POVERTY BAY CELTIC CLUB.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 332, 11 December 1875, Page 2

POVERTY BAY CELTIC CLUB.

On Wednesday evening last, a public meeting was, pursuant to advertisement, held at the Ormond Hotel, Ormond, for the purpose of inaugurating the Poverty Bay Celtic Club, and making arrangements for holding sports at the new year, under 1 the auspices of the Club. There was a good attendance, and the proceedings were characterised by no inconsiderable Highland enthusiasm. Mr. Hay was voted into the ehair. The Chairraam, after gratefully acknowledging the honor conferred upon him in being called upon to preside, briefly stated the object of the meeting. It would be in in the recollection of those present who had attended the meeting held on the 13th October, to raise funds towards the endowment of a Celtic Chair in the University of Edinburgh, that it was proposed on that occasion to hold Caledonian sports at the new year; but he regretted to state that in present circumstances it would be impracticable to do so. There was not a single bagpiper in the district, and as Highland games could not be properly celebrated without the national mtisic, there was no alternative left them than to either dispense with the sports altogether, or obtain a piper from Napier, or Auckland, which would be attended with considerable expense. Even if a bagpiper was readily availaole the near approach of the new year, and the consequent shortness of the time to make the necessiary preparations would alone render it impossible toprovidethe sports at the proper time. It would, therefore, he thought, be advisable to postpone the sports till next year, when they would be in a better position to celebrate them than they were this year. In lieu of sports it was proposed that a ball, under the auspices of the Celtic Club, should take place on new year’s eve, and that the proceeds thereof should be devoted to the Presbyterian Manse Building Fund. The meeting was aware that a contract for the erection of the Manse had been recently entered into, and that the Presbyterians of the district had thus contracted a debt of neafly £6OO, which woqld require some effort on their part to extinguish. It was but proper thata Manse should beprovidedfor their pastor, and that their liberality should beexercised towards defraying the expense of the building. He (the Chairman) had no doubt but they would be able to sell a large number of tickets for the ball, and that the affair would be a great success. The first business to bo transacted by the meeting was the formal inauguration of the Celtic Club, which would be open to membership to all nationalities, although ostensibly a Highland Club. He had applied to Sir Donald McLean, who was a Highlander by birth, to become patron of the Club; but to his great surprise, that gentleman did not condescend to reply, although he was importuned to do so. He (the Chairman) therefore, thoughtthatSirDonald was not worthy of being called a Highlander, after treating his countrymen so contemptuously. He (the Chairman) had a few days ago written to Sir George Grey, who was both a Celt and a gentleman, to become patron of the Club, and he felt sure he would receive a favorable reply from him, especially as Sir George took a lively interest in Poverty Bay. He (the Chairman) believed that a large number would join the Club, and that it would prove a successful institution iu the district. He would now call upon any gentlemen present who had a proposition to make in reference to the inauguration of the Club, to do so.

Mr. Duncan McKay proposed, “ That the Poverty Celtic Club be now inaugurated, and that the following gentlemen be appointed a Committe for managing its affairs for the ensuing year, namely: Messrs. McDougall, Graham, Blair, McDonald,Webb, Ferguson innior, Piesse, John Clark, Fraser, and Donald McLeod; and that Mr. Hay be Secretary.”

Mr. Duncan Fraser seconded the resolution, which, on being put to the meeting, was carried by acclamation. Mr. Duncan McKay proposed, “ That the annual subscription to the Club be

one guinea.” Mr. J. Clark seconded the motion which was carried nem. con. The Chairman suggested that the transaction of all further business connected with the Club, be postponed till Sir George Grey’s reply was received, when a meeting of the Committee would be called, to draw up rilles a.nd regulations for the management of the Club, and to arrange other matters of detail.

On the motion of Mr. McKay, seconded by Mr.. Clark, this suggestion was adopted. The Chairman then announced that as the Club had now been inaugurated the next business would be to make arrangements for the ball, whereupon Mr. D. McKay rose, and said that as it would be impossible to hold the contemplated sports, at the New Year, he would suggest that a ball should take place on New Year’s Eve, and that the surplus proceeds be given towards the Presbyterian Manse Building Fund. This suggestion having met with a hearty response from the meeting, Mr. McKay moved, “ That n Ball, under the auspices of the Celtic Club be held on the evening of Friday, 31st instant; that tickets of admission thereto be 12s 6d each ; and that the following gentlemen be the Stewards :— Messrs. P. Breingan, Ewen Cameron, D. Fraser, A. McDonald, A. Graham, McDougall, Webb, Buchanau, Hay, Piesse, and D. McKay—three to form a quorum.” Mr. Piesse seconded the motion Which was carried unanimously. Mr. Piesse then moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, for-the admirable manner in which he conducted the business of the meeting. Mr. McLeod seconded the motion.

Mr. Webb supported the motion. He congratulated the Celtic Club upon having for its Secretary such a man as Mr. Hay, to whom, he considered, the “ palm of prase,” should be accorded for the large amount of practical ability exhibited by him in connection with that organisatition. His knowledge of the Celtic language bad been employed very successfully in the interests of the Club; and he (Mr. Webb) considered that the vote of thanks just proposed and seconded, was no empty compliment. (Applause.) He felt sure that by united action combined with liberal views, the work so well begun, would be successfully. Mr. Haytendered histhanks tothemeeting for the compliment paid him. He could assure them that his heart was in the work, and that nothing would be wanting on his part to further the interests of the Club.

This closed the business of the meeting, which was one of the most convivial and harmonious gatherings that ever took place in the district. A considerable number of those present then adjourned to a private room, where English and Gaelic songs were sung, for an hour or two.