GAELIC SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND. ANNUAL GATHERING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2634, 7 September 1904, Page 49

GAELIC SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND. ANNUAL GATHERING.

The Gaelic Society of New Zealand celebrated the completion of the twenty-third year of its existence by holding the annual gathering, social, and dance in the " Choral Hall on Friday evening. Th© society carries on its work quietly and unobtrusively, but it has many supporters and well-wishers in the community, and its gatherings "are invariably successful to a degree, the function held last evening being no exception to the firmly-established rule. The Choral Hall, which had been transformed into a thing of beauty by means .of elaborate decorations, was just sufficiently filled to enable dancing to be indulged in with pleasure and without any undue crowding, and the gallery was also filled with spectators, who watched the proceedings below with evident interest until a late hour. The gathering was quite representative -of the Scottish element, amongst those present being not only members of the Gaelic Society, but also of the Burns -Club and Caledonian Society. Mr Dugald M'Pherson (chief of the society) presided, and amongst others present were Mr D. • A. M-'Nicoll (presidenb of the Caledonian Sbciety), Mr Jas. Arkle (president of the Burns Club), Mr Roderick MTienzie, Mr John M-'Donald (Palmerston), Dr Gordon Macdonald,- Mr Wm. MacLeod, Captain M'Callum (Port Chalmers), Mr Wm. Reid, Mr Wm'. Brown, Mr Wm. Stophenson (chief of the Southland Highland Society), and Mr Gavin Spence, the last-named appearing in full Highland costume. The proceedings opened with the grand march, which was led off by the Chief (Mr M'Pherson) and Mrs John M Kechnie, and in which about 40 couples took part, the music being supplied by the society's pipers (Messrs .D. and J. M 'Kechnie). The next item was the Chairman's address, and Mr M'Pherson, in the course of his remarks, said he was very well pleased to sea such a fair muster as was present that nighi. He would likei %o extend a -very hearty welcome to the representatives of kindred societies, amongst whom were the chief of the Southland Highland Society, the president of the Caledonian- Society, and the president of tihe Burns Club. He wished to apologise for the unavoidable absenoe of his Worship the Mayor (Mr T. R Christie), Mr Thomas Mackenzie," M.H.R. (a member of the- society), Mr Simon M'Donald, Mr John Henderson (Wyllie's Crossing), and Mr Dugald M'Lachlan (Purakar.tii). He had in his hand the society's twenty-third annual report, but he dad not intend to read it, and would content himself with mentioning a few things connected with .it. He would like to mention the regularity with which the society held its monthly meetings, which , were really well' attended, and which were made as enter1 taining ?s- possible, the efforts inj>hi3 direction being crowned with, a very fair measure of success. Since he had returned from tho Old. Country the society had held one, oeilid'h, wJiich was a. pronounced, success. Another thing to -which he -wished "to refer was the -fact that the society, had' secureda gold-mounted Maori walking-stick, which was presented many year.? a.go to Jthe late Rev. Dr Stuart, one of the society's former chiefs, on the occasion of his visit to Scotland. The society was delighted to again get possession of the stick, and in return for it the donor had been presented witih a gold-mounted grass-tree stick. Reference might also be made to the efforts being made by tho society to perpetuate the language of their forefathers. H& regretted to say that he could neither carry on a conversation nor make a speech in Gaelic, - but he hoped the day would come when he would be- able to do both. — ("Hear, hear.") At one time the society was in, great hopes of being able to secure the services of a rev. gentleman, who was a thorough Gaelic scholar, and- it expected great things from him in -reviving and- per- ; petuating the language, but unfortunately 'j he did not see his way to accept the call presented to him. Death had been fairly busy in the ranks of the society during the year, and the old members who passed away' -would be sadly missed. As regards finance,, the society had no reason to complain. Although small numerically it had per oapita a very fair credit balance — about 40s in the pound for each member. The. bist thanks of the society were due to the choir, which had Tendered an immense amount of service during the year, and valuable assistance had also been receivedfrom friends outside the society. With regard to the future, there were several things which he was extremely anxious should bo attended to and carried out during the next year. He> thought the societyshould have one ceilidh at least onoe a quarter, and members should work as hard as possible during the quarter preceding to make- the function a pronounced success. He did rot know whethsr he had done right or not, but he had pledged himself to. give the Early Settlers' Association the proceeds of ono ceilidh to assist in the . building of the Early Settlers' Hall. With, the support of members the society might be able to hand over a very handsome sum to the Early Settlers' Association. The next matter to which he was going to rofer belonged more particularly to one of the" i ■ocie_ty's ow.n members. Mr Thos. Mackenzie, M.H.R., was extremely anxious thai; &ome sort of c-airn or memorial should b& erected in memory of Qurnton M'Kinnon. the guide and explorer pf the overland route to the Sutherland Falls. Mr Mackenzie had promised to give some limelight views of photographs taken by himself and others who wore exploring with him, showing the work done by Mr M'Kinnon. Ho (Mr M'Ph-erscm) had suggested that this should bo tho occasion for a second ceilidh, I and that the choir might assist by render- ! ing some musical items, and thus make the i function as big a succe-s as possible. Air Mackenzie was desirous' of raising about £20, and that sum should bo collected without any difficulty. A ceilidh should also be held for the benefit of the choir. The choir was deserving- of nothing less, and the speaker thought the society should work up a real good night, and allow the proceeds to bo devoted to the choir for wlatever purpose was thought necessary. If the society aecomrlish-etl all there things and held a fourth coiliclh during the year to provide for the little incidental calls that had to be met it would do very well.

At a later sta°;e of the proceedings Dr Gordon AlacdonaTd, acting on behalf of a few xacinb&rs of the committee of the Gaeili«

Society, presented the society with a hand, some framed enlargement of -a photograph of tbe- late chief. Sir John M'Ke-nzie. After expressing his pleasure" at making the pre Isentalion, the speaker proceeded fo refer in torms of the hig-hest praise to the estimable qualities of the deceased gentleman, and also to tho remarkable energy, ability, and perseverance he displayed in rising from a very lowly sphere to one of the highest positions in the State despite the numerous difficulties he had to overcome. The Chairman, in acknowledging the presentation, said the portrait would remind members of the fine, nianly nature of Sir John M'Kenzie, and it would occupy a place in the society's hall and as near their hearts as his memory did at the "present time. Mr D. A. M'Nicoll then returned sincerethanks for the invitation to-be present, and for the warm welcome, he had received, after which h© conveyed the greetings of the Caledonian Society to the members of the' Gaelic •SocietyMr John Macdonald (Palmerston), after expressing the pleasure it * gave " him to" be present, stated that he was one of the only three now remaining original members of the society at its establishment 24- years ago. Many people thought that the Gaelic language was dying oout.t t . but he wished to state that he had seen a letter lately-which.' had come from the London Gaelic Society, established 129, years ago, and that letter showed that in 1902 there were 55 schools in the Highlands " at* which Gaelic was taught, and- there were 1500 pupils learning the language, prizes being awarded thetn and assistance in every way. The speaker concluded by delivering an- -.address in Gaelic. 3lr William Stephenson, chief of -the Southland Highland Society,- Mf' James Arkle (Burns Club), and Mr Gavin Spenco also spoke briefly, thanking the society for its invitation to be present, and expressing 1 the pleasure it- gave -them to join in the celebration. During the evening a number of solos were rendered with much acceptance, and a couple of items wece given by the choir^_ ibe solos being capably undertaken by MrT .D. Matheson and Master Simon M'Kechnie (f. little- lad of obout seven summers). Tho accompaniments we-re played by Miss Reeve. A Highland fling wa-3 danced by Masters John and Allan M'Kechnie. The remainder of tho evening was pleasantly spent in dancing-, the duties of~M.Cs being efficiently carried out by Messrs Colin M'Kenzie, D M'Kechnie, and D. Matheson. The catering, which was entrusted to Miss Murray, was all that .could be* desired.