THE GAELIC SOCIETY,

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 11

THE GAELIC SOCIETY,

JThe monthly meeting of this society was held on the night of the sth in the Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart street. Mr D. Munro occupied the chair, and in the course of his remarks read an extract in Gaelic from the Mac-talla, recording the death in Canada of Archibald M'Loan, the son of the Tiree bard of that ilk whoEe genealogy the article traced back in an unbroken line to "Mhic Eachainn Ruaidh nan cath, traith Dhubhairt, a thuifc am blar Harlaw 'sa bhliadhna 1411 " (the son of Red Hector of the battles, the chief of Duart that fell at the battle of Harlaw in the year 1411). Not many in these days could trace their descent 6o far back.

Dr Gordon Macdoriald delivered an address. He had been reading the Home papers, and had noticed the death of Mary M'Phereon, the Skye poetess. He gave some interesting details of her life and works. Referring to the Highlands generally, he observed there were industries such as aluminium manufacturing which would utilise water power bo plentiful in the hills of Scotland, and there had just been discovered in Ardnamurchan a deposit

of iron 3 the working of which would revolutionise matters in that locality. The discovery of coal in other localities would also effect great changes. Dr Macdonald further gave a vivid description of a recent holiday, during "which he had met with several excellent Highlanders, from whom he received donations to put the finishing touches on the Glengarry monument.

The concert was of the usual liberal quality, and well sustained throughout. The choir (Mr R. Rae conductor) rendered three pieces in first-class style — viz., " Gabhaidh sinn an rathad mor," " Gur gille mo leannan," and "A' Chuthag " — the duet part of the last-mentioned being taken by Mrs R. M'Donald and Miss M'Lennan. " Eilean a choo " was sung by Mr James M'Donald, '" An t-aparan ur " by Mi D. M'Lean, " Thoir mo-shoraidh do 'n taobh Tuath " by Mr John M'Kinnon, and "A fhleasgaich og " by Mr J. Turner, all of which were well received. Miss Jane Cameron, with her usual good tasto, sang "Is toigh learn a Ghajdhealtachd "• and "Gu mv slan a chi mi," and Miss Annie M'Donald did justice to ' Ye banks and braes." Mrs R. M'Donald sang with good effect "The lakes of Killarney " — the mention of which induced Dr Macdonald to give some reminiscences of a visit he had paid, when Home,, to that most picturesque of Irish Eoenes. Miss Houston played the accompaniments throughout the evening, and Mr A. Gray played the pipe 3 Mr A. Stroirach was" elected a member.