GAELIC SOCIETY'S CEILIDH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12551, 3 January 1903, Page 8

GAELIC SOCIETY'S CEILIDH.

The Gaelic Society and their many friends held a ceiledh last evening at the Choral Hall, when there was' a largo arid appreciative audience. Piper J. M'Lcan having played the officials on to the .platform, the Chief (Mr Dugald MTherson) took the chair, and'wished all present a happy New Year in Gaelic. The Chairman then proceeded to give sonic interesting details as to the steps being taken in tljh Old Country for the advancement of the Gaelic language, quoting statistics that .showed that throughout Scotland 28.10G persons, or .G3 of the inhabitants spoke Gaelic only,' while in addition 202,700, or 4.53 per cent.,' spoke both Gaelic and English. Ho'\also referred to the fact that the teaching of Gaelic in Highland, schools had been for some time engaging the attention- of 'the Gaelic Society of London. In the early part of the previous year stops had been taken to ascertain' in how many schools throughout the Highlands Gaelic was actually being taught, with the result that applications for aid were received from no less than 58 schools, the number of students studying the languago being over 1500. To these schools about 200 text books and 570 Gaelic prize books were sent., It had been intended to'make a capitation' grant to the schoolmasters for every child in one or more of the junior standards who should pass an examination in elementary Gaelic, but funds had not allowed of it so far. Appeals had been also made'to other kindred societies for co-opera-, tion in this matter. Reference was also made to the recent visit of the Clan M'Kay to oxamine into the schools in the North of land, and to the fact that all ■ the papers in the Highland districts now gave a column to' Gaelic, and the same thing had been inaugurated by. the Glasgow Weekly Herald. The Chairman then apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R.j ' who was to hav<> spoken. Short but felicitous | speeches suitable to the occasion were then ' given by Dr Gordon Macdonald and Mr W. C. MacGregor, and a long concert programme was then gone through, the' items being greatly enjoyed and frequently encored. The programme'was as follows:--Mr James Jago "Highlandman's toast"; Mrs R.. M'Donald "'Gun gille mo leannan"; Mr W. Sinclair " Rocked in the cradle of the deep"; Mr .T. M'Donald "'S toigh learna ghaidhealtach";Miss Campbell "Mary of Argyle"; Miss Ban-' deen "Doon the-burn"; Mr D. M'Phorson. jun. "Farewell to Finnary"; Mr J. M'Neill " Nighean donn hhoidhc&ch"; Mr Brown " Island of dreams "; and Miss M'Kinnon wa3 also among the vocalists. In r.ddition, Misses M'Kinnon and Bnndeen.' sang the duet "Bniaiclicin Ghlinn •Bhrooin"; Masters M'Kechnie and H. M'Donald danced a Highland fling;-Mr D. M'Donald contributed a seauntreus; Mrs R-. M'Donald and Miss Recvo rendered a violin fantasia on Highland airs (Miss Thomson accompanying);' and the choir contributed the choruses "Faill, ill oagus ho' ro cile," " Rose of Auniudi'o." and " Mo run geal dileas" (soloist Mr D. M'Pherson). Tho Dunedin Pipe Band also played a selection, and prior to the concert rilayod. outside the hall. An impromptu speech in Gaelic by Mr Dugald M'Lachlan must not be omitted from the programme. It was apparently greatly enjoyed, and probably misunderstood by very many present. Miss Reeve acted as accompanist, and " Anld Jang syne " and tho National Anthem brought an enjoyable function to a close.