A Christchurch Singer.

~ —^— — — ' Mr P. W. (Harry) Hobba, the young Christchurolx singer who is now baritone of the Newbury-Spada Company, returned this morning on a visit to his friends, after a very Bucceaßful trip under Me Nawhury's guidance through Australia! Mr Hobbs cornea of a family in which musical talent has been conspicuous for many generations. The musical abilities of his father (Mr Frederick Hobba) have been familiar to Ohristqhuroh people since a good many years ago. A cousin of Mr .Hobba, senior, Mr J. W. Hobbß,was one of the first tenors of his day in England, and took a leading place as bolo chorister at Sfc Paul's, Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Boyal, Windsor. He attained some celebrity as a composer the airs of « Phyllia is My T)nlv* Joy/ "What Will They Say in England ?" and "The Queen's Letter^ a song immensely popular at the time of the Crimean war, being among his productions. A more remote ancestor was a tenor singer, also named Hobba who, 150 years ago, gained the position of tenor in Canterbury Cathedral by a competition, and was afterwards solo tenor in the Chapel Boyal, Windsor.