"AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACH."

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14275, 16 August 1910, Page 3

"AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACH."

THE CLANS FOREGATHER, Bepoiters have many strange experiences in attendinggatnerings of diversified kinds, from church socials to coursing matches, from ve'eonips to vioo-rogal visiitn'S in meetings of Horough Councils, from exhibitions of Arts juitl Crafts lo bicycle accidents; nothing i.s .supposed to came, amiss to them. They, however, .sometimes themselves count some of their experiences strange, and one of the strangest experience in reporting in Timaru, befel a representative of this paper on Saturdiiy, when he strolled into a meeting called for the purpose of cementing the bonds of friendship between all Gaelicspeaking Highlanders between the Waitaki ami the Bangitata. He was late—not "as usual'' —but because he was somewhat, diffident about entering a. meeting called by what he supposed in his ignorance must be fear-some-looking men. .Hut to his surprise lie found the company assembled to be quite modern Britons in appearance, costume and manners. Hut their hngu! The reiiorier need not have been diffident, they gave him a hearty welcome, ami allowed him to remain, the chairman (Chief McLend) vouching that the alien was of sutlicient respectability to associate with them. 'TJie reporter was the oiilv sasenach in the gathering, and though allowed to remain, he was spoken at more than once (not in an unfriendly wayi, in a language which, it was taken for granted, he could not understand. He was called a- "Coigrcaeh," a term which when spoken sounds much more fearful than it looks in print ; and the meeting w;n_ warned that the Coigreaeh was taking notes, and might print ihem. Once or twice he was inclined to leave the room and get out of harm's ivnv, but the twinkling eyes of the lnngbearded and good-natured looking chairman gave him confidence, and lie felt altogether safe when' this burly Highlander announced that the days of skeandhu were past, that Highland feuds were relegated to the limbo of things long since forgotten, and that the Clans were now united in peace and harmony.

To make a long story .short, the meeting was called for the purpose of banding Highlanders together for philanthropic and social purposes, and it must be said that if was an enthusiastic one. Jt was also representative, Highlanders from Goraldine, Eairlie. Cave, Waimatc, St. Andrews, Levels, YYashdyke, and Timaru, being in attendance. .Pioneers of this country were there in Messrs Sutherland and Dunn —men who knew the country in its virgin state. 'The Bells.thc Mu'nros, the Campbells and the Mackenzie's were also there, as well as-some young men termed Colonial Highlanders, descend- : ants of worthy parents who came out here from the land of heather and porridge. A discussion, lasting for about an hour, took place, and it was unanimously decided to form a. Society in Timaru consisting of Gaelic-speaking Highlanders, and a Chief and Secretary were elected pro tern. Mr Malcolm McLeod was elected to the former position (Mr D. Bell declining the honour), and ih- Pauton (junr.) to the latter. It was arranged that the Dunediu Gaelic Society should be written to for information relative to rules, etc., and that every Highlander in South Canterbury who is known to .speak Gaelic should be asked to attend a meeting in Timaru on the last Saturday in August, when permanent officers will be elected, and other business arranged. 'The 'Chairman remarked that as Highland feelings and aspirations could only be interpreted hy Highlanders themselves, find as the Gaelic reached the hearts of +-li» Highland people- in a way that English could not, ho felt convinced that their future meetings would he to their mutual benefit. They would be ihe means pf.reviving past memories, and the folk lore of their ancestors. * The motto of the Society was voiced '"Claim Nan Gaidheal ri Guailean a Oheile" which, being interpreted means. '-Highland men, shoulder to shoulder." And after the war cry, came the adieu: "Beanuaohd leibh ens an Coinnich sinn a Ris." (Farewell until we meet again.) Having disposed of their business, the meeting proceeded to dispose of the pressman by telling him that he could not rend his Gaelic notes now that he. had them. But nobody present could read shorthand and they were, in the [absence of proof to the contrary, taken as doing full justice to what in the opinion of those present is the finest language now or ever spoken on I earth.