WELCOME TO PIPE BAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 144, 31 March 1948, Page 2

WELCOME TO PIPE BAND

Reception in East Street RETURN FROM DUNEDIN Members of the Ashburton County Scottish Society’s Pipe Band were given a warm welcome when they returned from Dunedin last evening. The hand, which returned by bus, was over an hour late, reaching the corner of Burnett, and East Streets at 6.40 p.m. The bus stopped there, and the hand was congratulated and welcomed by the members of the Silver Band, friends and supporters. The two bands then marched along East Street to the Pipe Band room, to the tune of “Colonel Bogey.” played hv the Silver Band. Official Welcome The bands halted on East Street and the Mayor (Mr E. C. Bathurst) officially welcomed the ripe Band home. He said that their progress at the contest had been watched with interest by all citizens. The band had performed very well indeed, and he congratulated them on securing third place in the quickstep. The points in all contests had been very close, and the Ashburton Band had proved itself the best band in the South Island. Drum Major L. L, Aitken, replying on behalf of the band, expressed his thanke to the Mayor and the people of Ashburton for the welcome home. It was gratifying to know that they had so many supporters. The band had played to the best of their ability, he said, and had performed very creditably. He was not disappointed with the band’s performance whatsoever. The medal presented to him for gaining the second highest number of military points was entirely due to the gdod work of the band. Their performance was a definite improvement on that of last year, said Mr Aitken. The standard this year had been very high, perhaps the highest ever seen at a Dominion contest. The band had done a wonderful job and would be on the road to the contest again next year. The Mayor then called for cheers for the band, the spectators responding heartily. Band’s Performance The band in the B grade championship performed very well to tie with the Auckland and District Band for fourth place. It is a remarkable coincidence that these tws* bands also tied for fourth place in the B grade championship held at Wanganui last year. The championship this year was very closely contested, only 53 points separating the first five bands. In the quickstep Ashburton finished in third place only 13 points behind the winner. In the test selections, while they were .well down the list, ( finishing ninth, they were again only six points behind the winner, a further indication of the closeness of the contests. The band gave a performance in the Drum-Major display equal to the best of their practices held in Ashburton, but were beaten by more experienced bands. However, it was a most encouraging effort considering that it was the first time that the band had entered the Drum-Major’s display in a Dominion contest.

All members agree that the experience gained from the trip to Dunedin will serve them in good stead, and will go a long way toward improving the hand. The fact that five extra points would have given them the B grade championship will undoubtedly keep bandsmen on their toes between now and the next Dominion contest.