Highland Society of Southland

Southland Times, Issue 19088, 2 July 1903, Page 4

Highland Society of Southland

The annual general business rueeting{of the Highland Society was held in tbe Leveri street Hall on Friday eyening, there being a good attendance of Highlanders and other wellwishers. Office-bearers for the ensuing year were elected and the annual gathering was fixed for 7th August. ! During the evening Mr Alaster R. ' MacKenzie made some interesting remarks, based upon personal experience, upon the late General Sir Hector Macdonald as a schoolboy and a comrade. The annual report stated, inter alia, that the year had been successful and prosperous. . The an-' ■"nual gathering had been a notable -'success, being attended by ScG-smeu from all parts . of the district and topresentatives of kindred societies ; that the balance-sheet* showed a credit of £16 ; and that the membership stood at 164. The following reference was made to the death of Mr John Macrae :—'* Since the beginning of the year, the Society sustained a great loss in the death of Mr John Macrae, M.A., late bard in this Society. Mr -Macrue was a true Highlander and one that took a great interest in the welfare of this Society, especially in promoting and keeping together the Gaelic language. He will be remembered as having started a Gaelic" class here in Invercargill . A letter of condolence was sent'to the bereaved widow." It was also mentioned that during the year the memorial stone was erected over the grave of the Society's late chief, Mr Archd. McKellar. The stone, costing £24. was raised, by subscription from . " the members of the Society