GIFT TO ST. PETER'S, TAKAPUNA.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 157, 4 July 1921, Page 2

GIFT TO ST. PETER'S, TAKAPUNA.

BISHOP DEDICATES NEW ORGAN.

A FIXE INSTRUMENT.

There was such a large congregation at the morning service at St. Peters Church. Takapuna, yeUerday morning, when the new transept and organ were dedicated by the Bishop of Auckland that many were unable to find seats. The organ* was presented by Mr. Henry Brett, who has always taken a great interest in the church, and the transept was erected to contain the instrument. Mr. George Croft, the builder, has turned out a particularly fine piece of work, and musicians who have beared the instrument speak enthusiastically of its beautiful tone. The Bi'hop of Auckland (Dr. Averill) was assisted by Archdeacon MaoMurrav. of Auckland, and Archdeacon Evans, of Taranaki. It is interesting to recall the fact that Archdeacon Evaiis was the first vicar of the parochial district of Xorthoote-eum-Takapuna 37 years ago. Archdeacon Evans read th? first lesson. Archdeacon Mac Murray the second lesson, and the vicar of the parish (the Rev. W. G. Moncktonl read the prayer?. Archdeacon Evans acted as Bishop's chaplain, and carried the pastoral staff.

Messrs. Edward Grimwade and \V. Crowder Esdaile, the two churchwardens, presented the request to the Bishop to pronounce the dedication. His Lordship, for his sermon, took as his text a vprse from the 150 th Psalm,, and dealt with the place of music and in the service of God. He laid emphasis on the need for conjrrcpational singing, .n feature for which St. Peter's is noted. The Bishop said he hoped the new organ would be a help to this end. He reviewed the history of music in the church, and showed how at one time it had been thought to savour of idolatry. There had been people who tried to banish it for that reason, and during the time of the Commonwealth many fine organs in England had been destroyed -as the result of an Act, of Parliament. His Lordship spoke of the generosity of the donor of the new organ, and expressed the hope that the congregation would use the generous gift for the development of spiritual life and the better setting forth the praise and worship of Hod in His Holy Temple. He concluded an interesting sermon by expressing the hope that the music in the church would always bp simple in character so that the congregation could join in it.

The service was a very impressive one. Special hymns and psalms were used, and the organist, Mr. C. H. Kingsford, played special music, includ&ig Oliver King's "'Festal March"' as the concluding voluntary. The offertory was taken up in jiid of the building fund. At the close of the service Mr. Kingsford gave a short recital, which fully displayed the fine tone of the organ, and those who heard it were much impressed. The organ is a two-manual instrument containing six stop 3on the great, nine stops on the swell, and three stops on the pedal and tremulant. The "twentyseven couplers are operated by reeking tablets over the keys. There are six pneumatic pistons, and seven compensation pedals and balance swell pedal. Aβ the instrument is somewhat large for the building, the specification was drawn up more with the object of getting variety and beauty of tone than power. There are some beautiful flute-toned and string-toned stops. The action is pneumatic throughout. With the exception of the metal pipes the work was entirely done at Mr. Croft's factory in Eden Terrace, even to the keys, which were formerly imported. The case is a handsome piece of worlt in stained kauri, and the silvered front pipes make an artistic finish to an imposing front. The treble pipes arc of clear pine, and the bases of totara. which has been found specially suitable for securing a resonant tone.