THE GATHERING OF THE CLANS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10925, 14 November 1913, Page 5

THE GATHERING OF THE CLANS.

SCOTTISH SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The Scottish Society of New Zealand has now been twluvo years iii existence, and ever since its formation it has held an annual "gathering of the clans" in Carnival Week. The object of the gathering is to give the many Scottish visitors to the city during show week an opportunity of meeting their fellow Scots and of hearing once again as the poet has it, . " the sang? my mither sung." The gatherings have had the effect of largely increasing the country membership ot the Society, and by their influence strengthening kindred societies throughout Canterbury. Last night the first of the two concerts annually given was held in the Society's rooms, which were crowded to the door, many town members having to sacrifice their seats to make room for country visitors. Chief Mackintosh presided, and proceedings opened with selections on the great Highland warpipe by Piper Ronald Frasor. The second part of the programme was also opened with warpipe selections, played.by Pipe-Major ,S. R. Craig. The Society gives a position of honour to Burns's, "Scots Wha Hae, 1 ' which it calls the national war ode, and no doubt it deserves the title, for it has no equal as such in the anthology of any European country. The singing of it was led from the the whole audience standing, and at the close three cheers were given for •' Auld Scotland," the waving of the feathered bonnets of the many kilted inen present having an excellent effect. So far as the musical programme was concerned the committee was extremely, fortunate in its selection of singers. The male voices were of the highest quality, and not every day is the Society treated to such renderings of the songs of the country as those given byR. Simpson, whose "0' a' the Airts the Win' Can Blaw" was exceedingly sweet and pathetio; Mr Struthers's "March of the Cameron Men" made the ' Scots build leap in a' their veins," while his " Mary " touched the tenderest chord in man's soul, Mr. W. J. Trewefn, whose " Blue Bonnets " was equally stirring, and admirably 6ung, as was alsu his encore song; and Mr W. T. Mack ay, whose rendering of the " Battle of Stirihg " is always successful and always encored. _ The humorous element—the Scots dislike the word "comio"—wad in the hands of Mr W. Aitchison and Mr Robert Penman, both vocalists with excellent' voices as well as a high appreciation of humour, and both brought the house down, and were repeatedly encored. The lady singers were equally successful, Mrs D. W. Stallard being vociferously encored for her " Oor Ain Folk," and Miss Gilinour for her sweetly rendered numbers. A popular number, too, was that of a brass quartet by Messrs Sullivan and party, conducted by Captain W. S. King. The theme was "Auld Robin Grey," and was admirably treated. The setting, it was understood, was by Mr W. J. Sullivan himself, but no matter who has the credit of it. it went to the hearts of the Scottish hearers. There wa& also a cornet duet by the Messrs Sullivan, which also was much enjoyed. Mrs Hugh MacLeod elicited roars ot laughter by her recitation of J. M. Barrie's amusing description of "Preparing to Receive Company" in the home of a " Thrums " family. Without dancing in Highland costume a Scots concert would be tame. The Society has a dancing class - for juveniles, tught by Miss Bessie Mae- , dimakl, and from among those pupils tho Society is always able to seoure not only excellent solo, dancers but plenty of ipursomwj ae> well, and las>t mght the dancing of the young people was a pleasant feature. Miss Mona Forties's Highland fling would have taken a lot of beating in any part of the Highlands, so would Bert Simpson's seann triubhais, and little Douglas Martin's gillie Calum. Reels were danced by Misses Elsie Clark and Ford and Masters Douglas Martin and Charles Robb, and by Misses Mona Forbes and Phylis Seymour and Masters Charles Broun and Bert .Simpson—about as reatly given reels as one could wish to see. "Auld Lang Syne," as usual, sung by all, closed the programme, throughout which Miss Bessie Macdonala was the accompanist. The last concert will be given to-night.