MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BURNS FEDERATION. CENTRAL HALL, BATH STREET, GLASGOW, 6th September, 1919. THE Annual Conference of the Burns Federation was held here to-day. Mr D. M'Naught, J.P., presided, and along with him on the platform were: Messrs H. M'Coll, J. Jeffrey Hunter, Andrew M'Callum, Alex. Pollock, Thos. Killin, ex-Provost Wilson, Alex. M'Kenzie, Joseph Martin, J.P., Captain Douglas, J. Carmichael, and C. R. Cowie, Glasgow; ex-Bailie Munro, J.P., Major Yuille, Major Innes, M.B.E., and T. Amos, Kilmarnock; P. N. M'Farlane, London; W. H. Turner, Sunderland; and P. Paterson, Dunfermline. The following Delegates were also present : : No. 3, Glasgow Tam o' Shanter-J. F. Anderson, W. Renfrew, J. M. Gillies. No. 9, Glasgow Royalty-G. F. Howarth. No. 14, Dundee-Geo. S. Middleton, Jas. Ogilvie. No. 21, Greenock-J. B. Morrison, A. M'Phail, Grierson Macara. No. 22, EdinburghGeorge Williamson, J.P. No. 36, Glasgow Rosebery-J. D. Sloan, T. C. F. Brotchie, A. G. Andrew, W. Craig. No. 50, StirlingRidley Sandeman. No. 53, Govan Fairfield-T. Fullarton, Jas. Watson, J. M'Lachlan. No. 57, Thornliebank-T. Haddow, H. Halliday, T. Arbuckle. No. 63, Glasgow Mossgiel-W. Murray, J. M. Blair, Robt. Parker. No. 67, Glasgow Carlton-W. Gardiner. No. 85, Dunfermline United-Robt. Dunlop, Wm. Black. No. 91, Shettleston-Jas. S. Wilson, Robt. Milholm. No. 92, Kilbowie Jolly Beggars-D. Clark, John Deans, W. Crum. No. 97, Kilmarnock Bellfield-Wm. Flannagan. No. 118 Glasgow Albany-R. D. Donaldson, Robt. Carmichael. No. 121, Hamilton Junior-John M'Millan, Robt. Brown, Wm. Wilson. No. 128, Cowdenbeath Glencairn T. Harrower, T. Wilson, W. Archibald. No. 133, Newarthill T. Law, G. Horn. No. 135, Partick Western-Allan Stark. No. 139, Glasgow National-John G. Galpine. No. 148, Greenock Cronies-G. Cameron, A. M'Gavin. No. 153, Scottish-A. Campbell. No. 159, Walker-on-Tyne-John M'Kay. No. 169, Glasgow and District-J. Tudhope. No. 175, Meikle Earnock-Jas. Shepherd, A. Laird, R. Lees. No. 181, Glasgow Primrose-G. J. M'Callum, Jas. Lamb. No. 182, Stane Mossgiel Jas. Whitefield, Alex. Walker. No. 184, Blairadam Shanter-George Burden. No. 189, Clydebank Barns o' Clyde-A. Homewood, Jas. Kean, J. Hutcheon. No. 192, Ayrshire Association--Wm. Lennox. No. 199, Newbattle and District-J. Haldane, D. Richardson, P. Gray. No. 202, Govan Ye Cronies-M. Stirling, J. Hutchison, J. Rellie, I. Chalmers, E. J. Tait, J. M'Kinnon. No. 203, Dennistoun Jolly Beggars A. Hainey, T. Millar, G. Thomas. Wingate-D. Beck, A. Dunn, W. Stewart. Empire--G. Forsyth, D. Forsyth, No. 207, Cambuslang No. 218, Bannockburn No. 223, Glasgow Auld Clinkum -Jas. Muir. No. 226, Dumfries-John M'Burnie. No. 234, Glasgow Southern Merchants-W. Patrick. No. 243, Paisley St. James J. Stewart, W. Alexander, J. M'Kechnie. No. 244, Dalmuir -J. Holmes, Wm. Boyle. No. 245, Kinnaird-Jas. Turnbull, Jas. Wallace, A. Reid. No. 246, Lochore and Rosewell ShanterT. Wilson, Alex. Ross. No. 250, Cowdenbeath Tam o' Shanter -J. Black, J. Duff. No. 251, Glencraig R. Glencross, T. Ferguson. No. 258, Buck's Head Armadale-J. Mack, J. Stevenson, W. M'Alpine. No. 259, Bonnyrigg-Jas. B. Howden, D. Blyth. No. 260, Tarbrax-John M'Kee. The Secretary read the Minutes of the previous Annual Conference and also his Annual Report, both of which were approved. The Treasurer submitted his Annual Statement, which showed a balance at the credit of the Federation of £183 19s 9d. The Editor reported that he had made arrangements for another issue of the Chronicle. On the motion of Mr M'Coll, the Editor was thanked for his services, and the sum of £25 for payment of contributions to the Chronicle was voted by the meeting. Mr Alex. Pollock reported a decrease in the number of School Competitions during the war, but hoped there would be a renewal of interest in this work during the next year or two. Mr Chas. R. Cowie gave an interesting account of the inauguration of Dr Mackenzie's House at Mauchline as homes for deserving old ladies. He also mentioned that, through the help of Partick Burns Club, a marble tablet in memory of Gavin Hamilton had been erected in Mauchline Churchyard. The President detailed the efforts made by the Executive of the Federation to secure the preservation of the West Kirk and Kirkyard of Greenock and Highland Mary's Grave and Monument. He placed before the meeting the three options concerning Highland Mary's grave, which had been offered by the promoters of the Provisional Order, at the instruction of Messrs Harland & Wolff:1st-To remove the remains of Highland Mary and monument to such a place of sepulture as might be selected by the Executive of the Federation; 2nd-To leave the remains interred as at present, and to reverse the existing monument so as to face the street ; 3rd-To remove the existing monument, and to place and maintain a mural tablet in lieu thereof, the remains not being disturbed." Ex-Provost R. Wilson moved that it be left to the Executive of the Federation, in conjunction with the representatives of Greenock Burns Club, with full powers, to determine which of the three options they should accept. Mr Alex. Pollock moved the following motion: That this meeting of the Burns Federation, as Burnsians and as Scotsmen, tender their heartiest thanks to Mr R. L. Scott, Mr J. B. Morison, Mr T. B. Rowan, Mr Grierson Macara, and other members of the Greenock Burns Club for their noble and patriotic opposition to the proposal to sell and remove the ancient Greenock West Church and churchyard; and that all present hereby pledge themselves to do all in their power to oppose the passing into law of the Greenock Improvement Provisional Order, 1919, so far as that Order threatens the preservation of this church and churchyard, and so prevent an indelible disgrace being inflicted upon the name and fame of Scotland and Scotsmen. And this meeting further appeals to all Scottish Societies to aid in this opposition, and so maintain the sacredness of all burial grounds in Scotland, and the permanent validity of the title deeds of all lairholders, whether poor or rich. Mr Alexander Williamson, J.P., Edinburgh, seconded the motion. Mr Pollock urged the Delegates to write to their Members of Parliament and protest against the proposed desecration. Mr Grierson Macara, Greenock, said there was no immediate need to hurry in accepting the options which had been mentioned, and he suggested that, as many of the Executive Committee did not know the surroundings of the grave, they should visit Greenock before coming to a decision. He thought they should leave the matter in the hands of the Executive, with powers to co-opt some members of the Greenock Burns Club or some of the petitioners against the Order. After some discussion, and the withdrawal of Mr Pollock's motion, it was agreed to remit the whole matter to the Executive, along with representatives from each of the federated Greenock Burns Clubs. The Committee was to be called together should there be need to take immediate action. On the motion of Mr M'Coll, it was agreed to admit Ayr Burns Club to the Federation, on condition that they take the number vacant when they make their application. To prevent confusion between the London Robert Burns Club and the London Burns Club (Scots), it was agreed that the latter club would only be admitted to the Federation under the name of the London Scots' Burns Club. The President reported that Mr John Gribbel was unable to leave America at present, and therefore the presentation of the Cribbel Album would be postponed. On the motion of Mr M'Coll, seconded by Mr W. H. Turner, it was agreed to re-elect the office-bearers. Mr P. N. M'Farlane, on behalf of London Robert Burns Club, invited the Federation to hold its next Annual Conference in London, and the invitation was unanimously accepted. A vote of thanks to the President terminated the meeting. THOMAS AMOS, Hon. Secy. |