THE CITY ORGAN

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13720, 29 April 1910, Page 6

THE CITY ORGAN

The series of organ recitals arranged by the Organ Committee of the City Council came to an end last Saturday, tho performance to-morrow afternoon being An "extra." The committee have yet to present their report to the Council, but it is. probably quite safe to aeeume that the recitals have practically paid their way, which is all that was expected or required of them. Artistically they have been a most gratifying success. Week after week they have drawn an audience that has steadily grown in numbers. To hundreds of people they have become a prized privilege, and the pleasure that they have afforded to music-lovers is not to be measured in. words. There is, therefore, some natural anxiety on the part of many lest recent developments in connection with the theatre in which the organ & housed should prevent the instrument being 'available for Saturday afternoon recitals. The company that owns tho building has leased it for seven ye^re , to lie proprietor of the biogri|ph*>icture show that haa been-«etablisued there for come time. lease, we presume, rights of the City Council fco'the use of the theetre on a certain number of nights in the year, for the purposes of organ recitals, in accordance with the terms of the arrangement by which the city's organ was erected in a privately-owned tteetre.« those who have learned to look forward to the weekly organ recital want to know is, whether in view of the new arrangement between the theatre company and its present lessee, the City Council will be enabled to continue the Saturday recitals. The possible danger that they may have to b> abandoned emphasises tba city's need for a town hall of its own, and consideration of the question of providing such a building cannot be delayed much longer. Christchurch. suffers from lack of it, in comparison with the other cities. In the meantime we trust that tho Organ Committee and the present lessee of His Majesty's wfll be able to come to mutually satisfactory terms. In Dr. Bradshaw Christchurch possesses

an organist of acknowledged distinction, who has few equals and bo superiors i Q Australasia, the city organ is a fine instrument, and the combination of the two has resulted during the pest year jn a *eri«* of recitals of notable excellence. It will be a. distinct misfortune if they iwvr have to cease.