Whangarei County Pipe Band Meets

Northern Advocate, 29 April 1944, Page 7

Whangarei County Pipe Band Meets

Followed by an Ingleside, the annual meeting of the Whangarei County Pipe Band was held last night when the attendance of members was the largest yet recorded. Paying their first official visit to the band, the Mayor (Mr W. Jones and the Mayoress were welcomed by the president (Mr W. Hawthorn) and in reply, the Mayor spoke of the manner in which the band had assisted in the district's patriotic endeavours, with credit to the members and to the district. Donated by Mr C. McKinnon, a Cairngorum Stone was presented to Piper Hugh Smith, the youngest piper in the band. Progress of Band In the annual report the president dealt with the band’s activities during the year. He said that the band had participated in 40 functions and had committed itself with great credit. All parades and functions were for patriotic purposes and the services of the band had been much appreciated. During the year two pipers ancj two drummers had been called to the forces. One piper and one drummer had resigned, two pipers had come to the district and joined the band, while three boys had also joined. Eight more were learning the pipes, and their progress was very satisfactory. Mr. Davies had taken the drum section in hand and was making a vast improvement, in the playing and deportment. The number of parades and practices at which the players had attended meant a great sacrifice of time on their part and this was deeply appreciated. It was unfortunate that Drummajor Haynes had been in camp, but during his absence a great responsibility had fallen on the shoulders o: Pipe-major Young. During the year the band had several visitors from the Hamilton Pipe Band, also one player from Invercargill, and they had expressed their thanks and appreciation for the band's hospitality. Mr. Hawthorn then went on to speak of the work of the social committee which, during the year, had continued to" send parcels to members overseas. He also stated that the committee had taken out an insurance policy covering the instruments. The president thanked all the officials and committee members who had so ably assisted him during the past year. A credit of £44 was shown by the balance sheet and in this connection Mr. Hawthorn said that he would like to see more members and so strengthen the finances of the band. Officers Elected Officers elected were: Patron, Mr. G. McCluskey; president, Mr. W. Hawthorn; vice-presidents, Mr. Norman Howie (.chief), Hon. J. G. Earclay, Messrs. J. Biggar, R. Campbell, J. A. S. Mac Kay, K. Stevens, Murdoch McGregor, S. C. Crawford, J. Jones, J. Morrison (Kaitaia), J. Cowie (Kaitaia), J. W. Hoskin (Kaitaia), W. Fraser, R. Finlayson, V. Cassin, R. Morrison, R. McLennan. Br. J. Rule and Lieut.-Colonel H. P. Conyers Brown; treasurer, Mr. C. Wahren; committee, Messrs. L. Cooke, H. Haynes, W. Markwick, L. Dobson, M. Young, S. Reed and J. Leatherby. Miss G. McCluskey, who had carried out the duties of secretary, would not. accept re-nomination and the question of an appointment was left with the incoming committee, the president making reference to the good work of Miss McCluskey. At the ingleside items were given by Mrs. C. Thorton, Misses E. Joll, J. Cochrane, J. McKenzie, T. Warrington, Mr. G. Wilding and Lieut^Col. H. G. Carruth.