THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3029, 3 April 1912, Page 3

THE GAELIC SOCIETY.

The annual business meeting of the Gaelic Society was held at the Excelsior Hotel on March 27, the chief (Mr Dugal;' M'Pherson) presiding. The Chief explained the object in calling a separate meeting to consider the balance sheet and elect office-bearers for the ensuing year, and called on the secretary to read his report. The balance sheet was then gone into and considered in detail. The following are the main features of the report :—"Last year 49 members paid their annual subscriptions, while this year 58 members have paid. The increase is slight, but hopeful, and the fact that old members are returning and paying up their arrears is encouraging. During the year the society was in mourning for the loss of two of its most prominent members —the secretary and the treasurer, — which was enough to paralyse any society. But in the history of our native country it was a disaster or severe blow that showed the Scottish character at its best. At the battle of Flodden the Scots rallied round their King and formed a square, I with him in the centre (which was the origin of the British squares so often formed on hard-fought battlegrounds since). The square at Flodden was never broken, and when night came on the English retired. Bearing in mind the loss the society has sustained, it is to be hoped this society will form a square and rally round the chief and do everything in its power to promote the objects of the society. There has been a revival in Celtic societies at Home, and it is to be hoped an echo will come from New Zealand." The Chief proposed the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Chieftain Roderick M'Kcnzie, and unanimously carried. Mr W. B. M. Fea spoke on patriotism, and gave an illustration of some Gaelic he learned as a boy, which stuck to him ever since. The election of officebearers was then proceeded with, and the following new members were proposed and elected : —Mr Neil M'Lean, Mr Duncan Darroch, Mr R M. M'Kay, and Mi John M'Rae. The Chief proposed that the secretary be instructed to write a letter of sympthy to Mr Donald Reid on his great bereavement. The motion was received by the audience standing. j Mr Roderick M'Kenzie proposed that a member should be at the door at the monthly meetings to admit only members and their friends. This was seconded by the chief, the same to take effect at the May meeting and onwards. In presenting the medals the chief spoke of the acta of kindness done to the society by Chieftain Roderick M'Kenzie in donating medals to the Mod, and also in bringing medais from Home for each of the members.