Pipe-Band Contest

Chronicle (Levin), 16 February 1949, Page 4

Pipe-Band Contest

"OLD

BANDSMAN."

'. (To the Editor) — I wish to impose on your valuable space to' congratuiate opr local pipe band on' their wonderful performance in the contest last Saturday. Their effort in the quickstep was really outstandine as the miiitary points for drik show. They were 10'pqints clear of Manawatu (which is an A grade band, and has competed at contesis for years) and then- were unfortunate enough to lose the ,championship through their music. I have read the. judge's report in your pa'per where he refers" to different makes of chanters being used, and I have also discussed the matter with some of our local bandsmen and they assure me that that is the trouble with our band; it is impossib'e ■t.o ! tune various makes . of chanters good enough to win a ' contest. The Manawatu Band imported a complete set of pipe chanters from Scotland prior to the contest and received hish marks for music on the day, and tlfen just managed to beat our band by one half point only. Now Sir, if our' band is. good ehough to bqat three A - grade bands in drill and then have to t?ike second p^ce through lack of equipment it is up to 'us as citizens of Levin and district to see ;that.they get the best of chanters b.efore the next contesf and ' I would suggest that the Mayor, ;whom I know is a great supporter of bands, start a public subscription to raise the amount needed to import the chantefs from Scotland. It would be a w'orthy object and I know it would be greatly appreciated bv the band. So what about it Mr. Mayor? Let us rally round our band which is a credit to the town and district. I am willing to donate £1 ls as soon as a 'subscription list is opened. Yours