WELCOMED BY THE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11109, 30 October 1901, Page 7

WELCOMED BY THE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS.

The welcome accorded Sir Hector Macdonald in tlie Canterbury Hall last night by his "blither Scot-" and the citizens of Christchurch lacked nothing in heartiness or enthusiasm. Btfore the proceedings opened, a large crowd had gathered at the entrance to tba Hall, a way being kept clear by the Highland Rifles. A little before eight o'clock Sir Hector, with the Mayor and Mrs Rhodes, drove up aud was greeted' with an outburst of cheers. Sir Hector was received by the following officers of the Caledonian Society:—Messrs Patrick Campbell, R. Struthers, A. Neil, W. Sey, J. Connal, C. J. Marshall, G. J. C. Smart* and Dr. Thomas. It was with -some difficulty that, preceded by the pipers, Sir Hector managed to reach* the inside of the hall, and when he did so the audience rose and* cheered ' ■aim. The pipers—Messrs Cooper, Davidson, Fraser, Gardner, McKeuzie, McMillan, Sturroc'k, and Wodo played "High.nd L-ddie/' which opened the musical portion of ■ the programme, at the conclusion of the first part of which Sir Hector was presented with a handsomely-illu-minated address, which the secretary of the society, Mr C. J. Marshall, read as .follows:— . - , - "Canterbury- Caledonian Society, Christchurch, New Zealand. To Major-General Sir Hector A. Macdonald, X.C.8., D.5.0., A.D.C.—Upon the occasion- of your visit to New Zealand the members of the Canterbury Caledonian Society desire to express the pleasure which 'the opportunity affords them of tendering to you a hearty, welcome, and to offer'their congratulations on your continued well-deserved honours, recognising with high appreciation your loyal,' distinguished and heroic services to the Empire. As brother-Scotchmen they have the greatest confidence in your future career, and trust that you will ■be long spared in good health to enjoy your honours.. On behalf of the Canterbury Caledonian Society (signed), Patrick' Campbell, president* John Connal, William Sey, Robert Struthers, Walter Thomas, vicepresidents * Robert Sutherland, bonorarv treasurer*' C. J. Marshall, secretary. Christchurch, October 29th, 1901," At the conclusion of the reading of the addresß, Mr Marshall handed Sir Hector a memento from the society, in the shape of a handsome gold.double sovereign purse." The reading of the, address and the presentation evoked' .round UDon round ol cheer- which, when they *had subsided, were, followed by the singing, of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow." - This enthusiastic outburs. .took .the General greatly by surprise, and after receiving the address.aod the presentation he gave one Took at the audience, and seemed, about to speak, when ha ohn.no-pd bin mini* nni) nrenf ViaiAr in.

his seat.- This was. the signal for more cheering and cries of "Com© on, Hector." After a-' short space the General came forward, and said j—"Mr President,—l have to thank y'oj very cordially for the nice presentation yon nave made mc and for the' kind words with which you accompanied it Ladies and gentlemen, I liave to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the manner in' which you have receiyed mc.. In tbe days of my youth I read that- from Invercargill up to acertain point north the country was taken up by Scotchmen; beyond that it was taken up by Englishmen. But. I am glad to see that the Englishmen have thought better of it, and have turned themselves into excellent Scotchmen—'laughter)'—and, further,' I. am pleased to consider that by thinking a little longer you „wil! all have turned your- * elves into good Highlanders. Since I <4in*te here I am proud to think that you hare blended yourselves into a harmonious whole—-the British Empire. (Great- applause.) I thank you for the opportunity you have given mc to.see so many of my countrymen, and I thank you.for coming here and according such a welcome to one of the humblest representatives of bis Majesty's Army." (Applause and cheers.) For the space of about a quarter of an hour—a bad quarter of an hour for the General it looked from 'the spectator's standpoint—Sir Hector, was tbe centre of a struggling mass of humanity— all ani-' mated by the one idea; to get near him and shake him by the hand. This was a task not easy of accomplishment and could only be managed by elbowing through the crowd and waiting till the person who was shaking the General's hand was about to release it, and then clasp it. This function bad to be curtailed and not nearly all those present had an. opportunity ot shaking hands with the General, who is understood to have expressed a desire, when he reached tho hall* to be introduced to' all present. "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem closed the programme, and another exciting scene took place when the General commenced to leave the hall. Tbe Highhind Rifles attempted to keep a clear passage, but the numbers who wished to see the General and shake him by the hand far outnumbered them, and their ranks were soon disorganised. With the General in the centre, completely surrounded by the Rifles, slow progress was made out of the door and along the corridor to tho dressing room, every now and then some enterprising individual managing to break through the ranks and clasp the General's hand. The entrance to th<s dressing room was at length reached, and the General got safely, in, and the enthusiastic crowd kept out. A somewhat similar method bod to be adopted in getting Sir Hector from the dressing room to bis cab, which he ultimately reached and drove off amidst great cheering. Tlie programme given during the evening was a varied and interesting one. Mrs Burns sang "The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomon," and in response to an encore gave " 'Twas Within a Mile of Edinburgh Town." "My Native Highland Home" was sung by Miss J. Moir, who had also to respond to a recall. Mrs Donald McLean gave as a pianoforte solf? a selection of marches, strathspeys, and reels. Madame Spada, whose name was on the programme, was unable to appear. Mr Philip Newbury sang "Macgregor's Gathering # and "Tlie Message." Mr H. M. Reeves "Annie' ISaurie," and Mr A. Miller "Where UtAh Scotland Found Her Fame" and "The Heather Hills." A foursome reel was danced' by Misses Banks, Glover, Marshall, ■ and Sey, and Masters Marshall, Sey, N. Stir-rock, and A. Sturrock. Messrs Blunt and Currie gave tlie double sword dance and Mr C. S. Bell danced the Highland Fling. Messrs Blunt, .Currie, Davidson, Wade, and Mr Blunt, who danced the reel of Tulloch and the also a-aurted ift the pwgwaaaw. Mi*.

Jennie West (Mrs A. W. Macandrew) and Mr Davis Hunt were tbe accompanists. At the close of the proceedings Mr Patrick Campbell thanked the ladies conreded with the Melanasian Mission for i heir kindness in placing tbe hall at the Caledonian Society s disposal.

Sir Hector will inspect the High School Cadet*t at half-post eleven this morning. Mid will leave by the Mararoa for the North this evening.