WAIMATE BURNS NIGHT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23111, 27 January 1945, Page 3

WAIMATE BURNS NIGHT

Caledonian Society

Successful Fixture

The 186th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, was fittingly celebrated by the Waimate Caledonian Society. A Burns Night function was held in the Olympia Hall and proved successful. There was a large attendance of the

public, who were welcomed by Mr F. J. Henshaw, president of the society. An appropriate address was given and the programme of the evening included national dances and songs. The customary haggis was borne in with ceremony to the accompaniment of pipe music. The Waimate Highland Pipe Band played selections, and a feature was the Scottish National Anthem, played on fhe pipes. The principal address was given by the Rev. A. Marshall, of Oamaru. In entertaining style Mr Marshall dealt with the life of the famous national bard and spoke of his works. The address was much appreciated oy the audience. The traditional address to the haggis was delivered by Mr J. Borthwick. “The great puddin’ ” was solemnly borne in by Messrs D. Macdonald, A J. Hoskins, A. MacVean and T. H. Dunstan, its advent being heralded by the triumphant skirl of the pipes, the pipers being Pipe-Major A. R. Cooper and Piper Les Ramsay. The dainty was cut up and distributed. An enjoyable and varied programme was presented. The items were: Selection, Waimate Highland Pipe Band; song, Miss Jessie Buchanan; Highland Fling, the Ward sisters; song, Mr Andrew McLay; song, Mrs T. Rawcliffe; seann triubhais. Miss Marie Fraser; song, Mr J. Borthwick; song, Mrs G. Baker; sailor’s hornpipe. Miss Flora Roberts; song, Mr Neville Malthus. Farewell Afternoon Members of the Catholic Women’s League met in St. Patrick’s Hall recently to bid farewell to Mrs Gilligan. who. since the retirement of her husband, Sergeant W. P. Gilligan, will leave next week to reside in Christchurch.

The president. Mrs P. Convery, presented Mrs Gilligan with a shoulder spray of carnations. The speaker said that as well as paying a personal tribute she was expressing the regret of members at her departure. Mrs Gilligan had been a member of the League Council since the inauguration of the Waimate branch nearly two years ago, and had been a faithful supporter of the weekly activities. In conclusion Mrs Convery wished her every happiness in her new home. Items were contributed by Misses M. Shanks and R. Waigte and Master K. Convery. A novelty competition was won by Rosaleen Waigte and Mrs Dickson.