Caledonian Games.

Southland Times, Issue 7019, 6 January 1885, Page 3

Caledonian Games.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —Your correspondent who appears in your columns to-day over " Dram Stick " makes a display of puerility by informing the public that he is a South of England boy, and how he and his compeers were formerly frightened when a kilted Celtic piper made bis a; pearance in the street. Poor puny boy ! j he " ran away with a fright," A sage says that the characteristics of the boy indicate the man, and a striking exemplification of the truth of the saying is manifested in .this instance. How different the tendencies of the lowland Scottish boys. (Sasunnach tuathach) brave, and heroic, who would run a long distance to see or hear a Highland piper discoursing &piobaireao7td. The writer says—" I have lived long enough to conquer boyish prejudices," which averment is betrayed by| the weakness of his argument. The gravamen of the charge is the fact of the Caledonian Society having engaged the Fort Chalmers band, which, £ think, played some pieces extremely well; but not wishing to assume the role of critic will say no more on that point. I jjnderstand the difficulty with the Garrison Band arose in this way. When asked last year to continue their services with the Society on the same terms as formerly for two days, viz., £50, they declined, as they had virtually engaged with the promoters of the Bung Starters' Association ; hence the necessity for engaging the Port Chalmers band, which was done at considerably less than the offer made to the local band. Now because the Bung Starters' Association is defunct, "Dmm Stick" would like to dictate to the Caledonians what they should do and what they should not do. But he admits that the " drum was in tune, and that was the only instrument." T ikely the drum was made out of colonial leather, hence " Drum Stick's" partiality for it. I venture to say that the Caledonian games and the whole arrangements, as carried out by the managers, have given general satisfaction.—l am, &o, Sasunnach Tuathach.