HALLOWE’EN GATHERING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 73

HALLOWE’EN GATHERING.

The Hallowe’en gathering in the Garrison Hall on the 30th was quite equal in dimensions to any that has preceded it —indeed, it was perhaps even larger than usual. The gallery was tilled to overflowing, and there was very little spare space downstairs. A capital programme had been provided, and consisted ot vocal and instrumental items and dancing. There was also the observance of old Scottish customs and ceremonies which kept the audience—already out for a bonnie night—in a high state ot merriment. These customs, as revived, included “ dookin’ for aiplcs,” “nceps,” “ kailrunts,” treacle baps, etc., and there was provided the spectacle of “ fortune epaein’ by a spaewife.” The chair was occupied by Mr John Loudon, president of the Dunedin Burns Club, who was supported by several old and valued leading members of the club. The gathering was organised by the Burns Club, a body that specially keeps alive the traditions of the Scottish people. The Dunedin Pipe Band is always to the fore on such occasions, and gives a whole-hearted support to any movement that is distinctly .Scottish in character, and it naturally opened the concert portion of the programme with selections of Scottish airs, which met with great favour. <,

Mr Loudon, in his opening remarks, raised a laugh by stating that he had to apologise for the weather. Last year they had had beautiful weather and a large audience, and on the present occasion ho was quite sure the Burns Club felt indebted to the very largo number that had attended the gathering. Ho had to apologise for the absence of the Mayor, who could not bo with them, and also for the absence of the president of the Caledonian Society, Mr Dugald M'Pher6on. In regard to Hallowe’en it was usual to say that Scotsmen all the world over had earned the reputation of being prosaic and matter-of-fact, but at Hallowe’en they throw prudence to the wind and enjoyed themselves. He wished to make a tew remarks as to the customs they hoped to revive that evening, and to say that they were reviving them, first, for the purpose of recalling to the memories of those people amongst them ■who might have taken part in them at Home, and, second, for the purpose of reminding people who, like himself, had been born under the Southern Cross of the oldtime customs. — (Applause.) Some might accuse Scotsmen of being prosaic, but he was sure there was no country in the world where the jioetry of imagination and love for antiquities was greater than in Scotland. It might be that this was accounted for by the poetry and literature of Scotland, because they knew that the whole of that poetry and literature spoke right to the heart of the |>eoplc, and reflected their domestic life. —(Applause.) That evening the gathering took the form, in addition to the concert program me, of a revival of ail customs —kailrunts, burnln’ nits, dookin’ for aiples, and certain other customs. As to the burnin’ of nits, that was quite romantic, and was not followed in Scotland, but in some parte of England, where it was called nut cracking night, and took the form of the Scottish festival almost in its entirety. Hiallowe’en was very like what had taken place in the early days of Otago, and was known as the harvest home. Coming back to the burnin’ of nuts, he would read how Burnt; described the keeping of Hallowe’en. This Mr Loudon read, and said the story was that if the two nuts burned to ashes together the parties concerned were going t-o have a very bright and happy courtship, but if one flew up the chimney all was over between the couple. With kailrunts the custom was that the pair went out blindfolded, and pulled a cabbage stalk, and conclusions were drawn according to the quantity of earth that adhered to the roots. It was extraordinary the effect these things had upon the minds of the young people, and that was good, because people who had no time for fairy tales had no time for anything else. Ho concluded by thanking those present for their attendance, and expressed the hope that all would enjoy themselves. The concert programme was then proceeded with, the Burns Club Choir, under the leadership of Mr J. Paterson, singing “The March of th© Cameron Men.” The choir also contributed “Now Tramp o’er •«» v-lt ’• Sr; . ... t uvoc A '■“« v ** w W <*io M‘Lean. Blundcn, and Ness. In the unavoidable absence of Mira Esquilant, Miss Helen Gard’ner sang “Jock o’ Hazeldean” and “ My Love is lake a Red, Red Rose,” and was recalled on both occasions, Mr W. H. M'Kenzie, who Is a familiar figure at Hallowe’en gatherings, contributed “ Th© Standard on the Braes o’ Mar” and “Gae Bring tae Me,” with his accustomed success, and had to make a return to th©

stage. The other singer was Mr A. Rawlinson, and his renderings of “ Scots \Vha Hae ” and “ Oam’ ye by Athol ” were as well received as anything else. The concert portion of the programme concluded with a Scotch reel, danced by the Misses Lemon and the Masters M'Kcnzie. The remainder of the programme consisted of the revival of the Scottish, customs and ceremonies before referred to, and a humorous trio, “0, Willie Brewed a Peck o’ Maut,” the vocalists being Messrs W. H. M'Kcnzie, J. Paterson, and A. Rawlinson. Miss E. Wright officiated at the piano, and at the conclusion of the entertainment, which terminated with the hearty singing of Auld Lang Syne,” a dance which lasted till midnight was held.