GAELIC SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 12164, 7 April 1904, Page 8

GAELIC SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the above was ! held last night in the Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart street. Chieftain B. Mackenzie, who occupied the chair, apologised for the, absence of the chief (Mr Dugald M'Pherson), who was on a trip to a neighboring colony, but would be back in ample time for the annual meeting next month. The present meeting, said the chairman, as the members would notice by the hall being draped in black, was one of mourning for three departed members, whoe deaths had occurred since last meeting. Mr Thomas C. Matheson had been for many years an officebearer, and Mr A. Shaw had been a committeeman for sonw years, whilst Mrs John M*Lennan was one of the first ladies who had joined the society, and she was a regular attendant at the meeting* till failing health intervened. Mr Simon M'Donald aho spoke very feelingly regarding Mrs M'Lennan, whom he had visited frequently during her illness, and for the last time a day or two before her death. She had a warm affection for the members of the society, and had desired him to tell them so. She was perfectly happy in the prospect of her translation from this world to the "inheritance undented and that fadeth not away." Pipe-major M'Kechnie played as a lament ' The flowers of the forest,' and was followed by Mrs Campbell, who recited 'Lwoidh a Bhruadair' ('The hymn of the dream '). ' Chumha na h-oidhe'—a toost pathetic wail—was rendered by the choir, and further laments were sung by Miss Baudecn. Mr D. M'Pherson, sen., and Mr Colin M'fenzie. Mr Dugald M'Lachlan (Purakanui) delivered a speech in Gaelic, and took for his text the single word "Gradh." meaning love or affection—that species of love which manifested itself in parental and filial affection, love of country, kindred, language. It included patriotism, loyaltv, fidelity to all that was good. Highland love was the best in the world when properly carried out, but when not so it was no better than English love.—(Laughter.) With regard to love of one's mother tongue, he hoped shortly to hear sermons preached in Dunedin in the Gaelic language, when he a!?o hoped the Highlanders would rally around the preacher, wnoever he might be.

During the evening the Chairman snid that the Maori-carved gold-mounted stick presented by the society many years ago to their then chief, the Rev. Dr Stnart, had rj;n re-presented a day or two ago to the society. It had come into the poFsesnon of Mr W. A. Gibb, in Sydney, some time ago, and now he, being on a visit to Dunedin, presented it, " as no money would buy it," to the society. On the motion of Mr D. M'Pherson, seconded by Mr Simon M'Donald, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded by acclamation to Mr Gibb for his generous gift. Mi3s Reeve played the accompaniments to the various dirges and laments, and the meeting closed early as a token of respect for those whose decease thy grieved.