fitable account in this way, and it is a custom that, in my opinion, might be reverted to with great advantage. PROGRAMME OF THE FORTY-FOURTH SEASON, 1911-1912. 1911. October :-Committee Meeting, Thursday, 5th inst., 6.30 p.m.* Highland Dancing Practices, Thursdays, 19th and 26th, 7.30 p.m. First Ordinary Assembly of 44th Season, Portman Rooms, Baker 1912. January :-Committee Meeting and New Year's Supper, 4th inst., for Members only. Morning Dress. 44th Birthday Anniversary Festival, Connaught Rooms, Great Queen Street, Thursday, 25th inst. February :-Committee Meetings, Thursdays, 1st and 29th insts.* Second Ordinary Assembly, St. Valentine's Dance, Portman March :-Third Ordinary Assembly, Leap Year Dance, Portman Committee Meeting, Thursday, 28th inst.* April:-Whist Party, probably 11th inst. May-Committee Meeting, 2nd inst. Annual General Meeting, 23rd inst. (Place and date not fixed) (Audit.)* Members only. June-Annual Summer Festival, A Visit to Dickens's Country, via Tilbury, Port Victoria, and Rochester. Date to be fixed towards end of June. July 4th inst. Meeting of newly-elected Committee to fix programme 1912-13. September:-27th Annual Convention of Burns Federation, to be held at Carlisle, Saturday, September 7th, 1912. * All Committee Meetings held at the Royal Scottish Corporation, 7 Crane Court, Fleet Street, E.C. TAM O' SHANTER BURNS CLUB. ANNUAL REPORT-SESSION 1910-1911. At the Annual Meeting held in November it was reported that the Club was now in its 31st year, and was the third oldest club in Glasgow. The membership stands at R. K. MACKENZIE, 78. During the year the Club had five literary and musical evenings, while the Opening Supper and the Annual Dinner were very successful. The Club was represented on the Exhibition Executive by the Rev. James Forrest. No attention was paid by the Executive to the request by Burns Clubs generally for greater representation, and the treatment of Burnsians by the Executive was not considered satisfactory. Fraternal visits were exchanged with the Clarinda and other clubs. The Club assisted, by invitation, at the unveiling of a bust to Alexander Smith, the poet. SYLLABUS-1911-1912. Oct. 31. Tattie an' Herrin' Supper and Musical Evening. Jan. 25. Burns Anniversary Dinner. Feb. 27. D. Muir, Esq. (Glasgow Herald)-Paper. Musical Evening. ASSOCIATION OF BURNS CLUBS AND KINDRED SOCIETIES. The Annual Meeting was held in the Trades House Restaurant on 17th October, under the Presidency of Mr James Ballantine. The Annual Report stated that during the year four additional clubs had joined, making a total of 37, and that the membership now included every really efficient club in Glasgow and District. The outstanding event of the year was the meeting of the Federa tion in Glasgow. The Association had done their best in conjunction with the various clubs to make the meeting a success, and the various conveners deserve all credit for their services. Nothing could have been better than the conduct of the meeting by the President, Mr M'Naught, and the Secretary, Mr Amos. The meeting no doubt put new spirit into the Burns fraternity. An event of great importance to Burnsians was the opening of the Historical Exhibition. The members took steps to ensure that Burnsians would get their fair share of the credit of establishing the Chair of Scottish History by putting the facts fairly before the public as opportunity presented. The Association have been able to assist many clubs in filling up their syllabus, and it would be well to have an increased list of speakers. The annual celebrations in the district were very successful, a feature being the large number of clergymen who proposed the "Immortal Memory." The Glasgow and Paisley statues of the Poet were decorated as usual. The principal matter discussed during the year was the subject of school competitions. This was brought up at the previous Annual Meeting by Mr Alex. Pollock. On his suggestion a circular was sent to all the clubs in the district. Afterwards meetings were held in the National Burns Club, the Christian Institute, and the Religious Institution Rooms. A good deal of correspondence took place with the various School Boards. At first Glasgow and Govan were favourable, but afterwards decided to do nothing. Cathcart and Shettleston were unfavourable, Eastwood replied favourably, and Maryhill did not reply at all. Fortunately the Boards are not inclined to discourage teachers who are willing to take the trouble of getting up competitions, and many responses have been had from teachers. A considerable number of clubs have promised to take the matter up with greater energy during the coming winter. The Association have assisted a number of clubs during the year in connection with competitions, including Baillieston, Thornliebank, Glasgow Albany, Moorpark, Glasgow Mossgiel, etc. On the suggestion of the Association one or two clubs toɔk an anniversary collection for the Mauchline Memorial Homes, and it is hoped that most clubs will in the coming January make an effort to raise money for some worthy purpose connected with the cult. The Association was represented at the funeral of the last grandson of Burns, who died in July; also at the unveiling of a handsome memorial at Stewarton to the local relatives of Burns. Various efforts have been made in connection with the re-opening of the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, and it is noted with much satisfaction that a special Burns Section has been opened therein. It was agreed that the Burns Clubs should heartily agree to support the proposed Memorial to the Founders of the Federation. This report was unanimously agreed to. ALBANY BURNS CLUB. SECRETARY'S REPORT-1910-11. The work of the Club has been carried on during the year as formerly. There were eight meetings of Directors and six monthly meetings of Members held during the year. 150. According to the Rules the Membership is still at the fixed number, The opening address of the session was given by Past-President John A. Headrick, and papers were given by Dr Lobovius, John Russell, Esq., of the Sandyford Club; ex-President J. Wilson Bain, W. G. Hay, Esq., of London; and the Rev. David Dickie. The Anniversary Dinner of the Club was held as usual in the Grand Hotel, Charing Cross, on 25th January. The Rev. J. H. Dickie, M.A., New Kilpatrick, proposed the Immortal Memory." There were about 120 Members and friends present at one of the most successful meetings held under the auspices of this Club. Greeting Cards were exchanged with a great many clubs throughout Great Britain and the Colonies. The Yearly Singing and Reciting Competition from the Works of Burns by the children in Provanside Higher Grade School was held on 10th December, 1910. The prizes were won by the following:Silver Medals for Reciting, Rachael M'Clymont and James Drummond; Silver Medals for Singing, William Shaw and Annie Westmacott. There were also volumes given to the medallists and ten volumes as consolation prizes. The Members deeply regret the loss to the Club by death of Mr Peter Craik, a valued member and former office-bearer, and one having the interest of the Club at heart. Mr Craik had a great knowledge of the Literature of the country, and especially the Works of Burns, and was always willing to give his help in any matter connected with the Club. Club. During the year visits were interchanged with the Tam o' Shanter The Club was represented at the Burns Federation Meeting at Glasgow by Messrs R. D. Donaldson and T. M'Bride. The President, Mr James Raeside, and R. Carmichael, Secretary, were also present. The Representatives to the Glasgow and District Burns Clubs Association are the President and Secretary. The First Annual Outing of the Directors of the Club took place in September last to the Burns Country, when Mr Thomas Kennedy, a Past-President of the Club, acted as guide. The places visited were Mount Oliphant, The Banks of Doon, the Cottage, the Monument, etc. The estate of Doonholme was open to the party by its proprietor, Mr James Kennedy, who welcomed the Members and accompanied them through his beautiful gardens. Tea at the Dalblair Hotel in Ayr brought a pleasant day to a close. The papers given by Members and friends during the year have been of the usual high standard. The Club have to congratulate themselves on having secured Mr James Raeside as President for another term. 1911. SYLLABUS-1911-1912. Oct. 4. Opening Address-Ex-President J. Wilson Bain. Νον. 1. "The Kingdom o' Fife: its Quaint Characters and Queer Folk"-Rev. J. H. Dickie, M.A. Dec. 6. Olla-podrida, No. 2 ”—Ex-President T. Kennedy. Dec. 15. Singing and Reciting Competition-Provanside School, North Montrose Street, at 7.30 p.m. 1912. Jan. 10. Consolations of Tobacco "-Dr Wm. Cullen. Jan. 25. "Immortal Memory"-Rev. John Smith, D.D. Feb. 7. 66 'A Nicht wi' Burns "-John A. Walker, Esq. Some Burns Fictions "-Duncan M'Naught, Esq. (President Burns Federation.) ROBT. CARMICHAEL, Hon. Secretary. |