CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1921, Page 5

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

THE FIRST INGLESIDE. FAREWELL TO THE CHIEF. Some |wo hundred or more were present at the first Ingleside of the newlyformed New Plymouth Caledonian Society, which was held in the Workers’ Social Hall last night. Mr. R. McCrae (as M.C.) welcomed the visitors to the first of what he was stare would be many such social functions. The Eltham Pipe Band was in attendance, and the chief (Colonel Meldrum) was duly played to the president’s chair. An excellent programme of dancing and songs led to the importent part of the proceedings, viz., the farewell to the chief, who is leaving New Plymouth shortly. Mr. D. Todd, the second chief, in making Colonel Meldrum ft presentation from the society, expressed its regret at losing its chief, who, though he had only held office three weeks, had shaped well. He was sure their chief would never forget, he had had the honor of being the first chief of the first Caledonian Society formed in New Plymouth. Colonel Meldrum, who was vociferously applauded, thanked the society for the presentation, and said he had appreciated very highly the honor done him in electing him its first chief. Any work he had been able to do for it had been a labor of love, and he regretted he bad not been able to do more. He had not deserved the honor, and felt there were others, older Scots, ready and able to do more than he could have done. He would never forget the honor done him, and it would be one of the pleasantest recollections he would carry away of his few months in New Plymouth. He was sure, from his experience of similar societies in Rangitikei and elsewhere, that once started the New Plymouth Caledonian Society would flourish and be prosperous. Later on they would have their own Pipe Band, and he was sure it would warm the hearts of all Scots and those of Scottish descent to follow their own Pipe Band and listen to its music. Some day, when they held a first-class Caledonian meeting with New Zealand championships at Pukekura Park, all who had even a small share in forming the society would feel they had done something to be proud of. He thanked the society again for making him its first chief, and the citizens of New Plymouth, who. whether Scots or not, had helped by their presence to make the evening such a success. After musical honors had been accorded the retiring chief, a Scotch reel was danced by Mr. R. McCrae, Miss McCrae and Miss Main, to which an encore was enthusiastically demanded. The haggis was duly solemnly piped to its place of honor, and supper followed. Songs were contributed hy Miss Leach, Mrs. Erskine and Messrs. Bennock and Williamson, whilst Mr. McCrae, as M.C., was a host in himself. Dancing was kept up wee