Huntly Scots' Society

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 17 November 1916, Page 3

Huntly Scots' Society

A special meeting of the IluntI ly Scots’ Society was held in the ante-room of the King’s Hall on Wednesday evening last. The Society is practically defunct, and the meeting was called by the remaining members to arrange for the disposal of the balance of funds. It was proposed that apportion of the money should be handed over to the Huntly Miners' Pipe Band to assist in defraying the cost of the drums which had been imported. These drums cost £ll 11s In Glasgow, and this amount had been paid, £8 having been raised by means of g concert, and the balance of £3 11s being paid by the Pipers themselves. Owing to the war conditions, however, the import and freight charges cn the drums had been very much higher than was expected and there is a liability of £lO 12s 5d owing for these items. The following members of the Scottish Society were present: —' Dr. Macdiarmid, Messrs T. Britton, A. Shand. J. Thomposn, D. Duffy and Ingram. With the exception of Dr. Macdiarmid, the members were in favour of handing the balance of the Society’s funds over to the Pipers to go towards defraying the debt on the drums. Dr. Macdiarmid, who is ofte of the Trustees was generally in favour of the scheme, but refused to consent unless the drums were handed over to the Huntly Town Board to hold for all time, and that they should then be handed out by them to whomsoever the Board thought fit, taking a receipt for them, and holding the receiver responsible for any damage done to them. As the Pipers bad practically paid for these drums themselves, the conditions laid down by Dr. Macdiarmid were considered unreasonable. The Pipers had no objection to the Board acting as Trustees, but objected to actually giving the drums away. As Dr. Macdiarmid was obdurate, and would not recede from the position taken up, it was decided to take legal advice on the matter, and the meeting adjourned. It might ba staled, that the Pipers of this band, all of them miners, are the only ones who have done anything in the way of providing a musical e-cort to soldiers departing from Huntly, and d (Tring recent departures, their efforts have been very much appreciated It is hoped that, in a few weeks with a little practice, a hand of six Pipes and two drummers will turn out. the other six Piprrs having gone to the Front.