CALEDONIAN NIGHT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 55, 28 August 1939, Page 5

CALEDONIAN NIGHT

RECORD DANCE ATTENDANCE FIVE KINDRED' PATRONS k ~T ~ ~ , LOCAL BAND S DISPLAY Scots from far and near flocked to "the special Ingleside promoted last "Saturday by the Whakatane Caie. (lonian Society to mark the first apr of the local Pipe Band 111 •full dress uniform. The crowd was i' record and could barely be accommodated in the Winter Show Building with comfort. It is estimated that there were well over five hundred persons present including visitors from Rotorua, Tauranga, Te Puke, Opotiki Hamilton ? Te Awamutu and Pukekohe. The entire •evening was one of outstanding sre- " *cess, and a genuine tribute to the "^-' e of the Whakatane Society ; ivTiich has accomplished so much -within such a comparatively short time. Pipes and kilt came into their own and the flash of the tartan was to be seen on all sides, stimulating those from mountain and glen to even •greater efforts in, the sprightly stieps of the Highland Reel and the High, land schotische. The wonderful spivit of festivity and goodfellowship v,*as never absent and many a Sassanach frae a'yont the Tweed, must have suffered full conversion to Scottish fare as the programme advanced f SPLASH OF COLOUR.

"Dancing on the crowded floor presented a colourful sight, the various clan tartans providing a spectacle of light and shade which was something unique for Whakatane. The parade by the massed bands how ever was the highlight of the evening. For this event fourteen, pipers, backed by nine red-coated drummers took the and appropriately enough played the well known march "A Hundred Pipers." March ~and counter march under the leader, -ship of the Rotorua Drum-major was ' "greeted with enthusiastic applause -and at the conclusion, a spontaneous •cheer rose from the crowd. The evening opened with the ceremonial piping in of Chief Simons of the local who was followed toy the visitors representing the neigh ~ touring Societies, who were formally welcomed by the chief. No time _was lost in opening ihe proceedings * and the Caledonian Orchestra, Mi's Armstrong (piano), Messrs H. Stew, .art (violin), A. Bullen (saxophone) ■and F. Christie (drums) led off with "the first waltz. The music throughout was distinctly popular and eanumbers were the order. The arrival of Mr -J. A. Grant of Galatea, was the signal for a further demonstration by the Whaka. Viane hand, who staged a special par. : ade in honour of the man who had - donated a generous sum towards the 4 "uniform fufcd. The eilcrt met with •.warm applause. HIGH CLASS ITEMS. The usual Ingleside procedure was 'followed the dancing being interspersed with items from visiting and artists. These were all of a 'high order. Miss K. Walton and pupils delighted with a bright exhibition of the Highland Fling. Mrs Burke of Kutarere. sang "Jessies Dream"' with a feeling and warmth "that had wide appeal and earned for her a good reception. Solo dances Were supplied by Miss Creena Gee, _• a clever exponent from Pukekohe, numbers Spanish Gipsy dance : and a lively Tap, Avon the warm approval of the crowd. The Seann " Trubhais, was danced to perfection ' by Miss Walton while the conelud- ' the Irish Reel was once •ag£. as popular as ever. Those taking part were Miss K. Walton. Miss J. Martin, Misses June and Ruby 4 Howat. THE MAYOR'S PRAISE. "The Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, ten. j ■ -dered his congratulations to the band and to the society on the remarkable j achievement they had made. The b&nd he said would be a distinct asset to the town. All the members were young and enthusiastic and he was sure would become as time j went on a particularly smart and attractive unit. Mr Barry who was "v3n a happy vein, related some Scottish anecdotes, and remarked that he had it on good authority that it was the Scottish element, which had agitated for the destruction of the goats on in order that they might have the Billy-goat beards for sporrans! (Loud laughter). WILLING LADY WORKERS. The task of providing and serving supper for five hundred guests pre-

sented no problem to the magnificent band of lady Avorkers who controlled this department. Sitting after sitting was disposed of as quickly an < conveniently though it was after midnight when the final diners took their departure. The ladies who were responsible for the organising and carrying out of tile supper arrangements are to be warmly congratulated, and special mention must be made of Nurse Craig, and Mes. dames Symons, J. Martin and the societv's zealous secretary Mrs Berrv AULD LANG SYNE. The concluding stages were sust as enjoyable as the earlier hours, '-.he crowd joining whole lieartedly in the dancing of highland steps and reels. Pipe music was supplied bv the . Whakatane band. At midnight the,..last ; waltz was nlayed and thp "vening broke up with the lusty rei< of Scottish honours.