ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1941, Page 4

ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

MONTHLY GATHERING HELD ON SATURDAY CONCERT ITEMS AND DANCING. AN EXCELLENT PROGRAMME. 1 An excellent short concert was presented at the Saint Andrew Society’s monthly gathering on Saturday evening, and as a further measure of enjoyment, dancing followed. Though the attendance was not quite as large as has recently been the case, the evening proved thoroughly enjoyable. The concert commenced and concluded with very acceptable items by the Saint Andrew Pipe Band, whose continued progress shows the benefit derived from the practice afforded by its frequent appearances for the assistance of the Home Guard. The Saint Andrew Ladies’ Choir made a welcome reappearance under its skilled conductor, Mr William C. Mann. The choir’s first item was “Scots Wha Ha’e,” for which, as the National Anthem of Scotland, the audience stood. An effective rendering of “The Campbells Are Cornin’ ” was enthusiastically received. An artistic rendering of “An Eriskay Love Lilt” • (with Miss R. Robinson in the solo part) charmed its hearers, and the rollicking “Wee Cupar o’ Fife” made equal appeal in a very different manner. Miss D. O’Donnell received a satisfying ovation for the good old song, “Last May a Braw Wooer,” and her encore numbei’ was “My Hairt is Sail’ for Somebody.” Fourteen-year-old Betty Jones, a recent arrival from Wanganui, danced a sailor’s hornpipe with grace and skill, and, on recall, the Irish Jig. John Sexton was equally successful with a Highland Fling, ■ and a Sean Triubhas. The accompaniste; for all singing items was Mrs H. M. Morton, who performed in her usual accomplished manner. A specially-invited guest was Norman Towns, the winner of the Saint Andrew Society Cup for Oratory at the j contest recently held among Wairarapa, College boys. The cup, it will be remembered, was presented by Chieftainess Mrs Robert Miller at the request of her late husband, made shortly before his death. Norman Towns kindly consented to give his winning oration for the benefit of those present. His subject was Otto Strasser, the German patriot and great opponent of Hitler. He was heard with close attention, and at his conclusion gained sustained applause. The remainder of the evening was spent in dancing, mostly Scottish in character. The Petronella made an acceptable reappearance after a lapse of some considerable time. Music for the dancing was provided by Mrs J. Y. Douglas (piano) and Mr Alex Cruickshank (fiddle), and various members of the Pipe Band. The Chief, Mr 11. Mackenzie Douglas, welcomed Norman Towns as the society’s guest, and expressed pleasure at the presence that evening of Mrs Blain, an old and enthusiastic member of the society, now resident at Marton. He announced that the next gathering, on Saturday, November 1, would take the form of a Halloween celebration, under a juvenile committee which promised something quite unusual by way of programme. An exceptionally good programme was being arranged for the St. Andrew’s Night concert, to be held on Saturday, November 29. Dancing practices were to be held at the Orange Hall every Tuesday evening, for the purpose of selecting the most efficient dance teams for performance at the concert. The gathering concluded with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem.