ORGANIST'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 179, 1 August 1938, Page 3

ORGANIST'S DEATH.

MR. MAUGHAN BARNETT. PASSING IX CHR IST CHURCH. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) - CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The death occurred suddenly yesterday morning of Mr. John Maughan Barnett, organist and choirmaster of Christclmrcli Cathedral, and formerly for 19 years city organist in Auckland. He was 72 years of age, and left Auckland for Cliristchurcli in April, 193". to succeed Br. J. C. Bradshaw at the Cathedral.

B(iru in Warwickshire, Mr. Barnett studied piano playing and comj>osition tinder Giwtav Ernest, and organ playing under Francis Spinney. He was appointed organist and choirmaster at the Church of King Charles the Martyr, Tunbridge AVells, in 1882. and in 1889 he took up a similar position at St. Mary Magdalen's, St. Leonards-on-Sea. 111-health induced him to leave England for Tasmania, where he obtained an appointment as organist to the Hobart Cathedral, and for three years he filled a prominent position in the musical life | of the city, acting for fomc time an conI ductor to the Musical Union.

When he came to New Zealand in 1893 he became organist and choirmaster of the Napier Cathedral, and two years later he was appointed to a similar position at St. John's, the leading Presbyterian *Chur_eh of Wellington. Undertaking choral work on a scale previously unknown to the capital city, he founded what became the Royal Wellington Choral Society and conducted a most successful musical festival. Following the erection of the Wellington Town Hall organ in 1908 he became the city's first official organist, until he was appointed to a similar post in Auckland in 1912.

Mr. Barnett's recitals, together with his constant enthusiasm for the development of musical culture in Auckland, earned him a wide reputation, and there was general regret when he retired, in 1932. In addition to his work as city organist, he wa« for a time conductor to the Auckland Choral Society, and later established the Municipal Ohoir. For some years after his arrival 5n Auckland he was organist and choirmaster at St. Mark's Church. Remuera. He wfie a valued member of the Auckland Rotary Club, and also interested himself in the activities of the Auckland Society of Musicians. He was a member of the Auckland C.olf Club and the Royal Empire Society. Mr. Barnett was twice married, and is survived by his second wife and three daughters, of whom two, Mrs. It. .T. Duncan and Miss Barnett. reside in Auckland, and the third. Mrs. A. L. I.ovedav. in England. There are two grandchildren. A muffled peal of bells was rung before mattins at the Cathedral yestejdav morning. A memorial service will be' held on Wednesday afternoon.

MR. GEORGE SEAGAR.

A son of tlie founder of the old-estab-lislied Auckland engineering firm of Seagar Brothers, Mr. George Sea gar, lias died at his home in Parnell at the age of 7.'!. Mr. William Seagar, his father, arrived in Wellington from England in 1804, and after establishing a boiler-making factory there moved his business to the Thames goldfields. After 12 years he transferred to Auckland. Mr. George Seagar was born in Wellington and was trained by his father. He was associated for a long period with his brothers, William, Charles and Henry, in the old engineering business adjoining the Hobson Street Wharf and Auckland Graving Dock. About 20 years ago he severed his connection with the business and practised his profession as a mechanical engineer. While with his brothers the firm built several vessels, notably the Thetis and Huia. Mr. Seagar was a keen yachtsman and was also interested in rowing and foothall. He was an original vice-president of the Auckland Rugby Football League, and was made a life member in recognition of his services to the game. He is survived by his wife, seven sons and three daughters.

MR. A. NEILL.

The dq'ath has occurred of Mr. Andrew Neill, secretary of the Auckland branch of the newly-formed Xew Zealand Harbour Boards' Employees' Asfcociation. He was 47 years of age. Mr. Neill, who had been employed as a crane driver by the Harbour Board for a number of years, saw active service with the Second Field Company, the New Zealand Engineers, during the Great War. He was severely 1 injured, and at the time of his death still carried two bullets near his heart which were considered too dangerous to ! remove. Over 100 returned soldiers ati tended the funeral on Saturday at HillsI boro Cemetery.