ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1940, Page 7

ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

GATHERING ON SATURDAY NIGHT CONCERT & DANCE PROGRAMME. APPEARANCE OF PIPE BAND. Though there was not quite so much congestion at the monthly gathering of the Saint Andrew Society on Saturday evening there was nevertheless a large attendance, and the proceedings were characterised with the usual marks of enthusiasm and enjoyment. Again the Saint Andrew Pipe Band was in attendance, performing both through the streets and in the hall. The band’s performances continue to show a rapid improvement in both music and drill. This was particularly noticeable in the seelctions played in the hall, and called forth much favourable comment, with demands for encores. Apart from the credit due to individual members of the band for assiduous practice, much of the progress shown is unquestionably due, so far as music is concerned, to the control exercised by Pipe-Major Hounslow, and, in the military sphere, 1 to Drum-Major Tooby. The snap and precision of the band’s military evolutions must have been particularly gratifying to the latter.

Mr William C. Mann, the society’s concert organiser, again submitted an artistically satisfying concert programme. It was pleasant to be able to welcome a new Highland dancer in John Sexton; more especially is this so ’when it is remembered that it is traditionally more correct that Highland dancing be performed by boys rather than girls. Master Sexton’s contributions were a Fling and a Sean Triubhais, both skilfully performed to pipe music supplied by Chief's Piper Thos. Pickett. Miss Grace Gaudin, who was in excellent voice, delighted her hearers with “Hame” and “Over the Sea to Skye.” It was a pleasure to hear the old humorous song, "Kate Dalrymple,” one of those so often nowadays neglected. Its performance lost none of its humour at the hands of Mr Mann, who was obliged to give a second item. His second selection was “There's a Wee Hoose 'Mang the Heather,” which again gratified popular taste.

The usual Scottish talk was on this occasion supplied by the Rev T. V. Pearson, who chose as his subject the story of that eminent Scots missionary, Mary Michael Slesser. Mr Pearson had no difficulty in holding the attention and interest of his audience, as he told of the labours, trials, and privations of the lowly Scots lass who made her life's work among the savage natives of West Africa, and succeeded in paving the way for all subsequent missionary effort there. The concert programme concluded with a community sing under the direction of Mr Mann. A number of Scots songs were sung, and finally "God Defend New Zealand,” a particularly appropriate choice in these times. Throughout the concert, accompaniments were played, with her usual

artistry, by the society's official accompanists, Mrs H. M. Morton. In the dancing that followed, in spite of a somewhat redticed attendance, it was still difficult to fit in on the dance floor all, the eightsome reel sets who wished to participate. The Reels, and the Dashing White Sergeant, appeared to be the most popular dances on the programme, though there was no item that was not danced with zest and obvious enjoyment. Pipe music was supplied by Chief’s Piper Pickett, and Pipers N. Dickel, L. Pither and J. and W. Mackenzie Douglas. The evening concluded with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne ’ and the National Anthem. The Society's next monthly gathering will be on Saturday, June 29.