OLDEST ORGAN IN CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24187, 21 February 1944, Page 4

OLDEST ORGAN IN CANTERBURY

ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH RENOVATIONS MODERN ACTION BEING INSTALLED Canterbury’s oldest organ, at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Oxford terrace, is being converted to modern action and rebuilt, in keeping with the extensive renovations being carried out to the church itself. An entirely new console is being installed in a position where the organist will be in view of both altar and choir. With rocking tablet stop control and piston action the manipulation of the instrument will be revolutionised. The exhaust system of tubular pneumatic movement which is being added will require a nCw high-powered electric blower. It is hoped that the work on the organ will be completed for Palm Sunday, but war-time difficulties may prolong the rebuilding a little longer. The original organ dates back to 1872. The mahogany timber used is in almost perfect preservation, but other parts added later have been affected by borer. While all the original material possible is being retained, some replacements have been necessary, and this timber has been previously treated to resist any form of infestation. The pipes are in good condition, but to eliminate damage from the old method of cone tuning, new adjustable tuning devices are being attached. The cnnlrnclnps arc Messrs Lawton and Osborne, of Aberdeen, Auckland, and Wellington, and the work is under the personal supervision of Mr D. S. Osborne.