HIGHLAND CEILIDH AND CONCERT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 70

HIGHLAND CEILIDH AND CONCERT.

The Gaelic Society of New Zealand held , v. concert and ceilidh in the Early Settlers' ' Hall on the 6th, half of the proceeds of which were to be devoted to tne Kenneth U "'Donald fund. There was a large audience, and the items of the long and very excellent programme submitted were reI ceived with every mark of pleasure and j appreciation. Mr Dugald M'Pherson. chief, I was in the chair, and with him en the platfcrm were the following .nsmbeii cv the society: — Messrs W. MacLecd. Roderick M'Ksnzie, and the Rev. D. Meclennan, and Mr Sandiiands (president cL ; the Burns Club) s,n.d Sergeant-major M'Kenzie (oi ohe Kilties' Band). In his opening remarks the Chief referred to the fact that the heather that had been distributed that evening had bean collected , in various parts of Scotland, and sen., out • to them by friends at Home. He ihon read a number of verses written by a member of the society conveying good wishes fcr the New Year. He, and every ir» t ember of the society, regretted that the Rev. D. Maclennan was leaving- them to take another charge in the south. The msmbeis of the Gaelic Society in Dunedsn deeply .«nd sincerely regretted his loss, and nona " more cban those who had benefited by the Gaelic class ov«<- which he' had preaidsd. On behalf of the Gaelic Society, he had pleasure in presenting Mr Mao'enrxan with c. purse of povereigna, aud wishing him every happiness in bis Dew sphere cf work. I The Rev. Mr Maclennan feelingly replied, thanking the donors for their gift, and /e---ferring L o his mz,ny happy connections with the Dunedin Highlanders. He heped that the Dunedin branch of the society would in the future grow and prosper. ! The Chief referred ho she honour that had shac day been conferred oa a member of the society — the elevation of Mr Thomas Mackenzie to the Ministry. He wes eu/e '< thac there was not in the Dominion a 'Tan -better Steed for the position of Minister of Commerce than the Hon. Thcs. Mackenzie, who, he believed, vrou!<? very soon make the portfolio en irm:cr:an>, and useful one. The entertainment included songs by a number of well-known local vocalists. Mr ( J. Jago sang the evergreen "Annie Laurie,"' i and his excellent performance von hum ar. encore, co which he responded with ''The bonnets of bennie Dundee." Mrs Monk-■■nan-Dempsi.er's rendering of ' The avid hoosc- '' gained her well-men applause, and Isdr W H. Mackenzie's sing ng of ''The btandartl on the brass of Zvlar " wag so excellent, as 1.0 ixiake &n avdiense, already , suifeitec with good things, ir.qist on an encore. He also sang ' ' 2Vly love v like a red, red rose 1 ' very p'easir.^'y _ jfi J. J Robertson was also successful v-ith " The march of the Cameron man." _ pleasing item was a piaro, v'oliß, arid piccolo selection by iiiss L. Reeve acd the Masters Fsrgusson. Gaej'c ecngs were given by Zvlessrs Neil Li/Fadyen &nd A. C. Robertson, and Scotch dances by Mist Mona Fraser (Christchurch), Miss Maggie M'Callum, Misses Framd, and Maseru S. M'Kechnie, C. and D. M'Ksnzie. Scr-ge and recitations -,\ene also contributed by Mrs Lister and Mr James Henderson. Mrs Monkman-Demps J -er was accompanist. Ey chieftain Colin M'Kenzie was n-'usiea! director, and Pipe-major J. M'Kechnie v,rb , piper. A number of members of the Dun- , ed'.n Pipe Band also assisted.