OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1935, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MR. SIDNEY WILLIAMSON. The death has occurred of Mr. Sidney Williamson, D.R.C.M. (Leipzig), a prominent Christchurch musician. As a young man he camc under the notice of Mr. Harry Wells, at that timo the leading organist in Christchurch. Mr. Williamson had already had some experience in city choirs and in the Motett Society, and 011 the advice of Mr. Wells he went to Leipzig in 1003. Six years were spent there, Mr. Williamson first qualifying for the diploma of the world-famous Conservatoriuni. On his return to New Zealand, Mr. Williamson gave a series of recitals which helped to educate the public in the works of Brahms, Strauss, Schubert, Grieg, Wolf, Schumann, anil modern English composers of vocal music, as well as some of those of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. He was the pioneer of vocal recitals in New Zealand. In 1020-21 he again went abroad, spending most of his time studying in London under Mr. William Shakespeare. Prior to that, from 1012, he was conductor of the Glee and Madrigal Society, and 011 his return he founded and conducted the St. Cecilia Choir, conducted the Royal Christchurch Musical Society and the Christchurch Amateur Operatic Society, was choirmaster at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and until he became ill last year was conductor of the Christchurch South Choral Society. Mr. Williamson was prominent as a judge at competitions from Auckland to Dunedin. He was, for 17 years, secretary of the Canterbury branch of the Music Teachers' Association of New Zealand. His keen interest in raising the status of his profession was largely responsible for the passage of legislation providing for the registration of music teachers. Mr. Williamson was a member of the registration board from the time of its inception in 1928 till his death. He was a member of the Civic Masonic Lodge. Mr. Williamson was a son of Mr. Philip Williamson, of Christchurch. He is survived by a widow and two children. MRS. MARY GOW. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WAIPUKURAU, Saturday. One of the best-known early settlers of Waipukurau, who was esteemed throughout the province, passed away this morning in Mrs. Mary Gow, aged 91. She was the widow of Peter Gow, who in the early days was the licensee of the Tavistock Hotel. Both were prominent in the Presbyterian Church. They came to New Zealand by the Rangoon in 1804, and hacl been resident here ever since.