ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 September 1938, Page 5

ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

——♦ —— GATHERING IN MUNICIPAL HALL VISIT BY WELLINGTON PIPE BAND GAIETY AND ENTHUSIASM It must have been highly gratifying to the Saint Andrew Society to find how fully justified was the expectation that the Municipal Hall would be needed to accommodate the crowd attending the Society’s gathering on Saturday evening. There must have been at least 400 people present, and the large hall was completely filled. The principal attraction for patrons was'the visit of the Wellington Caledonian Society’s Pipe Band, resplendent in its new uniforms of Royal Stuart Tartan. The band, collectively and individually, contributed generously to the programme during the evening. The Wellington Society was further represented by a team of highland dancers, who also contributed to the programme, and by a considerable number of private members. All were the guests of the Saint Andrew Society for the evening. In the absence of the Chief, Mr H. Mackenzie Douglas, the Chieftain Mr Peter C. McLaren presided at the gathering. At a suitable opportunity during the evening, he extended a hearty welcome to the Wellington guests, and expressed the hope that the Saint Andrew Socity would have future opportunities of entertaining them. He also apologised for the absence that evening of the Chief and Mrs Mackenzie Douglas, and of the Society’s patron, Mr Hugh Morrison, who had left that day on his annual holiday. He extended the congratulations of the society to Heather and Joan Douglas, two of .the society’s young singers on their recent success at the Wellington Competitions. He referred also to the benefits derived from the Monday evening dance practices, as shown by the large numbers now able to dance the Septs dances. The evening programme commenced with the triumphant entry of the Band, * , under Drum-Major Price, playing “Highland Laddie,” on the conclusion of its street parade. There followed a Grand March, led by Pipe-Major Charlie Stewart, Pipe-Sergeant Smith, and Pipe-Corporal Arthur, all of Wellington, and Chief’s Piper T. Pickett, of Masterton. From the Grand March, the company broke off to dance the Circassian Circle, after which followed eightsome and foursome reels, the Dashing White Sergeant, and numerous other Scots dances of which the Society has made a specialty. Music for the dancing was supplied by Pipe-Major Stewart and Chief’s Piper Pickett, and by Mackays Orchestra. Drum-Corporal D. Stewart, on the piano, and Drum-Lance-Corporal McWhinnie, on the side-drum, furnished an “extra” in efficient manner. The Wellington dancing team, most of whom were prize-winners at the recent Wellington competitions, delighted those present with an exhibition of the Reel o’ Tulloch, and, by way of encore, the Highland Fling. The band earned enthusiastic applause for an exhibition of a portion of its DrumMajor’s display. Owing to the crowd, it was necessary to serve supper in relays. Despite the large number to be served, this was effected methodically and satisfactorily under the able supervision of Mrs John Allan and her band of ladies. The evening was throughout marked by gaiety and enthusiasm, and the gathering was considered one of the most successful that the Society has yet held.