THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 11675, 6 February 1902, Page 7

THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

The monthlv meeting of the above was held last night in the Oddfellows' Hall. There woe a fair attendance. The chair was occupied by Chieftain Dugald M'Pherson, who, in has opening remarkß, referred to Captain Stonchain's circular inviting cooperation in promoting the grand bazaar intended to take place in June next for volunteer uniforms. In response to the circular, several ladies handed in their names as willing to help. He read a letter from Mr Donald MTherson intimating that the Gaelic choir practices would be resumed on tho 24th imt., at the usual time and place. The members would deeply sympathise with Miss Bandmann, one of the choir members, who was laid aside by severe indisposition. The chairman also said that he had much pleasure m welcoming to the meeting Corporal George Lows and Trooper John Norton, two young men ju;it returned from South Africa. He trusted thev would enjoy themselves,— (Cheers.) He also noticed their friend Mr J. B. Thomson present, and would call on him to sav a few words. Mr Thomson then delivered a humorous speech, which kept the audience pleased during its delivery. His heart, he said, warmed to all Scottish societies, and there were a good many of them in New Zealand, hut he thought the Gaelic Society was the most Scottish of them all, for it not only kept, up the traditions of their native land, but sought to perpetuate the grand old language from which it derived its distinctive title. He had lately been interested in the custom adopted bv similar societies in .America and Canada of holding meetings in different centres on a particular day everv vcar-i'or preference, St. Andrew's Day—and telegraphing poetical greetings to each other, lie would give one example o:i such an occasion recently. It was the greeting ot Montreal to Aberdeen, and ran thus:--MLeod or Macdonald. M'firegor or Campbell. lameron, Ogilvic, Goidon, or Hay; Wha cares a preen for the. line of the tartan. We're a' ae clan on St. Andrew's Day. An en lovable concert occupied the ret of the evening, Mrs Roderick M'Donald leading off v.iih 'When the kye comes hamc," followed by a, Gaelic song. 'An teid thu learn a ribhinn og,' by an old favorite, Mr Dan Matheson. ' Lochnagar,' sung by Mrs Carmichaei, 'The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond' bv Miss Mabel Carmichaei, and 'The four Mam' by Miss A. Carmichaei were excellently rendered and heartily applauded. Mr S. Chisholm's song, ' Feasgnir Luain,' was well received, and showed The singer's careful study of Uilleam Ross's lyrics. Miss Rutherford's contribution of Scotch selections on the pianoforte and Mrs R. M'Dorudd's violin solos were appreciated, as was also Miss Reeves's playing of the accompaniments. An item tint pleased the audience was supplied by Mr Donald Henderson with a gramophone, and when it reproduced "The soldiers of the King' all the. audience joined in vociferously. Two poems were received from Mr Kinross (one of the society's bards), and will be read at a future meeting. Pipermajor M'Kechuie played the pipes and Messrs D. M. Fea, J. Campbell, V\. B. Anderson, and D. Murray were elcted members,