THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2302, 14 April 1898, Page 11

THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of this society was held on the 6bh in the Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart street. Mr D. Munro occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of members and friends. A letter was read from Mr J. G. Stott (Wellington) enclosing his life membership fee of £5, and complimenting the society o& the display of pipsrs they were tho means of securing for the Jubilee precession. Mr Stott was elected a life member and Mr D. Munro an ordinary membar. Correspondence was also read from the Southland Pipe Band expressing the pleasure which their Jubilee trip had afforded them, and their thanks for the hospitality they experienced from the Fociefcy as a whole and from prominent members of it. The Chairman, in opening the meeting, remarked that as the working year terminated with this month the meeting for the election of new office-bearers would take place next month. Ha would, therefore, take the present opportunity of thanking all who in any way had helped to make the term of his office as chairman a pleasant; and prosperous one. Before next meeting the members wou'.d be asked ta revise the rules, at these had been out of print for come time, and no doubt, after the lapse of so many years since they were framed, they would " thole amends " in some particulars. Referring to the recent ceilidh and the Jubilee procession, the former was a great sucoesa, and as regarded the latter, he thought it would have been a comparatively tarns affair but for the grand display made by the Southland Pipe Band, with their splendid pipe music and beautiful Highland uniforms. He certainly considered them, seconded as they were by the newly-formed Dunedin Pipe Band and the society's own pipers, a prominent feature of the pageant. Referring to the library, he had the pleasure to acknowledge receipt from Mr Roderick M'Keczie, vice-president, of a history of the Highlands and Highland clans in two large volumes well illustrated, and to propose a hearty vote of thanks to Mr M'Kenzie for the valuable gift. He would call on Captain Norman M*Donald (Bluff) to say a few words as representing the Southland Highland Society. Captain Si 'Donald was delighted to be present, as he had so few opportunities of associating with the Gaelic Society, although he was a member for many years. As representing the Southland Highland Society he had to thank those present, and tha people of Dunedin generally, for the cordial reception given to the pipe band from Invercargill. He had taken considerable interest in forming it, and with the exception of three or four, all the members of it wers young colonials. Otago should follow their example, and if it did success would follow, as the raw materials were more plentiful in Otago than in Southland. Mr Donald M'Pherson delivered a speech on the late Mr Alexander M'Kenzie, the clan historian, whose numerous works on Celtic subjects Mr M'Pherson detailed, and read an account of his life from the Obaa Times. At. Mr M'Pherson's suggestion", the audience rose to their feet in a body in honour of the deceased. The concert proved a very enjoyable one, Mrs R. M'Kenzie singing " Mary of Argyle" : Mias Jane Cameron, "Is toigh learn a ghaidhealtachd" ; Mrs Carmichael, " Wha'll be King but Chairlie," also " Oor kail yaird" and, as an encore, "Three, leaves of: shamrock"; Mr Neil Buchanan, " Gur tv mo run" and "A bhean agam fhein"; Miss Carmichael, "The Queen's Maries"; and Mr J. Turner, "Erin go brath." Master D. M Donald (Bluff) danced the Highland fling iv costume, and by special request of the audience repeated the number. Pips-major M'Kcchais discoursed the national music, assisted by Ms J. Juhasoa.