Mr Cowie, in a most interesting speech, gave an account of the worthy doctor and his association with the Poet's wife and family. A quiet haven of rest has been found for several aged women in the Burns House, and its museum has been increased by the addition of interesting relics.

66

To-day there will be brought before us a report on the proposed removal of Highland Mary's Monument in Greenock West Churchyard, owing to the need of shipyard extension. It is hardly necessary to say that this proposal has created great excitement in the Burns world, and that not only in Greenock but throughout the West of Scotland the removal of the honoured dust of Burns's heroine from its resting-place will be looked on as an act of desecration. Already the cry, Hands off Highland Mary's grave! has been heard from many Burns Clubs. In this matter there are two points

6

of view--the utilitarian, with its cry of need of extension in time of national stress, as well as the so-called sentimental cry of the Burns worshipper, and I have no doubt that both sides of the question will be placed before you to-day."

The report was unanimously adopted.

TREASURER'S REPORT.

Mr Innes submitted an abstract of the financial statement, showing that the balance on hand was £227 Os ld, as compared with £266 last year, the decrease being accounted for by the loss on the Chronicle and the expenses in connection with the Gribbel album.

Mr J. Jeffrey Hunter moved the following resolution :

:

"That_this_meeting of the Burns Federation offers heartiest congratulations to President M'Naught on the celebration of his golden wedding and on his completing 50 years of successful work as a parochial schoolmaster and 25 years' arduous, admirable, and gratuitous labour as Editor of the Burns Chronicle ; that the warmest gratitude of the meeting be expressed to the President for his past services, together with wishes for his continued health and happiness; and that it be remitted to the Executive Committee of the Federation (with the exception of the President) to consider the propriety of suitably commemorating this auspicious year of his life; further, that the said committee be forth with called together with full power to carry to a successful issue any resolution adopted by them."

Mr Andrew M'Callum seconded the resolution, which was carried with unanimity and acclamation.

"BURNS CHRONICLE."

The President reported a slight loss on last year's publication. For the ensuing number he had more than sufficient material, and would make a judicious selection, paying special attention to current topics.

On the motion of Mr Hugh M'Coll, the usual donation of £25 was voted to the President for payment of contributors to the Chronicle.

SCHOOL COMPETITIONS.

Mr Alex. Pollock announced that he had received reports of School Competitions from Albany, Bridgeton, Shettleston, and Portobello Burns Clubs. The reports were of a very satisfactory character, and would be sent to the Editor of the Chronicle. Mr M'Burnie, Dumfries, and Mr Walker, Stane Mossgiel, also reported on very successful competitions which had been held during the past year under the auspices of their respective Burns Clubs.

BURNS'S WORKS FOR THE BLIND.

Mr Pollock reported that the Moon as well as the Braille editions for the blind were now absolutely completed, and that two sets of the Braille edition, and full sets of the Moon edition had been sent to all the Blind Associations in Scotland, the teaching societies for the blind, and also to the hospitals in all parts of the United Kingdom where heroes blinded through the war were residing. He acknowledged the liberality of the late Sir James Caird which made this excellent work possible, and he thanked Mr J. C. Ewing, Mr Stone, headmaster of Craigmillar School, and Mr Henry Stainsby, Secretary of the National Institute for the Blind, London, for their disinterested labours in carrying out the work to a successful issue. The President moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Pollock for his report, and his invaluable work in connection with this committee of the Rosebery and Carlton Clubs.

HIGHLAND MARY'S GRAVE.

In introducing the subject the President said the question had arisen from an article which had appeared in the Glasgow Herald early in May. This article announced that Messrs Caird & Co. required an extension of their shipbuilding yard, and the proposed extension necessitated the removal of the Old West Church and Churchyard, which meant the removal of the grave and memorial shrine of Highland Mary. From enquiries he was under the impression that when the Memorial was raised by public subscription in 1842 it was handed over to the Trustees of the West Kirk, and actually became their property. He considered the Federation could not make any move in this matter unless the impetus proceeded first of all from Greenock. He understood the firm in question had approached the Burns Clubs of Greenock and made two offers, either to allow the tomb to remain and have it surrounded by a wall, or to remove it to any place the Burns Clubs wished it to be placed. If the shipyard extension was imperatively necessary to defeat the Germans he was willing to allow his sentimentality to go, but if it was merely a matter of a private firm needing extension, then it was a totally different question.

Bailie M'Callum, representing Greenock Burns Club, said he knew nothing at all about the stories which had been circulated about the removal of the Memorial. At a meeting of his Club, called to appoint delegates for this conference, the minute read as follows:- "After a free discussion as to the question of the removal of the Highland Mary Memorial and Highland Mary's Grave in the Old West Kirkyard which appears in the agenda of the meeting, the representatives were authorised to report that up to the present time there had been no proposal to remove the Highland Mary Memorial or her ashes."

Mr R. Brown, acting president of St. John's Burns Club, Greenock, homologated what had been said by Bailie M'Callum. His Club and the Greenock Club had an assurance that Messrs Caird & Co., or their representatives, were quite willing to entertain any proposal which would safeguard the remains and tomb of Highland Mary, and preserve them to the nation.

Bailie M'Callum added that with such an assurance they understood their duty was at an end, as they had no right whatever to interfere as far as the graveyard was concerned.

The President said that, besides the question of Highland Mary's grave, there was the question of how the lairholders would regard the proposal, as they certainly had a locus standi.

Mr Pollock thought it absurd if Highland Mary's grave alone was to be preserved. He hoped they were better Burnsians and better patriots than to imagine that any grave, however humble, was not sacred.

After a discussion, in which the President, Bailie M'Callum, Mr Wm. Gallacher, Greenock, and Mr M'Gavin, Greenock, took part, the President said the best course was to appoint a committee to act along with the Greenock representatives to watch the evolution of matters. The shipbuilding firm could not proceed without a provisional order or Act of Parliament.

A Watching Committee, consisting of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, Mr Jeffrey Hunter, Mr H. M'Coll, Mr Robt. Wilson, Mr Alex. Pollock and Mr Joseph Martin, was then appointed.

ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS.

Colonel Alex. Gibb, R.E., Rosyth, was appointed an Honorary Vice-President on the motion of Mr P. Paterson, Dunfermline, and Captain Wm. Douglas, Glasgow, was elected a Vice-President. Mr P. N. M'Farlane, London, was elected London's representative in place of Mr Jas. Thomson, who had resigned. The other Officebearers were re-elected.

The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

SOCIAL MEETING.

The Delegates afterwards partook of tea in the Royal Hotel. 'Captain Douglas, President of the Glasgow Burns Clubs Association, occupied the chair. After tea, an enjoyable hour was spent in song and sentiment.

THOMAS AMOS, Hon. Secy.

List of Clubs which have Subscribed for the Publishing Fund from 20th December, 1916, to 22nd December, 1917.

Airdrie

Alexandria

Baillieston Caledonia

Bannockburn Empire

Birmingham

Blackburn-on-Almond
Blairadam Shanter

Kilmarnock Jolly Beggars 0 10

(arrears)... 0 10

...

...

...

0 10 6.

0 10

0 10

6

6.

0 10 6.

Hamilton

...

Hawick

...

Hull...

Helensburgh

Jedburgh

Kilmarnock

...

Kinnaird, Falkirk ...

London Robert Burns Club 0 10

...

6

(arreais) 0 10

6

0 10

6

...

0 10 6

...

...

...

...

Portobello

...

0 10 6

0 10 6

0 10 6.

10 6

0 10 6

0 10 6

0 10 6

0 10 6

0 10 6

(arrears).

Prestonpans

Row...

0 10 6

0 10 6

0 10 6

0 10 6.

0 10 6

0 10 6

6

...

0 10 6

6

...

Alphabetical List of Federated Clubs.