SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19941, 30 May 1930, Page 11

SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

INAUGURATION OF CHIEF. The inauguration of the new chief of the Scottish Society Ceilidh was the main ceremony at the annual festival of the Society held last evening. Christchurch Scots attended the Society's hall in large numbers, and national traditions were honoured with enthusiasm.

Led by a member of the Pipe Band, the chief-elect, Mr A. A. McLachlan, past chiefs, and Council members filed on to the platform, when the retiring chief, Mr S. Macdonald, performed the inauguration. "1 introduce to you a grand new chief," he said; "he is what we might term a Scottish Society saint—you haven't found out his sins yet, but I can assure him from my own experience that you will find them in due course." To Mr McLachlan he expressed the hope that ho would carry out the best traditions of the Scots, and would enjoy a thoroughly successful term of office. Mr McLachlan responded to the welcome accorded him. "I feel greatly the honour conferred on me," he said, "and will endeavour to carry on the traditions which have been so well defined for me by the retiring chief." Mr McLachlan then assumed his office and the audience stood while Mrs A. W. McGillvray sang "Hail to the Chief."

An outline of the work of the Society during the past few years was given by the senior chieftain, Mr B. M. Spiers. The possibility of the Society's having a new hall to be known as the "Burns Memorial Hall' was reaching a practical stage, for £llOO had been subscribed out of the £IBOO required to pay for the section in Armagh street purchased two years ago; and £ISOO was in hand for the building itself. He stressed the necessity for a membership campaign. Five had been nominated for membership that evening, and over 100 were wanted within the next three months. A presentation to the Society of a photograph of the Thistle Football Club's senior team was made by Messrs Thompson and Grey, representatives of the club at the gathering. A programme of Scottish songs and dances was given. Items included selec-

tions by the Society's Band, songs by Mesdames McGillvray and Farquhai Young, Messrs JVlacquame and Farquhar Young. A reel o' tulloch, a Highland Fling, and a Highland reel were danced by Misses Campbell, Dickson, Belmer, and Walton. There was dancing for those who wished at the conclusion of the programme.