Highland Society OF SOUTHLAND.

Southern Cross, Volume 10, Issue 19, 9 August 1902, Page 12

Highland Society OF SOUTHLAND.

ANNUAL GATHERING.

Despite a murky night, slushy roads and incessant rain, the Highland gathering in Ashley’s Hall last Friday night, August Ist, was remarkably well attended. Figures of sturdy Celts now grown familiar at the annual assemblages were once again in evidence. The veteran McDonald from Oamaru was there, his ardent spirit unquenched by advancing years, his enthusiasm beyond the influence of a dreary journey and depressing weather. But one cheery presence was missed, and when the new Chief, Mr John Fraser, of VVairoatuku, told of a monument to be erected, when Mr McDonald, in admiration and heartfelt sorrow, spoke of a departed Highlander whose genial hospitality he had enjoyed, and when, at the close, Piper Wilson played a lament, it need hardly be explained that these tributes paid honour to the memory of Mr Archibald McKellar, late Chief of the Society. Chief Fraser having expressed his welcome in a brief quotation of Gaelic verse, a lengthy programme was successfully carried out. The audience was cordial and responsive, and the performers merited the approval bestowed on their efforts. Pipe music, both from the Caledonian Pipe Band and from its soloists, Messrs Cameron and Jenkins, was accorded a meed of applause, which would seem to indicate that Invercargill people are being gradually educated to appreciate pibroch. Piper Cameron, indeed, had to pacify the audience by a second appearance. The singing was especially enjoyable. Mrs Blue was in fine voice, and revelled in her four songs, for two of which she had been recallad. Miss Stevens, in the singing of “ The Link Divine,” interpreted with true sympathy the exalted sentiments of the song. The listeners heard her with equal pleasure when, at their call, she sang another number of similar quality. Miss D. McKay, since her dehut in Gaelic song last year, has made an advance both musically and in her articulation of those rugged vocables which so few colonials can render. She sang with taste and effect and had to sing again. Mr Porteous, in a voice vibrant with energy, roused latent national sentiments by his spirited singing of “ The Standard on the Braes o’ Mar,” and of course had to reappear. So also had Mr R, Jenkins, whose humorous Scottish songs afforded a pleasing variety. Messrs Sellars, John McLean, and A. McGillivary chose old favourites from Gaelic songs and sang them with a good deal of individuality. It seemed a pity that only a limited section of the audience could enjoy these items. One felt this especially in the case of Mr Jas. McKerchar’s capital readjng of a Gaelic dialogue in which Hector of Tiree tells of his experiences on his first and only railway journey. The antique phrase- j ology and quaint metaphors of the narration added relish to the humor of the piece, which delighted those able to understand it. Mention must not be omitted of a well-played violin solo which was given by Master Norris.

Speeches of a complimentary order were delivered by Mayor Longuefc, and by the two visitors from sister societies, Messrs MeDonald, and Macpherson. Mr Mehaffey, in his brief address on ‘ Heather,’ told how he first saw this little plant, covering in a mass from head to foot the person of the well-known Scottish Gaberlunzie, Heather Jock. The speaker, among a good deal of general information, mentioned that heather was of old need in forming the claj walls and roofs of shielings, and that an intoxicant was brewed from the blossom. The romantic and historic associations of the subject afforded scope for some telling descriptions and illustrations.

Lastly was treated the perfect symi holism of a plant which, thriving in sterile regions, looking ever fair and smiling after a storm, affording a bed to the benighted traveller* or the hunted fugitive be he prince or peasant, typified all that was best in Highland character. The Rev. Mr Muirbead was able to give only a taste of his quality, as the hour was getting late. His set address on ‘ Crofters,’ it is to be hoped the Society may induce him to deliver at length on another occasion. From it he gave one reflection that the heartless policy which drove the Gael from his native lands gave the colonies pioneers whose worth would tell upon national character in Canada and in Australasia, just as the Puritan forefathers of the Americans, driven oversea by persecution, had bequeathed their strength of purpose and their independence of spirit to the great nation which they founded. In this young community, free as we were from the incubus of rank and caste, we ought, in the march of progress, to be able to lead the way towards the realisation of that high social ideal ‘When man to man the world o’er shall brithers be an a’ that.’ After speech and song, the sixth yearly gathering merged itself into a dance. Fortified by the tempting provender laid out by the inevitable Kingsland in au adjoining room, the revellers were able to continue their hilarious exercises long after other tired mortals had started their night’s dreaming.