AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 72, 24 March 1908, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

SCOTTISH CELEBRATION,

The St. Andrew's Society gave a Scottish Concert at the Choral Hall last night to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of their famous warrior king, Robert Bruce. Lack of appreciation of their countrymen has never been the failiTig of Scotsmen, and last night they foregathered in great numbers and displayed a lively interest in the all-Scotch programme provided- The programme was opened with some selections by the Society's pipe band, under Pipe-Major J. M. Emslie,. followed by the chairman's re-: 1 marks, after which Mrs. Abel Rowe sang, in pleasing manner,, -" The Land o' the Leal,-' accompanying herself on the zither. A storm, of applause greeted the item, and as an encore she sang, " 0, that we' two wore maying." ' The Rev. A. A. Murray delivered an , address on the" life of Robert Bruce. Mr. Abel Rowe, who was in excellent voice, gave " McGregors' gathering!" and in response to an insistent encore, " The, Match of the .Cameron Men." Several clever Scotch dances were contributed by Misses M. Gardiner,- M. Barber, N. Mackay, Nora Mackay, Masters J.. Gardiner, W. Geddes, J. Barber, and D. Simpson, and their efforts -were warmly applauded. Mrs. J. W. Stewart contributed a song, "Siona," a quaint little ballad which met with, universal approval, and for -which she was emphatically recalled. Mr. J. Whelan gave an acceptable" rendering of " Border Ballads." Mr. J. Cecil Little,- a musician who is new to Auckland audiences, played some Scotch airs, on the 'cello. Unfortunately •his selection, "Bonnie Mary of Argyll," was not one that gave any scope for brilliance of execution, but Mr. Little treated the'subject in a delightful manner and showed o complet mastery of his instrument. This- gentleman also played a selection, " Lucy Long," 'on the -bass clarionet, an instrument that has seldom been aeen in Auckland. His execution was good, and he held the attention of his audience throughout. Mr. Neave was the accompanist. The concert was brought to a close with the singing of Auld Lang Syne. . ..'