THE ANNUAL GATHERING

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 29

THE ANNUAL GATHERING

The twenty-first annual gathering of the Gaelic Society took place on Friday in the Garrison Hall, when the chief (Mr D. M'Pher*on) presided. Although it was announced the proceedings would start at 7.30; it we* nearer 8 o'clock when the Pipe Band played their way down to the hall, and preceded the officials to the platform. Tho hall was gay with bunting-, great caro having been bestowed ou the decorations. The chief was supported by Messrs Roderick Mackenzie and James Turner (chieftains), Mr William MacLeod (secretary), his "Wort.hip tho Mayor (Mr J. A. Park), Dr Gordon Macdonnld, Mes=r<- Duncan M'Farlane and Kenneth Cameron ♦ (Highland .Society of Southland), J. .7. 1? am say (Burnis Club), J-ames Samson (-Caledonian Society), S. B. MacDoirdd (Wellington Burns Club), James Gray, William M'Kenzie, Simon M'Donald, Captain Daniel M'Callum, John M Bean, Duncan M "Donald. Simon Chialuilm, John Kennedy. Wilham Williamson, John M'Lennan, Makolm M "Donald, John M'Miilan, Donald M'Phcr.ion, .John Stewart, Colin M'Kenzie, Roderick M'Donald, D. Munro, and D. M'Lunr.an. Tin- pip^is were: Pipemajor M'Kwhnie and Pipe major Gray, Messrs J. M'Kcflmic. J. M'Lean, D. M'Koclinic, and D. M'Donald. The f< llowing annual report was submitted : —

In presenting their twenty-fiist annual repoit, your committee cannot permit the oppoitunity to pass without congratulatirg the members on the bociety's attainin-g its majority. For 21 years the Highlanders of Otago have stood shoulder to sthoukler in promoting the objects for which they hip Vniitfd, aad it is gratifying to be able to say that t'i'' society id still as flouu?hing as it has been at any previous anniversHiy.

Meeting".- The nirrtingp co'iinioncrd, as usual, with the annual gatherinp in the (JarrißOn Hall, which was larpely .ill ended by town and country friend**, who than hud the oppoitumty of renewing o'd acquaintance "hii- 1 - and forming ne'v cc*- biikiiii; the.i own "kith and km," which they would not have had but for thoe pcpular reuii:on-> The monthly meetings weie 8.11 regularly held (except oiiu which hipped in loken of grief at the death of the. chief the lete Sir John M'Ken? "), and were well attended, the sp a echeb, song", pipe music, and other Highland sne'ialtie*- g.vinc; fvident delight to the intelligent audit. 1 cp<» that assembled mouth by mo..'.!i. A s].c^i.i l mertinsr was hold on tb" nccas'oa of Cc-m-rnl Sit Hoctor Maedonald's vu-it, to tender him the .society's welcome and piesrnt him with his life membership card, entlo-cd m a cahko' of IVZ. woods, together with home articles of X.Z. g-ieenstone, as souvenn« of his trip through the colony. Mhc- clneft<uns of thi- <>oi lety went specially to meet Sir Hector on hii aniv.il at. the Biuff. ard enjeed a good deal of Ins company fluung h:*> "ts-v. Tl-c ootieiy a 'so united w,th tl» • Caledonian Society, the Bums C'l.ib, aid the Early Settlers' Association m giving him a grand eiiUitainment in the Agricultural Hall. '1 hc\ were also lug My gratified at the almost regal reception gu-en to thc-ir distiugnip'ied eruntryman by all the people of New Zealaiul on hit whole line of route. Your commit' ee further joirr I the othei a« c-iatiou 11 n'Mitior.ed in presenting: the with a tergr album of Nev Zealand views. Friendly visits were exchanged with the Bums Club, and the=c are amongit th» most pleasant rcmr.iiscences of the yesir. Library, Language, and Litcrp'i.re - With a splendid collection of Oaehc bonks .mil EngK'sh works on Celtic subjret*. it mu'-t be co,i-fc««-i.(l that for the i^a-t two ye.us they Iwc l.oi. been taker. a»lvai.t,igc of as trey oujrht to have beci. , b.. v l ..- can le excised to «=omc extei t on account oi ;!■*• iimmiy exctuig nublit fnnctiors that occupied a, picat part of the tjma in the pending eff and v.<lconi.n<^ ha. k th» vaiiuu- contingent*, the Duke and Dnchf. of Yoik's Mtit, the \i-it of Sir Hector Macdonald. the Premier'^ «-erd-cff. tho peace iejoicingi and the- King* Corona' ion ff-lnitics. There was voii!\ little time to di-'c-'i to licratuie. Xe\eithc-lc»s, the bards o( the iocietj fcur.d m the=o evcaits themes for the nni^e, and contributed several onginal poems. Piper D. il'Kec'i' .■. compc-ed a n.aic'i entitled " Gor.era,l Sir Hector Mat dn'.n'u's 'Wp'.como to Duncdir.," ai.d II err Paul So.iderhofi, pianist, gave the pociety tho beuc-'it of the hist placing :" pubhc (! his original nuali "Under 'the Southern Clews." For all these ev^encca of g".im the m:mbcs ajid fi.encl c of the society and their committ<2e are proud, and such contributions are always appreciated. Fox the encouragement of the stutU &

Gaelic and matter? OHic, it i* the coro;piltee'«j intention during th* clisumg year, which it is to bo hopeti will be a qu:c-t one. to offer a few small prizes for competition. Suggestions as to how best to effect the object .a \ic-w will be welcomed from any quarter.

The committee have to tender their best thanks to Mr James M'lndoe for the gut of Dr Mitchell's "History of tho Highlands and Gaelic Scotland," which foims a valuable addition to the library. The sermis still being legularly received are the Celtic Monthly and llactalla In this connection the committee is delighted to learn that the new translation of the Gaelic Bible, begun many years ago, has recently been completed, and will shortly )>c issued. The society will endeavour to secure a copy early. A circular was received from dhe Highland Hocietv of London requesting cooperation m furthering Gaelic education in the Highland*. It is intended to accede to this leque-jt. It appears also that a Cornish Society lias been formed in London to rescue from oblivion what lpmains there may be of that member of the Celtic la.ngu»ges, and your committee wi«h them every success in their laudable endeavour.

Choir.— Tlie choir continues to render regular and efficient servic at the monthly meetings, under the "bnton of the honorary conductor (Mr James Nelfoji). Among the more public appearances of the choir may be mentioned tho reception to General Sir Hector Macdonald; also at the Bums Club, where it rendered a Higiiland " Coranach " or lament, by request, to illustrate a portion of the lecture delivered by Mr "Watt on the " Lady of the Lake," and the works of Sir Walter Scott. Again at Mosgiel, in conjunction with the Burns choir, several favourite Gaelic songs were given in aid of a worthy local object. At each of these Junctions the efforts of the tholr -were received with marks of appreciation, and especially at the latter place, where the sympathetic enthusiasm -wag very encouraging. The choir is undoubtedly gaining in public favour, and ou'.y requires the loyal and patriotic support of Highlanders to estab,'jsh it firmly in Dnnedm. Presentation. The choir, as a token of its appreciation oi the a&siducus sei vices of Mr XeUon as conductor, presented him with a? very handsome silver-mount-ed baton, suitably inscribed. Obituaiy.-Ej.rly in the year the society sustained the severest possible loss m the death of Sir John M.'Kenzie. who was their chief for «even years. To frame a culogium worthy of him in theTsody of an annual report would bo impossible. Minister of Lands in the colony, his public career was as beneficent as it was brilliant. He was trusted and loved in his life, and at his death was lamented and eulogised by the entire people and press of >Tew Zealand. His funeral, which was one of the largest ever seen here ithe Highlanders being much in evidence, and including 27 pipers in Highland co=Uime), and the public monument since erected to his memory testify how much his worth was valued and his loss felt. Later on several other members or associates were recorded in the miuut«« as having passed away — notably, Mr 3. G. S. Grant, Trooper Matheson, and Mr William M'Cormick. Th« last-mentioned was ones of the earliest members of the society, a general favourite, and a splendid Gaelic scholar, who, after many yeais' absence, recently revisited Dunedin, and having gone north died in Auckland, to the great regret of all who knew him. Finance.— The funds in hand at the beginning of the year were ISi. They are now £83. This includes £44 for the Highland Soldiers' Widows' and Orphans' "Fund, which when further augmented will shortly be disbursed. £" were expended in benevolent donations Elections.— After the demise- of the late chief i,ninc month'; of mourning having clapped), th> society unanimously elected Mr Du.gald M'Pheroon. formeiiv dveltain, to the position of duel", and las installation tock place with many rxpies'-ions of goodwill ou May 7 last, when he was aNo presented with a silvermounted gavel, in honour oi the occanion. Laciy M'Kenzie was unanimously elected a life member. Conclusion - In conclusion, your committee aie \ery p!ea«-ed with the considerable number of new' members that have been added to the m>!l during the \ear, chie-fty (root Mosgiel district, &'id would uigo upon all Highknde'B to be found in tip ranks of the society assisting to maintain the prestige which has hitherto attended it.

Tlie Chairman, in introductory remarks, seid that the annual report had been dis-vi-'hnted among members, and they could co through it at their Ifi-ure. It contained Ul that li;.d travu-pired duunpc the pa»t 12 Months, and a good many of their intentions for the future. He would ju^t like to say that the. society had attained its majority. It was their twenty-firbt annual gathering, aiid he «as very pleaped to rp-poi-t that they had not been goinf* behind. If they had moicd during the iMt 12 :i >.iihs a' all it lud been m a forward fiired'ou. The snrsrty was steadily advanc ing. Their m<'inl>er=! were increasing, and th°ir finances ha<l improved. There had been cpieral callu on the finances, and roil•.idfriug their small ineiubci&lup he thoutrht they had d<jno extremely woll. During the }>T>.t year ihi-> ba<l th" niisfojtune to lose their late lan. cited eh'ff S r John M'Kfiizif . So niu<)i h.ul b< i-fi -.lid on this subject that pcvh.ipb it would he better, after mentioning it, to pis- on Death had been busy among them during the year, and they iiad lntt Air J. G !i Grunt, Trooper Mathe--nii, a. id Mr W. M'Couimk. He had re ci\e<l lott<'is of apology fi;>m Mcm-tb W. lirown ('■cc-rr-tary of tlie Hum. Club). Mr Kelly (sccretaiy of t>^e Waidki Gaelic Society) . the criof and the spi rr-tary r.f the Southland S<«Mfty, the <hicf of the Waitaki Soci^Ly. " Mr W. Reid (<-eeret.iry of the C.iicJonian So«iety), ami Mr Kinro«£, their bard, lnvercargill was represented by Chieftain Macfnrlane and Mr Kenneth Cameron. -Mr Kinross, although unable to Im? pie«"nt, hod sent a poem, specially wiitten for the occasion. Mr M'Pher-jtin read the poem, which elicited apphiu-p. Mr Dugald M'Lachbn ppoke in Gaelic, and we aie indebted to Mr M'Leod for a tiari'-lation of his remark. He said hi* was iMik'htod to be present. Eit'iy n.mon had )ti ow v l:uigua^i\ whirh it v .w- in duty Ikjuihl to <oii'pr\e (ia^'u w.w to lui'g"ag<' the Crlts had to porpptujite- H«' wii«> k!;k1 this was-w as- b«Mii{: done in "soni" df takiutr a\\ the eot.iniir* m which tho ('< \\< were sr.-itt* it'll, but ,n Nen ZiMlitrd inui-h mon» « ollld !)•• .done. ' on^iclemiH the number of HJaflilanilcit m ito poijnl.ttion They ni're ■lot *o " ii".p.-" the day of mhhll thmir 0 , ImuMr, but to <;o on fioiu le*-- to moie .>nd '•mh im-rrinirs a-, ihcy bad that ni^lit, wa« one oi the method- of ert'iitin^ it.

Tl c Mayor, in a s h"rt speech, -aid he regretted ho rould not qu o an ad'hesb m Gaelic — (l^auphter ) Jt w?« his fir^t appear anco at a meHtint; of tho Gaelic Society, and he was glad to &cc fiom their report how niiccei-rful their tueieiy hud been. He re arettfd to notice b> tin- r'-poit tliat the hhraiv of tho society was n^frlec U*d. He thought thi-, a pity, and h<- refomniend»-d the younger members to study the GacLc htoiaturc and make themscl'es familiar KJth it. His Worship agam expressed hw

pleasur« in. boinsr present, and hoped members wcmld onjoy a profitable evening. — (Applause.)

Dr Gordon Macdonald (ex-chieftain) congratulated Mr M'Pherson on being raised to the dignity o{ Chief. The office -was a very important one in olden times; the chief was father of the clan, and they all knew what a fatherly man Mr M"Pherson was — (laughter), — he was the father of the Gaelic Society in Dunedin. Dr Macdonald went on- to give an interesting account of the history of the M'Pherson", and did so in such a humorous fetrain that the audience could not refrain from hearty laughter. j Messrs Maofarlano (Southland), Samson I (Caledonian Society), and Ramsay (Burns ' Club) each made short speeches felicitating tho society on its successful career. The concert was entered on, and among tho most popular items was Mr Neil M'Fadyen's Gaelic song "Is toigh loam fhem a Ghaelig," and the veteran bard had to return and sing again, this time choosing a song of his own composition. The following Tver© tho items : — Pipers. " Gaelic Society's March " ; Black Family, orchestral selection : Messrs M'Kechnio (3) and M 'Donald. Highland fling; Miss Black (solo),

" Doon. tho burn. Davie lad " ; choir (song and chorus"), "' Ged tha roL gun chrodh gun aghean ": M'Kechnie brothers, sword dance; Mr Farqtthar Young (recitation), " Bairnies, Cuddle Doon " ; Miss Morrison (song), "Alton water"; Mr D. M'Donald (dance), sailor's hornpipe: Mr Jas. Jago (song). "Battle of .Stirling"; choir (song and chorus), "'Horo mo nighean doim bhoid heach " ; Misses A. M'Donald and C-raibo (danoe), seauntreus ; Mrs R. M'Donald (song), " Eilean an fhraoich " : R. Clarke, dance Mi?s M. Morrison and Miss Reeve played the accompaniments and Mr J. Nelson conducted tho choir, each in their respective capacities assisting towards the success of the concert.

The ball commenced immediately after tho concert, the society's pipers leading the grand march, and the spectacle was highly inspiriting. A large number of spectators watched the dancing from the gallery. Tlie j Black Family supplied the* dance music, Messrs D. Munro, D. M'Lennan, and D. M'Donald acted as M.C.'s, and Miss Murray was responsible for the catering. The dancing was continued to an early hour this morning, and the gathering voted one of the most successful the society has held for . some time. 1