DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2331, 3 November 1898, Page 45

DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

HALLOWEEN GATHERING. The annual Halloween gathering of the Dunedin Burns Club was held in the Choral Hall on Monday evening, when there was a largo attendance of members and friends. The President (Mr Gibson), who occupied the chair, in speaking of the festival of Halloween, said it was one of the most ancient and honoured customs of Scotland not to " hae passed yard stock " with all its attendant fun and doings were things well understood when he was a lad. The " dookin' for apples," the " bumin' nies,'' the three bowls, one with dirty, dirty water, one with clean, and one empty, over which everyone was anxious to try his or her matrimonial fate, the incantations to raise the "deil" by eating apples in front of the glass, the sowing of hemp seed, or the dipping of the left sleeve of the "Bark" in a burn where the lairds' lands met were all things of the past. The spread of intelligence had removed such beliefs, and these beliefs had disappeared with the fairies, who were supposed to be very busy at Halloween time. Although the club had not been able to provide a Halloween entertainment in the orthodox manner, the committee had done their best to give an entertainment by the best available talent, who would give some of Scotland's gems of song. He had telegraphed to the Coiomandel Burns Club, who had formed a kindred associations, as follows: " Coromandel noo may fidge fu fain she has gotten a Burns Club o1o 1 her am. Dunedin folk send a heartie greetin', a quid Halloween and happy meetin 1 ." .In reply he had received the message : — " Coromandel Club reciprocates hearty greeting, and hopes a' the chiels at Dunedin doon bye maun be fu blythe this nicht." The progiamme was then proceeded with, but before the first item was announced Mr J. B. Thomson appeared with a " kail stock " — '• a cannle in a custock," which he carried and^ placed on the stage. The part song " Robbie Burns " was then sung by the choir under the direction of Mr Francis, and was loudly applauded. Mr D. Hutlon followed with the " March of the Cameron nien, which was given with spirit, and, in response to the encore, gave " Annie Laurie," even more acceptably. Miss Rose Blaney gave an artistic rendering of " Flowers of the forest," which was exquisitely sung, and in response to the imperative encore sang " My heart is sair for somebody." Miss Flora Macdonald recited a piece in a manner that called forth loud plaudits, and a quartet by Miss Blaney, Miss K. Blaney, Messrs Eagar and Hutton received the recognition it deserved. Mr J. Flint entertained the audience with a capitally played violin solo, and the next to appear on the stage was Miss K. Blaney, who was waimly welcomed. This lady gave a very fine rendering of " The land of the leal," and it is seldom that this song has been sung with equal effect. In response to the imperative call the young lady sang a quaint Irish ballad, " Going to Kildare," which so won upon the audience that they would not rest content until she repeated the last verse. Two more part songs were given by the choir. Mr Eagar gave a spirited, rendering of " O for a bloom of my ,ow,i native heather," and the concert concluded with a quartet by the Misses Blaney, Messrs 1 "Eaaar and Hutton. and the singing of " Auld

lang syne." Mention must be made of tlitf pipe playing of Piper Hume iv the early part of the programme. , Mr M'Nee at the conclusion, in a verjf humorous speech, proposed a vote of thanks to the performers, and with the vote coupled the hope that all the single men and ■womenj he saw there might be married by next HaP loween. The hall -was then cleared, and a dance fol-i lowed, at which there was a large attendance* The catering was done by Mr Lean, and the* music supplied by Mr West's band, Pipetf Hume providing the music for the Highland dances.