ELTHAM PIPE BAND.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 21 July 1928, Page 2

ELTHAM PIPE BAND.

ANN UAL MEETING. The tenth annual meeting of the Eltham Pipe Band, preceded by a dinner served in host Crabtree’s best style at the Coronation Hall, was held last evening. The president (Mr. J. L. Campbell) presided over a good attendance of members, who had previously paraded the town in uniform. 'True to Scottish tradition the haggis, played in by Pipe-major J. F. Crawford, formed the first item on the menu. After full justice had been done to the good things provided, the president apologised for the absence of the following supporters of the band: Messrs W. J. Tristram, J. L. Weir, A. A'. Stewart, -J'. Keilar, J. Gower, and Ur. Saunders. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report, as follows, was submitted and adopted: The year under review has not been particularly eventful. The question of attending the pipe band contest at Christchurch was deliberated at considerable length, and finally- it was unanimously decided to nominate for the contest. Training operations were immediately commenced, but thereafter the band was dogged by bad fuel;. Our drum-major removed from the district and was not in a position to attend parades, and sickness and accidents suffered by other members so affected the band that it was difficult to keep going at all. Ultimately all ideas of attending the contest had .to be abandoned and the nomination fee forfeited. Engagements.—Few paid engagements were received during the year, revenue from this source being small. One engagement was cancelled owing to rough weather. The hand must surely hold the record for long distance travelling to fulfil an engagement. At Easter the band journeyed to Pio Pio, a distance of approximately 120 miles. Piping.—The standard of piping has been kept up to a. high level, good class music having been selected, and P is safe to sty that the oand is p.ayinr, better now thfffi ever before. Competitions.—During the year the Boss Collection of Pipe Music presented by Mr. H. Macdonald for junior pipers was completed for, and was won by Piper J- Ciarkson, who performed most creditably. The event was judged by three senior pipers, acting independently, and although points allotted differed’in each case, the order of placing of each competitor was the .vime. Band members were again very successful at the Taranaki Caledonian Society’s annual games. In the under five years event Piper Clarkson was placed second and PipeC Russell third, while the event lor members of bodies affiliated with the Association was won by Piper Gower, witli Piper Russell in second place. Financial.—The year’s working shows a loss of £2B 9s 7d. This includes cost of uniform alterations and lt-place-ments £22 12s lOd, and the item £ls for nomination in the contest —a dead loss. It would be well to consider the inauguration of a uniform fund. Much of our gear is now the worse for wear and replacements will have to he faced in the near future. Thanks.—The band is much indebted to its president, Mr. J. L. Campbell, who has always ‘been ready to assist, whether as drum-major, bass drummer, or in any other direction. Whenever he was wanted he was ready to step into the breach, and has shown a real, live interest in the band’s welfare, both in an advisory and active capacity. To Mr. Tristram the band again extends hearty thanks, the value of his service to the band being fully recognised. The spirit that has enabled Pipe-Major Crawford to carry on in the face of all difficulties is much to be commended, and it is difficult to realise the band’s indebtedness to him. To all who have assisted in any direction during the year the band return grateful thanks.

THE FINANCIAL SIDE. The balance-sheet showed tnat receipts amounted to £99 8s 3d, towards which the Pio Pio sports engagement contributed £25. In a total expenditure of £BO 17s 4d the principal items were: Pipe-major’s honorarium £5 ss, equipment £22 12s lOd, contest entrance fee £ls, presentation (dirk) £9 17s, travelling expenses £l9 16s. The band’s credit -balance stands at £lB 10s lid. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the president remarked that though a loss was shown on the year’s financial operations it must be claimed that the band had done well. An effort should be made to increase the membership of the band, and although there seemed to b© a dearth of young sons of, Scottish parents in the neighbourhood of Eltham qualified to take up pipe music, there was no telling what a year or two would bring forth. The band was fortunate in the possession of capable executive officers, and there was every reason to confidently hope for better results in the near futui'e. It was pleasing to record that the band’s services had,, been requisitioned from as far afield as Pio Pio. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow: Patron, Mr E. Crabtree; president, Mr. J. L. Campbell; vice-presidents, Messrs R. J. Knuckey, G. I). MacGregor, J. Gower, W J. Tristram, A. A. Stewart, H. D. .Forsyth, J L. Weir, J. Keilar, Dr. Saunders and. Sir W. Chmcross; secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. W. Carncross; auditor, Air. JJ, G. McDonald; drummajor, Mr. R L. Garden; pipe-major, Mr. J. F. Crawford; pipe-sergeant, Mr. C. Morrison; pipe-corporal, Mr. C. W. Carncross; drum-sergeant, Mr. C. Miller; drum-corporal, Mr. G. Crawford; management committee, Messrs R. L. Garden, C. Morrison, C. W. Carncross, .1. L. Campbell, and .T. F. Crawford. ■ GENERAL. Congratulations wero extended to Drummer J. Jardine on his success in a recent examination.

Pipe-major J. Crawford generously declined an. offer of an honorarium in recognition of iris valued services, for which he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks It was unanimously agreed that it be a recommendation to the management commitete that in future Pipe-major Crawford be recouped for his out-of-pocket expenses in travelling from Hawera to Eltham on band business. •

The secretary and treasurer (Mr. C. W. Carncross) also declined acceptance of an honorarium - , and it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. R. I/. Garden, that, his past services in the interests of the. band be recorded in the minutes. At the conclusion of the business of the meeting a short toast list was honoured and a number of vocal items were rendered by members of the band. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” concluded a very enjoyable function.