REMEMBERING SIR WALTER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 123, 15 August 1927, Page 15

REMEMBERING SIR WALTER

ST. ANDREW’S SOCIETY’S CONCERT Next to the night sacred of the Robert Burns and “Hogmanay,” the most important date on a Scotsman’s calendar is the anniversary of the birth of Sir "Walter Scott, bard and novelist. The St. Andrew’s Society celebrated the famous event with a concert in the Town Hall on Saturday night, and Auckland Scotsmen were there in force. The society’s all-Scottish orchestra began the night with an overture, “Gems of Scotland,” and thence forward every item except one has the flavour of tartan and thistle about it. There followed “ Macgregor’s Gathering,” the words of which are by Sir Walter Scott, sung by Mr. William Gemmell. A sword dance was cleverly performed by Miss Gwen McNaughton, and three songs expressing different aspects of Scottish sentiment were sung by Miss Elsie Bentley, Miss Lilian Braithwaite and Mr. R. Peter. Scenes from “The Lady of the Lake,” presented by pupils of Mrs. Arthur Griffiths, concluded the first half of the programme. “Loch Lomond,” the next item, was arranged for the orchestra by Mr. J. Ewart, the conductor. “Hazeldean” was sung by Miss Elsie Bentley with feeling and restraint. A strathspey and reel item by Pipe-Major D. Ferguson was warmly applauded, as was the ever-popular “Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond,” sung with charm by Miss Braithwaite and Mr. Gemmell. An elocutionary item by Miss Doris Messer, a Russian dance by Miss (Vcven McNaughton, and a song by Mr. R Peter concluded the programme. “Old Lang Syne” brought the night to a close.