THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2146, 11 April 1895, Page 14

THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

A largely attended meeting of the Gaelic Society was held on the night of the 3rd in the Stuart street Hall, Mr Dugald M'Lachlan presiding. The chairman, in his opening address, gave a most hearty welcome to Messr3 J. F. Perrin and J. J. Connor, representatives of the Iriah Society, whom he invited to seats on the platform. The secretary reported the receipt of a very nice letter from Mr John Guna (the late president of the society), in which he conveyed his kindest regards to all tbe members. He also acknowledged receipt of two poems from Mr D. Ferguson, specially type-written for the society, and one of them artistically illuminated on the margins with the Scottish fins ar.d Scotch thistles. The best thanks of tho society were due for these token-< of goodwill. One of the poems, " The Scottish Flag," was read to the meeting, and the other reserved for a future occasion. The poem', it may be mentioned, were not original, althoiigh Mr Ferguson is himself a poet, but selected by him as suitable for lecitation at the meetings. Mr Periun delivered a short address, expressing his pleasure at meeting with so many Highlanders who spoke a dialect almost identical with hw own (the Iri.-h Gaelic). In his youth he kept well in touch with Scottish literature, especially the works of Sir Walter Scott, which, he regretted to say, were not so much read in the colonies as they shorl-1 be.

Mi DwNNon followed, and referred to the working of the society represented by Mr Perrin and himself. A network of branchea would be spreid over Otago which would foster the Gaelic by ettablishirg classes for its systematic teaching. Although he himsslf was born in Australia, and had Ihuefoio no chmce of lean in^ the hngusga in his jouth, he was proud of bd.ng a Celt, aud approved of such K>cietie3 a 9he \v,ia now addressing being supported and encouraged. lie wa.6 pleased to see tuch a large number of H'ghland ladies present. Whatever the ladies put their hands to would pro?per. Ho thanked the 'reel ins for the hearty reception accorded to Mr Perrin and himself.

Mr W. MacLeod initiated tho yountrer portion of the audience into the imstcries of fairy life (the olilei 1 povtiuu knew all about them already), and he read fronri the "Irish Gaelic Journal" a fairy tale, which showed that the Irian Celts wert

not a whit behind tbe Highlanders in their knowledge of these wonderful beings. Mr James Turner gave a Gaelic reading, which was well received.

The musical part of the programme va<j particularly good, Mrs Carmiohacl's singing of will ye no come back again ? ' and " Wha wadna fecht for Charlie?" being a lich treat. Miss Knston was iv excellent voice, and rendered Ihe Scottish blue bells " with much taste ; whilst the sweetness with which Miss Annie M'Donald sauß "John Hielandmau" oivl the " Bonnie banks o Locli Lomoud" was admirablo. Mr Robert Clark gave a fainted rei-deiing of "The bonnets o blue," and Mr V. Caroliu sang "The minstrel boy " with good effect The Gaelic siiijc-rs— Mensra D. M^athefcon, K. Livingston, J M'Kiniion, J. M'Kechnie, and J. Turner— all acquitted themselves with their wonted ability, and received unstinted applause. Mr J. D. S. Burt executed with great precision the dance known a3 " I lost my love an' 1 cars na'." JlrD. Mumio referred to the loss the Gaelicspeaking Highlanders all the woild over had sustained through the death of Professor Blaekie, by who-e efforts niauily the chair of Celtic literature had been established in Edinburgh. It would be a proper thing tor the sccicty to send a letter of condolence to the relatives of tLe deceased profepsor—a suggestion which, was agreed to. Pipe music was efficiently supplied throughout the evening by Pipe-major M'Kechuie aud Piper Murray.