ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 April 1940, Page 6

ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

SEASON'S OPENING GATHERING FIRST APPEARANCE OF PIPE BAND. CONCERT ITEMS AND DANCE. The outstanding feature of the opening gathering of the Sain) Andrew Society's 19-10 season, held in the Masonic Hall on Saturday evening, was the first appearance of the society's newlyformed pipe band. In its street march through lhe town before the gathering and its selections during (the evening, the band proved itself a worthy adjunct io the other successful activities of the society. The. band acquired its drums during lhe week, and had its first practice with them on Thursday evening, and its success was remarkable. lhe band can muster some sixteen pipers, and half a dozen drummers. Of these twelve pipers and five drummers took part in the street march, and a few additional pipers subsequently Dook part in the selections. A number of the performers are graduates from the Wairarapa College Pipe Band, a fact which further emphasises the value to the community of the College Band, and its claims to public support. The leadership of the new band is in the hands of Pipe-Major John Mackenzie, whoso skill, as a piper and experience in band work are sufficient assurance of the continued progress of the band. The band's main difficulty nt present, it is stated, is the provision of uniforms and equipment. This is considered a very real difficulty at a time when it is not thought proper to ask the public for substantia] contributions in view of the demands made for war and other purposes. However, those who would care to contribute are given the opportunity of doing so; as a result of Saturday evening's excellent showing a subscription list has been started with a donation of one guinea from an enthusiastic supporter. Tn addition to the street march, the band successfully gave two selections during the evening, about eight pipers participating in each, case, with a change-over also in drummers. Thus every member of the band, except two who were absent through indisposition, was heard during the course of the evening.

The concert programme arranged by the society's musical director. Mr William C. Mann, was of the high quality that has come to be associated with the society's efforts. In addition to the band selections, Miss Heather Douglas and Mr W.' McMichael contributed songs, mid Misses Gaudin and Robinson vocal duets. The speaker for the evening was the Society's patron, Mr Hugh Morrison, J.P.. who had no difficulty in holding the attention of his large audience. Mr Morrison lias the knack of relieving his serious matter with breezy anecdotes, and his talk was therefore thoroughly enjoyed, not only by the older people but. also by the large number of children present. His talk had three main headings. He first referred feelingly to New Zealand's loss in the death of the late Prime Minister, Mi- Savage. He went on to speak of the Centennial celebrations. and the great part taken by Scots settlers in the pioneering days and concluded with, some apt remarks on the present troublous times with eulogistic references to the Army, the Air| Forco, and, above all, the British Navy. At an interval, the Chief. Mr H. | Mackenzie Douglas, congratulated the; society on its auspicious opening, in having such a huge crowd at. its first 1940 galhering. He referred also to thel acquisition by the society of its pipe band, and to the enthusiasm and perseverance of Mr J. Hounslow and other members of the band in its foundation. He also referred with, gratitude to the' services of Mr F. Osborne in the provision of side-drums. It was announced that the next, gathering would be held on Saturday. May 4, and members were requested to keep for reference the list of dates', already supplied to them, for the season's gatherings. The first dance practice of the season would be held on Tuesday. April 16. at. a place to be notified. and thereafter every Tuesday evening al. 7.30 p.m. The usual programme of Scottish dancing followed the concert, and all dances were enthusiastically participated in by a largo throng of dancers. Pipe-music for the dances was supplied by Chief's Piner T. Pickett, and Pipers Trass. N. Dickel, and W. Douglas, all members of the new band.

The gathering ended at midnight with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne" and the- National Anthem.