EARLY PIPE MUSIC IN CANTERBURY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7678, 11 April 1903, Page 6

EARLY PIPE MUSIC IN CANTERBURY.

A RE'J ROSPECT (by TOM TOM.) Tho antiquity and history of the bagpipes, from 200 8.C., and ancient players from Nero downwards, has already been briefly dealt with in a former contribution. On this occasion it is provincial, and cannot b? oth-.r than modern. Unlike brass bands, pipe bands are of recent growth, consequently the retrospect will relate m; re to individual players or pipers than organised pipe bands. My first recollection of pipe munc in Canterbury was at the New Year Caledonian Sports held in Timaru on Jan. 1, 1878. What the competitions were and the pipers' names I cannot, at this ctate, remember, but, thanks to the assistance of Mr Robert Cowan, honorary secretary t-> the Scottish Society, the following particulars are available, for which I am grateful: — On Jan. 1, 1880, in connection with sports at Amberley, a competition for pipe music was held, and ifc was won by John* M'Kay. The winner hailed from a family noted for their musical skill. John M'Kay was first in both strathspeys and reels, and was the recipient of complimentary remarks from the judges. Kenneth M'Kay, a member of the same family, gained second honours. Robert Calder was a noted player, and, in j 1879, at Timaru, he swept the board of first prizes. At that meeting that young enthusiastic player, John Puller, ran into la, creditable second position. In 1880 Calder repeated his victory, and he was roundly cheered when he 'received the medal for being the best piper on the field. R. Pinlayson, an old veteran from BonnieScotland, was second prize-taker, and was rated to be in the first flight of Canterbury pipers. The judges who adjudicated on the foregoing competitions will doubtless be well known to many readers of the " Canterbury Times." They were: — Messrs Mackintosh (London), Donald Fra.ser and D. Sinclair, a trio of judges thoroughly competent and keenly enthusiastic in pipe-music. On Jan. 2, 1882, the first Caledonian sports were held in Christchurch. It was on this occasion that pipe music made its first real impression in Christchurch. Muvdo Elder won the competition for st-rathsycys and reels, aad