SCOTTISH SOCIETY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19301, 30 September 1932, Page 3

SCOTTISH SOCIETY

BURNS COMPETITION. With the object of encouraging study of the works of Robert Burns, especially among members of the younger generation. The Timaru Scottish Society held a Burns competition last night for boys and girls under fifteen years of age. Promoted as a result of a suggestion from Mr James Craigie, who donated the prizes, the competition proved entirely successful, and the Society hopes to make it an annual function. The Scottish Hall was comfortably filled, and the audience repeatedly showed its appreciation of the efforts of the young performers. Chief A. M. Miller, who presided, extended a hearty welcome to the audience. Thirteen entries were received for the singing competition, and two for the recitation. Considerable talent was displayed by the competitors, who generally rendered their numbers with surprising confidence. Mr Craigie (recitations), and Mr Donald Parkin (singing) were the judges. The following were the successful competitors:— Singing—Colin Griffiths, “Ye Banks and Braes” 1; Rena Jacobs, “Coming thro’ the Rye” 2; Dorothy Neilson, “Ye Banks and Braes” 3. Recitation Kathleen Plever, “Ode to a Daisy” 1; Margaret Cowe, “Ode to a Mouse” 2. Mr Craigie expressed pleasure at being at the function. The Scottish language, he said, had a beauty and expressiveness of its own. and the young people should be encouraged to use it. One of the objects of the Scottish Society should be to teach the children the beauty of the works of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott, and thus perpetuate the wealth of the Scottish language. In contrast to the time when he had left the country as a boy, English was spoken to a large extent in the towns of Scotland, and it was necessary to travel into the back country to hear the real Scotch language. Mr Craigie deplored such a state of affairs, and he exhorted the Scottish people of Timaru to keep alive the mother tongue. By learning to understand the words and expressions, they would appreciate to a greater extent the literature of Scotland. He expressed a hope that further competitions would be held. The competitors that night, said Mr Craigie, had spoken good Scotch, which had pleased him greatly. Mr Parkin said that on the whole the competitors had given very good performances, and he had had some difficulty in making his selection. He then went on to comment at length on each competitor. Chief Miller thanked Mr Craigie for the interest he took in the Society. They would endeavour to live up to the traditions, of which Mr Craigie had spoken.

Hearty votes of thanks by acclamation were passed to the judges. During the evening, dances were given as follows: —Sean Triubhais, Nancy Spavin; Highland fling, K. Lamborn, M. McKay, S. Oliphant, and M. Donaldson. Messrs C. Necklen and Pelvin gave piano and violin items. Supper was served and an hour’s dancing followed.