The Highland Society.

Southland Times, Issue 18015, 10 December 1902, Page 2

The Highland Society.

The gathering of tho Highland Sociely of Southland in Ashley’s Hill ye-te.rday evening was not so largely uliended as there gatherings usually are, which is nodoult accounted for by the lact that there w*-s quite a number of counter til tractions. Ihe programme was a really good one, and left little or nothing to be desired. 'ho first item was a selection by the Caledonian Pipe Band under the direction of Drum Major Macgregor. This item included “ The Mackenzie Highlanders, “Happy we’ve been a’the ’gither”and the ‘'Cotton Spinners,” and was certainly verj’ well played, showing that the band is steadily improving. Mrs Blue rendered “ Tho Farl of Old Gaul ” with taste and power, and Mr James Macgregor rei'iti d “A Soldier’s Pardon” in first-class style. Mr A. Sutherland danced the sword daut-o in a very neat and finished manner, while Mrs Ekensteen sang “Alton Water” with delightful sweeetness, and in response to an encore repeated the last verse The Rev John Muirhead then gave a stirring address on the Highland crofters, giving facts ffiid figures relative to the eviction of the crofters from the Highlands that cere most interesting an() instructive. Messrs Grant and Jenkins delighted the audience with a bigpipe solo “ Prince Albert’s March,” and Miss M. E. M array sang “ Scottish Blue Bolls,” “ Jock o’ Hazeldean,” and, in response to an encore, “ Scotland Yet,” very pleasingly. A Highland Fling by Mr A. Stewart was a firstclass performance. Mrs E’raser gave a Gaelic reading that caused much meriiinent amongst those present who understood the language, and had the additionil merit of not being too long to tire those who did not understand the Janguage of the bills and glens. Mr Goo. Anderson played a selection of strathspeys and reels. Mrs Blue towards the close of the gathering sang “ Whistle and I’ll come tae ye ma lad ” in a manner which evoked loud applause. Mr A. Sutherland danced a sailor’s hornpine very creditably, and Mr 11. Geddes also danced “ Shoanutru-i bhais.” Mr James Macgregor’s rendering of “ The Laird o’ Cockpeii ” was inimitable, and the playing by tho Pipe Band of “ Tlie 79th’s Farewell to Gibraltar,” “ A man’s a man for a’ that,” and “ 'i he Sweet Maid i f Glendarnal ” brought a most enjoyable concert to a close. Tho usual votes of thanks were accorded to the performers, chair, sto , and the room was cleared for dancing, which was kept up with spirit for several hours.