A BLEND O' TARTANS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 106, 6 May 1929, Page 8

A BLEND O' TARTANS

A HIGHLANDER FAREWELLED 111 the tartans, from the Borders to I John o’ Groats, were represented at I Foster’s Hotel on Wednesday after- ’ noon, when the guests of honour were Sir Harry Lauder and Mr Neil MacI kenzio Forbes, late of this city. The I hosts were the Caledonian Society, i Highland Pipe Band. Scottish Society, • and Burns Club. Air Charles Russell, i president of the Caledonian Society, | was in the chair. Mr Russell extended a must cordial I welcome to Sir Harry Lauder, who had | sung his way into the hearts of people 1 ail over the world. It was indeed a ! pleasure to welcome him to Wanganui ; again. Sir Harry, he said, would be i called up .i later to perform a pleasant ' duty for the Scots of Wanganui. • Sir Harry thanked the company for I the way in which his health had been i drunk. After the great grief that had I recently befallen him in the death of ; his wife, he felt like an old man, His ' medical men had suggested a sea voy- | age and his thoughts had immediately i turned to New Zealand and its warm j hearted people. ‘‘l’ve been in the . South land and in the North land,” Ihe continued, “and your country is i grand. Going out every day fishing, ! vu’a bag o’ wor-ronis iu ma creel, just | like a wee laddie, and no’ caring if I i got any fish or not.” The long sea trip, and the restfulness and beauty of the country had restored him to his old vigour. At the chairman request, Sir Harry presented Mr Mackenzie Forbes with a tantalus ami a piece of plate on behalf of Wanganui Scots. He had known Mi ■ Forbes for many years, long before he had come to New Zealand. kt was an honour to be asked to make the presentation on behalf of friends who knew I him better even than the speaker did. | Ihe health of Mr Mackenzie Forbes was entrusted to Mr Peter Doull, oi the Burns Club, and speakers in support were Mes-rs John Driver, R. G McNiven and W. S. Glenn. All tie speakers referred in glowing terms to tiie work Air Forbes had‘done in Scottish matters, not only in Wanganui, but throughout New Zealand. Mr Forbes had dispensed Highland hospitality as [a Wanganui licensee for a quarter of a century, and the conduct, of his house was a model to all proprietors. All the jspeakers referred to his fine qualifies ns a man, and as a friend. After his health had been enthusiastically honoured, and the singing of “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” Mr Foorbes briefly replied, thanking lis good friends for their kindness.