PIPE BANDS CONTEST

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27909, 5 March 1956, Page 3

PIPE BANDS CONTEST

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIP TO WELLINGTON

HAWKE’S BAY WINS B GRADE

The New Zealand pipe bands championship, held in Christchurch over the week-end, was a . memorable contest. About 10,000 persons saw the final display by the massed bands at Lancaster Park yesterday afternoon. The swing of tne kilts and the colourful tartans made a most impressive display. Nineteen band§ competed in two grades, 10 in the A grade and nine in the B grade. Local C grade bands played in the massed bands display. Both A and B grade championships were decided on Saturday. The A grade was won by the City of Wellington oand, which defeated City of Christchurch A by the narrow'margin of one-and-a-half points out of 573. In the B grade championship the Hawke’s BayScottish had a good eight point win over Temuka Highland. The championships w’ere decided on the aggregate points for inspection, test selection, and quickstep. At the official opening on Saturday afternoon, the Mayor, Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P., paid a tribute to the bandfor their generous support to the many requests made for their services. Bandsmen were also welcomed by the president of the New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association. Mr V. J. Nicholson.

.After the Drum Head service at Lancaster Park yesterday, conducted by the Rev. Stuart C. Francis, the A grade drum major’s display was followed by displays by the winning bands and massed bands.

The A grade drum majors’ display was an outstanding example of band control. It was surprising to find pipe bands marching at 120 paces to the minute, the same temoo as brass bands. A tempo four paces slower is more in keeping with the pipes and the swing of the kiit. An entertaining concert last night concluded with the presentation of prizes—a formidable list of nearly 50 awards. All the judges complimented the bands upon their high standard of playing and marching. Results:— A Grade Championship City of Wellington, 573.099, 1; City of Christchurch, 571.574, 2; Burns Highland, Dunedin, 562.616. 3: Hamilton Caledonian, 554.883; Dunedin Highland, 554.091; Ashburton County, 551.283; Invercargill Caledonian. 549.974; Scottish Society (Christchurch), 549.774; Ruahine Highland, 544.124; Timaru Highland, 539.157. A Grade Inspection Dunedin Highland, 111.5, 1; Ashburton County. 108.625. 2; Scottish Society (Christchurch), 108.5, 3; Burns Highland. 108.25, 4. A Grade Street March City of Christchurch A, 42.915, 1; City of Wellington, 42.728, 2; Scottish Society (Christchurch), 41.561, 3; Ashburton County, 41.435, 4. A Grade Drumming City of Wellington. 34.6, 1; Hamilton Caledonian, 33.8, 2; City of Christchurch, 31.4, 3. A Grade Quickstep City of Christchurch A, 280.741. 1; City of Wellington, 279.216, 2; Burns Highland, 273.966, 3; Invercargill Caledonian, 272.458; Dunedin Highland, 272.358; Hamilton Caledonian, 270.183; Ruahine. 268.166; Scottish Society (Christchurch), 266.741; Ashburton County, 265.525; Timaru Highland, 261.541. B Grade Championship Hawke’s Bay Scottish, 554.333, 1; Temuka Highland, 546.133, 2; Canterbury Caledonian, 539.191, 3; Ellesmere Highland, 537.624, 4; City of Christchurch B. 521.541; City of New Plymouth, 518.591; North Canterbury, 517.708; New Plymouth Caledonian, 501.582; Wairarapa, 500.749. B Grade Selection Hawke's Bay Scottish, 178.25, 1; North Canterbury, 176.833, 2; Canterbury Caledonian, 175.8, 3; Temuka Highland. 169.8; City of Christchurch B, 166.5; Ellesmere Highland, 166.166; City of New Plymouth. 161.8; New Plymouth Caledonian, 156.166; Wairarapa Caledonian, 155.666. B Grade Street March Ellesmere Highland, 43.324, 1; North Canterbury, 42.394, 2; Hawke’s Bay Scottish, 40.519, 3; Canterbury Caledonian, 4. B Grade Drumming City of New Plymouth, 103.75, 1; North Canterbury, 99.166, 2; Temuka Highland, 98.5, 3. Drum Major’s Display City of Wellington, 109.416, 1; Scottish Society of New Zealand, 96.916, 2; Invercargill Caledonian, 95.916. 3; Ruahine Highland, 95.666; Timaru Highland, 86.666. Five bands were disqualified for excessive tempi. Open Staff Flourishing A. Souter (Scottish Society of New Zealand), 46£, 1; I. J. Sergeant (Hawke’s Bay Scottish), 43J, 2; R. J. Binning (City of Wellington), 43, 3; H. Pay (Invercargill Caledonian), 41J, 4.