THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2556, 11 March 1903, Page 14

THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of this society was lield'oa the 4th in tha Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart street. Chieftain Koderick Mackenzie occupied the chair. Pipe-major M'Kechnie having played a march and Miss Eeeve a pianoforte selection, the Chairman in a short address expressed the pleasure it gave him to see such a large audience. The members knew that since last meeting the chief (Mr Dugald M'Pherson) had started on his trip to the Home Country, after receiving an enthusiastic " sendoff" from the society. In a few months they hoped to see him back again, bearing with him remembrances of the land they all loved so well. It would be the duty of the members to uphold the work of the society in his absence, which no doubt they would do. He had to apologise for the absence of Mcssts Donald M'Pherson, John M'Millan, and J. Kelson; and to remind the choir that on the last Monday of the month their practice would b.' resumed. Mr MacLeod (secretary) read some newspaper extracts regarding Celtic matters, and commented on one omission which the society would do well to obviate in future — viz., the celebration of the anniversaries and centenaries of their own Gaelic bards. These bards would compare not unfavourably with the poets whose birth-dates were celebrated the vorld over, and the Gaelic poets were in that respect quite neglected. It would be the society's duty to see that this reproach should not exist much longer. The concert was much enjoyed, all the singers being encored and cheered vociferously. Mr J. Jago opened with "Where has Scotland found' her fame?" and " Jessie, the flower o' Dunblane" ; Lachlan M'Donald esng " Cha mhor nach coma leain cogadh." no sith," "Am breacan ualach," " Duilleag ua tea," and "An nigkean dorm a ciiota dhui"; Miss Bandeen sang "Ye bnnks and bra«s" ; Mr E. Mackenzie, jur.., " Cuir "im ordadh 'iir canvas; Mrs Lister, "' Comin' through the ry«" and '" John Highlandma-n" ; Miss Campbell, " Oh, for the bloom of my own native heather" and " Mary of Argyle" ; Miss Dickson, " Castles in the air" ; Mr Colin M'Kenzie, " The hat my fatheT wore" and ' John M'Grath." Miss Winnie M'Kenzie (eight years old) played a violin solo with excellent tasto and skill for one- so young, and received great applause. Pipe-major M'Kechnie, as tisual, was a hopt in himself us regards the national music. Mr Duncan M'Lean was elected n member.