THE GAELIC SOCIETY

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 15

THE GAELIC SOCIETY

_ The monthly meeting of the Gaelic Society was held on the 4tn in th-e Oridiellows' Hall tftua-rt street. Tne cm-ef UVir Dugakl M'Pherson) occupied tne cnair, ana mentioned that since ia.iT meeting the committee had met and arranged that tile annual gathering would bs hoio on October 15, in tne Art Gallery rla.ll. Some who were fond of dancing ungiit think tnat rather late in the season, but me committee had thought that, on the wnol«, tha-t^ was the most appropriate time this year, as ho (the chielj would be absent trom the Dominion during a coiisicierable part of tfie intervening timt 1 . i'here would be a concert in conjunction with the dance, so that all Hignianders prestnc thereat would have a cnance of thorough enjoyment. He hoped ail would keep it in niin-d and be looking forward to ii as a great annual reunion.

A letter was read from Miss Kennedy, daughter of the late Rev. Dr Kennedy, 01 Dingwall, acknowledging receipt of" tho society's contribution to her father's portrait purchase tund, and mentioned mat the portrait had tound a resting-place, not as was at first suggested in tne county town of Ross-shire, but in the capital 01 Scotland, in which, the writer said,' she trusted members oi th»> society wouid iia\e the opportunity of seemg it when voicing their native land. The omee-bearers being aware of the presence in tne city oi the Hon. Rcdericfi M'Kenzie (Minister of Public Works), invited him, snouxl opportunity offer, to grace the 1 meeting witn his presence. To tflis invitation the Minister kindly responded, and ins presence in t;:e ante-room (accompanied by Mis M'Kenzje) being announced, he was escorted to tins platiorm by the chief and .office-bearers, headed by Pipe-major M'Kechnie, the audience standing as a mark of respect. The Chief, in introducing the hon. gentleman, expressed his delight in having the opportunity pf welcoming en esteemed Highlander and a Minister of the Crown to tbo meeting-. This was not the first time that Mr M'Kenzie had been at a meeting of this Gaelic Society, and he hoped the members would frequently be favoured by further visits as time went on. — (Cheers.) Chieftain Mackenzie, supplementing the chiefs remarks, said the Highlanders should be proud to"4iave two of their countrymen as membs-rs of the present Ministry. He also reminded them of the noble service rendered to tha State by another Highlander, th© late Siir John Al'Kenzie, who waa at the time the chief of this' society. — (Applause.) In responding to the welcome given him, 1 the visitor referred to the number of Highlanders m Dunedin and the appropriateness of theGaelic name the city bore. He was delighted to see so many Highlanders present to uphold the traditions, music, and poetry of their native land. He thanked them most heartily for the warm welcome they had accorded him, and, should opportunity offer at any time in the. future, nothing would give him more pleasurethan to join band and heart with them. As Mr M'K«nzie's time was limited and lie could only stay a short time -at the meeting, the Chief called for characteristic Gaelic songs and dances to give the visitor a fair idea of the kind of entertainments provided at these monthly meetings When, Mr M'Kenzic was leaving the society's pipei played a suit-able farewell tune. The musical part of the programme was very enjoyable. Mis 3L. Reeve played the opening overture and the accompaniments during the evening. Mr Simon Chisholm sang "' Mo chruinneag dhonn," accompanied by Miss Chiaholm on the pianoforte. Mrs Campbell sang "Mo chailinn dileas dorm " and " Dean fead agus thig mi ga t-ionnsuidh a ghaoil" (''Whistle, and I'll come tae ye, ma lad"}; Mr Finlay M-Kenzie contributed '"Eilean Leodhais," "Mo shoiridh chun na gruagaichean," and " Ovan an iasgaieh " ; Mr M. Nicolson sang "Bu chaomh, learn bhi mire " ; and Mr M. Cameron " Tha m| inntinn tron." '" Love's young dream " was sung- very sweetly by Miss Flynn. Piper John M"Lean contributed favourite pipe selections. Pipe-Major M'Kechnie, as usual, played the dance and other music.