DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2454, 27 March 1901, Page 10

DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

The Dunedin Burns Club monthly meeting and annual concert took place on the 20th, an exceptionally large gathering being in attendance. Dr Gordon Macdonald presided. A plebiscite waa taken of those present, and it was decided to. take the Agricultural Hall next year for the concert; also to hold the annual meeting next Wednesday night, the same to take the form of a tea meeting — business to follow. The programme commenced with a very acceptable rendering of bagpipe music by Piper Meiklejohn, after which the Chairman's remarks on " Reminiscences of Scotland " were delivered, the audience following the speaker with evident interest. Mr John Thomson, was heard to advantage in the song entitled "Rowan tree," as also was Mr R. Telfer, who contributed " Afton Water." Miss M'Donald's number was " Loch Lomond," and the vocalist acquitted herself very creditably, a remark which also applies to Miss Weitzel, who rendered " Weariu' awa," and Miss M'^ee, the lastnamed singing " The old countree." Miss Churchill also contributed a song, which was well received by the audience. Recitations were given by Messrs James Muir (" Scotch Words") and R. Brown ; while Mr de Lautour did himself justice iv a violin solo entitled " Scotch airs. ' The Burns Chib choir rendered four part songs at intervals during the evening, and needless to say these were heartily enjoyed by all present. Mrs M'Donald took the place of Mrs Morrison, who was indisposed, and played Scotch reels and strathspeys on the piano. Several of the performers had to respond to encores. Aliss E. Wright played the accompaniments efficiently, and Mr W. R. Don acted as conductor.

The following are the principal clauses in the"' annual report, which \va3 circulated at the meeting: —

The club- continues to flourish. The nieinbership qnd attendance are exceedingly satisfactory ; the tone and character of the monthly concerts are all that could be desired. The " Scott night " this year fell upon an ordinary meeting date. It was nevertheless suitably celebrated.. The literary interests of the club have beer splendidly sustained. We have had much variety of topic, and great ability displayed by the various speakers. The choir and musical portion of the entertainment have exhibited a degree of excellence hitherto never excelled. To the speakers, the volunteer vocalists and instrumentalists, the choirmaster, pianiste> and the ladies and gentlemen composing the choir, the club are deepljr indebted. The anniversary was abandoned, owing to the lamented death of her Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. Her Majesty was a great favourite of the Scottish people, and spent much of her time midst the heather hills of Scotia. Sir Eofccrt Stout, the Chief Justice, came specially to Dunedin to deliver the annual panegyric to the memory of our beloved bard. The cjrciun^tances, however," prevented -what promised to have been a memorable, gathering. The club are" much indebted to Sir Robert, and we trust he may be induced to return on some future occasion. Tile ladie? and gentlemen engaged to .perform at the gathering and the Garrison Hall authoii!c=i gonerou'.iy raKcoliod their foo? — c o that •fcb,« club are tinder a debt oi gratitude t<j jill

these ladies and gentlemen. There was some small expense incurred for printing and advertising, but this the committee themselves and their friends defrayed without entrenching upon the funds of the club.

Tha Burns Hall question has been in abeyance this year, as we saw no prospect of financing the matter. According to the estimates prepared by Mr J. B. Thomson for a suitable hall in the centre of the city a sixm of about JESOOO is required. The income derived from this expenditure would about cover interest and current expenses, but the shareholders, bondholders, or money-lenders couid not be repaid for many years. Hence we deemed it advisable to bear the ills we have rather than fly to ills we know not of.

Our trooper, Boyd Thomson, has returned from the war. Ho had an attack of typhoid j fever, and fo waa invalided home. He reports j that the club's horse, Bonnie Jean, was sound and fit for work when he left her 'near Mafe- i king. Surgeon-captain Burns has also returned to recruit from the effects of expostire and hard work. We expect him to address us, but with indomitable spirit he has volunteered for [ further service, and is about to depart '< with the seventh contingent. Colonel Robin ] sent us a Christmas card, and wished to be } remembered to the club as 1 a body. Two more ! of our members (young men) left with the sixth contingent, so that the ekib are well and honourably represented at the seat of war, as becomes the loyal soas of Scotland, in the . struggle for King and country. j