OLD ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 85, 4 January 1930, Page 8

OLD ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

MR. W. J. HARLAND ONLY SURVIVING MEMBER

Mr. W. J. Harland, who believes himself to be the only surviving member of the original Wellington Orchestral Society, called at the “Dominion” office yesterday to say that our correspondent “W.H.” had been misinformed as to the date of the inception of that society, which he attributed to the year 1889. Mr. Harland stated that such was the date of one of the several resuscitations. Being an original member, Mr. Harland speaks with authority, and says that the Wellington Orchestral Society was founded in June, 1879, by Mr. Angelo Forrest, a very, able organist and conductor, who came out to St Peter’s Church when the late Archdeacon Stock was vicar of the parish. The first meeting of the Society was held in the old Fire Brigade building in Manners Street (now the site of the open public reserve), and for some time after that meetings were held there.

' Mr. Harland states that the performing members were pretty well all very sound musicians, who would do credit to any orchestra to-day. Among them were Messrs. J. C. R. Isherwood', Leonard Hermann, J. G. Gavin, 3. H. Otto Schwartz, and Henry Bennington (violins), / Hugh Currie, Guido Schwartz and Porter (French horns), W. J. Harland (bassoon), W. J. Spreat (oboe), T. Sewell (clarinet), R. C. Hamer ton (double bass), and Philip Putnam (flute). Each one of these has long since departed to the Valhalla of all musicians, and he alone (now 72 years of age) lives to tell the tale. ' Mr. Harland said that some very notable works were done under the skilful direction of Mr. Forrest, but he did not last very long in Wellington, probably having found the place too small for his talent. It was after the departure of Mr. Forrest that Mr. Robert Parker took up the work, so it would be seen that his connection with the society dates back a good deal further than “W.H’s.” chronicle records,