GATHERING OF THE CLANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23511, 27 May 1938, Page 4

GATHERING OF THE CLANS

HIGHLANDERS MEET AT CAVE MR T. D. BURNETT, M.P., AS HOST At the inviation of Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., survivors of the Gaelic race throughout the South Island forgathered at Cave recently for one of the most notable gatherings of the clans ever held in New Zealand. The proceedings were opened at St. David’s Pioneer Memorial Church, and the gathering was completed with banquet and a typically Gaelic concert. It was a notable sight as the Highland pioneers wended their way up the pathway leading to the church. Memories were raised of the days when New Zealand was untamed. There were those present who had found their way in bullock wagons over unchartered tussock lands', who, to conquer Canterbury and Otago, had forded unknown rivers. Through all that had lived Gaelic patriotism and Gaelic emotion Many clans were represented. The Burnetts are a sept of Clan Campbell and the invitation bore a piece of that tartan. The Campbells were there, the MacLennans, Macdonalds, Macleods, Ross’s, Macleans, Stuarts. Maclntyres. Buchanans, Grants, Mackenzies and many others whose ancestry went back to days spent amongst the heather and rocky fastnesses. Reminiscenes were exchanged and history was revived Gaelic predominated, and perhaps the real success of the gathering was in the results it obtained. “My friends of an ancient race, we are here on a notable occasion, to gather together remnants of a race that has heloed to colonise the British Empire,” Mi Burnett said, in opening the service at the church. Difficulty had been experienced in finding a preacher who knew the Gaelic tongue, and the service had to be managed as well as possible. The Dunedin Gaelic Choir had arrived with considerable sacrifice.

The opening hymn was the “ Old Hundredth,” sung by the choir. Scripture readings in Gaelic were taken by Messrs A. McMillan, Donald Munro, and Kenneth Cameron. The choir and congregation sang the Twenty-third Psalm in Gaelic, and also the First Psalm. In a short address after the singing of the Twenty-third Psalm, Mr Burnett said it would surely appeal to a Highland congregation to the bottom of their hearts. The Highlanders, a people of an ancient race,

were very proud of & long unblemished record, and had played their part always. Ever they had as their guide God’s word and message. They had, in fact, in the past returned good for evil; they had been put out of their native glens, but they had turned to colonising and the widening of the Empire influence. Their objective had always been the truth of right and down with might. The style of singing that was adopted by the choir in the Twentythird Psalm, jwent back hundreds of years. The precentor repeated the verse, and the congregation followed in unison. Many years ago people had not the advantages of education, and had been unable to read the Psalms. All the Highlanders who attended the church service, about 150 strong, were the guests of Mr Burnett and the Misses Burnett at a banquet in the big barn. Most of the speeches were in Gaelic, and the speakers included leading Highlanders in the South Island. Mr Keith Cameron said he would like to pass an appreciation of the very great kindness Mr Burnett and the* Misses Burnett had done for Highland people in the South Island. “ There are not many Highlanders strong enough in their feelings to put their hands in their pockets and call their countrymen together at a function like this.” he stated.

“ O teannaibh Dluth ’Us Togaibh Fonn,” or, in other woi'ds, “ Sing to Me of the Highlands,” would aptly decribe the Gaelic concert in Mr Burnett’s big barn, with which the programme for the day’s gathering concluded. Several addresses were included in the concert, and dealt with Gaelic history and tradition. The speakers were Messrs W. D. Campbell, C. S. Thomas and Kenneth Cameron. A toast was proposed to Mr Burnett and his sisters by Mr Keith Cameron. “ The Men and Women Who have Passed On ” and “ The Days of Auld Lang Syne ” were fittingly honoured by Piobaireachd played by Mr Kenneth Cameron,” “ Lament for the Dead ” and “Lochaber No more."