SOUTH OTAGO. BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20498, 28 August 1928, Page 6

SOUTH OTAGO. BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Ora, Own Cobhesfondent.) BALCLUTHA, August 27

PIPE BAND

The annual meeting of the Balclutha Pipe Band was held in Sinclair’s Hall on Saturday night, where there was a large attendance, including _ visitors from nearby districts, and aiso members or the pipe bands of Dunedin, Mosgiel, Milton, and Kaitangata. Mr D. Sinclair, who occupied the chair, extended a hearty welcome to all. The report and balance sheet, as read by the secretary (Mr 11. Bower) and the treasurer (Mr H H IngHs) respectively, showed that the band had had a fairly successful year, and at no time had refused to turn out when requested. The proposal to enter for the Wanganui contest, however, had had to be abandoned owing to the loss of a number of playing members who had left the district. The balance sheet to Julv 31, 1928. showed a credit of £4B 15s 3d, Jiy including the money in the savings bank (£6O) on account of tho uniform fund. An expenditure which would not recur for some time, was an item of £35 for renovating unicornis. There was a larger sum than usual outstanding for members’ subscriptions, but it was stated that the bulk of this was collectable. The assets and liabilities account showed a balance of assets over liabilities of £SO. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said the financial position was sound, and members were to be congratulated. The band bad latterly been hamneml in its activities bv the loss of £ix playing members. but there were four learners com-, ing on who would soon be admitted to the status of bandsmen. Mr John Gold, in seconding the motion, said the committee bad bad a strenuous time in bolding the band together, but a was a usual experience with country bands, whose members were apt to drift Otherwise the position of the band was very satisfactory. The motion was carried. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing vear resulted .—President. Mr D. Sinclair (re-elected); vice-presidents Messrs V/. Duff and John Gold: treasurer, Mr C. E. O’Hara (Mr Inglis declining re-election on the ground that he had left the district); secretary. Mr H. Bower (re-elected); auditor, Mr Lothian: committee—Messrs A. M. Wylie, James Tweedie. Frank Bower. William Lovie. Alexander Duff. It was decided that the band should elect its own officers. gMOKE CQNCERT An enjoyable smoke concert followed. Included was a short programme of toasts, which included “ Local Bodies, proposed by Mr Inglis, who remarked that he noticed that Balclutha Borough a itemplated improvements which would involve the expenditure of large suras or money. The speaker counselled caution in this respect. Mr S V. White (Mayor of Balclutha), in responding, stated tlfet he had been a member of the Balclutha Council for nine years, and for the past five and ahalf years as Mayor, and it had been the most pleasant period of his life. During the past six or seven years the borough had gone ahead immensely *n improving its water, lighting, and street systems, and he ventured to predict that within the next 18 months or two years other improvements would be added which would make Balclutha second ,o none in the Dominion as a desirable country town in which to live. Certainly the rates were fairly high, but if the citizens wanted these conveniences they must be prepared to pay for them. Mr George Hunter also responded on behalf of the South Otago Hospital Board. „ , “ Kindred Societies wore proposed cy Mr J. R. Copland, and responded to by Messrs L. Tilson, E. Paterson (Port Molyneux Caledonian Society), and l>. M’Guinness (Clutha Caledonian Society). The latter stated that his society had resuscitated the local Caledonian sports last season without a penny to its credit, and held a successful meeting, and finished up with a credit of £42 and 30J members, a number it was hoped to double next season. The “ Boys’ Brass Band ” was proposed by Mr M’Guinness and responded to by Mr John Gold. Other toasts were “ The Visitors, proposed bv Mr J. M’Namara, and responded to by Messrs P. Duff (Dunedin Highland Pipe Band). T. Hansen (Milton Pipe Band), Pipe-major Gibson (Mosgiel Pipe Band), and I). Milne (Kaitangata Pine Band); “The Retailers Association,” proposed by Pipe-major E. Gold, and responded to by Messrs C. G Clark and J. M. Dogpart; “ Balclutha Pipe Band,” proposed by Mr P. Duff who paid a tribute to the excellence of the band. The chairman and Mr John Gold responded, the latter remarking that although the band was now weakened numerically, he had little doubt that it would uphold its reputation gained at contests. In a humorous speech Mr Inglis proposed “ The Newly-wed _ Members.” which was resounded to in kind by Mr A.-M. Wvlie. “Honorary Members” was proposed by Mr A. M. Wylie, and responded to by* Messrs John Copland (Stony Creek) and D. G. Algie. Concluding toasts were “The Newly Elected Officers,” “The Ladies.” “The Press.” “The Chairman,” and “The Orchestra.” An efficient orchestra, consisting of Messrs Close. A. Wood, .Tevat, W. Keen, and J. H. Stevenson, added greatly to

the pleasure of the evening, and songs were sung by Messrs- W. A. Blair, Lothian, Culbert. John Gold, D. Mnnro, J. H. Stevenson, S. V. White, and W. Twaddle, and instrumental solos given by Messrs W. Keen (cornet), J. H. Stevenson (piano). E. Jeyat (violin)* .and B. Gold (bagpipes). The gathering was closed with the singing of ‘ Auld Lang Syne.”