SCOTCH NIGHT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 75, 28 July 1915, Page 7

SCOTCH NIGHT.

Tlie Scottish Society's Concert.. Gift Sale and Dance was held last evening in the Town Hall which was gaily decorated with flags of all nations. Several tables in trout of the stage displayed many and various good things which were sold by auction. The hall was picked upstairs and downstairs, all die available scats being tilled, and a great number stood at the back of the ball. The Pipe Band were present in force, and rendered several items during the evening. The sum of £45 was taken at the door. Before the concert commenced. His Worship the Mayor (Mr .J. W. Boon) briefly addressed the gathering. He stated that it was proposed at present to form a fund, a single fund, in the Wellington Military District, all the provinces and centres pooling their funds. This would make a uniformity in the allowances. Later it was hoped that a Domiion Fund with a central executive would be set up so as to pool all moneys from the whole of New Zealand. Local committees would reserve the power to keep a certain Mini to enable them to assist urgent cases without having to send to the central executive. Unfortunately some ill-feeling had arisen in Stratford, but he thought that, if it had not already been dropped, it would soon lie so. The young men who went were really sacrificing their ambitions, and in many cases excellent prospects in life. That being so, no one should begrudge anything that could be done for them. Already the Society had raised over £750. He asked everyone to bid extravagantly at the sale* and Stratford would keep it's end up 'with the other towns.—(Applause). The musical programme then followed. The Egmont Club Orchestra opened proceedings with an excellently rendered selection "La Boheme" in which the solo work was very good. Mr Fred Dunlop then delighted the audience with the fine old "Plymouth Hoe." Mrs Massey sang "Somewhere a Voice is Calling"—a pretty song, prettily sung. As an encore, Mrs Masse.v sang "A Blessing." "Three Fishers" was the title of Mrs E. C. Robinson's.excellent song. Her full 'contralto voice wa.s ; used to much effect, and she was encored. Four borinv Scots. Messrs S. Morison, J. T. Wade, C. Lockhead. and W. Orr, danced a Highland dance to the accompaniment of Piper J. Wade. Miss E. Sangster captivated the audience with her KOtilful singing of "Will Ye No Come Back?" Miss Sangster sings Scottish songs well, and her more frequent appearance in Stratford would be very welcome. Miss Ngaere Bayly danced the Toreador's Dance in approved style. Her item was quite novel 'to Stratford, and was heartily encored. .The item was greatly enhanced by the singing of Miss Dorothy Bayly who supplied the music, and Mr F. Dunlop. This item concluded the concert which was voted a success on all .sides. The drawings for the raffles were watched with, great interest. The Mayoress (Mrs J. W. Boon) drew the number in each case. The Hall section was drawn late in the evening, and the attendance at the drawing showed the amount of interest taken in the raffle.

The suspense while the number was drawn was great, and when the Mayor announced the winner to be Mrs X. Fulton, New Plymouth, great applause broke out. A Westminster Chimes Clock was won by Mr John Neal of Opunake Road.

A fine quilt was won by Mr Carl Woisin.

A suit of clothes was won by Mr A Brownlio.

After supper, the gift auction sale 'was carried out, Mr W. Webster weilding the hammer in his usual merry i style. The audience bid freely for the I numerous articles offered. Cushions, cabbages, broccoli, shoes, a 'linen bag,' 'pictures, lollies, a harrow, a washing niacinne. quack medicines, and many other interesting and useful articles wore disposed of at good prices. Everything was sold free of cost, the auctioneer generously declining a commission of 50 per cent.

The Belgian Flag presented by Mr Clias. Bayly was put up for auction and brought in £SB .'is 3d, being resold to Mr Bayly for £lO. Mr Bayly was a frequent purchaser during the evening, and his buying of the Flag earned him the hearty applause of the audience.

I Mr George Sangster thanked the audience for the liberal bidding and for the great house they had put up. 1 Dancing commenced about midnight, and when our representative left the hall, the lassies and lads were enjoying themselves thoroughly and in true Scottish style.