The curlers selected to represent the Dominion of Canada in the matches to be played on this side of the Atlantic against Scottish teams reached Halifax on the forenoon of Saturday, 9th January, for the purpose of embarking on board the Canadian Pacific Railway’s mail steamer, " Empress of Ireland." In the afternoon they went to the curling rinks, four rinks to the north end and three south. A telephone message came about four o’clock, hurrying the curlers off, though the steamer did not sail till seven, and they were therefore able only to get through about seven ends. When play closed two of the visiting curlers at the Halifax Curling Club were behind the local men, and one was ahead. At the Mayflower rink three of the visiting rinks were in the lead and only one was behind. At the Queen Hotel, the headquarters of the curlers, there was a lively scene. Host Fairbanks had a broom left there by the Scottish curlers when they visited Canada. This was given to Mr. J. A. Johnson to present to the departing curlers to take back to its owners in Scotland. Mr. Johnson made the presentation in an eloquent speech. There were other addresses and songs, and the occasion proved a very jolly and happy one. The pibroch sounded, and about six o’clock the curlers and a big crowd of friends formed in procession, headed by the pipes, and proceeded to the steamer. With the team of thirty-six men was Governor Fraser. His Honour was glad to go, but it was largely a cablegram from Lord Strathcona, urging him to join the party, that decided him at last in favour of the trip. The Governor was on board when the main party arrived, and, in response to loud cries for a speech, his Honour made a few brief remarks. Then there was goodbye handshaking, the steam whistle sounded its warning, and not long after the great liner was off, with the cheers of Halifax friends and curling enthusiasts ringing in the ears of those on board.

When Governor Fraser sailed by the "Empress of Ireland" he was wearing a handsome gold seal on his little finger. It was the Fraser crest and was a Christmas present from Lord Lovat, the head of the Fraser clan. The Governor is very proud of it.

An interesting calculation has been made in connection with the visiting team some idea of the great extent of country represented by the Canadian party is had in the fact that the average travelling done by the Dominion players before boarding the liner at Halifax was twelve hundred miles per member. It may be mentioned, too, that one member of the company Mr C. W. McPherson, Dawson City—in visiting Scotland is covering something like fourteen thousand miles, including the outward and homeward passages. Mr McPherson’s journey from Dawson City to Liverpool occupied four weeks. He left home on the 11th December, travelled 350 miles by stage line which took five and a half days, to White Horse, then on to Skagway by rail over the White Pass on the Yukon route and then covered the one thousand miles to Vancouver by C.P.R. steamer.

The curlers landed from the "Empress of Ireland" at Liverpool on Saturday morning, and received a most enthusiastic reception. At the head of the party to welcome them was ex Provost D. R. Gordon of Bathgate, bearing on high the be-ribboned tartan heather broom, and he was followed by the Rev. John Kerr, Dirleton, Chaplain of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, Mr Robert Husband, Dunfermline; and Mr. A. Davidson Smith, Secretary of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. Mr Husband, in a cordial welcome speech, said they were delighted with the enthusiasm displayed in Scotland over the visit; and the heartiness with which the tour had been taken up by the Canadian Provinces, if the visitors did not enjoy their tour, it certainly would not be the fault of the Scottish curlers. The Hon. Duncan Cameron Fraser, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, speaking for the Canadians said they had come over not alone for the purpose of curling, but to meet the people of Scotland, the stock whence they had sprung. It was not necessary for the deputation to tell them that they were welcome, because they knew whenever any of them came to Scotland their greeting was as warm as they themselves extended to Scotsmen in Canada.

The Canadian visitors, with their Scottish friends, left Liverpool for Edinburgh by special train. The first part of the journey was uneventful, but when the train drew up at Newcastleton, it was found that further progress for a time was impossible in consequence of a snow block a few miles ahead. The visitors, however, treated the matter lightly, and their delay of an hour in wintry surroundings seemed to furnish them with quite an enjoyable experience. Once again in motion, Edinburgh was reached about an hour and a half behind time, and as the train drew up alongside the Waverley platform shouts of welcome were raised by the waiting crowds. Headed by Pipe Major Duguid of the Queen’s, Edinburgh, the visitors from the "land of the maple leaf" marched to the North British Station Hotel, which will be their headquarters while in Edinburgh.

After the storm which raged about midday on Saturday had passed, keen frost set in, and it was ascertained that a rink game could be played at Myreside, the Watsonian curlers having their ice in good order. They extended a hearty invitation to the visitors, and a rink composed of the following Canadians, Messrs Alex. Macauley, St John; Alex. Milne, Montreal; A. D. Macdougall, Winnipeg; and D. Macmillan, Butte Mont (skip), had a practice game with the President, Mr M. T. Simpson; Vice-President, Mr. James Hastie; Secretary, Mr John Hay, of Duddingston; and Mr J. Bowie, Watsonians. The result of a most enjoyable match, in which it may be mentioned the visiting players were handicapped with strange stones, which ended about midnight, was seven shots in favour of the Edinburgh players, who were skipped by Mr Hastie.

On Sunday forenoon the Canadian party, accompanied by a number of Scottish representative curlers, attended services at St. Giles’ Cathedral. In the absence of Dr Cameron Lees, the Rev. John White, South Leith, occupied the pulpit, and made an appropriate reference to the Scottish visit of the curlers of the Dominion. Mr White said he was informed that they had worshipping with them that day their Canadian brethren who had come to engage in a friendly contest in what was acknowledged to be the most democratic and yet most royal of games. Might he, in the absence of Dr Cameron Lees, with whom they all deeply sympathised in his sorrow, offer them a welcome to St Giles’ and to the homeland. To speak to Canadians about curling—in which game they had proved themselves to be the most scientific and successful of players—would be an impertinence; but they wished them, so far as they might honestly wish it with a distress so prevalent in their midst and which a severe winter was bound to increase, a temperate degree of frost and an enjoyable sojourn amongst them. Were this visit to Scotland only a question of sport, he should not make any comment on their presence; but there was a deeper significance which they all appreciated. It was an evidence, however slight, of the increasing friendship between the Mother Country and her daughter Colonies, who to-day recognised more clearly than before that they were a responsible and integral part of the Empire, and that their destiny was one with our own, that they and we formed one Imperial whole, our motto—" One life, one flag, one fleet, one throne." The Canadians’ love of the Mother Country was only equalled by our admiration for their proved loyalty in the day of need; and we were proud to twine the maple leaf with the rose and the thistle and the shamrock. It was because we believed that such a visit as was now being made in return for the visit paid by the Scottish team to Canada would, in some small way, tend to educate the sentiment of a true Imperialism, and help us to realise our unity, that we offered them a welcome today in that place. He was sure that they who came from a young country, whose history was brief, though with many significant pages of heroism in it, and who looked forward rather than backward for the good times, would rejoice that this welcome had been offered in ancient St Giles’, so rich in the memories of a great past, to which the visitors with us might lay claim.

Mr H. G. Wills, the Secretary of the visiting party, stated to a Press representative that the players came together practically strangers, as they had never played together before. They had thirty seven men in the team, and they were a most representative side so far as Canada was concerned, because the men came from different parts of the Dominion, as far apart as Halifax and Dawson City. They had never curled together, and those who knew the game understood that players would naturally give a better account of themselves had they been better acquainted in a playing connection. The members of his party were all thoroughly in love with the game, and were going to make the strongest show possible against the Scotsmen. They had four Curling Associations in Canada. Three of these—Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba—were all represented by two rinks, and the fourth, Nova Scotia, was represented by one rink, in accordance with the terms of the invitation extended to them by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. Each team had its own captain, and those captains, with the chief captain, Lieutenant Governor Fraser, formed the Executive for the tour.

On Monday, after spending the forenoon in sight-seeing and visiting in Edinburgh, the party entrained at the Waverley for Peebles. The Waverley Station was busy about two o’clock, when the curlers arrived, headed by ex-Provost Gordon, Bathgate, who flourished a broom from which hung the Canadian flag. There was a large crowd to see the party off for the Border country. The proceedings in the saloon on the way to Peebles were of quite a lively character. There were snatches of old Scottish songs sung in Gaelic; interest was enlivened as places of interest on the route were pointed out; and the entire Canadian party rose to give an answering cheer to curlers who voiced a welcome at some of the wayside stations.

ARRIVAL IN PEEBLES.

The party had a most enthusiastic reception at Peebles on Monday, when they paid the first visit of their tour in Scotland. Peebles felt honoured, and "rose to the occasion," making the reception one which made the visitors declare that wherever they might go it could not be surpassed for warmth and cordiality.

As the train steamed into Peebles a great shout arose from the local curlers, who were lined up on the platform. Brooms were distributed to the Canadian section — the local devotees of the "roarin’ game" being already armed in that respect—and, preceded by the burgh halberdiers and the Pipe Band of G Coy., 8th Royal Scots, the party marched to the Chambers Town Hall, where a civic reception awaited them. The weather aspect was dismal. Rain fell heavily, and the roads were in a dirty condition. But the cheerlessness of the weather was forgotten beside the enthusiasm of the townspeople. Peebles went about the welcome in no half-hearted manner. Flags flapped in the wind; handkerchiefs were waved from many windows; and the streets were crowded with cheering spectators, representing all stages, from the noisy school children to the "lean and slippered" veteran.

RECEPTION BY TOWN COUNCIL.

The Chambers Town Hall was tastefully decorated in honour of the occasion, prominent over the platform being a banner, bearing a border of the maple leaf, with the burgh arms, and in front in large letters the word " Welcome."

There was a large company of ladies and gentlemen, among whom were members of the County Council, Parish Council, School Board, the ministers of the town, &c.

The Canadians were first received in the Council Chamber by the Magistrates and Council (the Magistrates wearing their official robes) and were afterwards conducted to the platform of the Chambers Town Hall, accompanied by the members of Town Council—Bailie Forrester, Bailie Dalling, Dean-of-Guild Ramsay, Treasurer Anderson, Councillors Wilkie, Dunn, Phillips, Ballantyne, Lawrie, Reid and Brown; Mr J. Walter Buchan, Town Clerk; Sir Henry and Lady Ballantyne and Miss Ballantyne, Minden; Mrs J. A. Ballantyne, The Neuk; Mr H. S. Anderson, Hon. Secretary of the Peeblesshire Curling Province; Mrs. G. Wishart, Dunbar; Mrs David Ballantyne, Mrs T. H. Ballantyne, Peebles; Miss Silver, Halifax; Miss Sanderson, Leith, &c. As the visitors entered the large hall the company rose and cheered again and again. When the cheering had subsided,

Bailie FORRESTER said that in the unavoidable absence of their worthily esteemed Chief Magistrate, Provost Ballantyne, who had gone to Biarritz for a short holiday, and who sincerely regretted his absence from that function, it devolved upon him, in the name of the Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council and the inhabitants of the Ancient and Royal Burgh of Peebles, to extend to the Canadian curlers a most hearty and enthusiastic Scottish welcome to Tweedside. (Loud cheers.) In order that the welcome should be as representative as possible, there were present the Peeblesshire County Council, Peebles Parish Council, Peebles School Board, and the members of the Peeblesshire Curling Province. That the Canadians should have made Peebles the first town to welcome them was regarded by all present as a special mark of Canadian Preference, and a very high honour indeed. (Cheers.) Coming to Peebles so soon gave unmistakable evidence of the wisdom and sagacity of their Canadian visitors. (Laughter and cheers.) Other towns and cities in Scotland could have given them a welcome on a larger scale. Edinburgh, the Scottish metropolis, the seat of learning and pride of the provinces, or Glasgow, the commercial metropolis of Scotland, could have done so more magnificently, but while these cities were distinguished in their own way— Edinburgh for grandeur and Glasgow for commerce, the grand distinction of their Ancient and Royal Burgh was "Peebles for Pleesure," (Loud cheers) What could be more appropriate, therefore, than that the devotees of the roarin’ game from across the Atlantic should first find their way to the Scottish Mecca of Pleasure, the haunt of Scottish Kings since the days of David I., some seven hundred years ago. But there were still stronger reasons for the curling team coming first to Peeblesshire. and these were of a historical kind, In the National Song of Canada occurred these lines—

CURLERS’ DINNER AT THE HYDRO.

Following the ceremony in the Chambers Town Hall, the Canadian party and their friends were conducted to the Hydropathic, where the visitors were put up overnight.

In the evening the Dominion curlers were entertained to dinner in the Hydropathic by the Peeblesshire Curling Province, when the company numbered fully 130.

On the Chairman’s table were displayed the trophies of the Peebles and West Linton Curling Clubs, prominent being the Peebles Rink Cup, with medals attached. The menu card was designed by Mr Harry MacGregor.

During the dinner, which was splendidly served, the pipers marched round the room playing lively airs.

After dinner,

The CHAIRMAN gave the toasts of "The King," and "The Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and other Members of the Royal Family," which were loyally honoured.

Mr. R. S. ANDERSON then intimated apologies from Sir Edward Tennant, Bart., M.P., Lord-Lieutenant of the county, and President of the Province, Sir James B. Fergusson, Bart , Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bart., Captain Cunningham, and Major Thorburn.

The toast-list was then continued, and

Mr M. G. THORBURN proposed the toast of "The Imperial Forces." He said their friends from Canada had had a welcome from the civic authorities of Peebles, and he desired as Convener of the county to extend a very hearty welcome to the visitors to Tweedside. (Cheers.) The toast he was proposing went near to the heart of that great subject, the unity of the Empire. They had made the Empire what it was by the ability of their statesmen and the grit of their colonists, of the men they had sent there and brought up in the traditions of the old country, which had been a great benefit to the new countries to which they had gone. But the duty remained to maintain the Empire. It was only by the proper unification of and proper regard for our forces that they could adequately maintain the Empire.. (Cheers.) Canada had done her part not so long ago in sending to South Africa one of the finest regiments they had in South Africa. (Cheers.) Canada, like Britain, was putting her military affairs in order. But Canada was showing us something in the way of progress. The Canadians worked the military service on the theory that universal service should be had if necessary. The time would come when every man ought to be trained. He did not agree with conscription, but if a man were to be an efficient defender of his country, he must go through some training. If there were a trained population they could do with a smaller standing army. The time had come when every man ought to have the duties as well as the rights of citizenship. (Cheers)

Colonel MACKENZIE, Ontario, in responding said Canada had done something in the way of defence of Empire by laying down the great Trans-Continental Railway, and were now building another. These would enable Great Britain to carry forces to India or any part of the Empire entirely over British soil, and by the shortest possible route. (Cheers.)

Captain D. BALLANTYNE also responded, and said with regard to the Territorial Army scheme Mr Haldane had made a noble appeal to the young men of the country, and it remained to be seen whether the men would come forward. If they did not, he thought it would be agreed by all that they should be compelled to do so. (Hear, hear.)

The CHAIRMAN proposed the toast of the evening, "Our Guests." He said he felt that to be one of the proudest moments in his life," to be presiding over the first gathering at which the Canadian curlers were entertained in Scotland. (Cheers.) Mr Deans Ritchie and he knew what Canadian hospitality was, and he confessed he had been anxious to see whether his neighbours and countrymen would rise to the occasion. But he was satisfied. It was a high honour for Peebles and Peeblesshire to be first to entertain the visitors. They could do a great many things in Peebles. Given ice he thought they could curl fairly well. But there was one thing they could not do, and that was to provide ice if Nature said there was to be no ice, and, alas, they were in that unfortunate position. Who would have thought on Saturday night, any time from six to twelve o’clock, that on Sunday morning they would have had a howling gale and pouring rain. It did look hopeful for their having ice, but, alas, Nature had said no, and they had just got to make the best of it, and they would have the pleasure of showing their visitors something of the land of Scott. Peebles was known all over the world, but he might mention a few facts about it. The Royal Burgh of Peebles had been well known since the time of King David I. of Scotland, and had her first Royal charter in the reign of King David II in the year 1367. and further, in the year 1621 King James VI. of Scotland renewed and confirmed all the rights, privileges, and lands, which had previously been given by his royal ancestors to the community of the burgh of Peebles. The burgh seal, of which they had that day received a small copy, dated from the year 1682. They had perhaps remarked on the three fishes. The explanation was that for every salmon that went up the river Tweed two went down, the fact being that the salmon ascended the river to spawn, and the two fishes were to show that, according to the motto, they increased by swimming against the stream. And whenever the people of Peebles found any difficulties in their way they kept that motto in their minds and did their best to overcome them. (Cheers.) When they were badly beaten fighting an uphill game in Canada, Mr Ritchie and he thought, well, they were going against the stream, and they must put forth an extra effort to retrieve their position. He could not help looking back on that trip through Canada six years ago with feelings of the deepest gratitude to the curlers of Canada for the exceeding kind treatment that had been meted out to them, and not only by the curlers but by the whole of the people of Canada, and now that the Canadians had come over to visit them in Scotland—a visit which six years ago it was thought impossible ever to hope for, but Glasgow had come to the rescue with its artificial ice—he could only say they were delighted beyond bounds to have them in Peebles. (Loud cheers.) He supposed it would be asking too much of human nature to wish them all success. They would wish them a moderate amount of success—at any rate they would not beat the Peeblesshire Province. (Laughter.) They wished them health and success—in moderation—and hoped that they would go back to Canada confirmed in their love for Scotland. But it was not necessary to say that. His experience in Canada was that where they were Scotch they were more Scotch than Scotsmen. When in Halifax the Scotsmen went on to the curling rink they found greetings to them in Gaelic which not a single man of them could read. (Laughter.) Some of their Canadian friends had remarked on the fact that there had been no greetings in Gaelic that day—(laughter)—but they were Lowlanders. They had some of the Gaelic amongst them, however, for that day he had listened to what seemed an interesting conversation in Gaelic between the Lieutenant-Governor and the Rev. Mr Maclean. In conclusion, he could only say that was one of the occasions when a man wished that above all things he had the gift of eloquence which so many of their Canadian friends had. He had done but poor justice to the toast, but there was one thing in which he yielded to no man—and that was the feeling of affection and regard which he had for their Canadian guests. He asked them to drink the toast with Highland honours.

The toast was enthusiastically pledged with Highland honours and loud cheering.

Lieutenant-Governor FRASER of Nova Scotia, in replying, said that he was pleased that although, unfortunately, the language of his forefathers did not prevail in the district— (laughter)—every thing except the language was there. The pipers and the Highland toast indicated that the best of all blood, the Celtic, ran through their veins. (Cheers.) He was glad that Peebles had been the first place they came to, for he feared not that any other place would be able to show more distinctive kindness than they had received in that ancient burgh. (Cheers.) It was quite like Canada— (laughter)—and those present had the distinction of looking like Canadians. (Laughter.) He was glad to hear that from that district went the great Murray, who, with Wolfe, made the greater part of North America free to Britain, and laid the foundation of all they were now and hoped to be in the future. (Cheers.) The men who went to Quebec at that time left an impression among the French people of kindness and feeling for humanity that had not been forgotten even among the descendants of those people in Canada to-day. (Cheers.) So far as Scotsmen in Canada were concerned, they would say without boasting that the virtues shown by their forefathers still prevailed, and would be maintained, because they believed them best for themselves and for the Empire, and they would not depart from those noble inspirations which their forefathers gave them while alive, and bequeathed to them when they died. (Cheers.) Let them never forget that they belonged to Scotland, and to be associated with its history and present progress was a distinction greater than could be gained by mixing with any other society in this world until they went beyond and mixed with the triumphant host. (Cheers.) He knew what the ties of country were. He had all the love for Scotland that any man could have. He wished to say that their streams and mighty lakes and snow-capped hills, all that was good and beautiful, they had clung to them, and while, like good husbands, they carried in their bosoms the love of new land, they would never forget the Mother from whom they were descended, and they loved her, too. (Cheers.) If a young man at home felt he could push his fortune elsewhere, he would ask him not only as a Scotsman, but as one who had the best interests of the Empire at heart, to seek Canada in preference to any other land. (Cheers.) Such a man would need to possess two qualities—that of being thrifty, and of doing good, honest, everyday work. With these qualities there should be no such thing as failure in Canada for any man willing to work and willing to bide his time. There was no speculation in it. (Cheers.) If their treatment in Peebles were a foretaste of what they would have in Scotland, he would feel that when he returned to Canada a chapter rich in all that was precious to any man who loved this mighty Empire had been written for him in letters of gold. (Cheers.) As he saw those hills with the mist rising and thought of their forefathers carrying the blazing lights when the Southron was coming, all he had read of it came back to him and it was like an illustration of Heaven’s great train beyond to show him that he was walking on ground so sacred, where history was made not for the selfish purposes of the people who lived here but for Scotland and the world, and he felt like the patriarch of old as if he could take off his shoes, for the place whereon he stood was holy ground. He thanked them sincerely for the manner in which they had received the toast. (Loud Cheers.)

Mr J. P. ROBERTSON, Winnipeg, in proposing "The Royal Caledonian Curling Club," said whether the Canadians won or lost, they would not lose their respect for the Mother Club of all Curling Clubs.

Ex-Provost GORDON, in responding, mentioned that the Club was originated in 1838, and referred to curling stones in walls and dykes as showing the ancient history of the game. They had now 700 Clubs connected with them in all parts of the world, while they had 31 provinces. Curlers seemed to have adopted the French motto of "Liberty, equality, and fraternity." (Cheers.)

Mr DAVIDSON SMITH, Secretary, also replied, and said the Club had done for curling what no other Association had done, and they were in a way now to realising the happy era—

VISIT TO THE SCOTT COUNTRY.

On Tuesday morning, after the company was photographed in front of the Hydropathic, they proceeded in motor cars to Traquair by Kailzie grounds, permission having been granted by Mr Black; and a halt was made at the historic gateway of the avenue leading to Traquair House, which was also visited, a tour being made round the outside of the building. The journey was continued by Innerleithen and Selkirk to Abbotsford, the various peel towers being pointed out in passing down the valley of the Tweed, particular attention being drawn to Elibank Tower. At Abbotsford an interesting hour was spent. Melrose was reached at half. past one, and there the visitors were received by the local curlers with their cowes up, and the Town Council, who, with the pipers, marched to the Abbey. Provost Simson on behalf of the Town Council, entertained the company to cake and wine in the George Hotel, where Provost Simson, who was one of the Scottish curlers to Canada, proposed the toast of the Canadian team, Lieutenant-Governor Fraser replying in eloquent terms. On the return journey the party travelled by Galashiels and up the north side of the Tweed to Peebles, where lunch was served in the Hydropathic. Along with Sir Henry Ballantyne and Mr R. S. Anderson, the following gentlemen, who had kindly placed their cars at the disposal of the Canadians, accompanied the party: — Major Thorburn of Craigerne; Mr M. G Thorburn of Glenormiston; Mr Scott, Melrose; Mr W. D. Fraser, Cleikum Inn; Mr James Young, Traquair Arms, Innerleithen; Mr. T. H. Ballantyne, and Mr G. H. Ballantyne. Mr Henry Ballantyne, Walkerburn, also kindly lent a car.

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR FRASER

PLANTS TWO MAPLE TREES.

Mr R. S. Anderson, Hon. Secretary of the Peeblesshire Province, has received the following letter from Mr H. G. Wills, the Hon. Secretary of the Canadian team:—" The kind sentiments expressed in your letter, I can assure you, are most thoroughly appreciated. Will you, so far as possible, please convey to our brother curlers in Peebles and Peeblesshire, and all others who helped to make the visit of the Canadian curlers one which they will never forget, our heartfelt appreciation of their many and great kindnesses. Anticipating the pleasure of again meeting you, and at least some of the Peebles curlers, before our trip is ended."

THE THISTLE AND THE MAPLE LEAF (Canadian Curlers’ Visit).