Feilding Caledonian Pipe Band

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 2

Feilding Caledonian Pipe Band

ANNUAL MEETING THIS EVENING Tho annual meeting of members of the Feilding Caledonian Pipe Band will be held this evening, when the chairman, Mr. A. F. Dalzell, will present the following report:— “Iu presenting tho annual report of the Feilding Caledonian Pipe Band I wish to make special reference to my predecessor, Mr. A. Campbell, who worked splendidly in the interests of the band during a very trying portion of the year and it was with regret that his resignation was received by the executive. During the year many resignations were received, including those of Mr. A. Matheson, Mr. McKenzie (treasurer) and Pipe-Major Butler. The loss of these officers’ services was keenly felt in the affairs of the band. “The band held G 7 practices, the average attendance Deing 12 and the percentage of members present 07 per cent. In respect of the uniformed parades the attendance was a little improved towards tho ond of the year, in all 28 street parades, etc., were held and the average attendance was 14 and on a percentage basis S 3 per cent. It must be remembered that during the summer months many of the bandsmen work long hours and it is extremely difficult to improve the attendance during that period. “The band competed at last year’s provincial contest at Masterton and later at tho Dominion contest held at Palmerston North. Although the band was unsuccessful, the contest afforded playing members in general an opportunity of seeing good bands in action and to realise that constant practice is needed for any band to make a showing at such contests. Shortly after the contest the services of Mr. Neil Cruden were obtained and with the result that the standard of piping in the band was considerably improved. Likewise the standard of drill was much improved by week-end practices, although a good deal more could be done to put the necessary snap into the drill work of the band which is at present lacking in this respect. “As regards finance, the year commenced with a credit balance of £137 15s 6d and with a liability or £lls Os 3d on uniforms and gear. Income amounted to £B6 Os 6d and the expenditure was £206 7s 9d, which included the paying off of the liability of £lls Os 3d and leaving a credit balance after the year’s activities of £l7 8s 3d.

“Social activities were somewhat restricted owing to many organisations holding carnivals, dances, etc. Of the few Inglesides held all but one was a loss to the committee, although those present had an enjoyable time. In regard to the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Pipe Band Centre, to which the Feilding band is affiliated, I have to advise that as all meetings are now being held in Palmerston North it has been convenient for tho band to t>e actively represented on the executive of the centre. As tho band’s representative I can assure all supporters of the Feilding band that the centre is very anxious to see a first-class band in Feilding in the very near future. With a view to furthering the interest in the local band an application for next year's pipe band contest to be held in Feilding has been forwarded to the centre and I can assure band supporters that this application will in all probability be approved.

“Special thanks are due to Mr. Neil Cruden, of Longburn, for piping tuition; to the proprietors of the Denbigh Hotel, for the free use of bandroom; also to the Feilding Borough Council and the press. In conclusion I wish to thank all officers and members of the Feilding Caledonian Pipe Band, the social committee, vice-presidents and others who assisted me so splendidly during the past year while I had the honour of being your president.”