THE PIPING AND DANCING ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22613, 3 July 1935, Page 5

THE PIPING AND DANCING ASSOCIATION

TO THE EDITOR

Sib,—May I add my comment upon the discreditable act of the local Piping and Dancing Association in appealing to a Scottish gentleman for funds to carry on its activities. About a year ago a tale of woe was circulated' around the other Scottish societies, which gave such help j as they cOuld, and a queen : carnival was j organised, So that throughout the year the general public has subscribed in varii ous ways; As, by no stretch of' imaginaj tion, can the June competitions be called I entertainment, these measures have • ap- • parently been necessary to make up for the lack of attendance of public and competitors alike. Perhaps the lack of 'attendance may be due to the fact that, a member of the association, who is also a member: of the committee, has taken to competing in the piping section, while another member of the committee acts as a judge. In the principal piping event there were only three competitors, but it was reported in our newspapers that six played, so that in the eyes of the layman all would appear to be well. : With the advent of ' this competitor the lively jigs and hornpipes (a class of event which the public enjoys) were cut out, and a nondescript event, “ Slow Aire Lament,” was substituted. ■ This was known among competitors as the. event for. the aged, and caused considerable amusement among the audience. To lovers of bagpipe music it is nothing but a bore and a nightmare. The competing member alluded to won the Slow Airs and gained the championship for most points, while another competitor who won .the principal competition, the Piobaireachd, and also the Strathspeys, and ( Reels,. apparently failed to secure most points. In view of what happened'a. few days later, However, this does not seism to have : much significance, as both these competitors played at the Invercargill . competitions on June 8. There, • this champion official, was not placed amongst players of average South Island standard who used to attend the Dunedin competitions. The ■ other piper showed his modesty by; competing in the B Grade events. ' In view of these facts, it would appear that the “ swan song alluded to. by “ Lochiel ” has already been sung.—l am, etc.. Awakening. | to the Editor - Sib)—Your correspondent “ Benhar ” would have one believe that black was white. ' How it can be stated that piping and dancing have taken a new lease of life in this city passes the comprehension of. clear-thinking people. Like another correspondent, I maintain that it was a piece of impertinence to write ,to the Homeland for donations. Is that action consistent with well-known Scottish independence? Why write to Scotland? Was it because donations could not he obtained here? Perhaps competitors do not-care where the funds come from, but that aspect is beside the point. It is the principle behind this beggingbusiness that does the society no good. I am informed; that for several years past J the Otago Centre has been hard put to i it to make ends meet, and has had to run ' art unions, carnivals, etc., to extricate * itself from financial difficulty. So much for its new lease of life.—l am, etc., ■ Lochiel.