NEW UNIFORMS

Southland Times, Issue 20522, 26 June 1928, Page 7

NEW UNIFORMS

CALEDONIAN PIPE BAND. QUESTION OF RAISING FUNDS. A well attended meeting of all interested in the Caledonian Pipe Band was held last night in the Y.M.C.A., the Mayor, Mr John Miller, presiding. The question of raising funds to purchase new uniforms for the band was discussed enthusiastically and all present signified their willingness to assist in every way possible. The chairman said they were there in the interests of the Caledonian Pipe Band, one of the oldest if not the oldest of its kind in New Zealand. They were there to discuss ways and means of raising money to get the men new uniforms. He did not know what a Scotch town would do without a pipe band and he was sure the proposal would meet with the approval of the citizens.

Mr C. W. Wilson after thanking the Mayor for being present said that the band had made such progress during 4he past year under Pipe-Major Sutherland that they were a credit to any town. He then called on Mr F. Logan to describe his experiences when touring with the band.

Mr Logan said he had had great pleasure in managing the band in Christchurch. Their performance at the contest was very creditable. They failed only in appearance. But for their shoddy uniforms, they would have been the best band. Their marching and piping were as good as any other band. After discussing the matter with the band members, they had decided that the best thing to do would be to call a meeting. As an example of the work the band had done, the secretary stated that the band had paraded 350 times in the last three years, 120 of these parades being in uniform.

Mr T. M. Rankin moved and it was carried unanimously: “That in the opinion of the meeting, the time had arrived when the Pipe Band should be equipped with new uniforms and that those present should pledge themselves to see that it was done.” In reply to Mr T. A. Wallace, Mr C. W. Wilson explained that about £3OO or more would be required to put the band in a sound financial position. Mr George Macdonald recalled the ola days of the band when it was the first in Australasia. The first minutes for Friday, August 6, 1897 and the first list of members were read of whom Messrs John Matheson, A. T. Wallace and Alexander McNab are the only living representatives to-day. The financial position of the band was that they had £3O in hand, no liabilities and a good hall free of debt. Mr J. L. McG. Watson said that as one of the old supporters of the band he was pleased to be present. The Caledonian Pipe Band was the most popular in Southland, judging from the number of parades they had attended. The Scottish Society would be only too willing to help the band which had so often helped it. He proposed that all present should be formed a committee with power to add to its numbers. This was carried.

Mr J. F. Dundas was appointed organizer, Mr James Robertson treasurer and Mr T. A. Wallace president. After discussion it was decided in the meantime to dispense with carnivals, concerts, etc. but to confine attention to a straight-out subscription list. Final arrangements were left till the next meeting which was fixed for next Monday. At the conclusion of the meeting, several handsome donations including amounts of ten guineas, five, three and two guineas were made to the secretary r