PIPE BAND UNIFORMS.

Evening Star, Issue 22514, 5 December 1936, Page 25

PIPE BAND UNIFORMS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As citizens of Dunedin, and as individuals interested in the welfare ef our Highland Pipe Band, we feel it to be our duty to bring before the public the need for funds to equip the band with much-needed new uniforms. Suggestions made ,by the Citizens’ Executive Committee at a recent meeting will be brought into, operation within the next week or two, when interest has been sufficiently aroused, and it is hoped l that the outcome of these suggestions will induce public support. The band needs to be thoroughly reequipped. Only twice since its inception in 1897 has it had new uniforms, Dunedin has every reason to be proud of its Highland Pipe Band, the performances and successes of which reflect credit in no small manner upon the continual effort, time, and energy put into practice by each individual member and instructor, which have conduced to the high standard of playing maintained since it commenced 39 years ago. At last year’s competitions, of the 100 per cent, possible to be gained for music and drill, our band gained 99 per cent., while for uniform, dress, and appearance it gained only 60 per cent.—a loss of 40 per cent. There is no doubt that the reason for the band’s gaining second place was on account of the poor condition of the uniforms.

Those who know the original members still connected with it can testify to their loyalty and devotion. Though it has come through very trying times, the band has not for many years sought assistance from outside sources. Nowadays, however, with a larger number of musical organisations competing, and with the gradual passing of the old enthusiasts and identities connected with its earlier existence, it is finding it more difficult to secure the necessary inancial support which it previously enjoyed. Leaving aside its regular performances, on no occasion has the band •ejected a proposal that it should play fur a worthy cause. The City of Dunedin has called it forth on many occa- 1 dons, and Dunedin itself would be

greatly lacking in interest to travellers and others were it not for the ‘ ( skirl o’ the pipes an’ the swagger o. the kilts.” The pipers are proud of their city, and the city has reason to be proud of its Highland Pipe Band. More than that, many of the coming and present-day youth whose forefathers so grandly and proudly wore the costume of their native Lowlands and Highlands, heather lands and loch lands, will look and are looking forward to the time when they, too, will “ take up the torch ” and bear it on through the city’s history as worthy representatives of those nation-builders who, by their very code of living, are leaving and have left such examples of patriotism that those who follow in their footsteps should be only too pleased, too willing, to sacrifice a little of their time and talents in the name of the Scottish tradition and sacred memory. Keep Otago the Scotland of the South Seas! . • However, it has been intimated - already that various citizens and friends would like to assist financially, and thus, with this proffered kindness, we appeal to the large Scottish element in this city to rally round the band and help in providing funds to equip the members with the much-needed new uniforms. —We are, etc., E. T. Cox, Mayor. John Hope, President. J. R. Fair bairn, Vice-president. J. M’Donald, Vice-president. Dunedin, December 4, 1936.