Southland Caledonian Pipe Baud off to Sydney.

Southland Times, Issue 14814, 15 December 1900, Page 2

Southland Caledonian Pipe Baud off to Sydney.

The .Southland Pipe Band left by the express yesterday for Wellington, whence it sails for Sydney to take part in the celebrations by which the Australian Commonwealth will be innuguratod. The Government is bearing the expense of tho trip, having chosen the Highland Band of Invercargill to take a prominent place among the representatives of Now Zealand at the great commemoration ceremony. This selection was a great honour to Invercnrgill — an honour, indeed, that it was not easy to carry. But every person in the large crowd which gathered to send the Band ofV must have been satisfied that the Pipe Band would be able to play a conspicuous part in any pageant The members of tho Band, with an average height, probably, of over 6i't, well set up, and in the pink of health, looked well fit to carry the Royal Stuart tartan, and in tho bright sunlight they formed a striking group of men that would arrest attention anywhere. Shortly before 11 o'clock the Band marched down Ksk street, and, after .some evolutions in Dec street, proceeded to the railway station. They played as they marched first, " Over the hills and far' awa"," and, when they reached the station, " Will ye gang to Kelvin drove, Bonnie. Lassie. O." The Band was led by Drum-Major James McGregor. On the railway station a large number of citizens had assembled, including His Worhip the Mnynr (Mr J. S. Goldic), Mr J. A. Hanan, M.H.R., the Town Clerk (Mr Wni. Young), and several councillors. As the train moved off three hearty cheers for tho Band were given at the call of the Mayor, and the Band, taking tho lead of PipeMajor Cameron, responded with three cheers for the people of Invercargill. An additional three cheers wero given for the Drum-Major and then " Auld Lang Syne " wns sung. All present felt pleased to think that Invercargill would be represented by so stalwart a set, of men. Arrangements have Ijeeil made hy which the banuwill bo received by the directors of the Oamaru Caledonian Suciety as the train passes through Oamaru to-day. The Oamaru Society wishes to extend the greeting of fellowship to the band and to wish the members a pleasant journey. The Premier at the urgent request of tho Mayor of Christchurch, has granted th'j necessary permission in order that the band may stay in Chri«tehurch on Monday to participate in the Canterbury Jubilee Celebrations. On Tuesday morning Wellington will l>e reached and the hand will bo welcomed by tho Gaelic Society of the capital. On Thursday next the band will sail for Sydney by the s.s. Tutanekai, Government steamer, reaching Sydney in ample time to prepare for the Commonwealth ceremonies. The band will be greatly missed at tho forthcoming gatherings (f th° •Societies, but it appears that even if the band had not gone to Sydney it would have gone afield from Southland. Tempting offers had been received both from the Oamaru Society and from the Ashburton Society and tho band, no doubt, would havo accepted them. It is gratifying to think that an institution formed ami maintained in Invercargill and district is appreciated in this way in distant parts of the colony. Within a few -.years the name, of the band has become known very widely in New Zealand, and, probably within a very few week it will be equally familiar in Australian ears.