“GRAND OLD MAN OF MUSIC”

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 247, 19 July 1928, Page 11

“GRAND OLD MAN OF MUSIC”

FAREWELL TO MR. ROBERT PARKER MR. E. A. F. JENNER .WELCOMED Members of the Wellington Education Board, and many teachers, including Professors Tennant and Qould, and Mr. Lomas (acting-principal of the Teachers Training College), assembled in the board room yesterday afternoon to fulfill a double duty—to farewell Sir. Robert Parker (who has been associated with the teaching of music to students at the Training College since its inception), and to welcome Mr. E. A. IP. Jenner, who has just arrived from London to take up those duties. The chairman of the board (Mr. J. Forsyth) said that Mr. Parkers long and honourable career in music was so well known that by common consent he was known as “the grand old man of music” in New Zealand. (Applause.) He came from England over 50 years’ ago; at least, he was associated with the instruction of school teachers as long ago ns 1883, when he conducted classes in the old Terrace School. Later on, he became the director of music at the first Teachers’ Training College, and had been ton, Sampson, Dasent, Messrs. Wallace, associated with it ever since. He not only had a profound and penetrative knowledge of music, but had the power of imparting it, and lie personally remembered with gratitude the instruction he had received at Mr. Parker’s hands, in the old choral societies. On behalf of the Education Board, he wished to express the deepest thanks to Mr. Parker for the invaluable work he had done during a period extending over 36 continuous years. During that time he had always been the same —always full of energy and enthusiasm. In conclusion, he wished Mr. Parker a long and happy life, expressing the view that he still had many years of useful work ahead of him. A Refining Influence. Professor Gould, a former principal of the Training College, in paying a tribute to Mr. Parker, dwelt on the extreme nature of his teaching work, not only in 'the imparting of his vast store of musical knowledge, but the influence he had on the teachers who sat under him. Not alone in the musical field was that influence exerted, but also as a scholar and a cultured gentleman. Many had regarded music as a form of entertainment, but Mr. Parker had in his own personality made it manifest that it was a refining factor in the acquisition of culture in the broadly intellectual sense. It was always a pleasure to meet him —he was never cross, nor was anyone ever cross with him. Part of his great success in life had been his capacity for getting on the “right side” of everyone, and staying there. He hoped Mr. Parker would have many long years of usefulness, and that he would continue to exert his influence in musical education in Wellington, and throughout the Dominion. Finally, in welcoming. Mr. Jenner, Professor Gould hoped he would find the work here as congenial as had Mr. Parker. (Applause.) "Dear Old Bobby!” Mr. E. D. Tayler, supervisor of musical instruction in the schools of New Zealand, said that few people could look back on such a satisfactory life’s work as could Mr. Parker, who had in the course of his duties earned the respect and affection of everyone. His influence was marked everywhere. As a usual thing, when he found a school well forward in music it was usually due to the presence of one on the staff who had studied under “dear old Bobby Parker”—the man who had laid the solid foundations on which Mr. Jenner was to build. They were evidently fortunate in Mr. Parker’s successor, to judge from his fine testimonials. He hoped Mr. and Mrs. Jenner had very many years of happy life before them in Wellington. (Applause.) Mr. T. Moss, the oldest member of the board, also paid a tribute to Mr* Parker, and hoped that the musical side of education would be developed to a greater extent in the country schools. Mr. Strachan, senior inspector, emphasised the value of Mr. Parker’s influence on the teachers, not only whilst they were under his instruction, but for long afterwards. Miss McGill, on behalf of the teachers, referred to Mr. Parker’s ability to draw out the love and affection of all those teachers who had been under his influence, and the manner in which he had inspired them to pass on his culture to the children. Mr. Lomas, acting principal of the Teachers’ Training College, said how sorry the staff of the college would be to lose Mr. Parker, and in detailing Mr. Jenner’s credentials, thanked the movement which had made it possible for him to come here. “A Wrench.” Mr. Parker said that relinquishing the work of so many years, which he bad loved so much, was a wrench, but the time had come for the institution of a new organisation, and it was time that a change should be made. As was the ease with Mr. Jenner, he had come from London 59 years ago—a long time.! Before he left he had been teaching boys at King’s College and girls at a school that was afterwards absorbed by Queen’s College, of Baker Street. He had left London a very grave young man —for his “life” had been refused by an insurance office. ‘Laughter.) It was very interesting to look back. When he made his first contact with the board there were on it men whose names wfire now probably forgotten—the Hou. Mr. Pharazyn, Mr. Bunny (of the Wairarapa), Dr. Newman, and the Rev. J. Paterson. When be had entered the service of the board there was only one executive officer —Mr. Robert Lee, who was the sole inspector and secretary, and did the whole of 1 the work—a fine type of English gentleman. , . Afterwards, Mr. Arthur Dorset joined as secretary. The first Training College was started in 1883; at least, Mr. Slewart had a photograph of the staff and teachers, dated 1884, in which he (the speaker) appeared as a dark young man with black whiskers. (Laughter.) That was in the old Terrace School, afterwards burnt down. The principal was Mr. Howard, an able man. There was a staff of eight and twenty students, a proportion somewhat different to .what it was now. He was in the principal’s room one day, when a young man came to join the school as master. It was the late Mr. George MacMorran, who saw 40 years’ service with the board. So they could see with what ancient history one could be connected with. His connection with the board had been one of uninterrupted pleasure, as he had always met with the greatest courtesy and consideration from the successive chairmen and officers of the board. He wished to express his obligation to them, and also to the principals of the College he had worked under —Messrs. Howard, Gray, Tennant, Gould, and Lomas. His life work had been congenial and happy. It may not have been brilliant, but he had done the best he could, and he felt quite sure that the work done together would live in the memory of many people throughout New Zealand. (Applause.) He would still go on with his pupils, his church organ and choir —-go on until the time came when he must leave them altogether. In Mr. Jenner he felt that the board had secured the right man to carry on the work. (Applause.)

Looking ForwardSir. Jenner expressed in detail the many welcomes he had received since he arrived at Auckland last week, and the warmth of those welcomes had been almost overwhelming. He had heard of Mr. Parker before he arrived in New Zealand, and such was the value placed upon that gentleman’s good work that it would be very difficult to succeed such a man. Mr. Parker could only look back, but he could only look forward to what he hoped .to do. He thanked all present for the kindly welcome accorded him, and hoped it would lead to many life-long friendships. Afternoon fea was served by the ladies of the board’s staff during the function, which concluded with the singing of the ..KaUofigl Authegai.