PIPERS FOR DUNEDIN

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 41, 17 August 1921, Page 9

PIPERS FOR DUNEDIN

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LONDON, 6th July, A Scottish , gentleman who has just returned from a two years' tour of Australia and New Zealand (says the Glasgow Herald] describes in glowing terms the industrial conditions in those Dominions. He was particularly impressed with the numbers and character of Scotsmen he found in every walk of life, and among his happiest memories are those of the practice of the old Scottish customs which he witnessed in the bush. Living in the interior of these countries he came upon descendants of Highland people speaking the Gaelic, and they included in their hospitality to him the singing of the old Gaelic songs.' .The Bagpipes are the favourite musical instrument of these scattered, groups of Highland exiles, and commissions were received to send several pipers out to Dunedin and .■ other places, when an occupation would be assured,for these in return for the benefit of their musical accomplishments. Going over the coal mines on the West Coast of New Zealand he was informed by an English manager of one of the collieries that they would take 1000 miners, particularly of Scottish nationality, if he could get them. Hard work seemed to the observer to be the rule in those countries*