HAWERA SCOTTISH SOCIETY

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 3 January 1931, Page 6

HAWERA SCOTTISH SOCIETY

CONCERT AND PRESENTATION,

INTERESTING PROGRAMME,

A house packed to the doors greeted the promoters of the concert in St. Mary’s Hall in the evening, when an excellent programme was given and the trophies won during the day were presented to the winners in the various events. Items were contributed as follows: Songs: Miss Johnston (Palmerston N.); Mrs J. A. Rankin (Eltham), “Within a Mile of Edinboro ’ Toun” and “Coming thro’ the Rye’’; Air Hugh Lambic (Elthain) “ A hundred pipers’’ and “Ki'rkconnel’ Lea’; and Air W. G. Simpson (Hawera); humorous item, Mr P. Buchan (Wanganui). Dancing: Toursome reel, ISliss Thompson find pupils ? Hug quintette, Alisses Alargaret 'Lawrence, Norma Nixon, Alargaret Lee, Junnc Goodwin and E. Aiken. A community sing was enjoyed, and then an amusing sketch, i £ Domestic Economy, was given very cleverly by Airs Twaddle, Aliss l T oung, Alessrs W. S. Gibson and D. G. Smart. At the interval Chieftain J. E. Campbell briefly introduced Dr D. E. Brown, chief of the association, who performed Inc presentation ceremony. Dr Brown said that the weather had been ideal, and the gathering a real picnic. Great entries had been received, which helped the profits of the meeting, and, he added, “there is no doubt the executive has carried on the work at the meeting with credit to themselves and with advantage to the association.” He expressed hearty thanks to them and to the ladies’ committee. who did such wonderful work. Their effort- was not always appreciated at its true worth by members. He referred to the policy adopted of cutting out professional dancing and of encouraging local performers, which was much more enjoyable and provided training for young performers. There had been, he said, a very high standard of dancing and piping. The executive would consider and decide for the future whether New Year’s Day w r as to be continued: as “the Scottish day.” Dr Brown then presented the Petrie Cup for the piping premiership, and also the rest of the trophies. Chieftain Campbell announced that the gates had reached the very satisfactory figure of £9O towards the £IOO, liability incurred by the executive for the meeting, and that the takings for the evening were £29 10s. There would be ft handsome profit to be handed over to the association.

Reviewing the previous gatherings, he said that a profit had been made at Eltham, and then, owing to adverse weather, a loss had been incurred in successive years at Stratford and New Plymouth, therefore the profit on this gathering would be a nice nest egg for the future.

On the motion of Chieftain Campbell, a hearty vote of thanks was carried to Dr. Brown by acclamation. Mr H. D. Edwards, of Palmerston N., added congratulations to Hawera and said it was a great credit to all concerned in the management of the sports. He said he felt it a great honour to be present and he thanked all for their great kindness to him. Chief J. L. Campbell, of Eltham, also added congratulations, and said that the two gatherings, one four years ago, the other Now Year’s Day, 1931, both at' Hawera, had been about the best he had heard. He complimented the societies on the wonderful display given by the massed bands, making it one of the finest he had seen or heard in the Dominion.

The judge of the piping said that there had been a consistently high • standard of work shown, and ho felt, sure that among the younger competitors were coining New Zealand champions. Only attention to detail and experience were needed to achieve this desired end. He said he had pointed out. faults to young competitors with a view to giving constructive criticism, and he congratulated the competitors on the marked absence of false notes in their playing, and on their good interpretation and notation. This proved, lie added, that the majority had got the correct grounding on which to build. He remarked on the good tone lie had hoard and also on the remarkable miniber o±* silver mounted pipes held by members.

THE HAGGIS ARRIVES,

The haggis, without which no Scottish gathering is complete, was duly piped in by Pipers lan Campbell and Linn. The ode was recited by Air W. G. Simpson and this marked the beginning of an excellent supper, provided by the ladies. A few dances to music supplied by the Pickering orchestra concluded, one of the most successful and enjoyable Scottish evenings over held in Ha-'-wera. ““"aid Lang Syne” was the last item of the formal part of the evening.