APPEAL FOR NEW UNIFORMS

Southland Times, Issue 23827, 26 May 1939, Page 3

APPEAL FOR NEW UNIFORMS

CALEDONIAN PIPE BAND EQUIPMENT USED SINCE THE EIGHTIES An appeal for new uniforms for the Caledonian Pipe Band of Invercargill was made at the annual meeting ot the band last night. Mr T. M. Rankin was chairman and there was a good attendance. Pipe-Major R. Sutherland referred to the dilapidated condition ot the band’s uniforms. Some of the belts, mountings and sporrans had been m use since the eighties, he said, and as the smartness of the band was a vital factor every effort should be made to bring the uniforms up to date. ‘"nie band loses points for uniform technicalities before it even in competitions,” said Pipe-Major Sutherland. “I sincerely hope that something can be done to improve the position. The annual report, which was adopted, stated that th: band committee wished to place on record its appreciation of the valuable support given the band during the year by the public of Invercargill. Without that assistance the band (fould not hope to carry on with the measure of success that had attended its efforts during the year under review. A very active year was experienced by the band.’ It attended all functions at which its services were requested. Once again the band travelled to Dunedin on the occasion of the SouthlandOtago Ranfurly Shield match, the report stated. In November the band was present at a contest between the pipe bands of Southland and Otago held in Invercargill. The band was successful* in regaining the trophies won at Gore in 1936, being first in the selection contest and second in the quickstep. The playing of the band at this contest was of a very high standard and to PipeMajor R. Sutherland and to members of the band the committee offered hearty congratulations. “The committee is pleased to report that a serious effort is now being made to swell the funds of the uniform account,” states the report. “An organizer has been appointed to arrange a queen carnival and it only remains for supporters and friends to give all possible support. This is the only way to bring the carnival to a successful conclusion.

“It is with regret that the band records the death during the year of three very able supporters, Messrs George Taylor, John Miller and John Forbes.” The band has been fortunate during the year in securing the services of a number of young pipers, concluded the report. The election of officers resulted:. — Patron, Sir Robert Anderson; chieftain, Mr J. L. McG. Watson; president, Mr T. M. Rankin; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Forrester and F. Logan; citizens’ committee, Messrs J. Watt, G. Blackley, W. G. Kirkness, R. Hamilton, G. A. Wiseman, J. C. Mackenzie, R. McKenzie, H. Diack, H. Elder, C. Gardiner, G. Robertson, W. Graham; drum-major, Mr C. Henderson; deputy-drum-major, Mr E. Clark; pipe-major, Mr R. Sutherland; pipe-sergeant, Mr M. Tait; senior corporal, Mr R. Sutherland; junior corporal, Mr A. Meldrum; drum-sergeant, Mr E. Clark; drum-coi'poral, Mr H. Pay; secretary, Mr C. Henderson; treasurer, Mr H. Pay; custodian, Mr R. George; auditor, Mr J. S. Brass; drill instructor. Mr F. J. Logan; band committee, officers of the band.