GAELIC SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18464, 27 January 1922, Page 6

GAELIC SOCIETY

TRIBUTES TO THE LATE CHIEF. ' -1 The monthly meeting l of the Gaelic So- { caety was held on Wednesday evening in the Oddfellows’ Hell, Stuart street. It was J not a meeting' of the usual character but a gathering to mourn the lose of the Chief of the Society—the late Mr Dngald M’Pherson. Shortly after 8 o’clock Chieftains Roderick M'Kemae, Kenneth Cameron, William Duncan, James D. Oameron, and Colin M'Kenzie entered the hall, and led by Pipers George Mumro and A. M'Millaii made their way to the platform to the slow ond-» eolemn measure of the dirge ’“The Flowers of the Forest.” The audi-: onoe stood, / and with bowed head listened to the expression of the spirit of Borrow by the pipes. The chiefs table was draped in black, which gave 'a touch of sadness suitable to the occasion. Senior-Chieftain Roderick M’Kenzie said the late Mr M'Pherson had been elected to succeed the late Sir John M’Kenzie some 20 years ago. Sir John had died in August, 1901, and_ Mr ha« passed'away cm Christman Eve, 1921. TboiV late chief was a man very well qualified to be .the Chief of the Gaelic; Society. He was a man of peace, .kind-liearted, hospitable,, and always ready to help in all good works. Ho was really the father, the chief, i the heed of his family, and he had the interests of every member of the society at heart. He was a true Highlander, and one of whom every member of the Gaelic Society might justly he proud. Until illness overtook him some two years ago he ■ was rarely absent from, the monthly meetings. and his cheery welcome .and :heartv handshake would be" much .missed. His work daring the late war could not.-bo forgotten. He not only helped our New Zealand boys, but also the widow, the orphan, and the helpless in the Highlands. With his help the sum of between £2OOO and £3OOO was. collected throughout Otago, and sent to Sir Thomas Mackenzie in London to be divided amongst those most in need in the. Highlands. An old friend of the late chief whom he had met that day had remarked that the beet description of the chief was “That, he was a Highland Gentleman.” _ Chieftains William Duncan and Colin M*Kenrio also gar© expression to similar sentiments. Mr Morrison voiced his feelings in a, Gaelio speech, advising the society to keep together and elect a man to fill the vacant office after the model of the. departed chief. Later in the evening Mr Morrison sang a Gaelic song appropriate to the occasion. Dr Gordon Macdonald, a past chieftain of the society, also paid his tribute of respect to the departed chief, emphasising his many-sided nature, his warm-hearted generosity, his kindly sympathy and consideration for others, and the many attributes of his character which had caused him to;be held in such widespread esteem. His service® had not perhaps beep re cognised as they should have been, but ha had a greater blessing in the fact that many people, especially in the Highlands, had reason to bo-filled with gratitude towards him. The gathering dispersed after another lament had been played by Pipers George Munro and A. M‘Millan.