PIPE BANDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1939, Page 6

PIPE BANDS

CONTESTS AT DANNEVIRKE WAIRARAPA PLACED THIRD IN AGGREGATE. BOYS GIVE MOST FAVOURABLE IMPRESSION. The Pipe Band contest at Dannevirke on Saturday was held under ideal conditions. The weather, though not brilliant, was mild, and could not have been better for either competitors or spectators. The turf on which the contestants were asked to perform was of cricket-pitch quality, and the accommodation for the spectators and the arrangements for the competitors reflected great credit on the Dannevirke committee who arranged the contest. There was a very large gathering of spectators, and the contest was considered to be, both in merit of performances and in financial result, the most successful so far conducted by the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Centre. The interest of Wairarapa residents naturally centred in the highly meritorious performances of the Wairarapa College Pipe Band. After a somewhat inauspicious commencement ,n the street march, in which things somehow seemed to go wrong, the College boys went on to create a most favourable impression in every competition in which they participated, and received flattering ovations from the spectators. In reaching third place in the Quickstep, fourth in the Test Selection, and third in the Ag-1 gregate, in a contest open to both A and B grade bands, the College Band certainly showed itself worthy of

I competing in the B grade contest to oe held in Christchurch in March. In .hese results, the College Band had ;he honour of beating an A grade □and. In addition, the College Band was awarded second place for music in the Quickstep. , Nine bands entered in the contest, but only seven actually competed. The jutstanding performances of the day were those of the Ruahine Band, which was placed first in every competition except music in- the Quickstep. All jands showed a marked improvement over previous efforts, and this was particularly noticeable in the case of !?eilding and Scots College, who, though not prizewinners, botn performed very creditably. The Wellington Police Band, a new organisation, is to be congratulated on its performances at its first contest, particularly in attaining third place in the Test Selection. The steady improvement in bands indicates very clearly the value of the contests.

The following were the judges and other officials: Judge of music, Pipemajor A. S. Kirkland (New Plymouth); judge 'of dress and instruments, Mr A. McCowan (Eketahuna); military judges, Captain A. G. Melies, Captain J. C. Holmes, Lieut. N. P. Pitcaithley, Staff Sergt.-Major A. England; judge of paces, Mr L. Anderson; timekeeper, Mi - K. C. Millar; marshals, Mr W. Mackintosh; supervisors, Messrs J. Peters, M. Andrew and W. Allan. Detailed results are as follows: — Aggregate: Ruahine, Quickstep 2531 points, Test Selection 86 points; Aggregate, 339.1 points, 1. Manawatu Scottish Society, Quickstep 245 pis; Test Selection 83 pts; <Aggregate 328

pts, 2. Wairarapa College, Quickstep, 2424 pts; Test Selection, 80 pts; Aggregate, 3224 pts, 3. Special prize for music in Quickstep: Manawatu Scottish Society, 1; Wairarapa College, 2. Street March: Ruahine 1; Wellington Caledonian Society 2; Feilding Caledonian 3. > Drum-majors’ Display: Ruahine 77 1-3 pts, 1; Manawatu Scottish Society, 76 pts, 2. Wairarapa Scots will be interested ,to know that they may soon again have ihe pleasure of seeing that outstanding combination, the Ruahine Band, which is expected to attend thp opening gathering of the Saint Andrew Society on April 1. The attendance of the College Band at the Christchurch Contest depends on the public’s support of the concert co raise the necessary funds, to be neld in the Opera House on Monday, February 13. The band’s performances at Dannevirke should ensure the

necessary public support. The concert s being organised by the Wairarapa College and the Saint Andrew Society in conjunction, and an excellent programme is assured. Tickets are now obtainable from the College, the Saint Andrew Society councillors, and Mr H. E. Pither’s shop. Reservations may oe made at Mr Pither’s shop from February 7.