AWA’ TO BONNIE SCOTLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3995, 30 July 1915, Page 7

AWA’ TO BONNIE SCOTLAND.

SCOTTISH SOCIETY FAREWELLS its PRESIDENT. WARAi-H KA R TED SEND-OFF TO DR. AV.. P. PORTER. Judging by the gathering of the elans at the Scottish Hall last night tiie fiery crass must have been sent round by the chieftains during the week. The occasion of the overflowing attendance 'was a farewell by the members of the Scottish Society to their popular President (Dr W. P. Porter), who leaves for Scotland on Wednesday next, Air J. Hay, vice-president of the Scottish Society, presided, and voiced the sin,: ere regret the members felt at losing such an able president ant] true . iend ns Dr Porter find proved liirnHf. Mr Hay stated that he had ■eu ou the committee of the Society ice its inception, and had had many ■■ pportunities of seeing the zeal Dr Dorter had displayed in their interests and estimating his worth as a man. Dr Porter did not allow the Society to be a, one-man show, and that, was why the committee had got on so well. The tact and courtesy of the president had had much to do with the signal success the (Society had achieved. When they found that Dr Porter was leaving them next week to return to Scotland, they felt they could not let him depart without showing him the regard they felt towards him, and giving him some little memento to carry away with him. The Chairman then called upon the lion, secretary of the .Society (Air F. R. Ball) to read, the following address to Dr Porter: “Wo, the committee and members of the Poverty Bay Scottish Society, desire to present you with this address and the small gift accompanying it as a slight recognition of your services to the Society, and as a memento of the many pleasant gatherings at which von have been present with us. You were one of the original founders of the Society in 1911, rind since its inception you have been : I. President and foremost in carrying out tho aims of the Society, which are to tester the love of country an l to carry ou the noble traditions of our •Scottish forefathers. The Society inis been the means not onl y of gat I icing together men and women who have brought the customs and traditions of our Scottish motherland to New Zealand, but especially has it gathered with a success, which has been largely owing to your efforts, to infuse into our young people a sense of what Scotland means to us. aid to give them a knowledge of wear is best, in its history, its literature, a'Kl its life. Wo regret that you an 1 your family are leaving us to return to Scotland, but we knew that von will not lose .sight- of Gisborne aril of the maiiY friends you have made din-

ing the years you- have lived here. We shall he glad to hear from you from time to time, and we sincerely wish you all happiness and prosperity in the Homeland.”

The address, which was in illuminated form, was then handed to the President by Air Hay, who said : “1 hope you will have a long and prosperous career in the future. I know it will be an honorable one.”

Mr Hay, on behalf of the members of the Society, then handed to Dr Porter a well-filled purse of sovereigns with which to purchase for himself some little token which would serve to remind him of the warm hearts he had left behind him in Gisborne.

Dr Porter, in returning thanks, said that one would think that the occurrences which had already taken place this week would have made him get used to these kind of leavetakings, but each one seemed to overwhelm him more and more. He did not know how to thank them for their kindness. When.he arrived in Gisborne four years ago lie felt that the Scottish people felt the lack of a rallying centre, and the Scottish Society had supplied that want. He would go away from Gisborne feeling that he had perhaps made Poverty 13av a little more companionable than he had found it. With regard to the future of the Gisborne Society. Tie commended to them lhe old Scotch saying, “Jock, dac ye’re bit. and if they all followed this the Society would' flourish and prosper. He thanked them for their too abundant, kindness. The address would remain a treasured heirloom in his family when other t-lungs had vanished, to be handed down from father to son. TRIBUTE FROM THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

A deputation from the Friendly Societies, consisting of Bros. ,P. Sehwabe and F. T. Robinson (ALU.. 1.1.0. F., R. Robb and Jolm H. Smith (1.0.0. F.), T. Ellery and G. S, Ilrucc (A.0.F.), during the evening presenteel Dr Porter with the follow-ng address:

■'Respected Sir and Brother, — “As you are about to take your departure for the land of your birth, wo cannot let the opportunity pass without expressing our sincere regret in losing your services as Court Surgeon, after a period of five years, during which time you have been, held in the highest esteem and respect by the members of the Order. AVe desire to express our grateful appreciation of the good services rendered to members’ wives and families by you us their lodge doctor, many of whom have learned to regard you as a true friend and kind sympathiser, a,nd they will deeply feel your absence In their time of trouble and sickness.

“We also wish, to place on record our very great confidence in your qualifications as a medical practitioner and to testify’ to the uniform courtesy and kindness in all your dealings with the officers and members. AVe trust that you will have a pleasant and safe journey’ to tho Homeland, and we unite in wishing that yourself, Airs Porter, and family-' may long be spared to enjoy a very happy and useful life.”

Dr Porter feelingly responded, saying that nothing gave him more .satisfaction than to know that he had pleased the lodges of which ho had been medical office] - . He had bad over 4.G0 members to attend, and it was a source, of great pleasure to him to bear the members of the deputation express their satisfaction at what had been able to do for them. During the evening a real Scotch programme was submitted, as follows: Bagpipe selection, ‘‘The Marchioness of Tullihardine,” Mr D. bimpson: song, “McGregors] Gather -> ing,” Mr Watson; song, “It’s Just Like Bein’ at Flame,” Mr Oswald: song, “Jesisc’s Dream.' 1 Miss Hale; song, “Afton Water,” Air Bell;’ song, “Will Ye No Come Back Again,” Mrs Bartie; duet, “0 Wert Thou In tho Gauld Blast?” Aiessrs Graham and Alexander; song, “The Rowan Tree,” Airs Howard; Highland fling, Miss Andrew; dulcimer selection, Scottish Airs, Mr W. AtoAlurray; pong, “Annie Laurie,” Mr J. Campbell; song, “My Ain Folk,” Mrs Brook; Sailor’s Hornpipe, Miss Newey; song, “The Lea Rig.” Air Bell; song,/“The An Id Scotch Bangs,” Miss ; Park: song, “Deoeh and Doris,” Mr Oswald (encore. “When I go Back Again to~Bonnie Scotland”); song, “A iild Lang iSvne,” Mr J. S. Allan. A memorable gathering terminated with a sit down supper, which was done full justice to.