MEMORY OF LATE CHIEF HONOURED

Southland Times, Issue 24832, 26 August 1942, Page 4

MEMORY OF LATE CHIEF HONOURED

Reference to the death of Mr J. L. McG. Watson. Chief of the St. Andrew’s Scottish Society of Southland, was made at the annual meeting of the society last night. Before the meeting began members stood in silence while a piper played a lament. A motion of sympathy, proposed by Chieftain W. A. McCaw, was carried. This referred to the ‘‘loss of one whose life embodied the true spirit of Scottish patriotism and whose manner embraced the finest characteristics of the Highland gentleman,” and to the affection and regard in which Mr Watson was held by the whole community. The motion added: "Further, we feel that in his enthusiasm and love for our society and for Scottish history, tradition, custom, song and story, we have lost one who may prove to be St. Andrew’s greatest Chief so far as this district is concerned." Mr N. L. Watson, son of the late Chief, on behalf of his mother, brothers and sister, presented to the society a crook, plaid, bonnet, brooch, badge and pendant of office of Chief to be held in trust by the society for use by the Chief pro tern as a memorial of the late Chief’s years of leadership. The regalia was accepted on behalf of the society by Mr McCaw. who was elected as the i\ew Chief of the society.