HIGHLAND SOCIETIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2496, 24 June 1915, Page 9

HIGHLAND SOCIETIES

UNIFORMITY OF CONTROL. A meeting of those interested in piping and dancing in New Zealand waa held at the Scottish Society's rooms, Cuba Street, yesterday afternoon. About fifteen delegates, representing numerous Caledonian and similar societies, were present. Mr. Mackenzie Forbes, representing the Manawatu, Wanganui, and other societies, presided. Air. W. Gillespie, the interim hon. secretary, intimated that several informal conferences had been held, and in each instance it had been unanimously decided that a governing body should be appointed for the control of piping and dancing, and further that each Caledonian and similar society should .be asked to draw up niles by expert pipers and dancers, to be submitted as a basis of discussion at the proposed cMiferonco regarding the appointment of a controlling body for piping and dancing in New Zealand. There was 0110 proposal that the Cycling and Athletic Union should take control, while other bodies favoured a separate coutrol. Mr. M. La very (Masterton), m the discussion that ensued, held that tho main thing was to get some uniformity of control. He thought they should preserve the individuality of the society, and make it a body whose influence would bo felt. His idea was that they would'absorb th.e union ultimately. Mr. Allan Stait (Marlborough) held that the first step they should take was to get an amalgamation of all Highland, Caledonian, and similar societies. They should then take the best men from each body to form tho controlling body. Mr. W. Boyd said that his experience in Wellington was that dancing . and piping had been treated "like dirty dishwater." If they were going to get the judging uniform they would have to get combination of societies. Air. Gillespie said that replies had been received from societies all through New Zealand, and they wore all agreed that there should he one control. The question was to got them to act. After discussion Sir. Lavery moved: "That an executive of affiliated Caledonian. Societies be appointed to prepare a uniform set of rules for a governing body for piping and dancing." Mr. W. Murray seconded the motion, and it was carried. Thoso present and delegates from affiliated societies were appointed tho executive, and they will meet at a later date to draw up the rules.