HIGHLAND PIPE BAND

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10843, 23 May 1928, Page 3

HIGHLAND PIPE BAND

GREAT PROGRESS MADE. Since the formation of the Ma nawatu Higliland Pipe Band a few months ago good progress has been made both in numbers and efficiency, says the Manawatu Times. As a result of generous donations the purchase of a complete set of Highland uniforms will soon be. an accomplished fact. This will he a great encouragement to the number 'of young pipers who have recently joined up. A general meeting of the Manawatu Higliland Pipe Band was hold. Mr D. Buchanan presiding over a> good attendance. PIPE BAND UNIFORMS.

The band has. appeared in public on a. number of occasions and has shown itself worthy of the support of all patriotic Scotsmen. Like all ventures of this nature it has to. appeal for public support, and where Scotsmen have been approached they have shown themselves ready to. give financial assistance and the committee feel certain that this assistance will be liberal in the future if the band show themselves thoroughly efficient on parade. Mr Murdoch McKenzie has been appointed instructor and pipe maicr to the band and as he is one of the best pipers in New Zealand there, is every prospect of the band adding t< its numbers and becoming an asset to the town. Already fourteen pipers aud four drummers have joined the band and are holding practices every week, but one thing is needed to fan the fires of enthusiasm in these young players, that its they _ must be supplied with Highland uniforms at an'early date. The band have already in hand for these, uniforms the sum of £BS. and, as they have an offer of 27 uniforms for £3OO. this should not be too much for the people of Palmerston North and district to raise. • • This is an object every Scotsman would like to have a share in. The Caledonian Society and the Manawatu Scottish Society have promised their help, and everyone interested in the formation and equipment of a Pine Band in Palmerston North’ should join together to help to raise funds to provide the Highland dress. This, would hearten the baud and encourage, the young, men who have come forward to join up and give their time to make themselves efficient on the pipes, and do much to keep alive the spirit of Caledonia in the town and district.

A competition took place for the C. Smith gold medal, the donor hailing from Aberdeen. Scotland Seven pipers played in the competition, namely Messrs P. Bawie. J Ghan, Ken Godbez, Colin Martin. Vic Nicholson, R. Ccott. and C. W. Matthew. The result w&s that Ghan and Matthew had to play *>ff for the medial. Finally Mr Ghr.n won Matthew being 2nd and Nicholson 3rd. The judge for the piping was Air R. M. Burns, Ballanoc. During the evening the youthful dancers gave the following items: — Miss A. Edwards, sword dance: N. Edwards, sheawntruibhas: Miss Cook,sley. fling; R. Scales, Irish jig: Janet Watt, sailor’,s hornpipe; N Edwards, M. Cooksley, R. Scales, and M. Ross danced the Highland reel. Miss Janet Watt and Master Malcolm Ross are both pupils oif Mr R. M. Burns. Their dancing was much appreciated by the audience.