PIPERS AN' PIPERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 208, 4 September 1940, Page 5

PIPERS AN' PIPERS

THE WHAKATANE BAND VISIT TO OPOTIKI Opotiki took the Whakatane Pipe Band to its heart once again last Saturday, w r hen despite the rain which fell without intermittance all day and during the evening, the full muster rallied to assist forward a further effort by the local Patriotic Society in the shape of a football match and later 'a braw Scotch ni'cht! After jDlaying at the football grounds, the band treated a crowd of some hundreds to a marching dis play in the main street, and received an ovation from the onlookers. Tea was supplied in the tearooms over the Farmers' Trading Company's premises, and an informal concert was conducted with the assistance of Miss Kath Walton's pupils from Opotiki and Whakatane The Ingleside in the evening drew a record crowd, and although the Pipe Band was responsible for the running of the first half only the novelty of the proceedings won the warmest approbation. Chief Symons of the Caledonian Society was piped in, to be followed by the Mayor of Opotiki, Mr Moody, the organiser, Mr Stephenson, and the president of the Ladies Committee, Mrs Quirk. A typical Scottish evening followed the dances being interspersed with exhibition items by Miss Walton's pupils. The highlight was the 'Haggis' ceremonial which was honoured in traditional style, being piped! into the hall by Pipers Johnson, Patterson, Donaldson and Howat and carried aloft by burly Piper Penny. After being addressed in Burn's own words it w T as served up by band members to the assembly. The whole evening went with a good swing and though it was not till the wee sma' hours that the wanderers returned home, one and all declared the trip a thoroughly enjoyable one.