Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1948. PIPE BAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 139, 24 March 1948, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1948. PIPE BAND

The Ashburton County Scottish Society’s Pipe Band'will leave Ashburton to-morrow for Dunedin to take part in the Otago centennial contest, which is also a Dominion fixture. So far as the band is concerned, this fixture is probably the most important it has taken part in in its long" history, and it will not be for want of hard work or enthusiasm if success in some sections is not achieved. The Pipe Band, like the Silver Band, is one of the finest assets the town possesses, and it has been the means of advertising Ashburton very considerably throughout the Dominion. This has been the case ever,since the band was formed away back in 1904, when a few Scots, feeling the necessity of preserving the traditions and customs of the land of their birth, took steps which resulted in the establishment of the band.

Pipe music never fails to appeal to large sections of the public, even though they may not be of Scottish descent. Actually the bagpipes are one of the most ancient instruments that remain in use by mankind. It is said that a number of references to musical instruments in the Bible, concern one or other form of bagpipes, and there are in existence Hittite carvings that definitely prove their use a thousand .years before Christ. They were, as Procopius tells us, used in the Roman army, and it has been suggested on the strength of a bronze figure found at Richborough, that they reached Britain by that agency. The literatures of all European countries testify to the universality of the bagpipes from «the Middle Ages onward. However, they had little' attention from those who are referred to as the great composers, but they have played, a large part in the social life of court and camp and cottage. In early times, also, they found in the church a sphere of usefulness that has now been lost. However, the town which does not possess a pipe combination is the poorer. This week-end Dunedin is to have a feast of pipe music and performances by upward of 30 combinations from all over the Dominion. It should be a memorable gathering, and the Ashburton Band are distinctly fortunate in being able to participate. As the result of theii seivice to the town, however, they deserve the trip, from which they should benefit very materially. They showed what they are capable of last Sunday, and a repetition of that form should find them somewhere near the head of their'section. They will carry with them the best wishes of all citizens for success.