CALEDONIANS AT OMATA

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1928, Page 5

CALEDONIANS AT OMATA

THE LAST OF THE INGLESIDES. What has been a remarkably successful season of country inglesides was brought to a fitting climax on Saturday evening, when the New Plymouth Caledonian Society held the last of its series of country inglesides in the Omata hall. It was estimated that there tvere over 150 couples present, including visitors from far down the coast and a party of 50 members of the Caledonian Society from New Plymouth. The Scottish folk are renowned for their hospitality, and nobody" has any excuse for not feeling thoroughly at home at an ingleside. The cheery, informal spirit that prevails and the evident enjoyment with which old and young participate in the varied dances, give these inglesides a particular charm. It was with genuine feelings of segret that those present on Saturday night realised on leaving that this was the last of ihe inglesides this season. Proceedings commenced with the play•ing in of the chief, Air. W. W. Thomson, who heartily welcomed all present. Led by Pipe-Major Kirkland and Piper Shepherd tlie stately grand march was carried out, and from then on tlie enthusiasm never flagged. The programme contained a judicious mixture of Scottish national dances, those dances of the ballroom of twenty years ago, and a few of those in vogue to-day, so that all present had ample opportunities for enjoyment. Dancing went merrily on, with a break for supper, until midnight, with the excellent musie provided by Guscott’s orchestra and Pipers Kirk land, Shepherd and Henry. The haggis was received, with the ceremony due. Played in by Pipers Kirkland and Shepherd and borne aloft by Mr. A. Rankin, with steam rising from the savoury dish, hearty plaudits greeted its arrival. Piper I\. Reid delivered in telling fashion Burns’ “Ode to a Haggis.” A dainty supper was provided by an energetic ladies' committee consisting of Alesdames B. Alace (convenor), M. Hardy, E. Bayly, J. Jury, W. Alace, C. Andrews, 11. Kendall, S. Vickers, E. Luxton, Knapman, L. Hart, Freemantle and Aliss Grey. The hall committee responsible for the liall arrangements comprised Messrs. W. Alace (chairman), R. Knapman (hon. secretary), R. C. Stanton (lion, treasurer), L. Penwarden, E. Luxton, B. W. Bayly, 11. Bayly and V. Freemantle.

The Al.’sC., Secretary Al. Gray Nasmith, Pipe-Alajor A. S. Kirkland, and Air. W. Jones, found their duties light, they having no difficulty in keeping things merrily moving. Prior to the final dance, Chief W. W. Thomson thanked the hall committee and the ladies’ committee for their assistance and eo-operation, and at his call cheers were given for those concerned. Air. W. Alace, in reply, stated all had enjoyed themselves. He regretted that the hall committee had not extended the invitation to the society earlier in the season, as the present was an exceptionally busy time for farmers. He was prepared to state that the invitation would be sent in early next season and he hoped that the gathering would be the forerunner of similar gatherings at Omata each year. Hearty applause greeted these sentiments and cheers were given for the Caledonian Society. “Auld Lang Syne” brought a merry party to a close.