HIGHLANDERS FOREGATHER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22246, 26 April 1934, Page 15

HIGHLANDERS FOREGATHER

. DUNEDIN PIPE BAND ANNUAL REUNION. Unmistakably Scottish in its flavour, the Dunedin Highland Pipe Band’s annual reunion, which was held in Lake’s Restaurant on Tuesday night, was attended not only by members of the band but also *by a large representation of other organisations and societies whose foundations rest upon their Scottish ancestry. There was a thoroughly comprehensive toast list and songs and musical items punctuated the speeches at frequent intervals, and the skirl of the pipes also beguiled the ears of the assembly. The Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) arrived after the preliminary toasts had been effectively disposed of, and was piped to the head of the table, where he took a seat beside the chairman (Mr J. Hope). Later in the evening Drum-major Maher, on behalf of the band, presented to Sergeant Burns the Thomson Cup for the best all round piper during the year, and the Hope Gup to Drummer Ryan for the drummer with the best attendance record and for general cleanliness on parade. These two members of the band, the drum-major said, were models of cleanliness on the streets.

The presentation was made to the accompaniment of musical honours. Mr J. Hope, after extending a welcome to the visitors and members, mentioned that the band had done good work during the past season, and there was a substantial balance in the bank.

The toast of “The Army and Navy” was proposed by Mr G. Begbie, who paid a tribute to the navy in protecting troops bound for active service. They were on the eve of celebrating the work the Australian and New Zealand Forces had done during the war, and ho considered it a great privilege to propose a toast of this nature. He coupled with the toast the'names of Sergeant-majors M'Murray and Johnson and Mr J. M. White.

Mr White, representing the Returned Soldiers’ Association, said that at this time particularly they thought of many comrades left overseas, and perhaps it was good to look back occasionally and to remember that they who were left had a certain responsibility on their shoulders to carry out the principles for which their comrades fell. He remembered how, after a wearying march, they always cheered up on hearing a pipe band.

Sergeant-majors M'Murray and Johnson also replied. “ Kindred Societies ” was proposed by Mr T. Gilchrist, who expressed pleasure at seeing nearly all the societies represented that night. He wished them prosperity in the future and hoped that they would have many more similar gatherings. With tiie toast he coupled the Gaelic Society, which was the oldest in Dunedin, the Caledonian, Scottish and St Andrew’s societies, the Burns Club, and the Brass Bands’ Association.

Replying, Mr Keith Cameron (Gaelic Society) said that his society was very proud of the Pipe Band, which occupied a very important place in the life of the city. Mr J. Johnson (Caledonian Society), Mr J. N. Fraser (Scottish Society), Mr N. Stewart (Burns Club), Mr A. Wheeler (Piping and Dancing Association), Mr D. Minnock (St. Andrew’s Society), and Mr J. Hunter (Brass Bands’ Association) spoke of the pleasant associations they had had with the Pipe Band. Mr J. Macdonald proposed the toast of “ The Dunedin City Corporation.” He said that he felt that at his time of life he could congratulate every man who had passed through the Dunedin City Corporation as Mayor or councillor. This was the first time in his experience that they had had a reverend gentleman in the mayoral chair. With the toast he coupled the name of the present Mayor, the Rev. E. T. Cox. After thanking Mr Macdonald for the toast and those present for the manner in which it was acknowledged, Mr Cox referred to the distinguished men who had preceded him in the mayoral chair. Dunedin had, he said, been greatly favoured in the quality of the men who had represented her both as councillors and Mayors. “ I could be quite solemn,” Mr Cox added, “ when I think of the cause for which you are gathered here, although the occasion is one for celebration. When I think of tile traditions of the Scottish race, the music of the Scottish people, and how it originated in minstrelsy and lyric poetry, and of great writers like Burns and Scott, I feel that the traditions behind this reunion call for the best in human nature. One cannot but be stirred to the depths of one’s being, and the band is keeping up that tradition and"handing it on to the next generation. The time is coming when national and racial barriers will be broken ’down, and when they are broken down there will still be room for carrying on the national spirit of the Scottish race.” The toast of “The Dunedin Highland Pipe Band” was proposed by Mr R. S. Black, who reminded his hearers that “We are all Jock Tamson’s bairns,” and that they were meeting on the same ground. He mentioned that an Australian curling team would soon be visiting New Zealand and urged that an effort be made to transport the band to Centra] Otago where the curling competition would be held.

Pipe-major Budge replied to the toast, and several other toasts were honoured. The vocal and musical items during the evening were contributed by Messrs Arthur Macdonald, J. Denny, J. R. Brown, A. Storey and J. Alexander. The accompaniments were played by Mr C. Oliver. The pipe music was supplied by Pipers Budge and M'Killop. ANNUAL MEETING At the annual meeting of the Dunedin Highland Pipe Band, which was held recently, the president (Mr J. Hope) in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said that he was pleased to see that the affairs of the band were in such good condition, notwithstanding the loss on the year’s working. The report reflected great credit on the members of the band and executive. Mr A. Stewart seconded the motion, and the report was adopted. The following officers were elected:—President, Mr J. Hope; vice-presidents, Messrs J. K. Fairbairn, A. Stewart, J. Young, W. Fraser, J. Robertson, R. S. Black, W. A. Scott, C. A. M'Niele, E. J. Gibb, D. Ross, G. Ross, E. Cameron, J. T. N. Grant, W. Downie Stewart, J. Trengrove, N. Stewart, L. MTvillop, W. R. Macphcrson, E. MacKenzie, W. P. Smith; secretary, Mr T. Gilchrist; treasurer, Sergeant R. K. Burns; storeman, Drum-major Maher; hon. solicitor, Mr J. Lang; auditors, Pipers R. Rodger and Mr C. Rennie; committee —Pipers C. Walker, W. Jarvie, A. M'Leod, Drummers K. Butler and A. E. Ryan. Ex-Drum-major Brown was elected a life member of the band.