HALLOWEEN CONCERT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2955, 2 November 1910, Page 69

HALLOWEEN CONCERT.

The Halloween concert given under tb« auspices of the Dunedin Burns Club in tha Garrison Hall on October 31 passed offvenjl, successfully. It is almost unnecessary to to say that the attendance was large, and! that the programme of Scottish music motf with the greatest favlour. The President ©J the club (Mr D. Stevenson) was in tk4 chair, and was supported by Messrs Jlj Loudon, D. M'Pherson (chief of th« Gaelic Society), J. Bain, and M'Ewatf (city librarian). The Dunedin Pip* Band led off with bagpipe eeleeti©j»} which wore duly appreciated; and th< ohoir, which now comprises a largo bodV of singers, followed with the part song "Hail to the chief," which was very well rendered. The part song " The march ol uhe Cameron men," given later, was however, an equally good performance, principally through lack of male voices,' but, nevertheless, won a re-demand. Mrs Wakefield-Holmes sang " When the kye come- harne" so well as to elicit an encore, and subsequently gave "Cam ye by< Athol." Mrs Holmes also toiok part wifchr Mr W. H. Mackenzie in " Looh Lomond," arranged as a duet. Mrs Monkman* Dempster gave a very effective rendering of "Caller on," and was recalled, buff " Flowers of the forest" was not equally, well treated. The lady, with Miss James,' also sang as a duet " Within a mile." Mr W. IT. Mackenzie's contribution was " My love is like a red. red rcsc," which' h<* sang with considerable taste, and Mr G. W.; Johnstone, of Milton, favoured the audience with two songs of the vigorous type. Theso were a Border ballad and " Gao bring tae me." Dances were given by Misa E. Carter, and a reel party, and a appearance had to be made. Mr J. Pater<' son conducted the choir, and Miss E< Wrigiht played the accompaniments. The impromptu humorous speech com* petition attracted seven competitors, and! provided a good deal of fun.. Mr John Loudon, who acted as judge, explained that the conditions were that each compete tor would be allowed one minute to collect his thoughts, five minutes in which to deal with his subject, and one minute ia which to conclude. He proposed giving points for originality of matter, for clocu* tion, for delivery, and for humour. Thefiub< ject was " Are Scotchmen justified in hold-, ing the opinion that they lead the world?'* ajid every competitor answered in thd affirmative. Tho first to comrate was Mr

T. M. Haslett, who dealt with the prominence obtained by Scotchmen in science, music, and humour, his ideas being conreyed'in a jocular style. Mr 0. C. Mazenjfarb thought there was t>nly one class of bersons more justified to hold the opinion {hat Scotchmen led the world, and that waj Scotch women. The third competitor shifted uneasily from one foot to the other and expressed a wish that he had five minutes to think and one in which to apeak. He had looked at the dictionary, and found that humorous meant " to sweat and become moist," and he conveyed to the audience that he was very much that way. Speaking of the physique of Scotchmen, he got a little mixed in Christian aames, and referred to " Andrew" Dinnie. Number four started off by saying, m reference to the question submitted, "I Buppose if I go against that the whole audience will get up and walk out. We have Captain Scott going to the South Pole, and we don't need to put ' land' ati the end of his name, because he is going to get it when he gets down there." Speaking of the Scotchman, he said he is ilways looking for land. He wants the freebold Then he wants a sheep to shear, ind makes a kilt out of the fleece. Then he want* to grow oats for his oatmeal, and when he has got his porridge and his mutton you will never drive him cut ot the country." The three remaining competitors treated the question quite seriously, their remarks being entirely devoid of any attempt at humour. Mr Loudon awarded first prize to Mr Haslett, saying Mr Haeletfs matter had been original, his etocu* tion had been very good, and he had been fairly humorous. He placed Messrs u. tt. Waldie and L. Hunt equal for second prize. He gave Mr Haslett 105 marks, and Messrs Waldie and Hunt 103 marks each. The hearty singing of " A<hld lang syne brought the proceedings to a dose.