Lot 1892

Description

Highland Society of Southland, fob medal, struck in silver (35x32mm), English maker and hallmark, ring top sewn to a coloured material rosette, obverse inscribed 'To/John McDonald Esq', reverse inscribed 'From The/Highland Society/Of/Southland/On Their First Annual/Gathering/Invercargill/NZ/1897'. Toned, very fine.

The following courtesy National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past - from the Mataura Ensign, 13 November 1897:

"The first annual gathering of the Southland Highland Society at Invercargill last night was very successful, attracting as it did Highlanders from all parts of the province. The Chief, Mr D.A.Cameron (Nokomai), presided, and gave a short address on the society itself, setting forth its objects and claiming for it the sympathy and support of the Celts of Southland. An original poem in honor of the occasion was recited by the author; Mr A.Kinross, whose effort was acknowledged by the audience. Gaelic speeches were given by Messrs John McDonald (Palmerston) and Hugh Cameron (Mataura), and a Gaelic song by Mr John McNeill (Forest Hill), and Chieftain McKellar and Miss Kelso gave a dialogue in Gaelic, and Mr K.Cameron a recitation in the same tongue. Mr Duncan Cameron (Mataura) played an original composition of bagpipe music - his own work which was highly appreciated by all. An enjoyable dance sustained till an early hour this morning, concluded the proceedings."