GAELIC SOCIETY

Otago Witness, Issue 3542, 31 January 1922, Page 5

GAELIC SOCIETY

TRIBUTES TO TIIE LATE CHIEF. The monthly meeting of the Gaelic Society was held on Wednesday evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Stuart street. It was not a meeting of the usual character but a gathering to mourn the loss of the Chief of the Society—the late Mr Dugald 1 M'Pherson. Shortly after 8 o’clock Chieftains Roderick M'Kenzie, Kenneth Cameron, William Duncan, James I). Cameron, and Colin M'Kenzie entered the hall, and led bv Pipers George Mun.ro and A. M'Millan made t.heir way to the platform to the slow' and solemn measure of the dirge “•The Flowers of the Forest.” The audience stood, and with bowed head listened to the expression of the spirit of sorrow by the pipes. The chief’s table was draped in black, which gave a touch of sadness suitable to the occasion. , Senior-Chieftain Roderick M'Kenzie said the late Mr M'Pherson had been elected to succeed the late Sir John M'Kenzie some 20 years ago. Sir John had died in i August, 1901, and Mr M'Pherson had passed away on Christmas Eve, 1921. Their lata chief was a man very well qualified to be tile Chief of the Gaelic Society lie was a man of peace, kind-hearted hospitable, and always ready to help in all good works. He was really (he father the chief, the head of his family, and lie had the interests of every member of the society at heart. He was a true Highlander, and one of whom every member of the Gaelic Society might justly be proud. Until illness overtook him some two years a»o he was rarely absent from the monthly 'meetings. and his cheery welcome and heartv handshake would be much missed. His work during the lale war could not be forgotten. He not only helped our NTew Zealand boys, but also the widow the orphan, and the helpless in the Highlands. With his help the sum of between £2OOO and £3OOO was collected throughout Otago, and sent to Sir Thomas Mackenzie in London to be divided amongst those most, m need in the Highlands. An old friend of the late chief whom he had met that day had remarked that the best description of the chief was “That he was a Highland Gentleman.” C!? ieft . ai " s , William Duncan and Colin M'Kenzie also gave expression to similar sentiments. ,Mr Morrison voiced his feelings in a Gaelic speech, advising (he societv~to keen together and elect a man to fill the vacant oflice after the model of the departed chief Later in the evening Mr Morrison sang a Gaelic song appropriate to the occasion. Dr Gordon Macdonald, a past chieftain of the society, also paid his tribute of respect to the departed chief, emphasising his many-sided nature, his warm-hearted generosity, his kindly sympathy and consideration for others, and (lie many attributes of his character which had caused him to be held in such widespread esteem His services had not perhaps been re cognised as they should have been. but. he had a greater blessing in (h e fact 'hat many people, especially in (he Highlands had reason to be filled with gratitudo towards him. The gathering dispersed after another lament had been played by Pipers George Munro and A. M'Millan.