GAELIC SOCETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1585, 8 April 1882, Page 14

GAELIC SOCETY.

s The ordinary monthly meeting of the Gaelic Society was held in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association rooms on Wea; nesday evening. Mr ' Reid 1 occupied the' chair, and there was a good attendance. ', ' ', ' Af,t;er the minutes of last meeting had been read and confirmed, the Chairman read a letter from Mr Duncan Wright, < secretary to the Y.MiC.A;, which stated that several persons had reported that dancing had taken place at 'one of the 'meetings of the' Society. He (Mr Wright) had to inform them, that this was contrary to the rules of the V.M.C.A., and could not be allowed in their premises. ;A Member: I think it is very unfair of the Young Men's Christian Association to let the h^ll with the view of obtaining 1 money, and then go and interfere with its use for purposes that are not immoral. .The Chairman pointed out that they had obtained the use of the hall at a cheap rentj and as the situation was an excellent one they might go farther and fare worse. Some no doubt objected to dancing taking place in the hall; and as it was only for holding meetings that the hall was obtained from the V.M.C.A., perhaps they could not utilise it for any other purposes. A Member: It was for social gatherings, and unless we can as Highlanders meet together in a social manner, the meetings will lose a considerable amount of their interest.

. The Ohaieman : Yes, but a Christian man and a Highlander may look upon social gatherings' from a different point of view. The former may think a, social gathering a meeting with praise and prayer,- while a Highlander would call it a meeting with singing, a Highland fling, and the bagpipes. ;Some further discussion ensued, several members speaking' in strong terms of the arbitrary action of the D.V.M.C.A. in the matter ; and one member during his remarks characterised them as "money-grubbers." It was decided to celebrate the first anniversary of the Society by a social gathering,' to take 'place in May next, and the Committee, of Management was instructed to make all necessary arrangements. ( Several Gaelic songs, recitations and readings were given and .highly appreciated by> those present, and the meeting terminated in tho usual manner.