SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 24, 25 May 1912, Page 4

SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

IMMENSE SUCCESS OF SOCIAL AI THE TOWN HALL. From the “four corners of the earth” came Scotsmen and their gnid folk to the Society’s social and dance, ancl if there was a lady or gentleman in Taranaki, who was the possessor of i,ne drachm of Scotch blood, and was not present in the Town Hflfi last night, the Province must have in it more exiles from the land of the heather than one would on a first reckoning judge. It seemed as if half Scotland were present in the Hall, at the invitation of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society, Undoubtedly the gathering was a huge success, and today the majority of last night’s revellers are wondering which was the most enjoyable, the social, the supper, or the dance. It’s a “toss up,” any nay. It was difficult to realise that the building one entered at S p.m. last night, really was the Town Hall. Carpets, furniture, and flags had turned into a hall of revelry, so different from the rows of half empty chairs and benches that have for the past year rewarded the enterprise of a travelling show or a temperance lecture. The President's Address. Mr. W. S. Kennedy, the President of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society, commenced the proceedings with an admirable opening address. “I am pleased,” he said, “to see before me such a representative gathering of the sons and daughters of old Caledonia. To one and all X desire to extend a cordial and hearty welcome on behalf of the Taranaki Provincial Society to this, their first social gathering. I hope that such a gathering as this—(applause)—will tend to make ns better acquainted with one another. You will remember that social intercourse is the first aim of this Society, and on the success of our social reunions shall we

iiope to further the more important aims of the Society—benevolence, education, etc. As Scotsmen we are met together on this, Empire, night, giving way to no one in our loyalty to Britain' and to Britain’s King. (Applause.) But while we are British, we are distinctly Scottish. The tang of the heather lulls still in fancy fans our cheeks, and to-night “The songs of Bonnie Scotland” will recall to us her mountains and streams, her birds and flowers, her Spartan mothers and brave men-—the men who since the Union have given of their blood and brains for the benefit of Great Britain and the British Empire.” (Applause.) The President went on to deal-with some ef the “peculiarities” of the Scottish people, their alleged “dourness,” their language, their bagpipes, and the national costume. “It has also been said,” lie continued, “that the Scottish exile never returns to the laud he professes to love so well. A recent writer in one of our local papers was surprised, that while _ the Scot claimed to he the most patriotic, yet, unlike the Englishman and the Irishman (and he might have added the Chinaman), he never returned to spend his remaining days hi the lahd of his birth. While this may;, be so, their patriotism is hit merely sentimentalism, but the conditions that caused them to leave their natlye land have not,changed. There have been many causes given, but siiffice it to ’lus country, for'which ‘life, would give say that tiip.Scotgobs abroad, ‘because ’ so much, can give nothing to, him. It lias been the fate of Scotland ever since she became a country, and so wo are content to give up our best to the land of our adoption, while we give unstintedly of our love to our native land, and to-night, though exiles, we are determined not to hang our harps on the willows. (Applause.) The Social. The programme for the musical portion of the evening was a lengthy one, but all the items were meritorious, and went with a swing from Start to finish. A feature df the evening was the excellence of the dancing‘- i -sword dances, reels, and last, blit not least,

the Highland Fling. Mr. Angus McLeod was prominent in all of these, when he was not playing the pipes he was taking a hand in the dancing, and his brawny form and nimble feet extracted ranch favourable comment from those sage old folk in the body of the hall, who have seen many a Highland Fling, and more than likely set the pace themselves. The Misses Todd and Moston proved themselves to ho dainty and skilled dancers, and well deserved the rounds of enthusiastic applause that they won. iho ‘‘star” singers—Madame Groonic (of Wellington) and Miss McN'ab (of Auckland), established themselves as linn favourites with the audience. Madame Groome gave as her first number “Caller Herring,” and then “Bonnie Dundee.” She has a sweet

soprano voice,, which she used with good effect, but was far more successful later on in the evening with “A Hundred Pipers.” The vivacity and charming presence of Miss McNah made her a. great favourite, and all her songs were encored. She sang “]’m a Scot,” “Coinin’ through the Rye,” “Down the Burn,” in great stylo, and there was not a dull minute while she was on the stage. Mr. F. H. Wilkie, as a Scotch comedian, was immense. He made a special effort for the occasion, and the cheers which greeted his “Jock Mackay” were quite impressive. Mr. H. W. Douglas rendered “Scotland Yet,” and for an encore “The March of the Cameron Men.” in good style, while Mr. E. W. Lewis was very successful in his rendering of “Mary of Argyle.” The Male Quartette performed creditably, and their item, “Annie Laurie,” must he voted a good one. The quartette, by the way, consists of Messrs. Lewis, Lander, 'Wilkie and Liddington. Miss M. Mackay appeared to he just a little nervous, hut she sang “My Ami Folk” very simply and sweetly. Miss E. Cameron also, seemed to find the large audience a trifle disconcerting, and was not at her best in her snug, “Loch Lomond.” The musical portion of the programme concluded with the singing of “Ankl Lang Sync',” in which Mr. Wilkie distinguished himself, and nearly did_ some fatal pieces of sword play. Miss E. Boss Morison was responsible for the majority of the accompaniments, which were perfectly satisfactory. Mrs Me Neely and Miss Wilson also offiojL ated at the piano on occasions. * The dance and supper followed. The former lasted far into the morning, ft was. in fact, as Mr. Wilkie remarked earlier in the proceedings, “A wee Scotch Nicht,” and as such could not properly terminate before 4 a.m. The music was supplied by Beesley’s orchestra, hut the Taranaki Pipe Band, which had done great service throughout the evening, was all there when

the reels wore being danced. Supper was not the least successful item on the programme. It was the product of (he Ladies’ Committee, whose efforts to make the gathering a record one were so eminently successful.