SCOTS FOREGATHER

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 22, 27 January 1931, Page 14

SCOTS FOREGATHER

25HE WELLINGTON SOCIETY

Oil Saturday evening members and friends of tho Wellington Caledonian jSoeiety met to celebrate tho anniversary p£ the birth of Scotland's immortal $>ard, Bobert Birrns. It was the largest attendance that has assembled in the JOaledonian Hall for many a long day. sFhe eonoort, which was arranged by &Tr. G. Stark, was notnblo for the Enthusiasm and appreciation of the {various items contributed by the artists. Tho 2YA orchestra was present, tmder the baton of Mr. Dixon, and ,their contributions aided considerably Jo the success of the evening. Proceedings opened by tho playing in £>f the Chief, Mr. B. H. Nimmo, who (expressed his pleasure at such a largo attendance. After the singing of the Rational Anthem, tho Pipo Band reuidored three selections, creating tho Scottish air so necessary for tho success of such a gathering. Mr. J. CaldJvell sang "A Man's, a Man for a' iThat, " and in response to an unifleniable recall gave "Wullic Brewed a Peck of Maut." Miss B. Young, who iiossesses an excellent voico, sang ''Angus Macdonald," her encore numJjeV being "Gala Water.' 1 Mr. Harison "Cook was next heard in "Sound tho 3?ibroch," and for a recall gave "Bonifrie Dundee." Mr. 11.I1.- Bryant was warmly applauded for his song, "My Mary Sweet and Brown," giving as an jeneore "My Love is Like a Bed, Bed Eose." Mrs. Stark, who is always a jfavourite at these concerts, was heard in "My Am Wee Hoose," and in rejsponse to an encoro gave "John Anderfeon, My Jo." The 2YA Orchestra were heard in' a number of selections, iamong them being "Scottish Fantasia," *'My Am Folk," and the "Highland Laddie" series. These selections met with, •warm appreciation. "The Cotter's Saturday Night," that great poem of Burns, was ably recited by Mr. J. Lothian. During the programme Miss Hazel Martin danced the Highland fling and the Sheauntriubhas to the delight of the audience. The pieeo de resistance of the evening was the haggis. Preceded by two stalwart pipers, Drum-Major B. Price carried round the- hall the steaming haggis, on ■which was placed St. Andrew's Cross in small electric globes, fallowed the while by Mr. W.

Boyd with the crossed knives ready for tho operation of cutting the haggis. Tho hall was in darkness for the ceremony, which was a very striking one. With the lights switched on, Mr. J. Lothian declaimed Burns's "Ode to a Haggis," after which those present partook of the time-honoured dish. During tho evening Mr. P. Eraser, M.P., delivered a short oration on Burns, dealing with his humanity, his love of his country, his sympathy with the masses, and his love of democracy. Tho speech was excellently rendered and much appreciated. Some typical Scots funny stories were given by Chief Nimmo, and wero enjoyed by the listeners. At tho conclusion of the concert, supper was handed round, and an hour or so was spent in dancing to music furnished by tho pipes and by Mr. Mailman, old-time, modern, and Scots dancing figuring on the programme Tho gathering broke up at midnight to the singing of "AuM Lang Syne.