Scots Prepare For New Year

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 42, 20 February 1936, Page 8

Scots Prepare For New Year

ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY Tho chief of the Manawatu Scottish Society, Mr J. S. Jonlcinson, was in tho chair at the annual meeting of the society held last evening. There was a fair attendance of members. The chief’s annual report disclosed that tho past year’s activities had been most successful from tho social point of view, although unfortunately not in so far as finance was concerned. It would be necessary, therefore, for the incoming committee to go thoroughly into the question of income with a view to increasing tho revenue from inglesides and membership subscriptions. On Anniversary Day the annual picnic was held at tho Awapuni racecourse, when a very pleasant outing was enjoyed by a very large attendance of members and friends. An interesting sports programme was held and also a nunlber of Highland dancing events, including an open championship. On January 26 Burns night was celebrated and a very enjoyable programme was presented. Mr G. Simpson, of Hawcra, was tho principal speaker. Thanks were also due to Mrs ltcaburn for her assistance in providing the haggis. During the year, in addition to inglesides, a number of members’ nights had been held, and theso had proved most enjoyable. The dancing competitions at the members’ nights materially assisted young members to gain experience. On July 10 the annual gathering of the clans was held, which was a great success, there being a record attendance. Another charity dance was also held, and as a result the society was able to donate £24 9s lid to charitable institutions. The Christmas party for members' children was again held and thanks were due to tho ladies’ committee for the enjoyable party arranged. The pipe band was making steady progress and was at present training very hard in preparation for the pipe band contest to be held in Wanganui at Easter. All members of the band were particularly enthusiastic and were taking a keen interest in the band, and under their capable instructors should give a very creditable performance at the contest. Their new uniforms should be ready within the next week or so and all were looking forward to seeing the band parade in such a manner as would do credit to any such organisation. It was with great regret that the society had to record the death of the lato Mr A. S. Cooper. As all members knew, Mr Cooper was one of the society’s most popular and keen supporters, both of the pipe band and of the society itself. His sudden passing came as a great shock. During many years of close contact with Mr Cooper all knew of his many sterling qualifications and the amount of energy that he put into his work on behalf of the society would be very sadly missed. To his w’idow and relatives all would join in expressing very sincere sympathy. Mr Jenkinson expressed his very warm thanks to tho committee and members for their will ing co-operation and assistance during the year; to the Press for its cverready assistance in giving publicity to the functions of the society; and to all those, too many to mention, who had supported and generally assisted the society. Pipe Major’s Report

“In commencing this annual report, I look back over the year 1935-36 as quite satisfactory from a baud standpoint,” stated Pipe Major V. J. Nicholson. “The average of practices and parades have been well maintained, a total of 49 practices and 27 parades in all. The falling-off in the number of parades is partly accounted for by our uniforms being away for renovations. The uniforms have been rather a big item to deal with over the last few months, made more difficult, perhaps, by the fact that it has been the policy of the pipe band committee tu procure or have made locally as much as possible of the new equipment. This procedure has meant far more work for tho committee than would have been the caso had tho complete equipment been left to one firm. We have the satisfaction, however, of knowing that our efforts in this direction have meant a saving of approximately 50 per cent, on the cost of refitting the band. At the present time the main object in view is the Wanganui pipe band contest at Easter. The time is all too short, and there is much work still to be done if we hopo to be iu the prizes. It is the earnest wish of the band committee and myself that members will appreciate this position, and do all in their power to assist by attending all practices and parades and diligently practising at home. I feel I cannot close this report without placing on record tho great loss the pipe band has sustained in the death of Piper A. S. Cooper. I cau but say of him that he was an ideal bandsman in every way, and we as a band -will feel his loss more keenly as time goes on. I thank the various eommittes and my officers, in fact all who have helped to make the baud work easy during the last twelve months.” Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows: Chief, Mr J. S. Jenkinson; chieftains, Messrs W. Allan, F. J. Duckworth; treasurer, Miss B. Kelly; committee, Messrs G. Allen, H. Hughes, C. F. Cronin, V. J. Nicholson; hon. auditors, Messrs V. J. Nicholson and G. Allen; M.C.’s, Messrs H. Hughes, G. Allen and F. J. Duckworth. The question as to whether inglesides should be held monthly or fortnightly was left to the committee. Owing to a suitable date not being available, it was decided not to hold the picnic postponed from Anniversary Day. Mrs Duckworth, a member, was congratulated on her success at the croquet tournament in Palmerston North. A vote of thanks was passed to Pipe Major Nicholson for the amount of work he had put into the activities of the society and pipe band.