THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 11

THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Gaelic Society for ths election ot offi e-bearers wai held on Wednesday night, Ist;, in tbe Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart etreeb. MrT. W. Munro (vice-president) ocsnpiedy Mao chair. of apoiogy were read from Mr D.^, Munro and Pipe-major M'Kecbnie, who were absent through indisposition.

T&e result of the election was as follows : — Chief, the Hon. John M'Ke&zie, Minister for Lands ; chieftains, Mr J. F. M. Fraper and Dr Gordon MacdonsJd ; librarian, Mr J. Turner ; treasurer. Mr George Ritchie ; secretary, Mr William MacLeod ; committee — Messrs John M'Millan, Donald M'Pherson, D. M'Auky, Malcolm H'Donald, Colin M^Kenzie, and D. Mnuro ; bards, Messrs Neil M'Fadyen and Dugald Ferguson ; pipers — Pipe - major M Kechnie, Messrs Jobn Murray, John Johnston, Charles M'Glashan, A. Gray, J. M'Kechnie, juu., and A. Murray.

On the motion of Mr Geokge Ritchie a vote of thanks vas accorded to the retiring officebearers.

The retiring chairman having installed Mr J. F. M. Fraser in his office of chieftain, the latter, who was greeted with hearty cheera, acknowledged in his inaugural address the compliment paid him by his being elected one of the chieftains of the society, and he had no doubt that Dr Gordon Macdonald, although not present, would feel equally gratified at being placed in the same position. At the previous meeting he had mentioned the word " glaiks," which had since become the subject of newspaper correspondence. There was now on the table a neafc model of the churn "glaik«," the handiwork and gift of Sir Win. Gilmour, and he (the speaker) believed that was the article originally meant, although he was now informed that in Ayrshire the word meant a crank for spinning straw ropes, and in Aberdeenshire, apparently, a chain puzzle. Models of these would be acceptable. He bad now tbe pleasure to hand round for inspection the toddy ladle, which was a genuine one, and perhaps the only genuine relic of Prince Charlie in<these colonies. As those present would see, it was a surprisingly beautiful article of carved wood£ ork. • Mr' SJ Dugald M'Lachlan', in Gaelic,, made feeling reference to the recent death of two prominent members of the society — Messrs D. C. M'Donald and Alexander Cameron, — and Mr Donald M'Pherson followed in the same strain in English, concluding with an original elegy on the deceased. Mr J. Murray (piper) played a lament, and Mrs J. M'Donald sang " The Land o' the Leal " in memory of the departed. Mr M'Lachlan also gave a Gaelic riddle: "Biadh air deigh gach bidh?" Answer : " Cnothan."

Mr Simon M'Dosald said he had much pleasure in informing theemeeting that he had had a letter from Mr Thomas Mackenzie, now in London. The letter was accompanied by a large, handsomely framed photograph of the recent dinner party held under the auspices of the Highland Society of London, the Marquis of Lome being in the chair, and Mr Mackenzie being one of the guests appearing in the photo. On the motion of the Chairman, the secretary was instructed to forward the heartiest thanks of the meeting and of the society to Mr Mackenzie for tbis valued gift, and to express the hope to see Mr Mackenzie scon back again among them in Dunedio.

Mr A. Rollinson sang "The plaidie," composed by Mr Dugald Ferguson, which was highly appreciated, as was also Mr Colin M 'Donald's Ringing of the Gaelic song "Horo ! Leannan »n oluinn thu." Mia3 Jane Catnerou &&ng " Gur gile tno leannan, 5 ' and Mrs R. M'DoEa'd " Bonnie Prince Charlie" with taste and expression. Messrs J. Murray, J. Johnson, and A. Murray played the pipes. Four male and six lady members were added to the roll. It was agreed to grant the patronage of the society to tbe f ort/bcoming concert for the benefit of Mr and Mrs Murray, sen.

A new feature ia connection with the Govsrumenb railway service has come into operation in Wellington — viz., a special delivery of all oarcels oq to lowfc