Alexander Simpson made bagpipes in New Zealand perhaps as early as 1875. We know that he won a prize at an exhibition in Melbourne in 1888.
The paper taped inside the pipe box reads:
Miniature or chamber bagpipes made by Mr. Simpson of Kaitangata Presented to Grandad McKinnon in 1870 at Wrights Bush (Southland) Made from Manuka and mounts of cow horn.
Alexander Simpson died on October 14, 1908 and obituaries appeared in several newspapers. He was buried at Wallacetown cemetery, Invercargill. This is from the Otago Daily Times on 9th November 1908, ‘The late Mr Alexander Simpson who died recently at West Plains, Southland, at the age of 76 years, was a very old and respected resident. Arriving at Port Chalmers in 1859, he joined the police force and rose to the position of sergeant. When the Tuapeka diggings broke out he joined in the rush to the field, and went through tho stirring times of the early days of the field. Forty-two years ago he settled at West Plains, embarking in farming, and had resided there ever since. A great hobby with him was the making of bagpipes, for which he won prizes at various exhibitions—at Melbourne in 1888, Indian and Colonial Exhibition in 1896, St. Louis Exhibition, 1889-90, at the Dunedin Exhibition, and finally at the New Zealand Exhibition, Christchurch, last year. He was an ardent supporter of the Highland games, took prizes for dancing in his younger days, and had frequently officiated as judge.’
