ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1940, Page 7

ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

ENTERTAINED BY SAVAGE CLUB

SATURDAY NIGHT’S GATHERING. TRIBUTE TO LATE MISS MUNRO. Despite the novelty of a concert programme presented by members of the Masterton Savage Club, the attendance at the Saint Andrew Society’s monthly gathering on Saturday evening. judged by the society's standards, was a little disappointing. Nevertheless, the dance floor was amply filled with dancers, and enjoyment was as keen as ever.

The concert provided by the Savages (who were headed by Big Chief V. Wilton) was an excellent one. It was unfortunate that most of the Savages, who were the guests of the society, were obliged to leave early to give their services elsewhere. They were, in consequence, unable to witness, or take part in the Scottish dancing, and that, after all, is the principal attraction to guests of the Saint Andrew Society. The Saint Andrew Pipe Band showed further progress, first in its street march, and later in the items that L contributed to the programme. The band is already a decided asset to the society, and must steadily become ol greater value. It is unfortunate that the present demand for funds for war purposes makes it out of the question to endeavour at present to raise funds for providing the band with an adequate uniform. The band paraded under Pipe-Major Hounslow and Drum-Major Tooby.

The vocal programme provided by the Savages comprised items by Savage J. Connell ("Sergeant-Major on Parade" and "The Egg"), Savage Harry Hull ("Geordie Macintosh Buys a Present" and "Inverary”), and. in addition. Mr J. Y. Douglas contributed songs ("The Battle of Stirling” and

"Hail Caledonia!"). All these items were thoroughly enjoyed. Two humorous sketches by Savages Carstens and Curtin ("Change of Name") and Savages Hancock and Curtin (."Services Unrendered") earned roars of laughter, and sustained applause. The outstanding item of the programme was a talk by Savage J. A. Kennedy on Sir Walter Scott. Savage Kennedy spoke fluently and well, and largely extempore. He did not confine himself to historical detail, but presented aspects of his subject that were novel to some of his hearers, and full of interest. Emphasis was laid on the great value to Scotland, and to the English-speaking world, of Scott’s work, and of the tendency, in the national pride in Burns, to overlook the achievements of other great Scots. The concerted was opened and closed by welcome items by the band.

A distinguished guest at the gathering was Chieftainess Mrs Sinclair, of the North Taranaki Scottish Society, who hails from Stratford. The Chief, Mr H. Mackenzie Douglas, referred feelingly to the loss sustained by the society, and the Wairarapa, through the death of ex-Chief-tainess, and a life member, Miss Isabella Munro. Miss Munro had been one of the keenest workers for the foundation of the society, and, until her final; illness, for its welfare. Her kindly nature had endeared her to all, and not only to members of the society. Mr Douglas also expressed regret at the illness of the society’s official accompanist, Mrs H. M. Morton, but announced with pleasure the marked progress towards recovery of exCouncillor D. Edwards. The society's musical director, Mr William C. Mann, was organising a ladies’ choir, with the immediate objective of the Saint Andrew's night concert. All lady members who would care to join the choir were asked to communicate with Mr Mann. The Chief also referred to the falling-off in attendance at the weekly dance practices, which made it difficult to introduce new Scottish dances. The next gathering would be held on September 21.

Despite the Chief’s remarks as to the dance practices, it was found possible to include two new dances in the dance programme. These were Monymusk and Rory o’ More. The latter, though danced to the Irish tune from which it gets its name, is an entirely Scottish dance. It presents little difficulty, but Monymusk is somewhat more complicated, and very pretty to watch. A still more difficult dance, and perhaps even more entertaining to the onlooker, is in preparation, called “Scottish Ramble.”