THE WELSH SINGERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXVVII, Issue 36, 12 February 1909, Page 8

THE WELSH SINGERS.

The Mayor (Hon. T. \V. Hislop) received the Welsh Ohoir at the Town Hall to-day on behalf of the citizens ; the choir- and membeis of the Welsh Society were introduced by the picsident, Mr. Rees Watkins. His Worship, in welcoming the choir, said ISew Zealanders had a very soft spot in their hearts for Wales and Welshmen, for they had not only enlivened the humdrum existence of the English by their poetry, but their success, in the football field had picvented the New Zealand representatives fiom coming back with swelled heads. There were Welshmen in the city of whom Wellington was as proud as they were of their own native land. Dr. ludor Jones, who also spoke in Welsh, described the Mayor as no party man but an international man. They as Celtic people could learn much- from England and Scotfond, but, on the otherhand, the Welsh possessed qualities V/hich other people could well emulate. The Rev. T. A. Williams (Petone) described the visit oi the choir as a breeze from the Welsh hills. New Zealand imagined it 'could lead the world in many things, and it did actually lead the Mother Country in some things. But there was no doubt Wales led the world in song. Mr. W. Thomas (conductor of the choir) replied. The choir had met thousands of Welshmen in the coloaies, many oi whom occupied high positions. A Welshman it was who held office as ] Chief Justice of the Commonwealth — Sir Samuel Griffith. President Roosevelt had said that of all the people in the States none were moreloyal or better citizens than the Welsh. The choir looked upon it as their duty to uphoidi the mueicai reputation of the land of their birth, and they could say that their reception in all parts of the colonies had been a most cordial one. (Applause). Mrs. Tudor Jones intends giving a, reception to the members of the Welsh Choir at Bryn-y-mor on Monday afternoon. The choir was entertained at luncheon at Godber's. The Mayor presided. The toasts honoured were "Cymru a Chymri ar Wasgar," proposed by Dr. Tudor Jones; 'Llew llhondda," by Mr. Watkms; and "New Zealand," by Mr. LI. Gwyllym; and the press (responded to in Welsh), by Mr. C. E. Wheeler.