ELTHAM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 August 1926, Page 5

ELTHAM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

ANNUAL MEETING OF PIPE BAND Til© G Itham Pipe Band .held its annual meeting last night, Mr D. Clement presiding over a go-od muster of members.

The annual report was adopted. Extracts are given ibedow: During the preceding year the baud' has seen considerable changes and, as may be expected in this district of a moving population in particular, in the change of the personnel of its membership. The chief item of interest was the band’s participation in the Pipe Bands’ Contest at Dunedin. This was made possible, in the first instance,' by the enthusiasm and financial support given by Messrs Tristram and Crabtree. From the beginning a. citizens’ committee was formed, and through the work of that committee and the generous support of the people of the district were able te take part in the contest without seriously depleting the band Is funds.

Mention should be made of the way in which our pipe-major lias worked, during th© year. He has, at considerable -inconvenience to himself, taken learners’ classes throughout the year, and the fact that four of his pupils are now playing with us speaks for- itself. His efforts in training the band for the contest have prpduced a new and greater efficiency in the hand, and the fact that we were able ix> attain seventh position in so severe a test as the last contest shows the work that he must have put in. The hand members themselves, at great inconvenience, regularly attended practices, and all worked very hard to- attain the coveted prize. In concluding the remarks in connection with the contest, we can only again point out how much we owe to all those who helped us, particularly to Messrs J. Gower and j. Keilar, who rendered us valuable and untiring assistance at all our practices. Since the - contest, however, there: is a tendency on the part of members to slip practices. It is to be hoped this omission will be remedied, as it is particularly disheartening to- the band officers to meet with a uoor attendance.

Another decided change in Taranaki during th© past year is the advancement of the piping movement. Until quite recently we were the only hand in Taranaki, hut now there are four others formed or. .in the course of formation ..

Owing to locality and changes, our ranks have keen depleted, particularly by the loss of our Hawera members, but we trust that the training they have, received with us is proving valuable to tlieir new band's. We wish our friends every success during the coming year.

Our band was particularly fortunate to be able to retain the 'services of Drum-Sergeant Miller, and our thanks are du© to the Post and Telegraph Department in this connection. During th© year the band receipts show an amount of £l2O Os 2d, as

against £7B IDs 9d for the previous year. This, of course, is -exclusive of the sum raised by the Citizens’ Committee in .connection with the Dunedin contest. To cover the working expenses of the band' members now pay a weekly levy to the funds. The balance-sheet was read, by Air L. Gower, secretary.- The total income for the year was £l2O 10s 7d. Exoenditure amounted to £B4 14a lid, leaving a balance of £35 15s Sd. Air Campbell, in moving the adoption of the balance-sheet, said that the position was very satisfactory, and lie congratulated the members and thanked: all who had assisted during the vear. The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron, Air J. Crabtree; president. ATr J. L. Campbell; vice-presi-dents, Messrs AY. J. Tristram, J. Gower. T. Orr, J. Keilar, G. D. AlcGregor, H. .T. Knuckey, H. D. Forsyth, A. A. Stewart, J. L. AA r eir and' Sir Walter Carncross; auditor, Air H. G. McDonald; secretary and _ treasurer, Air L. J. Gower; drum-major. Air D. Clement; pipe-major, Sergeant Crawford ;, pipe-sergeant. Piper Alorrison; pipe-corporal, Piper Cameras';; drumsergeant. Drummer Miller; 'drum-cor-poral. Drummer Bell; management committee. Alessrs Clement, Carncross. Alorrison, Crawford, the president and secretary; custodian, Drum-Major D. Clement. , It was decided to work during the vear with the assumption -that the band would compete in the next Dominion contest. It was decided to write the Taranaki Scottish Society resigning the position qf honorary pipe band to the •society. During the evening, the president presented Pine-Major J.. Crawford with a dirk on 1 behalf of the band 1 in recognition of his long and valuable .services to the band. He mentioned that, although Air Crawford was leaving Eltham and intended residing in Hawera. he would still be an active member of the band.