BANDSMEN WELCOMED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 145, 15 March 1939, Page 6

BANDSMEN WELCOMED

Manawatu Scots Society’s Pipers

Dominion Special Service. PALMERSTON N„ March 14. The warmest of homecomings greeted the members of the Manawatu Scuts’ Society’s Highland Pipe Band today on their return from the Christchurch contest, where the band achieved a splendid record in the B grade competitions. From tile railway station the band, under Pine-Major V. J. Nicholson,' inarched round tlie Square, coining to a halt in front of the band rotunda, where they were welcomed by the deputy-major, Mr. G. Tremaine, Mr. J. A. Nash, president of the Palmerston North Garrison Band, and Mr. B. J. Jacobs, president of the City Silver Band. Tlie route of the march to and round

the Square was lined with citizens, and the pipers were given a splendid reception, When the bandsmen halted in front of the band rotunda they received a hearty round of cheers from the large gathering which had assembled to do them honour. With the official party on the’ rotunda were Messrs. D. F. Smillie and A. Grigor, members of the city council, the town clerk, Mr. J. R. Hardie, and the chief of the Manawatu Scots’ Society, Mr. J. S. Jenkinson ; other officials of the society present were Messrs'. A. Macdonald and W. Allan (chieftains), V. W. Rowlands (instructor), B. L. Ebbett (secretary), J. Ellis and C. F. Cronin. After apologizing for the absence of the mayor, who was still in the South Inland, Mr. Tremaine said he felt, it an honour to welcome home the members of the band and to congratulate them on the wonderful successes they had achieved at the contest. The band had been formed only 10 years ago with a membership of Six pipers ; now they were at full strength and their success at Christchurch was fully appreciated by every citizen. Tie congratulated 'Pipe-Major Nicholson, whose splendid work had played a large part in the success achieved, '['lie band would now have to compete in the A grade, and he had no fear that they would not hold their own in the stronger company. He called for cheers for the band, which were lustily given. "The band’s performance in winning three events at the contest was remarkable,” said Mr. Nash. Next year the band would be competing in the A grade, and be was confident they would do as well as they had done in Christchurch. Citizens of Palmerston North, he knew, fully appreciated the willing help always given by the band whenever a call was made for the services. The laurels they had earned nt the contest had brought honour not only to themselves but to the city and district. -Mr. B. J. Jacobs said the pipe band had fully earned the laurels they had gained at the contest. He hoped at a future date to welcome them home as the champion pipe band of the Dominion. Thanking the deputy-mayor and Messrs. Nash ami Jacobs for their con grntulafions and good wishes. Mr. Jenkin son said the Christchurch contest had been a wonderful one. He was' proud of every member of the Manawatu band A point worthy of emphasis was that the band was the best-dressed at the contest ; ami it was even more interesting to emphasize that all the material used in the making of the uniforms, including the

tartan, was math l in New Zealand. The making of the uniforms was undertaken by a I’nlnmrslon North firm, which had made a splendid job of it. The band was now promoted to the A grade, and he was confident it would make a good showing in the centenary contest. On behalf of the Manawatu Scots'" Society and the members of the band, he thanked the de-puty-mayor. councillors and others for their encouraging words of welcome