THE GAETIC SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2426, 12 September 1900, Page 71

THE GAETIC SOCIETY.

There was a large attendance at the meeting of the Gaelic Society on Wednesday, sth inst., in the Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart street,over which Chieftain T. W. Mimro presided. The Chairman delivered a speech, in which he gave a report of his own and Mr D. M'Lennan's recent visit as delegates from the society to the Highland Society of Southland, on the occasion of tlie latter's anmial gathering. The Soutlilanders gave them a most hearty reception, and entertained them with true Highland hospitality. No less than four parsons were on the pjatform, and a fluent Gaelic address was delivered by one of them. Chi the whole, the trip to Invercargill was of a kind to leave lasting and pleasurable impressions on the memory.

Mr Dugald M'Lachlan (Purakanui) gave both an English and a Gaelic speech, in which he referred to the Highlanders as soldiers, detailing Uisir achievements on many a hard-fought battlefield. Mention was made of tho continued illness of the Hon. John M'Kenzie, chief of the society, and the deepest sympathy of the members was expressed with him in his suffering. Messrs Dugald M'Lachlan and T. W. Mimro, who were appointed to represent the society at the Waitaki society's meeting on Friday, were instructed to visit Mr M'Kenzie en route and carry the feelings of the meeting to him.

The concert was opened by Mr Neil M'Faclyen (bard), who sang '' Horo ! mo Mhairi lurach." He subsequently sang an original Gaelic song on the New Zealanders in Africa, to the air of '" Tha mi *n dtiil," and being vigorously encored responded .with another origin.nl song on the same inspiring theme to the air of " Cogadh no sith." Mrs James M'Donald contributed, with her wonted ability, " Mary 01 Argyle " and '" O' a' the airta." The Gaelic choir rendered " Ged tha mi guv chrodh " and " Mo run geal dileas " (Mr D. Matheson, Port Chalmers, being soloist) and the " Laughing chorus," under the baton of Mr J. Nelson. Mr John M'Donald sang " Bha mi 'n de 'm Beinn Doian," one of Duncan Ban's best songs, in a manner that gave special satisfaction. My faither's auld coat " was sung by MrTaines Brown ; " Bonnets o' blue" by Mr James Turner; a Gaelic song by Mrs Gordon ; and " Beir mo shoiridh " by Mr J. M'Pherson — all given in a manner that elicited deserved applause. Mr M'Pherson also gave a comic recitation, " Uilleam Dean Suidh," in good style. Miss Palmer played with good effect a pianoforte solo, " General Macdonald's March," and Mrs James M'Donald, ju addition to her vocal contributions, played.

the accompaniments. The basrpipe playing of Pipe-major TVC'lvechnie ancTthc champion piper Mr Murdoch M'Keiizie was an enjoyable feature of the evening's entertainment. Messrs J. Hislop, J. P. lvirby, J. J. Dixon, and Robert M'Donald were elected "members.