RECORD YEAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20465, 9 July 1936, Page 14

RECORD YEAR

TIMARU HIGHLAND PIPE BAND PROUD POSITION What was regarded as a record year In the history of the Band was reviewed at the annual meeting of the Timaru Highland Pipe Band last night. Mr W. Duncan Hume presided over a large attendance. The Year Reviewed. In his annual report the president said that since the last annual general meeting, the Band regretfully had to record the passing of the following members of the Band and Executive: Mr J. Craigie, Mr T. W. Satterthwaite (Mayor) and Mr A. Hay, a member of the Band Executive. They were enthusiastic members and their advice was at all times appreciated by the Band members and Executive. The Band’s sympathy was conveyed to their relatives. At a meeting of the Executive Mr Jas. Duncan was elected to fill the vacancy on the Executive. From a financial aspect it was a record year for the Band, which now is in a very satisfactory and sound position. The year started with a credit balance and, although numerous additions had been made to the Band and its equipment and a good deal of expense incurred In attending the Dominion championship contest at Wanganui, the credit balance to-day was very creditable. Thanks were extended for the generous response of the public of Timaru, the willing workers at the All Nations Fair, generous donors and wellwishers, and to Band members for their untiring efforts during the year. To augment the funds of the Band, an All Nations Fair and Queen Carnival was organised. Members and supporters entered into it with enthusiasm, the result being most satisfactory. Thanks were accorded those who gave their services. During the year the Band played in the street on Friday evenings, and a number of very successful smoke concerts were held for honorary members. The Timaru Highland Pipe Band was now the most up-to-date pipe band In the Dominion, complete with leopard skins, tenor drums and feather bonnets for the drummers. All drums were now of the latest double rod tension pattern. The Band has a total uniformed playing strength of 26. Numerous gifts of chanters, leopard skins, etc., were received by the Band during the year. The Band had nearly been completed with new uniform; it was proposed to have the kilts turned and re-made during the winter. This would complete the Band outfitting. The Band successfully attended the Dominion championship pipe band contest held at Wanganui during Easter week, and succeeded* in winning the honour of •

Dominion champion pipe band, winning the following: Quickstep competition, drum-major’s display, test selection and the best dressed band. The following trophies accompanied the Band to Timaru: The Harry Lauder Shield, the Hunter Drill Shield, the Simon Wright Shield, the John Begg Cup, the Goulding Cup, three gold and twenty-four silver medals; this performance being a Dominion record. Many Calls on Band. The Band had had many calls on its services during the year. The outstanding one was a journey to Christchurch with the South Canterbury Ranfurly Shield team, when they gave a display at Lancaster Park. They also visited Waimate and Fairlie and gave concerts and displays at these centres in support of the local pipe bands. They attended the Caledonian sports and gave a display there, the St. Andrews Caledonian sports, Timaru A. and P. Show, football queen concert, Hospital Sunday, and Band Sunday'in conjunction with the Municipal Band, Scottish Society’s concert, Caroline Bay carnival, New Year’s Night, four concerts at the hospital, displays at football matches at Fraser Park, Chalmers Church Girls’ Guild concert, ploughing match, garden party, Brown Street, concert at • Temuka for the Country Queen, parade at the dance for Catholic Queens, sacred concert at Wanganui, church ; -r--ade at Wanganui, concert at Wanganui Hospital and Home of Compassion, and a display on Caroline Bay, prior to the departure for the Dominion contest at Wanganui. Special thanks were due to the Timaru Woollen Mills for the splendid job they made of the tartan and tunic material, and to Messrs McDonald and Dunlop for the courtesy extended, and the quality of their workmanship in making the uniforms; also to the ladies for their untiring efforts in maintaining their interest in the general welfare of the Band! The Executive thanked the Band membrs for their co-operation during the year, and it was hoped that their efforts for the incoming year will be as well repaid as in that their record year. The adoption of the report and balance sheet was moved by the chairman, who considered that it had been a record year. He praised the high standard the band had reached and said that the young combination had been well trained and officered. The motion was seconded by Mr A. H. Clemens and carried without discussion. In vacating the chair Mr Hume spoke of the support he had received from the committee. He spoke of the wonderful performance of the Band at Wanganui and said it was very pleasing to return home and find the Mackenzie Pipe Band at the station to give them a typical Highland welcome home. Mr Hume acknowledged the support of the ladies during the year. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Mr Donald Grant; president,

Mr W. Duncan Hume; vice-presidents, the Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P., the Mayor (Mr P. C. Vinnell), Messrs R. W. Munro, T. Seaton, J. F. K. Jamieson, J. E. P. Cameron and J. Weir; trustees, Messrs J. S. Herron, A. Kennedy and J. Emslie; executive, Messrs w. Andrew, W. Morrison, R. Munro, W. Duncan, W. Best, R. McGlashan, J. Weir, J. Duncan, F. Triggs, G. Ford, Captain A. Rathbone; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr A. Mathieson; hon. auditor, Mr A. B. Herdman. Tributes were paid by Mr Clemens to the fine work of Mr Hume, who he considered had assisted materially in bringing the band up to its present high pitch. The following motion, notice of which was given, was proposed by Mr A. H. Clemens: “That a special committee be set up to find ways and means of procuring a hall and bandroom combined.” Mr Clemens considered that a fund should be started with a view ultimately to housing the band in a hall of its own.

The chairman said he was of the opinion that the band required all of its funds for maintenance. The motion was lost by a large majority. On the motion of Messrs Andrew and Morrison, Mr R. Young, an ex-Pipe-Major of the band was elected the first hon. life member, tributes being paid to Mr Young’s long association with the band and his keen work in its interests. Votes of thanks were accorded the pipe-major (Mr Morrison), the drummajor (Mr Andrew), the secretary (Mr Mathieson), and the custodian (Mr D. Finnie). Annual Smoke Concert The band and their visitors participated in the annual smoke concert following the annual meeting, Mr Hume presiding. The loyal toast was proposed in Gaelic by Mr W. Morrison, and accorded the traditional musical accompaniment. In proposing the toast of “The Timaru Highland Pipe Band,” Mr W. Dun-

can said that the people of Timaru were justly proud of the Pipe Band and their achievements. On parade the Band presented a sight which was stirring to all who saw it. “While the people of Timaru are proud of the band, we are proud of the people of Timaru and district for the support they have given us,” said Mr W. Andrew, in reply. The band had the best combination of players in New Zealand and it was a pleasure to be associated with them. It was possible that the band would be visiting Dunedin shortly for the proposed Scottish gathering and that it would be present at Oamaru when South Canterbury played North Otago. It was hoped also that the band would have the honour of playing the South Canterbury team off the field after it had won the Ranfurly Shield. The toast of “Kindred Societies” was proposed by Mr J. Weir, who spoke of the cordial relations that existed between the band and their visitors. The toast was acknowledged by Captain A. Rathbone.

A pleasant evening was spent in music, song and story, items being given by Messrs R. McGlashan, R. Seaton, A. H. Clemens, W. Duncan, J. Chamberlain, A. McKay, R. W. Munro, W. Andrew, Captain Rathbone arid the Band.