HELD UP AT AUCKLAND

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12356, 28 January 1926, Page 3

HELD UP AT AUCKLAND

LADIES’ PIPE BAND GUARANTEE WANTED. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Times.") AUCKLAND, January 27. Eleven members of the Australian Ladies' Pipe Band are still in Auckland, as difficulties concerning their entry into Canada have not yet been overcome. The original arrangements firovided that after a‘ tour of New Zeaand had been made the hand should tour Canada. The members of the band were not allowed to board the mail steamer at Auckland, however, as the signatures of the girls’ parent's and guardians in Sydney, permitting the girls to travel, were not available in Auckland. The signatures had been left with other documents in Sydney, but the papers were eeht for and arrived in due course. The next difficulty arose when the Canadian Government intimated that' each member of the band would require to find a bond of £SO before landing as a guarantee that the band would not bo stranded in Canada within a month. This money has not yet been raised.. and until it has been found the band will not be able to carry out the arrangements already made for the Canadian visit. In order to lessen the costs, four members of the band left by the Marama on Saturday for Sydney to return to their homes. Eleven members are left tc proceed on the tour and guarantees totalling l £550 are needed before the Canadian visit can materialise. The band authorities v are hopeful that an nppeal for bonds will be successful. If the money is not forthcoming it is possible the band may proceed direct to England in a month’s time. The bond'- is not required by the British Government, In the meanwhile time is reallv being wasted in Auckland. The Dominion has already been thoroughly toured, but the band will appear in concerts m and about Auckland during the next few weeks. Arrangements are being made for the band to play in some of the outlying suburbs which have not yet beer, visited, and has also undertaken a few other engagements.