BURNS' ANNIVERSARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3535, 27 January 1886, Page 7

BURNS' ANNIVERSARY.

The first public commemoration m TimiU'u of tlio anniversary of tbcbirthof Robert Burns, " Scotland's Poet," took place at the railway rerresluno.it rooms on Jan. 25th. About sixty gentlemen sat clown to a first-class dinner, provided by Mr D. Mc&uinness. The walls of tho room were very tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens, wliilo on tho table, besides eatables and drinkables of the very best description, were several po!s containing real and genuine specimens of tho " touch-vie-not" — tho Scotch thistle—procured from a gentleman who guaranteed their nationality. Mr James Bruce occupied the chair, and Mr VV. Davidson the vice-choir. Immediately- behind tho former wa3 hung Caledonia's flag, while tho Vice had as a background— wo do not mean ho was supported by it — the Union Jack. The Garrison Band were m altondance during the enrly part of tho evening and played a selection of Scottish airs, adding greatly to the pleasure of nil present, among whom we should not forget to mention were many who came from far south of tho Tweed. In opening tho proceedings— that is after the choices viands, etc., had been well discussed—the Chairman expressed the pleasure ho fell at seeing so uiuny present to do honor to Hums' memory. What he (tho speaker) regretted most was that he was not able m words to do justice to tho poet's merits, lie felt assured, however, all present had come with the intention of doing so. It was hardly necessary for him to say that Burns was a universal favorite, and no one, never mind what his country might be, had a .right to say anything agaiust him. If wo had lived when Burus did, tho probability was wo should have been no better than ho was— possibly a little worse. His virtues far moro than equalled his frailties. The speaker quoted " A Han's a Man for a' that," to show the mind of Burns, whom he added was ono of Nature's prophets. No such man lnd rvcv lived before and he did not think would come again. 110 hoped this would be but the first anniversary m Timaru of many similar gatherings m honor of Burns, and that it would be faithfully kept up. Ho concluded by proposing " The health of Her Majesty "the Queen and Royal Family," which was loyally drunk, the. Hand playing " God Save the Queen." Songs by Mr It. Mackay and Mr Gilcbrist. Mr W. Davidson (the Vice-Chairman), m a speech which wus most attentively listened to dwelt on the many high traits m .Burns' character. It was true he had his faults, but who had not ? lie believed that ho had been a great factor m forming the character of his countrymen. If folk had the Bible, good burgoo and Burns they could stand a lot of whisker. Ho briefly skclc-hed his life and that of his parents. Jfo denied that he had not been properly treated by his countrymen- it was the other way about. If is meiits had been fully recognised then as now. His songs had appealed to tho feelings of members of ovcry nationality. It was only by accident ho was born a Scotchman. Ho believed next to Shakespeare Burns would go down to posterity, lie concluded by proposing." The Memory of Burns," which was drunk m silence. Song : Mr McUab. Recitation : Mr li. Mc-ICiiy. Mr R. Hart proposed " Kindred Meetings," remarking that they were being held all over the world. Songs by Mr E. Q-. Kerr and Mr Bower. Mr F. Gaitt replied to the tenet of the evening. Mr Bower proposed " The Scot Abroad." Song: Mr Anderson. Mr D. M. Ross proposed " Tho Volunteers," coupled with tho namo of Hv W. Gunn, who made a capital reply. Songs by Mr McNab, Mr W, Davidson, and Mr Gunn followed. Mr Mucphei'son proposed tho health of

" The Lassies," not only Scotch, but a' roun' — coupled with the name of Mr Bonor. Messrs Warrington, Douglas and Cuthbert contributed songs, Sir Gaitt a recitation, Mr McNab a violin solo, and Mr Gilchrist and Mr Hattou songs. The " Press " was duly toasted, and responded to. j After Messrs Gurr, Davidson, Thomson, Forgan, Bower, and Fildes had further contributed to theev" ' .■'■ enjoyment by Bongsand readings, the proceedings were brought to a termination by the company singing " Auld Lang Syno " m " the wee sma' hour ayont the ; twal.' " Knox Church, Waimate. — The Sunday scholars attending the Sunday school m connection with this church were entertained by . tho managers and teachers with a picnic m. tho manse paddock, on New Year's Day. There wa9 a full attendance, and a largo number of mombera of tho congregation were also present. The Rev. J. and Mrs McEce were active m their efforts to mate the picnic successful. The weather was all that could , bo desired, and all were highly pleased with the outing. Hor Weathbb. — January 6th, we think all our rcadera will admit, was the hottest day wo have had this summer. Wo are not aware what tho reading of the thermometer was m Timaru. In Temuka, however, we had an opportunity of reading it. We were : assured by a gentleman well-known there that the reading at 11.30 a.m. was 155 i, th« thermometer having been placed m a tussock m tho full glnro of tlio gun. In the shade tbo reading varied by different instruments from 100 to 110. This is cortainly tropical, and . wo are sure all will ngreo with us that very few bucli days arc wanted hore. Los 3of Trout. — We are sorry to learn that owing to the long-continued drought there has been a. considerable loss of trout m some of the rivers both north and south. It ■ scorns to have been most marked m the Orari, . the bed of which is dry for miles and mileß, and is daily becoming moro so. In some of tho osbaustcd pools the fish, great and small, may bo seen lying rotting, while others are so crowded that it is only a matter of a very short time, if rain does not come, when all will perish. Tho Orari and some of the other streams havo never been bo low for twentytwo yoara past. Sudden Death at OitAni. — News reached Gernkliuc on January 15th that Mrs Wadsworlh, the wife of Mr Thomas Wadsworth, of Oravi, had died very suddenly. She was going about her ordinary household duties, when she was seized with a fainting.fit. She recovered, but m a short time Bho had another, and her friends thought ehe was about to be seized with a third, when bub expired. A doctor was sent for, and upon hia arrival he found that the was dead. A post mortem examination was held yesterday . morning, and the inquest was to take place - sonic time during tho afternoon. We learn that Mrs Wadsworlh's sudden decease has east quite a gloom over the people liviDg at the Orari, where Bho was held m great esteem. Sunday School Tkeat at Kakahij. — Tho annual picnic of the Kakahu Sunday School was held at the Kaktihu Bush this year, the site being a good one. A considerable number wer e present, and the afternoon being fine, tlie children and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A number of games were indulged m, the prizes being well contested for. Tea was served around during the afternoon, and special prizes were distributed amongst the children according to merit. A number of prizes had been given by Mr Woite for recitation. Mr Hughes distributed the prizes. Cheers were given for the Superin- . tendent (ilis Woodley) who had been connected with the school for a number of years, also to tho teachers Misses Rooke and Tiudall. A vote of thanks wero given to tho ladies who had sparod no pains to make the aunual treat such a success. A start for homo was made between seven and eight o'clock. St. Patrick's College.— Dr Watters Eoctor of the above College, arrived from Ashburton by tho mid-day Express on January Ist, and was met at the railway station by tlie Hey. Fathers Foley and O'Hallahan, Messrs Kctt, O'Driscoll, Harney, and Duval. Two carriages woro m waiting i : and drovo the party to tho Presbytery, where, a'ter the usual greetings^ Mr J. D. Kett read the following address, beautifully illuminated by Mr M. de H. Duval, and which, as Dr Watters remarked, "was a real piece of art : — " To the Very Boverend Felix J. Watters, 5.M..D.D., Brctor of St. Patrick's Collego, Wellington. Very Eoverend and Dear Sir. — We, the representatives of tho Catholic people of Timaru, beg to present you with our heartiest felicitations, on this your first visit amongst us. Wo are deeply indebted to the wisdom and zeal of our venerable J3ishop m having secured the services of such nblo .Professors for St. Patrick's College. Under vonr direction we feol confident the students of St. Patrick's shall distinguish themselves m scientific • knowledge, as tho alumni of tho Catholic University School, Dublin, where you have hold tho post of Professor of Classics, for upwards of twelve years, have done, with such marked success. Your pupils have won tho highest honors at tho public examinations, one of them being a gold medalist m 1884. We congratulate the Cutholic parents of New Zealand for having such competent teachers under your distinguished presidency, to whom they may entrust tho education of their sons. Tho future of this young colony deponds upon the wisdom of her rulers, who shall be selected chielly from tho young men wlio are now trained m our colleges. It is therefore of tho greatest importanco that they should bo instructed, not only m secular science, but that their heart and will ■ also bo formed to tho love of justice and truth. I'his is what we expect from the boys trained m St. Patrick's collego, having their mind stored with every necessary \l3eful, secular and scientific knowledge, their heart and will moulded upon the law of God, tboy will becoii;C good citizens, true patriots, ready to sncrilieo themselves at tho call of duty for the advancement of their country. Accept cur beet wishes, and allow us the honor of signing ourselves on behalf of tho Catholics of Xiniaru. (Signed) youra respectrully, W. Gosling, J. D. Kkxt, Thomas ■ O'Diuscoll, Thomas Uarkbs, M. de 11. Duval." To this address tho Very Roy. Dr Walters replied as follows : — ■ " Gentlemen : Tho address so generous m sentiment and so uvtietic m form with which you greet my first visit to Timaru is of a kind to intimidate one more accustomed than lam ■ to such Mattering expressions of welcome But I know that m me you regard less tho individual thtm the causo I feebly represent. Reason, sufficient to justify me m hoping that you will not expect m re3prmse to your sympathetic and beautiful address the studied periods of a stereotyped reply, tho moro so us it was hut a moment ago I received the in(inv.xtion that it was your spontaneous wish to accord me iv my capacity of firit rector of St. Patrick's College a warm and lioarty woleonic. The too fluttering terms m which your address is couched I accept with tho qualification that they are less due to tho desserts of the present than lo the far-reaching results you not unreasonably anticipate m tho future. Whatever successes attended my feeble efforts m the Old Land, lam bound to • s.iy, arc traceable to tlie ablo, willing and energetic colleagues who were associated with me m tho great work of education. May wo not hope, as m your address you foreshadow, that to our labors m this young and vigorous colony, may yet bo owing brilliant successes m every pphewt to which tbo youth who shall have passed through our hands may bo called ? When I look around me m tlie first moment of my arrival, and see m church and convent, and schools, what overwhelming proofs you have given of your determination that the education of your children shall walk hand m hand witV religion, I am fairly jvwtiGod ia the forecast tha 1 , thefo children shall not be unworthy of their sires, aud that for thoso who como ' after n great futuro ii m store. To jny brother priests who have lent lo this welcome the graco of their presence, my thanks aro heartily accorded ; to you gentlemen who havo had tho. exceeding kindness thus to meet inc. I desire to express my dotip scneo of indebtedness. Permit me then to put on record my feelings of gratitude that the cause I represent awakens such generous throbsiu the people of Timaru." ■ We may explain that the object of Dr Wallera* visit is to examine the boys tit. the Catholic school who nro competing' for tho Echolurehips available at St, Patrick's College iv WeUiugton,