ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 October 1938, Page 5

ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

GATHERING ON SATURDAY NIGHT. MOST ENJOYABLE CONCERT PROGRAMME. The concert programme presented at the monthly gathering of the Saint Andrew Society on Saturday evening was of the usual high standard of excellence. Chief’s Piper T. Pickett opened the concert with a pipe solo, after which followed songs by little Heather Douglas, “Kelvin Grove” and “Herding Song,” and duets by Mrs Burke and Miss O’Donnell, “Oh, Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast” and “Maire Dubh.” Then followed the Highland Fling, danced by Mrs Hall, of Carterton. Mr Jas. Y. Douglas delighted his hearers with his songs, “The Battle of Stirling” and “Lassie o’ Mine,” after which the society’s youngest piper, Bobbie Stewart, played a pipe solo with skill and confidence far beyond his years. Miss Doreen Jamieson sang “Christina’s Lament” and “The Rose of Allandale,” and well deserved the ovation that followed. The concert programme concluded with a community sing conducted by Mr William C. Mann. Every item of the concert was vociferously applauded. Later in the evening, when the removal of the chairs allowed greater space, Mrs Hall again delighted those present by dancing the Sean Triubhais.

After the concert the chairs were pushed back and general dancing was enjoyed by those present, with • the usual marked predominance of reels and other Scots dances. Though there was not present the huge crowd that usually attends the society’s gatherings, the warmth of the evening having no doubt kept many away, the floor was at all times comfortably filled. Among those present were visitors from Carrerton and Wellington. Music for the Scots dances was furnished by Chief’s Piper Pickett. The Chief H. Mackenzie Douglas) announced that the next gathering, to be held on November 5, would be conducted by junior members, who would arrange their own programme. It had been decided, also, to hold a Scots’ concert on Saint Andrew’s Night, November 30, instead of the usual gathering on the first Saturday in December. This decision arose from the feeling that Scots dancing was too strenuous a pastime for the hot weather that might be expected. The Chief reminded those present the the society’s dramatic group . had entered in the Drama League’s contest, to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday. The society’s entry, to be presented on the Wednesday evening, “Drumgarth,” was an excellent play, and thoroughly Scottish. He also mentioned another Scots play to be presented at the contest, “Campbell of Kilmohr,” to be played by the Wairarapa College team on the Tuesday evening.