CALEDONIAN SPORTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11736, 25 January 1924, Page 2

CALEDONIAN SPORTS

RAETIHI GATHERING. RESULTS AND JUDGE’S NOTES. The annual gathering of the Caledonian Society was held on Anniversary Day in perfect weather and a record attendance. Ckimpetitois in large numbers from all over the Dominion were present, and the various events were keenly contested. Wellington compctitersfigurcu among the prize-winners. Following are the results;— Bagpipe Music (open).—Pibrochs:. O. L. Macdonald, Wanganui, 1; Pipe-majoT R. Thompson, Wanganui, 2; J. A. Came An, Mataura, 3. Also competed—D. Ferguson, Auckland'; Campbell. Mft.Tp.iieg>.—C. Macdonald, Wfinj&nui, 1; Pipe-major R. Thompson, Wanganui, 2• D. Ferguson, Auckland, 3. Also competed—J. A. Cameron and G. Gow, Mataura. . __ StrathspTeys and Reels.—dupe-major R. Thompson, Wanganui, 1; C. C. Macdonald, Wanganui, 2; J. A. Cameron, Mataura, 3. Also competed—l>. Ferguson, Auckland. _ . , , , . Marches (Novice). —jj. Wngnt, 1; A, Richardson, 2 . , _. , Dancing (girls under 18 years). Highland Fling; Jean McLochlan, Wellington 1; Thelma McKenzie, Wellington, 2; N. McCombie, Taihapo. 3. Highland Reel.—Jean McLochlan, Wellington, 1; Thelma McKenzie, Wellington, 21,N. McCombie, Taihape, 3. Swora Dance. —Jean McLachlan; Wellington, 1; Thelma bfoKcnzie, Welling ten, 2; N. McCombie. Taihapo, 3. Sailor's Hornptpo.—Eileon Olson, Auckland, 1; Thelma McKenzie, Wellington, 2- Jean MeLaohlan, Wellington, 3. Highland Fling (boys under 16 yeare).— G. MoCombie, Taihape, 1; D. Scott, Wellington 2; E. McKenzie. Ohakune, 3. Highland Reel.—G. McCombie, Taihape, 1; D. Scott. Wellington, 2; E. McKenzie, Ohakuno. 3. „ „ , . _., Seantriubhais.—G. McCombie, Taihape, 1; D Scott, Wellington, 2; E. McKenzie, 3 ‘lrish Jig— G. McCombie, Taihape, 1; D. Scott, Wellington, 2 Highland Fling (boys and, girls under 16 yearn, local).—Grace Ward* 1; Jhan Sigley, 2; A. MeCowan, 3. Reel o Tulloch • N. Andoreon, 1; Grace Ward, 2; J. Ward, 3. Seantriubhais : Grace Ward, l; N. Anderson. 2; J. Ward, 3. ■ , Boys and girls under 12 years.—Highland Fling: ‘A. MoOowan, 1; Jean Sigley, 2- W. MeCowan, 3. Reel o’ Tulloch: A. MeCowan, 1; Jean Sigley, 2; D. Pederson, 8. Irish Jig: A. McCcovan, 1; Jean bigley, 2; D. Pederson, 3.

COMMENTS BY JUDGE

ONEI OF THE BEST MEETINGS. Comments by. Mr Alex. Dickson, who judged the piping:— The open bagpipe competitions were veiy koenly contested. The winner in "Pibrochs," Mr C. C. McDonald, put up a vory fine performance indeed; his internretation of the piece i &n s; deportment and marohing left little to be desired. His instrument had a very full and mellow tone. The tame remarks apply to this competitor’s march playing. The playing of the winner in the etrathspreys and reels competition. Pipemajor R. Thompson, was characterised by very' clear and distinct notation, and his time and expression wore particularly There are one or two p°mt® that 1 would like to mention for the benefit of competitors generally:— . (1) -The "toning" and the tuning 1 ot the pipe should be studied veiy closely indeed. It is a , regrettable fact that some of our best players turn out at a sports meeting with their instruments by no means in order. At Raetihi one competitor was severely handicapped in this respect. (2) Clear, distinct, and correct notation is absolutely essential. I found one competitor at the competitions in question repeatedly using an incorrect scale, particularly in the "D” and high "A" notes. No amount of variation or run of grace notecs can cover up such mistakes if the judge knows his business. (3) Several competitors seem to hold the opirion that good deportment and marching are quite unnecessary where bagpipe music is concerned. They are decidedly wrong in this respect. Good deportment and good marching are absolutely essential. Lastly, pipers must make a very close and patient study of tho piece to bo played. and endeavour to give "soul" to their music. The dancing competitions, judged by Mr C. C. McDonald and myself, were also very ably contested. Mis 6 Jean McLachlan, of Wellington, deserves very great credit for her performance in the Highland! events, ana she. has, in my opinion, a very promising future as a competitor. G. McCombie, Taihape, won dancing events for boys under 16, wftn D. Scott, of Wellington, running a close second. This class was closely contested right through, and McCombie and Scott have, in my opinion, a very promising future on the boards. The competitors in the events for boys end girls under 16 years showed distinctly good talent. Of those under 12 years, Master A. McGowan stood out prominently, and with steady practico should he a competitor to reckon with. The Raetihi meeting is one of the best which I have attended in recent years, and deserves the attention and support of all pipers rnd dancers. Provided suoh support is forthcoming, Raetihi, I have no doubt, will rank an a "big" meeting in the future. This year all events were keenly contested, and! I won 1 d recommend all pipers and dancers to attend tho meeting next season.