PIPE BAND UNIFORMS.

Evening Star, Issue 22514, 5 December 1936, Page 16

PIPE BAND UNIFORMS.

Thh appeal which has been made through our correspondence column for funds with which to provide the Highland Pipe Band with new uniforms should not go unheeded. The fact that a band which has given such pleasure to the community for forty years has had during that time only two uniforms is almost incredible. Besides being picturesque, Highland dress is well known to be durable, but recently there have been indications that the garments worn by the members of the band have passed beyond their period of usefnlnesa. At the competitions last year, indeed, the hand missed gaining primary honours simply because the condition of the uniforms was not commensurate with the standard of the playing. As is pointed out by our joint correspondents, the local band was awarded no less than 99 per cent, for music and drill, while for dress and appearance it was given only 60 per cent. To the sartoriaL shortcoming, therefore, must he attributed the fact that the band members had to rest content With second place. The people of Dunedin have the reputation of being predominantly Scottish, but it is not entirely because of this that the call for help should not be allowed to fall on deaf ears. The loyalty and devotion of the bandsmen to their unit are worthy of encouragement of the most practical Mud. The spick-and-span appearance ■of the band should be a matter of civic pride. The “ music of the hills,” and ,the inspiring march swing of pipers can be, and are, in the main, appreciated by others besides those whose forebears lived north of the Tweed. However, it does seem particularly incumbent on 'folk who dwell south of the Waitaki to see to it that their pipers are given the opportunity to parade in uniforms worthy of the Highland tradition and of the ability of the performers to supply the public with enjoyable entertainment.