R. Thornton, president, who occupied the chair, said he was the first young New Zealander who had been elected to the honourable position of president, and he hoped the honour would be extended to other young New Zealanders. The chief object of the club was to extend and widen a knowledge of the Scottish language and Scotch* literature. There wai no more expressive language, and, for himself, if ht got angry or excited it was what he always reverted to.— (Laughter.) After referring to the desirability of fostering and cherishing the language, he spoke of the hypocrisy that was met with both in religion and politics, and regretted that there was not another Burns to mow it down. As they knew, there, had been a serious accident at (he Brunner mine, and subscriptions had been raised. The question of subscribing had been remitted to the committee, but they considered that it should be dealt with by the members of the club. He moved, therefore, that the club instruct the committee to vote the sum of £5 5s to the relief fund in connection with the Brunner accident. (Applause.) This was seconded by Mr GiBSON aad carried unanimously. A concert programme followed, the choir, which shows distinct signs of improvement under the baton of Mr J. B. Fergusson, rendering "Old Edinboro' cries," "Scots wha hae," and "O' a' the airts" remarkably well. Mr W. J. Strong gave the song " Whusky " with on the whole capital effect. Mrs Wakeneld Holmes was brought back for her singing of "Fair fa' the gloamin'" { Ms Tyr.ee made a great hit with hia decldebr comla

rendition of " The new chum," and had to appear again; and the rein air dor of the performers— Misi and Master Marti nelli and Miss M. Menderson—were accorded applaure. During the evening Mr R. Sandilands gave an address on "Burns and Religion." The singing of "Auld lang syne" brought the concert to a close. Miss Fraser acted as accompanist to the singers.