GOODWILL TOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26233, 17 August 1946, Page 4

GOODWILL TOUR

AUSTRALIAN PIPE BAND Drum-major Darwin, of the Australian Pipe Band, who is at present touring New Zealand organising a goodwill tour for the band, discussed arrangements with members of the North Otago Highland Pipe Band in the mayor’s room on Thursday night, Mr V. E. Doran (president) presided, and extended a welcome to Drum-major Darwin. The North Otago Pipe Band, he said, would assist to the utmost in any way to make the band’s visit a success. The deputy mayor (Mr A. R. Tait) stated that all present would see that everything was done to have Oamaru included in the band's itinerary, and he assured the band of the fullest support. Drum Major Darwin stated that last year, he invited New Zealand bands to tour Australia to participate in the Australian championships, but lack of finance and transport had prevented the New Zealanders from attending. As an alternative, he was now bringing Australia’s best pipe band and a number of its champion dancers to New Zealand to obtain an idea of the activities of the band had more or less been completed, a goodwill tour. The transport .of the band had more or less been completed, and if any breakdown in the arrangements occurred, the New Zealand Government had placed two aircraft at their disposal. The band hoped to arrive in New Zealand about November 1, and to appear in 25 towns. The programme for the main centres would include pageantry and a Mardi Gras wedding, which had achieved such a success in the Commonwealth. In the smaller centres such as Oamaru pageantry would be staged with the' assistance of pipe and brass bands and marching by girls’ marching teams. It was expected, that the band would be in Oamaru for one night. _ Mr Doran thanked Drum Malor Darwin for his address, and assured him that the billeting of the 21 members of .the band and the dancers would be no problem in Oamaru.