SPIRIT OF OTAGO.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17977, 24 March 1930, Page 9

SPIRIT OF OTAGO.

STRONG IN HAMILTON. CLUB’S INAUGURAL GATHERING. AN ENJOYABLE EVENING. When, a few months ago, several natives of Otago now resident in Hamilton decided to form an Otago Club here their anticipations as to member- j ship were not over-sanguine. While they knew that all Otagoites hero would quickly join, they had no idea the club would become so immediately strong or that the spirit of Ot.ago was so pronounced in this northern region. Already the membership has passed the half-century, and when the club held its first gathering at -the Winter Show Hall on Saturday night there was an attendance of over 100 ladies and gentlemen who iboast Otago as their home. The hall was gaily decorated • and the evening "was spent most enjoyably, the earlier part taking the form of a -concert, at which there xvas some excellent talent. Supper followed, and the balance <of the time till midnight was spent in dancing. The host and hostess were Mr F. W. Platts, C.M.G., S.M., and Mrs Platts, who received thc i guests. The committee introduced to each other members, xvbo were distributed around numerous small tables, and soon reminiscences through which ran a strong Scottish flavour were being exchanged. The atmosphere was most cordial, -the j gathering being rather in the nature of a reunion.. The concert opened with a couple of songs, “Captain Mac” and “Sincerity” very nicely sung toy Mr Blackwood. Mrs A. Sims pleased the audience greatly with "Loch Lomond” and “To a Minature.” The organiser of the concert, Mr A. Braithwaite, himself contributed two songs in which Iris excellent tenor voice was heard to advantage. Instrumental pieces were played very effectively toy the Mathieson Trio, and the gathering was treated to "Wee Scotch Nips” hy Mr J. Pariane. A humorous sketch, “After the Play,” toy Mias Iris Duff and Mr W. Frye, created considerable mirth and earned much applause. The scene was the darkened room of a house, being entered toy a young married couple after returning from a mystery play by Edgar Wallace. The electriclight has failed and the matches cannot be found. The wife has -the “jumps” and in every creak and rustle she anticipates an assassin’s knife or stranglehold. The husband’s sang froid does not tend to lessen her terror and a series of collisions with furniture and crashes of crockery as the husband moves about in search of a •match throw the lady into a high state of hysteria. The scene was very realistically portrayed, the correct atmosphere being furnished by the hall and stage being plunged in darkness. Miss Duff later contributed two songs to her own accompaniment, in whic-h she exhibited considerable artistry. Miss K. Airey played the accompaniments for the other singers. Most Solid Town In Dominion. In a brief opening address Mr Platts said that although in Hamilton there were many clubs and societies which claimed some toll of -time os money, there was for the people who claimed Otago as their home room for at least one more—their own club, formed for social purposes, to pro-mote the friendship and fellowship that was naturally shared toy those who came from the South. In it newcomers from Otago arriving here as strangers to a strange land would find a xvarm welcome. “■Friendship is sympathy,’-’ said Mr Platts, “and at these gatherings we hope to make a reality of our social intercourse.” The speaker .said there was a similar club in Auckland, and they could go where they chose in the Dominion and they would find that much of the business and industrial life of other centres had originated from Dunedin. “We are all proud of the distinction Dunedin holds as the most solid town in the Dominion to-day, and proud, too, of the reputation of her people for thrift, integrity and progress.” (Applause.) "It is generally admitted that Otago owes this high repute to the early Scottish settlers and their descendants, and no doubt the clannishness of Otago people, to which sentiment our club owes its origin, is largely inherited from them,” proceeded Mr Platts. “As we all know, there have been many far-fetched stories told of the Scots in Otago. We have all heard of the Chinaman who in the ’7o’s secured a Government contract at Dunedin by tendering under the name of McPherson, a Scottish name being essential to success in those days. We do not believe these stories (laughter), but our Northern friends have others. Still more incredible is this one: A Scotsman from Dunedin once gave a waiteiva tip . . . the horse didn’t win. (Loud laughter.) Mr Platts said that in Tokio, the capital of Japan, where he once spent a week, he was told 'that in the Japanese mercantile houses the cashiers were nearly always Chinese; they ! were so honest and trustworthy that j the Japanese merchants preferred j them .to their own countrymen, in a j similar way amongst us the integrity, the prudence and reliability of Ihe Scotsman made him the treasurer and the cashier. He was the banker all over the Empire, and if lie wasn’t, then he was the chief engineer! (Laughter). Mr Agustinc Birrell, in one of his delightful essays, had said: “What we want in these days is men who can be trusted with small sums of money.” “When that requirement arises,” said Mr Platts, “we naturally look round for a Scotsman.” (Applause.) The speaker mentioned the fact 'that the Mayor of Dunedin was patron of the club, a fact in which they were fortunate. Mr Black was, however, unable to be present, that night owing to the meeting coinciding with the 82nd anniversary celebrations of Otago. IVIr Sld&y’s Services. “Although in our aims and objects as a club we soar high above the strife of politics, it is only right -to say,” continued the speaker, “that, from an Otago point of view, the success of the United Party has been fortunate in at least one respect—it has enabled justice to be done to an Otago man 1 who bears an honoured name throughout New Zealand. I mean Mr T. K. Sldey. Besides being a most generous public-spirited citizen of Dunedin, lie has been for a lifetime prominent in Dominion politics as Ihe member for (Javersham, and beyond ali this his Daylight Saving Act, carried in 1928 alter years of patient and persistent effort on his part, lias conferred on the whole Dominion a substantial benefit. It has increased the health and happiness of practically our whole population, and this accomplishment lifts Mr Sidey as a constructive statesman high ato/ive the politicians of l his day. Unfortunately, until now he I lias spent some 20 years of political J life in vvliat are called the cool shades i of Opposition, with the result that no

political honours and no Government recognition of his undoubted services came his way. Just before the last election Mr Sidey retired from politics, and although he gave no indication of his personal feelings, we may be. sure that, with good cause, he must have felt a disappointed man. Then the unexpected happened. His old party was successful at the polls under a new name. The United Government came into power, and on the recommendation of the new Prime ■Minister, Sir Jnseph Ward. Air Sidey received a knighthood and was appointed to the high and responsible office of Attroney-General. Sir Thomas Sidey has been good enough to send us these delightful 'greetings and good wis'hse. His message, dated Wellington, March 22, says: ‘I am very pleased to learn that former residents of Otago are forming an association at Hamilton. The spirit of Otago’s pioneers still lives. Its influence is still felt in Dunedin and in every w'alk of life. Otago has left an impress on the whole of New Zealand. Please convey to the new association my warmest congratulations upon its inauguration and my best wishes for a long and successful existence.’ ” In conclusion, Mr Platts congratulated the committee upon the arrangements made for the gathering and on the excellent attendance of members and friends at that inaugural social.