DUNEDIN SCOTTISH SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21599, 21 March 1932, Page 14

DUNEDIN SCOTTISH SOCIETY

VISIT FROM INVERCARGILL The Scottish Society of Dunedin was visited on Saturday evening by the chief of the Invercargill St. Andrew’s Society (Mr John L. M‘G. Watson), who was accompanied by his chieftains, Messrs Robertson, Ronald, and Falconer. Mr John Hope, representing the Council of Federated Scottish Societies, welcomed the visitors on their arrival at Dunedin. The meeting took place at Lake’s Restaurant, and after the official piper (Mr Eric Mackenzie) had played the opening selections the audience joined in the National Anthem, followed by the “ Garb of Old Gaul,” “ God Defend New Zealand,” “ Hurrah for the Highlands,” and “ Craigielea.” The president of the society (Mr G. Munro) extended a welcome, and asked Mr Watson to preside.

The Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs R. S. Black) were present, and during the evening the Mayor referred to the good feelings that existed between the two cities, and at the same time paid a tribute to Mr Watson ■ for his handsome gift to the Dunedin Public Library of the rare volume of the works pf the poet Burns. Mr Watson replied, and referred to the fact that he was surprised that both cities, claiming to emulate Scotland in all that was best, had not gone the length of adopting the term “ provost,” which seemed more dignified than “ mayor.” “I am sorry,” he said “ that I cannot address you as My Lord Provost, and you had better look out in case Invercargill gets in ahead of you.” On behalf of the Scottish Society, Mr John Hope presented a walking stick to Mr Watson, and informed him that it had been made by one of the society’s members.’ A lengthy and varied programme was carried through, and the following assisted in the success of a memorable evening:—Dance of the Union Jack, by the Misses Steele and MacMillan; song, “May Morning,” Miss Minnock; song, “Break of Day,” Mrs Melser; Gaelic song, Mrs Matheson; Scots recitation, Miss Briton; Highland fling, the combined dancers; eightsome reel, by the audience; sword dance, Miss Joyce Perry and Master Flett. Mr George Currie was heard in happy vein in his two items, “ The Inversnaiky Grocer ” and “ A Flue Man John.”

The president of the Welsh society (Mr J. E. Davies), in addition to asking Mr Watson to accept greetings from the Cambrians, rendered two solos, “ Land of My Fathers” in Welsh and “ Afton Water. The chief of the St. Andrew’s Society performed at the piano, and led the audience in community singing of songs of many countries. Piper Angus MacMillan supplied most of the music, and was ably assisted by the society’s official piper.