SCOTTISH GATHERING

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 June 1936, Page 5

SCOTTISH GATHERING

ST. ANDREW’S SOCIETY.

There was a good attendance at the monthly gathering of St. Andrew’s Society on Saturday evening, when opportunity was taken to make a presentation to Mr D. 11. Mackay, the founder and first secretary of the Society, who no longer resides in Masterton. Tho presentation took the form of a sgian dubh, silver-mounted and suitably engraved. Mr Mackay was in Highland costume, and then and there added the Society’s gift to his costume. In making the presentation, the Chief, Mr 11. Mackenzie Douglas, expressed regret at tho departure of Mr Mackay. It was due to his enthusiasm and patriotism that tho Society had been formed, and it was due to his continued assistance that such a strong body had been built up.

In reply, Mr Mackay thanked those present for the handsome gift, and encouraged tho members to keep in view the objects of the Society, the promotion of Scottish feeling. On behalf of his wife, Mr Mackay acsepted ’ a silver brooch of old Gaelic pattern, comprising cairngorm surrounded by Scotch pebbles. The principal item on the programme was a lecturette by Mr G. T. Wilson, M.A. (N.Z.), B.A. Honours (Cambridge) on the Hebrides and the isles generally. Mr Wilson, who had been on a trip to these isles, described his tour, and his lecture proved to be most interesting, and was enthusiastically received. The proceedings opened with a pipe solo by Allan Mackenzie Douglas, the newly-appointed pipe-major of the Wairarapa High School Pipe Band. Recitations were given by Mrs ChaiTsori and . songs by Mr 11. Hall. The accompaniments weer played by Mrs 11. M. Morton.

An innovation was the introduction of community singing of all Scottish songs, conducted by Mr J. J. Hunter, assisted by Mr P. C. McLaren. The sing proved very popular, and is likely to be, a regular item. The words of well-known Scots songs have been printed.

' Reference was also made during the evening to tho loss sustained by the Society by the departure to Wellington of Mr John Mackenzie Douglas, late pipe-major of the High School Pipe Band, who was present at the gathering, having come from Wellington expressly to give his services as a piper. Dancing was indulged in until midnight, and pipe music was supplied by Pipers N. Trass and J. and A, Mackenzie Douglas. Mr C; A. Burling, president of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society, and Mrs Burling were the guests of the society.