ST. ANDREW SOCIETY1

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1940, Page 7

ST. ANDREW SOCIETY 1

GATHERING ON SATURDAY NIGHT

NEW PIPE BAND PRESENT.

ENJOYABLE CONCERT PROGRAMME.

Though the closing scenes at the Centennial Exhibition, the opening ol the shooting season, and other counterattractions affected the attendance at the Saint Andrew Society's monthly gathering at the Masonic Hall on Saturday evening, the hall was comfortably' filled. The society's new pip-, band was again in attendance, and particularly' in the street march, showed that it had profited by its practice since it previous appearance. Its music in the street showed a marked improvement, and though the band has still much to learn in military drill, it made altogether a very creditable showing. Its selection in the hall was somewhat less successful, but here again the chief fault was a certain lack of precision in compliance with the leader's signals. The concert programme presented again testified to the skill in his duties of the programme organiser, Mr. William C. Mann. It is a relief to have the opportunity of hearing auld Scots songs, other than those of the sentimental type. On Saturday evening Mr. Ronald Gilbert's first contribution was "The Bonny' Earl o’ Morey.” When an encore was insisted on he responded with "Mary.” Mrs. Dickson, who, on her first appearance on one of the society’s programmes, had a reception that must have been most gratifying to her, sang "Caller Herrin’,” followed by "Will Ye No Come Back Again.” Chieftainess Mrs. Robert Miller, in her inimitable style, gave a humorous recitation. “Auntie and the Coo." and, or being recalled. . "Bairnies, Cuddle Doon." Mrs. H. M. Morton delighted her hearers with the humorous old favourite. "The Laird o’ Cockpen,” which was followed by the very acceptable "Jock o’ Haseldean.” Miss Edna Corlett danced in her usual accomplished style to music supplied by Chief’s Piper Thomas Pickett. Her items were the Sean Triubhais and the Highland Fling. The concert programme ended with two songs by Mr. Alan Goulden. "Scots Wha Ha’e,” and "The Road to the Isles." Though suffering from a cold. Mr. Goulden succeeded in instilling into both his contributions the necessary martial ardour and movement, and his items were received with vociferous applause. The piano accompaniments for all save hetown songs were skilfully performed by Mrs. H. M. Morton. Mrs.(Morton's accompaniments were tastefully executed by Mrs. Dickson. The dancing that followed was of the usual Scottish character. The dancers had lost'nd whit of the enjoyment and vim that invariably marks the society's gatherings. Music was supplied by Barnes’s Orchestra, and by' Chief's Piper Pickett and Pipers N. Dickel and AV. Mackenzie Douglas.

The chief’s announcements referred principally to the gathering to be held in the Municipal Hall on Saturday, May 18. That evening would consist entirely of dancing. The whole of the net proceeds were to be devoteci to the district patriotic fund, and this would form the society’s official war effort. It was hoped, in consequence, that on this occasion net proceeds would be synonymous with gross takings. Already £4 or £5. had been contributed by members towards the supper expenses, including about £3 handed in that evening. The chief also announced that Colonel Wilder, in command of the 25th Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Battalion of the Third Echelon, was anxious that his unit be equipped with a pipe band, and had applied to the society to assist in furnishing pipes. The chief had suggested that the society’s contribution to the district patriotic fund from the gathering on May 18 might be handed in with the request that -it be earmarked for the furnishing of pipes. This proposal was unanimously adopted by those present. 1

The chief went on to refer to the considerable attendances at the dance practices at the Orange Hall on Tuesday' evenings. He would like, he said, to see some of those members who were still unskilled in Scots dancing take advantage of the opportunities provided for them at the practices. The society's next regular monthly gathering will be at the Masconic Hal! on Saturday, June 1. From that gathering onward, members’ concessions in admission charges would, in accordance with the rules,.apply only to financial members. Members should, therefore, present their membership cards at the door at that and subsequent gatherings. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem brought another successful evening to a close.