ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 18860, 28 June 1920, Page 5

ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the St. Andrew’s Scottish Society was held in the Friendly Societies' Hall on Friday evening last, and was attended by over 200 members and friends. The chief (Mr J. L. McG. Watson) presided. In opening his address on the “History of Scottish Song," Mr Watson said that it had been remarked, on more than one occasion, that Scotland’s songs were Scotland’s pride and every other country’s admiration. The influence of Scottish songs on the national life was profound and far-reaching, and could never be fully estimated. Burns was the greatest of Scottish song writers and his name and fame were imperishable. Amongst other contributors of national songs were Sir Walter Scott, Allen Ramsay, James Hogg (“The Ettrick Shepherd’’), Lady Nairne, Robert Tannahill, Sir Alex. Boswell, and Alex Hume. At the close of his address (he chief was accorded an enthusiastic vote of thanks on the motion of Mr J. Campbell Abernethy seconded by Mr S. McC. McDonald. During the evening songs were contributed by the following Mrs A. C. Mclnnes (“Ye Banks and Braes” and “The Auld Hoose”), Mrs Copeland (“Within a Mile o’ Edinboro’ Toon” and “Bonnie Wood o’ Craiglca” I and Messrs A. C. Mclnnes (“Hail Caledonia” and “A man’s a Man”) and G. McAlpine. Mr Drummond gave a much appreciated violin selection.