CANTERBURY CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 6923, 1 December 1887, Page 6

CANTERBURY CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

The annual dinner in celebration of St Andrew's Day was held last night under the auspices of the Canterbury Caledonian Society, at the Commercial Hotel. There was a fairly s-ood attendance. *Dr. Guthric presided. .He was supported on his right by Mr P. Cunningham, and on theleftbyMr A. M. Clarke. Mr W. Malcolm was ViceChaif man. The viae.ds, which were served ou a prettily adorned table, had been prepared after a style acceptable to the Scotchman, and the bill o/ fare bristled with appropriate names. Included in the dekcacies.wcre "Saumon frae Auld Scot-v-;-Q an 3^.? 5 ' Pa tricks frae the , iVw O S ?°*i la ? d > and that favorite dish £ -,£rK! S 'r>- then£ nt ™»ce of which was heralded by Piper CauipbeU. Dinner having been disposed of, «n he n CH AißMA>r proposed the toast of Oor Queen and her bairns," which was loyally honored. He then proposed " The airnijv navy an' volunteers," to which g&SSSffid* ° f the SCotUsh Rifle ™i *« n^ o^ 1 ' the Vice-President, proP -1 i i V" 11 S udo President." All H h t0 the Society must agree tha i b &?X mv 2* a "gude'PreesicSt," hfm iw Vh^ ,1 ? 1,1 a great measure to him t-jiat the Society was so successful, furthermore he was their "am" good P™?. l,l^' *° d stronger still he was "oor am. lhat was, he was a thorough Scot and brother, and he (the speaker) hoped to see him back amongst them.auTl better of the illness which had caused his absence (Applause.) That day was Mr "Watt's birthday, which had been commemorated by a cake Mr Watt had sent to the gathering. The toast, was enthusiastically receSved. • ,-'' t^Y , * 1 " 3 " proposed— u "lther Societies Hielaad and Sassenach." He was sure that the toast would be well received, and related an incident in his life in support of tlie toast being well treated. He coupled the name of Mr Cunninghauvwith the toast. '

Mr Cunstixgham, •in responding, said that there were some men who were made stalling horses to respond to toasts, and because he belonged, to the Londo.a Corporation he was made the stalking-horse to reply to the toast of other Soiaeties. It was, however, delightful while- they were enjoying themselves to think oY other Socfebies in the world. In London Hie fceoteluuen would have their out, and everybody who could would be celebrating • thaT, day. He made amusing reference %o Br. Fraiikish ivad the ' hassenachs," which drew much liuighter, and ho concluded by returning his wannest thanks- fdr the manner in which tOie toast was received. (.Applause.) Mr A. M. Clauke proposed the next toast, which applied, he thought, to absentees. No doubt everyone <X)uld call to mind an auld acquaintance wifth whom he had "been associated in some happy incident; iv time Of toil, or in some perilous adventure. In drinking the toast he hoped all would think of absent old friends. He feelingly referred to their brethren's "hard knocks" at tine Crimea, which had been brought to his mind by the music of piper CanipbelL, and ho was pleased to think that at present there was noehance of a repetition of those "hard knocks." He thought there was a slight mistake about the toast. What about their sister Scots? (Laughter.) He beHved when drinking the toast the brethren would be thinking of their own or some other Scotchman's sister. (Laughter.) He proposed "Our brither Scots, the hale world over," with the addition he had suggested. Mr Ferguson- replied, and remarked that it was grand to think that all the world over Scotchmen were, or soon would be, gathered around the f esCive board, and were in touch with themselves. (Applause.) Mr W. Sey then proposed " The Scottish Rifles," who, he thought, compared favorably with othp.r Volunteer companies, and had they better opportunities, would distinguish thehiselves as their older brethren had done In days gone by. (Applause.) Captain' Campbell expressed pleasure at responding to the toast of a company which he had the honor to command, and in which he was assisted so ably by his lieutenants. The Caledonian Society was one of their best friends. It assisted them greatly, and he hoped both would ever remain friends, lie concluded by thanking'Jihonc present for the kindly way in which the toast had been received.

Mr Pi -''Donald' proposed " Freens at Hame, auld and- young," in an appropriate speech. ■'■-'.... : ■Mr B. StrDthers suitably responded, and hoped that in two years' time he ■would be better able to reply were the toast placed in his hands. (Applause.) It was the desire of all to see the laud of their birth, and he believed that in time improvements in direct steamers and cheaper fares would afford better facilities for it. He returned his sincere thanks for the toast. ■ ■ • ■

The other toasts were " The chiels araang us ;talcin' notes" by Dr Thomas, "The Boniiy Lasses" by Captain Campbell; " The Chairman and Vice-Chairman," by Mr Donald ; " The Secretary (Mr Andei'son)," by Dr. Frankish ; "Our Host," by Mr Donald; each of which were acknowledged." The whole of the toasts were warmly received, and were interspersed with songs by Messrs Anderson, Ferguson, Carrick and Malcolm, aud music by Piper Campbell. The first mentioned gentleman sang an appropriate ditty to the toast of the Scottish Rifles.

The proceedings closed with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne."