SECRETARY'S ANNUAL REPORT.

Mr Thomas Amos, M.A., the Hon. Secretary, submitted the Annual Report, which was in the following terms :--

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The war, with its insistent call of duty and sacrifice, is still with us. It is no wonder, then, that the past year in the Burns world has been quiet and uneventful. The energies of the members of patriotic and social bodies such as Burns Clubs have been largely diverted into other channels, and many of our clubs are still closed and will remain so till the end of the war. Some of the Clubs which have continued to hold their meetings have amply justified their action by the work they have done in entertaining wounded soldiers and in raising funds for Red Cross purposes. I am glad there will be some recognition to-day of the patriotic efforts of Burns Clubs in the cause of charity. The war still demands a heavy toll of young and noble lives, and we sincerely offer our sympathy to the families of those of our members who have died on the field of honour. With your permission I propose to continue in the next issue of the Chronicle the Roll of Honour of our members who have fallen. It is my duty to mention the death of Dr Biggs, one of the wellknown figures at our annual meetings. For several years he submitted, with great acceptance, the report on the work done for the blind by the Rosebery and Carlton Clubs, and we shall miss his kindly presence at our gatherings.

"During the past year, Birtley, Mid-Calder, Cowdenbeath Tam o' Shanter, and Glencraig Burns Clubs have affiliated, and the roll of the Federation now numbers 252 Clubs. There is still a steady demand for the pocket diploma of membership, and I have sent out 140 copies since our last meeting.

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'Early in the year the twenty-seventh volume of the Chronicle was published by the Federation, and the whole issue was soon sold out. The literary matter was of the usual high standard, and received very favourable criticism from our leading newspapers. Our veteran editor has once more placed us in his debt for the masterly manner in which he continues to carry on his work, and we thank him very sincerely. I would again try to impress on the

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delegates present the necessity of supporting the Chronicle. is our own property, and its moderate price should bring it within the reach of every loyal member of the Federation.

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'On the 18th of January, at a meeting of delegates and admirers held in Glasgow, our President was the recipient of a handsome silver rose bowl and a cheque for 100 guineas on the completion of his semi-jubilee as editor of the Burns Chronicle. His golden wedding and jubilee as parochial schoolmaster of Kilmaurs also fell due at the same time, and the triple event was enthusiastically celebrated by a large gathering under the genial chairmanship of Mr Hugh M'Coll. In making the presentation, Mr Jeffrey Hunter eloquently reviewed Mr M'Naught's work for the Federation, as one of its founders, as the able editor of the Chronicle, and as its revered President.

"Last October the Gribbel Album was handed over to my care by Mr J. C. Ewing, convener of the Album Committee, and was at once deposited in a place of safety, where it will remain until the end of the war, when we hope to present it to Mr Gribbel in person. It is a splendid and absolutely. unique gift, and the Federation has

every reason to be proud of being associated with many distinguished Scottish artists in recognising in such a handsome manner the generosity of Mr Gribbel to Scotland. At the completion of their duties we cannot overlook the great amount of time and labour freely expended on behalf of this gift by Messrs Ewing and Connell. Without these gentlemen the Album could not have been what it is, and their unwearied efforts on its behalf during such a trying time as this deserve the unstinted gratitude of all Burnsians. Associated with these two gentlemen were Messrs Wm. Stewart and T. C. F. Brotchie, who also deserve our best thanks. Notwithstanding the war, a few of our enthusiastic Clubs still continue to hold their children's competitions in Scottish song and poetry, and we heartily wish them success.

'The Glasgow Burns Clubs Association continues in its good work of providing homes for aged deserving poor in Mauchline. As Bonnie Jean's House, with its growing Museum, has proved a decided success, the Association intends to open in the immediate future an additional home in the house that belonged to Dr Mackenzie, the friend of Burns. No memorials to our National Bard could come nearer his own heart than those under the care of the Clasgow Mauchline Society and the Glasgow B.C.A., and both bodies have earned the gratitude of many old folks by providing for them a cosy bield in their declining years. As nothing new of vital importance has occurred since our last meeting, the Committee appointed to watch developments in the proposal to remove the grave and monument of Highland Mary from the West Churchyard, Greenock, has not been called together.

"In conclusion, I wish to thank all who have assisted me in carrying on the business of the Federation, and to express a wish that we may soon meet freed from all the trials and sorrows of the present time. In the victorious advance which has gladdened our hearts our countrymen have proved themselves worthy descendants of the Scots who fought and bled with Wallace and Bruce. We Burnsians pay them our respectful homage, and wish them the strength and the will to continue to strike for Freedom and Right until the world is entirely rid of this German incubus.”

On the motion of the Chairman, a special vote of thanks was awarded to Messrs J. C. Ewing, Connell, Brotchie, and Wm. Stewart for their work in connection with the Gribbel Album ; and the Secretary was requested to communicate this to them.

In the unavoidable absence of the Treasurer, no financial statement for the year was submitted.

In submitting a report on the Burns Chronicle, the Chairman announced that the whole of last issue had been sold. On the motion of Mr Thos. Killin, seconded by Mr Hugh M'Coll, it was unanimously agreed to continue the publication of the Chronicle, and the usual sum of £25 was voted to the Editor for the payment of contributors.

Mr Alex. Pollock, in his report on Children's Competitions, urged that it was the duty of the Federation, by every means in its power, to induce schoolmasters to give more time to the reading and studying of Scottish songs and poems, so that their pupils might under.

stand the works of the immortal Poct in whose honour the Federation had been founded.

Mr Hugh M'Coll reported on the patriotic work carried out by Burns Clubs, and mentioned that Bridgeton Club had contributed £1100, and Albany and Carlton Clubs £30, to the Scottish Hospital for Limbless Soldiers and Sailors; while Primrose and Rosebery Clubs had divided £50 equally between the Limbless Soldiers and Sailors, and the Blinded Soldiers in Edinburgh. Other Clubs, such as Birmingham, Hamilton, Tam o' Shanter, Newbattle, London, Govan Cronies, Sandyford, &c., &c., had also made generous contributions. He suggested that contributing Clubs should send to the Secretary the result of their efforts, so that their good deeds might be chronicled in the annals of the Federation. He also re

ferred to the Edition of Burns for the Blind, on which between £300 and £400 had been expended by the Rosebery and Carlton Burns Clubs, and likewise to the Burns Homes for aged poor at Mauchline.

Mr C. R. Cowie in an interesting address detailed the proceedings of the Clasgow Burns Clubs Association regarding the renovation and restoration of the house in Mauchline which belonged to Dr Mackenzie, the friend of the Poet. He announced that the external part of the house had been restored, and that in all probability it would be in perfect order next spring,, ready for the admission of aged poor needing a shelter.

The Secretary intimated that Ayr Burns Club wished to affiliate. The Chairman suggested that owing to special circumstances the Club should get a position near the head of the Federation Roll. Mr Pollock moved that the application be remitted to the Executive Committee to consider and report to next meeting. Mr Cowie moved that the Ayr Club be admitted with the number 00. On a division it was agreed by 46 votes to 34 to remit the matter to the Executive Committee.

On the motion of Mr J. Jeffrey Hunter, the Office-bearers were re-elected, with the addition of Mr Thos. Killin to the list of VicePresidents.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.

The Delegates afterwards partook of tea, and spent a pleasant social hour, under the genial chairmanship of Mr Alex. M'Kenzie, President of the Glasgow Burns Clubs Association.

THOMAS AMOS, Hon. Secy.

Alphabetical List of Federated Clubs.