TASK COMPLETED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1937, Page 3

TASK COMPLETED.

LATE MR. R. PARKER.

FAREWELL TO COLLEAGUES. "FEVER OF LIFE ENDED." "I feel that the fever of life is over and that my work is done." In such simple, almost beautiful, words as these did the late Mr. Robert Parker, C.M.G., the doyen of music in New Zealand, whose death in Wellington was announced in Saturday's ' Star," bid farewell to members of the Music Teachers' Registration Board a few weeks before a life full of years and honours was brought to a close. Mr. Parker, who was aged 90, had practically consecrated his life to music and had betyi chairman of the Music Teachers' Registration Board since its inception after the necessary legislation being passed in 1928. Although he had been gravely ill for .some twelve months, Mr. Parker attended the last meeting of the board in Wellington on January 21), and, after conducting the proceedings, paid his farewell to the members. The unusual circumstances were told to the "Star" this morning by the actingchairman, Dr. S. Kenneth Phillips, of Auckland, in speaking of the outstandI ing qualities of the grand old man of I music. | Mr. Parker had to be assisted into the ! board room, but in spite of his disj ability and also the fact that arthritis lin the throat rendered it difficult for j him to speak, opened the meeting and | signed the minutes with a firm hand. ■ The business over, Mr. Parker paid a tribute to the memory of the late Mr. | Charles Cray, of Invercargill, and, I speaking of himself, said: "This will be 1 th<' la-t piece of professional worji I will I ever do. 1 hope my long life has not I been useless, particularly in the. call of music. I feel that the fever of life is over and that my work is done." Mr. Parker shook hands with liis fellow members, and was helped out of the room.

Dr. Phillips mentioned that in about 18UD or 1870 Mr. Parker had conducted ar. oratorio in the Christchurch Cathedral when the building was in course of erection and the walls were only oft high. He also recalled how Mr. Parker had spoken of meeting in London Sir Ceurge Smart, who had known the great composer Hailyu. As Hadyn was born in J731, this was a most interesting fact.

STAGE MEMORIES. GEORGE HENRY HAWKINS. An old and familiar figure to patrons of His Majesty's Theatre, who was always to be noticed in the Arcade at the stage door. Mr. George Henry Hawkins. has died at the Auckland Hospital. He was caretaker, and will also be remembered as being connected with the old Opera House in Wellesley Street in its palmy days when "big companies" played there. Mr. Hawkins had a splendid memory and talked of plays and players of the "good old days of the stage." He could take his listeners back 50 years. . He saw many and varied changes in stage technique, particularly the transition j>eriod from oil and other kinds of stage lighting, uji to the advent of the most modern equipment. It was his delight to recall the days when travelling companies carried their own electric lighting equipment—an engine and a dyamo. Many amateur actors and societies connected with amateur performances will have cause to remember the help and a-ssistance given them by Mr. Hawkins. He was 77 years of age.

MR. THOMAS TYNE. Well known in Hamilton business and sporting circles, Air. Thomas Tyne has died at the age of 52. My-. Tyne was manager of the trading department of the Hamilton branch of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company for the last ten years. Born in Napier, he was the son of Mr. Thomas Tvne, of Pencarrow, Mount Eden, Auckland. He joined the staff of the New Zealand Dairy Association, and when in 1919 it amalgamated with the New Zealand Dairy Company he was placed in charge of the trading department in the Hamilton branch of the co-operative company. He remained in Hamilton in this capacity for three years and in 1922 was appointed manager of the Auckland branch, holding this position lor four years. Owing to the growth of the local trading department, lie was ie. ailed to Hamilton in 1920 and was placed in charge of the department, a position he held at the time of his death. He was an enthusiastic sportsman. For the last five years he was president of the Frankton Football Club and was a past president of the Hamilton Rugby Union. He was also interested in shooting and angling and last year he was a member of the Hamilton Gun Club committee.

MRS. E. M. BINSTED. Mrs. Elizabeth M. Binsted, whose death has occurred, was the wife of the late Mr. James Binsted, who died in 1920. She was the second daughter of tbe late Mr. Matthew Henderson, one oT the leading architects of Auckland's early days. Mrs. Binsted was born in (Jlasgow. and came to Auckland in 'lie "sixties, living until her marriage in Victoria Street West. The last 48 years of her life were spent at Avonrbi'e, wiere she was intimately associated with the church life of St. .Tilde's. Mrs. Binsted is survived by her two daughters. Mrs. H. A. V. Bollard and Mrs. H. M. Waygood, both of Avondale, and three sons, Mr. J. C. Binsted (Avondale), Mr. H. Binsted (Grafton), and Mr. J. Binsted (Christchurch).