THE KILTIES ARE COMING

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 March 1947, Page 6

THE KILTIES ARE COMING

THE DRESS OF THE HIGHLANDER Here’s to it, The lighting sheen of it, The yellow, the green of.it, The white, the blue of it, The swing, the hue of it, The dark, the red of it, Every thread of it. The fair have sighed for it, The brave have died for it, Heroes fought for it, Foemen sought for it, Honour the name of it, Drink to the fame of it, The Tartan! This is the toast to the tartan, the traditional and picturesque dress of the highlander. At the pipe band contests this week will be seen 19 of the different tartans, each with their own story steeped in legend Tartans worn by the competing bands will be: Burns Pipe Band, pipers, Stewart: drummers, Cameron. Canterbury Caledonian Society, pipers, Royal Stuart; drummers, Black Watch. City of Christchurch, Hunting Ogilvie. Hamilton Caledonian. MacLellan. Hawera, MacLachlan Manawatu Scottish Society, Cameron of Erracht. Ruahine, Hunting Stewart. Timaru, Grant. Wanganui, Cameron of Erracht. Ashburton County, Royal Stewart. Auckland and District, Hunting Menzies. City of Christchurch (B grade), Royal Stuart. City of Wellington, Munro. Feilding Agricultural High School, Royal Stuart. Hastings and District Scots Society, Maclean. Nelson City, Royal Stuart. New Plymouth Caledonian Society, McQueen. Patea District, MacKintosh. Port Ahuriri Caledonian Society, Cameron of Erracht. St. Andrew’s College, Ferguson. Tauranga, Gordon. Temuka, Farquharson. Wanganui Collegiate School, Hunting Brodie. J

In ancient times the Celtic tribes on the Continent of Europe were noted for the excellence of their woollen cloth and the diversity of colours used in its manufacture. These qualities earned the admiration and envy of neighbouring races and led to many attempts at imitation. The kilt, as it is known to-day, has been evolved from the inhabitants who went to Scotland.

In the course of the centuries the highland dress has been considerably simplified. The feile beag, 'br little kilt, is what is now universally used as Highland garb, and is the lower part of the breacan-feile (belted plaid), which rarely exceeds 30 inches wide and seven to eight yards long. It is plaited and sewn, sufficient cloth being left plain at both ends which are crossed :n front of the body, and the whole fastened by a belt around the waist. A full shoulder plaid, with brooch, may be worn, especially with outdoor dress, and is generally'worn with the tunic, while drummers wear a shoulder plaid The sporran, or purse, is generally made of leather. The bonnet may be of the “Balmoral” or the “Glengarry” style, although the former approximates more closely to the old broad bonnet.

A HUNDRED PIPERS BIG DAYS FOR THE BANDS

“A Hundred Pipers an a’ an a’ ” will not be one of the numbers played at the national pipe band contests in Wanganui this week, but that tune wouldn’t be very appropriate, for an a’ an a’ there’ll be 550 pipers and drummers in Wanganui for the three days of the championship.

Twelve pipers, seven drummers and one drum-major provide the personnel of each full band, the seven drums including four side-drums, two tenor drums and one bass drum. There is no maximum number for a pipe band but the requirements of the quickstep competition, in which there is a final wheel and then the halt, following soon afterward, make it advisable for the total personnel to be restricted to a number which will allow ease ot manoeuvre. In the quickstep the music is of the band's own selection. The championship is awarded on the judging of the quickstep and the “own selection,” the latter including a slow march, a march, a strathspey and a reel. THE JUDGES Music judge will be Mr. A. McMillan, of Dunedin, a well known competitor and winner of many national titles. He judged the last national contest, held in Timaru last year, and also adjudicated at the inter-proyin-cial contest at Napier last month. Other judges will be: Judge of dress: Mr. R. L. Will. Military judges: Capt. D. M. Sweeney, Capt. Martin, W.O. II Sigley, Sgt. Ruffle. Timekeeper: Capt. W. J. Fitzgerald, W.O. II N. W. Faithfull. Pace checkers: W.O. I. J. J. Gergman, W.O. I. D. J. Abel. Supervisor: Capt. J. Malcolm,. M.B.E. THE PROGRAMME The programme, which extends over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, includes A and B Grade tests, A and B Grade street marching, A and B grade quickstep contests. Each band will play four numbers in the tests. Each test will start with a slow march, followed by a march, then a strathspey, and finally a reel. The test pieces will be the bands’ own choice. STREET PARADE ON SATURDAY A feature of the contest which will create considerable public interest is a street march on Saturday morning, and with 24 bands taking part it should prove to be a spectacular musical treat. The street march has a cash prize attached for each grade. All bands will assemble at Taupo Quay, near the intersection of Victoria Avenue, at 9.30 a.m. B Grade bands will move off first. Bands will follow each other at intervals of about 100yds. The route will commence from the inter-section of Victoria Avenue and Taupo Quay. Bands will march up Victoria Avenue to Ridgway Street. Left wheel into Ridgway Street, continue along Ridgway Street and right wheel into St. Hill Street and continue marching until over the inter-section ol Guyton Street. After crossing the inter-section of St. Hill Street and Guyton Street, bands will dismiss at their pleasure.