A Scotsman's Sacrifice

Chronicle (Levin), 3 February 1949, Page 4

A Scotsman's Sacrifice

Many storieS, sometimes humorous and sometimes cruel, are told about Scotsmen, but this one is neither humorous nor. cruel. It is just what one would term selfiess service, but to the reader it must appear as a sacrifice of the comforts of life enjoyed by the average^citizen. v The Seotsman is none other than Mr. ,V. J. Nichols :n— chief of tne Manawatu Scottish Society, president of ' the • Wellington- Hawke's Bay Pipe Band Centre and North usland ' vice-president of . the Highland Pipe Bands' 'Association of New Zealand. He is also interested in the "doings" of the New Zea--land Piping and Dancing AssociaItion and just another little job to ksep him out of mischief— his connection with the Academy , of iNational Dancing. 1 To the average citizen this appears as just a membership of so many organisations, but to those in the know — well, here are Mr. Nicholson's own words as he said them at the meeting of the Levin Contest Committee last week: — ■ "Tonight I am in Levin. Next week I am off to Wellington and, from there, off to New P ymouth for a meeting of the Contest CommitItee there, the last report statmg

that they had an entry of 42 bands for the New Zealand Championships." "Our Dominion president, Mr. Ian Cameron, leaves next week for Scotland and he has very kindJy un'oaded his duties on to me," said Mr. Nicholson. Mr. Cameron has left a good man in charge, as the Levin Contest Committee fired question after question at Mr. Nicholson and he couM answ'er them all. "I'll fix that. Jimmy Nairn will do that; I'll tell him he has to. Jack • Tay'or will be the man for that»" All these answers as Mr. Nicliolson jotted down the details in his notebook. "No, don't bother to write; I'will see him on Saturday; I won't forget. Six bands will compete in the Drum-Major's Display." All these and many more until one wondered i'f ' there was anythihg he did ■ not know. It is a labour of love to Mr Nicho^on. His interest in Scotti'sii organisations goes back over manj years and, with the guiding hanc of Mr. Nicholson at the helm President Ian Cameron can make his trip to the Homeland safe ir the knowledge that he is leaving his position in capable hands.