THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 55

THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

The ordinary monthly meeting of this society waa held on tha night of the 6th in the Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart street. The hall was filled to overflowing, and Mr Lachlan M'Donald occupied the chair. The Secretary read correspondence that had passed between Mr J. J. Stott, of Wellington, and the president of the society regarding the Highland mem jrial to tbe late Professor Blackie, which is to.take the form of an annual scholarship for Celtic students in connection with the Gaelic Chair in Edinburgh. Mr Stott's own contribution was thankfully acknowledged, and his advocaoy of tbe object in view would no doubt have a good effect in stimulating the gensrosity of others. The society's collecting sheetß would remain out for a month or two yet, before the end of which time it was to be hoped there would be a large array of Highland names, male and female, on the collecting sheets— however small the 6ums that might be individually contributed. The Dumber that

phould contribute, to show their gratitude to the late philo-Celtlc professor, was more important than the aotual amount that might be raised ; and there wore very few but could contribute something. Several subscriptions were tendered by members arvi others present. Mr W. Hutchison, M H.R., delivered an address in which he reviewed the progress of things in the Highland* since the days when he resided there, and instanced the construction of the Highland railway fiom Perth to Thurso— longer than the Gieat North-Western line from London to Carlisle— costing six millions of money, or over £13,000 a mile. There were other signs of improvement of . a less material kind. He had noticed that a splendid new edition of Oosian's poems had just been issued ; that the clan Donald bad started a journal for themselves, a copy of the first number of which he handed to tho chairman; that a statue was to be erected to the memory of Flura Macdonald, and also a stained-glass window —the latter to be placed in a church in tha Isle of Skye, the home of the Macdonalds. Mr Hutchison regretted he j should not have the pleasure of attending the meetiugs for the next few months, as ho was going to Wei ington, but he should carry with him pleasant remembrances of the present meeting. Mr D. Muuro read extracts from latters received from Mr (Jkisholm, of the Hawke's Bay Highland Society, and from Mr D. M'Farlane, chief of the Hakateraine* Gaelic Society, and also from Mr John M'Lenuan, an office-bearer of the latter society— All breathing the warmest friendship to the members of the parent institution in Dunedin. An excellent programme of vocal and pipe music was provided— "'Mo run geal dileas" being sung by Mrs Campbell. " We U hae nane but Hieland bonn«ls here, by Mrs Murray, and "When the kye come havne," by Miss Annie M'Donald. Mr D. Hut ton sang "Bonnie Prince Charlie," and on being vociferously encorid responded with " A man's a man for a' that," and later on saug "Gae bring tae me a pint o' wm»." Mr Neil M'Donald sang "Ho! ro I Eila" ; Mr James M'Donald " Gur beag tao shuiind ri ceol,'" 1 Mr D Matheaon " A ribhinn og," and Mr Colin M'Kenzie " Jock M'Grath." A special treat was enjoyed in seeing Miss Elizabeth M'Rae dancing the Highland fling, which she did in a moat graceful style. Master D. M'Donald's dancing of the sailor's hornpipe was also remarkably well done. The pipers were Pipe-major M'Kechnia and Mr J. Murray. At the close Mr D. M'Donald delivered a short speech, and announced that as another year had flad the next meeting would be the annual oue for the election of office-bearers.

For pluckily stopping a runaway horse, whose rider was being dragged by the stirrup, Mr William Mitchell, of Wanganui, has been presented with a handsome watoh and chain, suitably inscribed.