GAELIC SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23108, 6 February 1937, Page 18

GAELIC SOCIETY

MONTHLY MEETING Members and friends of the Gaelic Society of New Zealand assembled ih the R.S.A. Club rooms last evening and enjoyed an excellent programme of national music and dancing. The chief, W. K. Cameron, accompanied by Chieftains W. H. M'Leod, K. MacDonald, Colin MacDonald, P. C. Gray, A. MacLennan, and A. M'Kenzie, were led to the platform by Piper Kenneth Cameron. • / Guests of the society were Mr J. A. Johnstone, president Caledonian Society of Otago, and Mr Albert Wheeler, president Pipers and Dancers' Association, whom the chief extended a warm welcome. Since the last meeting a respected member and brother of the secretary, Mr Alexander M'Lean, had passed away, and in his memory Piper Kenneth Cameron played a lament. ' A similar honour was carried out to the memory of Mrs John Munro, of Port Chalmers. The musical programme was opened by selections of Gaelic songs by the society's choir. This choir, under the capable leadership of Mrs A. Mathieson, seems to improve with each appearance. Misses Millie and Jessie Baxter danced the double sword dance, and later Miss M. Baxter danced the Highland fling. A newcomer was Mr Donald Munro, who sang "The March of the Cameron Men," with appropriate \%our, and as an encore "My Am Folk." He was accompanied by his mother, Mrs Munro. Gaelic songs by Chieftain Angus MacLennan were rendered as Gaelic songs should be rendered, and gave great pleasure to the folks from both highlands and : lowlands. Mrs Angus Mlvor, who is too seldom heard at the society's meetings, touched a tender chord with her charming interpretation of a few of the gems of Gaelic songs. No less successful was Miss Margaret Howden, whose items, " Eriskay Love Lilt" and "My Ain Wee Hoose," were received with genuine delight. Miss Alison Tyrie sang with appropriate feeling "The Auld Scots 'Sangs" and v "Ae Fond Kiss." Mr James Paterson was in great form, and his presentation of a humorous item was greatly enjoyed by the audience who were loath to allow him to leave the stage. His numbers were " Roon the Toon " " Boss o* the Hoose, - ' and "Jazz." Miss Dora Drake was new to the society, but will be welcomed again. She sang with understanding "Ye Banks and Braes" and "A Blackbird Song." This was followed by Gaelic songs by Mrs Hay and Master Alistar M'Caskil. . An excellent feature of the monthly meetings is the increasing number of Gaelic songs which are being sung. This is as it should be! The concluding items were " Seann Triubhais," delightfully danced by Miss Jessie Baxter, and a selection on the pipes by Piper Kenneth Cameron, who was congratulated by the chief on his outstanding successes in the North Island. In a brief speech Chieftain P. C. Gray proposed a vote of thanks to all who had so splendidly contributed to the evening's entertainment. Miss Alice M. George played the accompaniments in her usual finished style.