MATAURA NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 22489, 25 January 1935, Page 3

MATAURA NEWS

MATAURA HIGHLAND SOCIETY.

(From Our Correspondent.)

The monthly meeting of the Mataura Highland Society was held on Wednesday evening when the “Bums Anniversary Celebrations” were held. Prior to the commencement of proceedings, the Mataura Kilties Band paraded and played stirring selections outside the hall, and when Chief A. N. Mac Gibbon, who was accompanied by Chieftain W. C. Paterson and Mr G. Gourlay, the lecturer of the evening, were piped into the hall, there was a moderate attendance of clansfolk to greet them.

The Chief formally welcomed clansfolk to the gathering in the hope that these celebrations would be as hearty and enjoyable as those of former vears. Subsequently an enjoyable nrof”"’’ T 'me of Scottish songs, principally those written by Burns himself, was given. Mr Gourlay said their celenrations were the 176th anniversary of their famous Bard’s birth. After tracing the poet’s parental history, the lecturer passed on to speak more directly of Robert Bums himself. It was worthy of note that he had proved a very apt and zealous pupil, and should his hearers have the good fortune to peruse some of his letters, it would prove how much he had profited thereby. Passing, he thought it necessary to mention that in those days the principal reading books were the Old and New Testaments. At the early age of 15, Robert Bums had to finish his schooldays and commence work on his father’s farm. Passing reference to his young manhood days served to introduce the main theme of the lecturer’s paper, which laid special stress on the value of so many of his works. Quoting freely from them, Mr Gourlay kept the interest of his audience, while he narrated many incidents from which Burns had received the inspiration to pen his lines. Mr Gourlay was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his lecture, and following several more acceptable vocal numbers, the “haggis” was piped in by Piper Richmond, and subsequently done full justice to by clansfolk. Kawera Picnic. The annual Kawera district picnic was held on Wednesday afternoon in the school grounds, when there was a fair attendance of district residents and visitors present. Under the capable supervision of a committee with Mr R. Pullar as chairman and secretary, an enjoyable programme of games and sports was indulged in.

Following are the results:— Girls under 6: Gladys Young 1, Heather Copland 2. Boys under 8: Bert Murdoch I, Rodger Pullar 2, Ray Haggart 3. Girls under 8: Pam Macale 1, Jean Murdoch 2, Coleen Herron 3. Boys under 10: J. Young 1, Ray Haggart 2, Rodger Pullar 3. Girls under 10: Joyce McDougall 1, Hazel Dripps 2, Maureen Huron 3. Boys under 12: J. Bourke 1, D. Herron 2, G. Haggart 3. Girls, 10-14: Evelyn Goodwin 1, Mary Allan 2, R. McGibbon 3. Boys Three-legged Race: Herron Bros. 1, Bruce Grurson and Bert Murdoch 2. Boys, 12-14: J. Herron 1, J. Clark 2, W. Howden 3. Wheelbarrow Race: Haggart and Greirson 1, Young Bros. 2. Young Ladies’ Race (under 18): Jean and Agnes McDonald (equal) 1, Eileen O’Hagan 3. Young Ladies’ Race (over 18): Doris Quertier 1, Winnie Copland 2, N. Tait 3. Young Men’s Race: First heat: K. King 1, T. O’Hagan 2, R. King 3. Second heat: T. Milne 1, R. McDonald 2, G. Dodds 3. Final: R. McDonald 1, Gordon Dodds 2, K. King 3. Double-harness Race: First heat: J. Smith and Miss A. Elliott 1, Gordon Dodds and Jean Copland 2. Second heat: Bire and Miss Quertier 1, R, Smith and Miss W. Copland 2. Final: J. Smith and Miss A. Elliott 1, G. Dodds and Miss J. Copland 2. High Jump: R. and K. King (equal) 1, T. O’Hagan 3. Men’s Sheep Guessing (82Jib.): L. Currie and James Brown (equal) 1. Ladies’ Sheep Guessing: Mrs Quertier and Mrs T. Herron (equal) 1. Married Ladies’ Race: Mrs E. Hewlitt 1, Mrs Macale and Mrs Murdoch (equal) 2, Mrs Dodds 3.