THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 11

THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the >- aelio Society, held on the 4th, -was as usual as' interesting and well-attended function.' The Chief, Mr Dugald M'Pherson, in opening the proceedings, said the less speechmaking the better. He welcomed Mr Brookman and his nieces, the two Misseß Poulton, who were visiting them from West Australia, and also, any other strangers present. Their Bard, Mr M'Fadyen, from Central Otago, had an original composition, which he would call upon him to sing. This disposed of, the Chief had a pleasant duty to perform in presenting their Bard, who ie about to take a trip Home, with a Handsomely-mounted stick suitably inscribed ; and in case he donned the national costume, a* rug, which would keep his extremities from the, cold. Their Bard was probably the best exponent of Scottish ■ song in New Zealand, and they >ished him a pleasant trip. Mr M'Fadyen replied in Gaelic to the effect that he thanked them sincerely, and hoped, on his return, to see them all looking as well as they

did now. The Chief then drew attention to the imminent departure of Miss MaTj Kennedy » for the mission field in India. Miss Kennedy had long been a valued friend of the society, which could not permit her to depart without a token. On behalf of the society he had great pleasure in presenting her with a goM-mounted greenstone brooch. Mies Kennedy, in replying, hoped on her return in five years' time to see again the same friendly faces. The Society had always made her feel that she was in a society of friends. An interesting letter was read from Mr l'arquhar Younß, relating to the New Year visit of the Aehburton Pipe Band to Nelson. Many of the residents of the " sleepy hollow " had never seen a piper in uniform. He had never witnessed euch enthusiasm. Old Highlanders had come 50 or 50 miles to hear the pipes. The Rev. D. Maclennan congratulated the society on the • meeting, and referred to the prowess of Mr M'Fadyen as a Bard, and to the excellent work about to be done by Mies Kennedy. During the proceedings songs were sung by Miss M'Callum, Mr J. Davidson, Mrs Dryden, and Mr Shepherd. A ..ecita<*

tion was rendered by Miss Burt, and littlfl , jMiss E. Porriam danced a Highland Fling. j A piper was in attendance. The GaeliA songs were:— "God tha mi mm, Chroa a | gun aigian," and "'S toigh learn »' choibar," also " Tir a Mhori " (Maori* land). . The meeting dissolved after singingr " Auld v lang syne.'