THE MUSICAL FESTIVAL

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 72, 22 September 1894, Page 2

THE MUSICAL FESTIVAL

The Musical Festival which is to take place in Wellington at the beginning of next month, iB an event ot tha first artistic importance. Such an undertaking involves an immense expenditure of time fend trouble and talent on the part of all ooiicerned, and on tho part of tho promoters an amount of hard, work and responsibility of whioh tho outside pttblic> seeing only the. finished result, can form but little conception. There are negotiations and communications to be entered into with soloists in distant colonies capable of adequately interpreting the masterpieces to be produced ; there is the prboess of selection, tempered, it may be, by disappointments in finding unobtainable those whom it is most desired to secure ; and there is the anxiety, merging into satisfaction whon it is fo'ind that the materials drawn together from so many sonrces and plaoes weld into a concrete whole. Then there is the collecting and training of the ohorus and instrumentalists in works of great technioal difficulty, the resolving into _ harmony of more or less antagonistic human elements— and musical atoms are proverbially more prone to repulsion than attraction, and to disintegration than amalgamation. But there is the final triumph as all the elements mix, and under tho oyes of conductor and promoters thore gradually grows up that degree of musical perfection and cohosion whioh produces the artistic results that aro to gratify the patrons who should Aook to enjoy them. A ll this work and all this effort has been put forward to a marked degree in regard to the coming Festival. It is a great undertaking, and one whioh deserves to be crowned with success. We might have preferred that its foundations had been laid on broader national lines, and that wo should be about to witness a New Zealand Festival that would be truly national— in whioh the best that the colony could produce in the executive and creative schools of eaoh branch of mnsio might have been united in the capital city of the colony in performances which would be absolutely representative of a Now Zealand national musical life— that the best performers, composers, and conductors whom Now Zealand can boast of should bo drawn together in a truly national undertaking. The coming Festival falls short of this ideal- an ideal which should be kept before the musical publio of tho colony— but nevertheless it is a great undertaking, and one which should receive the most cordial support of all who have faith in the refining influenoe of a Divine Art. We have hero gathered together, for the exposition of some of the choicest works of such giants of the past as Haydn, Handel, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Schumann, and Wagner, and contemporary masters like Dvorak and Sullivan — leading vocalists from the other colonies, mated with our own. We havo an admirable orchestra of which tho city may well be proud, and wo havo choruses -which are entering heart and soul into the task before thorn. To Wellington belonged tho honour of initiating the first musical festival held in New Zealand, and to this city is due the further honour of continuing the good work then initiated. The present programme is an ambitious one, and no pains have been spared to give it as meet an interpretation as the means at command permit, and judging from what has gone before, the result." will bo markedly meritorious. The time may oome again when musio is restored to tho place it held in the popular cstoem of Anoient Greeoe, and the wilder civilisation of the early Colt. Meantime, though all cannot be performers, they can at least be appreciative listeners, and the pnblic of the provincial distriot should certainly show next month its hoarty appreciation of the efforts of those in whose hands the management of thiß Festival has been placed, and to whom was due its initiative, by attending tho performances. Complete arrangements have been made, both for tho comfort of tho audiences, and the conveniences of their transport, and we trust that the Festival mny meet with the success whioh those who have inaugurated it deserve. ____^_______

We cannot trnthfnlly say that the " Honourable " Mr. Jenkinson degraded himself by the characteristic speech he made yesterday in the Legislative Connoil ■on the Railway Bill, but its delivery undoubtedly degraded the Council and the position the speaker holds aB a member of the Legislature. A more vile or venomons utterance could not well bo imagined, and wo regret that the Connoil did not mark the strong Bense of indignation and disapproval felt by formally ordering that no report of such a speech should disgrace the pages of Hansard. There was evidently but one feeling amongst members regarding the exhibition made by Mr. Jenkinson. Sir Patrick Buckley, as Leader of the Council, did not hesitate to express with fine scorn and indignation his contempt for Mr. Jenkinson and his utterances. As a gentleman he oonld not do otherwise, even though he may have felt that such a speech might oommond itself to the approval of some of his Ministerial colleagues. Sir Patrick Buckley must also have felt some twinges of oonsoienoe when reflecting that the Ministry of whioh he is a member is responsible for the preaeaoe of Mr, Jenkin-

son in the Council. As for Mr. Jenkinson, his skin is probably as hard as the boiler plates he was wont to rivet. If he had any sensitiveness abont him he would resign his seat after yesterday's performance, but as no other means of earning .£l5O a year so easily is likely to present itself to him, we suppose ho will stick to it for his full seven years. Mr. Shrimski expressed smprise at finding there was a detective in the Council. Evidently he is unacquainted with the nature of his colleague's main occupation during the recess, or the reasons why that colleague so persistently haunts the shades of the workshop where ho formerly worked. He has made it his mission ever since he became a member of the Legislature to work up a case against the Eailway Commissioners and their management. Yesterday's speech afforded an example of the nature of hi 3 observations and investigations. The Shops and Shop Assistants Bill is being a good deal altered in the Legislative Council, and it seems doubtful whether it will ultimately pass in any form whatever. It would be a pity if it should be rejected in its entirety, because it contains some very useful and necessary provisions which public opinion undoubtedly demands should be made law. But the Bill also includes some mischievous provisions, and goes too far. With the main principle public opinion is in accord, bat with many of the detaiis it is not. The main principle of the Bill, we take it. is that every shop assistant shall have a half -holiday in every week, and that the half-holiday shall bo given simultaneously to all. Tho voluntary system hasnot been a success, and compulsory observance of a given aftornoon ia necessary, in order to secure the object aimed at. But we fail to see why, in order to ensure a half-holiday to shop employes, shopkeepers who have no employe's should be made to observe a compulsory half-holiday which they do not desire, and which may involve great loss and hardship to them. It is of course argued that to allow them to keep open would bo a hardship and injustice to those who would be compelled to close. In other words, it is contended that hardship must he inflicted on either the big shopkeepers who employ labour or the small ones who do not. The Bill as it reached the Council selected the latter class to suffer. Mr. Reynolds' amendment in the Council transfers the hardship to the shoulders of the employers of labour. "We do not Bee the necessity for either class being victimised. The 33111 oonld be recast so that no shopkeeper should be allowed to employ any labour in his shop on one afternoon in eaoh week, but imposing on him no necessity for closing his establishment if he should choose to keep it open himself. This would put big and iittlo shopkeepers on a lovel. The individnal industry and oxertions of each would be lott unfettered, and the purposes of the desired and necessary legislation, the giving of a specified half-holiday in each week to every employe, would bo served without either inconveniencing tsia publio or inflicting any injustice by legislative interference with any Oliftpkoeper willing to carry on his owi business by his own labour from on»s end of the week to the other. Mt. feuthio may- think he would make a hotter Stipendiary Magistrate than Mr. Martin. Those who most highly reapexit Mr. Duthio in private, political, and commercial lifo \% ill, however, troarcely agree with him in this reßpeot. As ho is not Stipendiary MagiStrale, ho apparently considers it his metier to scrutinißo and oall in question the decisions of the gentleman who so ably fills that position. It will be remembered that Mr. Duthio not long ago brought up in tho House the sentence on a man convioted of cruelty to animals, and discovered ! something of a mare's nest in connection i therewith. Now he has taken up the case of the woman who Was fined the otter day for flower-stealing, and wants the Government to review Mr. Martin's decision and remit a portion of the penalty. Mr. Martin's judgment will better stand sorutiny than Mr. Duthie's discretion in this matter. Thej penally inflicted on tho flowor-stealer—one-fourth the maximum allowed by law for tho offence -was well deserved. Floiver-stoal-ing has beoomo exceedingly rife in this city. It is a mean and Contemptible crime under any ciroumetalmos, but it is even worse than thiß when tho graves of tho dead are desecrated by the paltry thieves. It was high time that an example was made, and Mr. Martin was quite right to inflict an exemplary sentence when at last an offender was caught in the very act of grave - robbery. The woman Harris may not have been -of the worst class of offenders— the crimo is one difficult of j detection — bnt the penalty inflioted on her : will aot as a salutary warning to others. In the old hanging days a learned Jndge explained to a trembling sheep-stealer, who had just boon convioted, that he was to bo hanged, not because he had stolen a sheep, but to prevent shoop being stolen. Tho woman Harris was severely punished that others may bo deterred from committing a liko offence. The pnblio have the fullest confidence in tho administration of justice by Mr. Martin, and such, attempts as Mr. Duthie has now twice made to have Mr. Mn.rtiu'B decisions xe-v-ieTrea by tbo Minister of Justice are certainly ill-advised, and to bo strongly deprecated. i A report is current in the lobbio'a tiat Mr. J. B. Hoywood, Secretary to ttio Treasury, is to be appointed President of the Bank of New Zealand. Stich an appointment would bo tha test straw to break the Bank's back, even if a broador and stronger back than it is. No one could havo any confidence in a Bank presided over by a Civil Servant without banking or commercial experience. Mr. Heywood is a valuable public offioer in the Treasury, but would be quite out of place at tho head of a Bank. A budget of condensod corrssoottderice, our Parliamentary reporte, and particulars of tho Wellington Naval^' farewell to Lieut.Command«r Duncan are printod on the fourth page. Tho report and balanco-sheet as presented to the 58th annual meeting of the members of the Northern Assurance Company appears on our fourth page, and is well worthy of perusal. Tho accumulated funds of this Old-established company have how reached no less a sum than £ 1,293,630. The firo premiums received .during tte last- year amounted to 4716,30.6 15s 4d, whilst the losses paid weft' J6i48,949 12s sd. The Northern Company adopts tho wise preoaution of writing off eaoh year one-third of its premium income, to meet liabilities under current policies. It will be noted that this institution, amongst many others, has suffered owing to the depreciation in vilue of property in Melbourne, as provision is made for a contingent loss of over jfi2O,oOo mi respect of mortgages in that city. The Northorn is a firo and life company, but conduots only tho business of the former branch in JT&w Zealand It has been established in Wellington for more than 30 years, and has boen undor the charge of tho presont agent, Mr. G. H. Soales, for tho last 15 years. Exceptionally severe weather was met with between the Capo of Good Hopo anc Tasmania by the ship Nelson, which arrived from London this morning. On tho 26th August a fearful hurricane raged, during whioh tremendous soas swept the vessel fore and aft, starting the house forward, stoving in the topgallant bulwarks, au< doing considerable other damage on deck. The cargo shifted on this as well as on other occasions, and those on board had an exceedingly anxious time. In Chambers yestorday, in the estate of Felix Voitcekovsky, Mr. t-korrett, on behalf of Mr. Elliot Barton, applied for bankrupt's solicitor's costs in opposing the petition, and said there were lengthy affidavits. The Oflioial Assignee pointed out there was no direct provision in the Act for paying bankrupts' solicitors' costs except when the debtor himself filed, and Rule 67 pointed out that the costs of an opposed motion should follow tho event. This, the Assignee said implied rather that he should claim costs from the other side. Mr. Justice Richmond smilingly remarked, " sTou can't got blood out of a stone," and further said that he would refer tho matter to the Chief Justice, who heard the petition, to decide whether there should bo any costs, and if so, it was agreed they should not exceed £S 6s. Tho Assignee said that the opposition had greatly increasod the coats of the petitioning creditor, which amounted to iS6O, and tho eßtate was worth only a little over i! 100. We are sorry to hear of tho death of Captain Murrell, father of Mr. John Murrell manager in Wellington for Messrs. Huddart, Parker & Co. Captain Murrell, who was born in Shoreham, Suss?x, 64 years ago, retired from the sea in 1855, and entered the Hobson Bay and River Yarra pilot sorvioe, remaining in it until a fortnight ago, when he resigned the po3t on account of an internal disorder. A, few days ago he underwent an operation in Melbournej and ho» never recovered from tho effects, breathing his last on Thursday night. The deceased, who was a very skilful pilot, was much respected. He leavos a widow and a family of eight. The Master of the Obiro Benevolent Homo desires to thank Mrs. Boss, fruiterer, Lamb-ton-quay, for periodicals and clothing, also Mr. Harry Edmonds for a parcel of papers and books, for the use of tho inmates. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday aftornoon, before Mr. Martin, S.M., an expressman named Walter Sproull, whose vehiole was reoently run into by an engine on the Whitmore - street railway crossing and smashed, was fined ss, with 11s costs, for having disregarded the notice " Stop ! Look out for the engine." Caleb Edmonds, brewer, of Petone, was summoned for having a Government railway tarpaulin in his possession. It was not suggested that tho article was stolen, aud the case was dismissed . Mr. Izard appeared for tho Railway Department, and Mr. Bunny for the defendant. William Justice, who pleaded Guilty, to stealing a billiard-ball from the Thistle Inn, was fined ss. At tho weekly meeting of Trinity Wosleyan Bible Class last evening, Miss Brailsford, who has fillod the position of Secretary for the last two years, and who is leaving for England, was presented with a handsome dressing-case, suitably inscribed, in recognition of her past services. The presentation was made by Mr. G. Fairohild, on behalf of the members of the class. Mr. A. Tasker was elected to fill tho vaoanoy. The annual meeting of tho Wellington Prohibition Leagne was held in the Free Methodist Church, Courtenay-place, last evening. Tho annual report and balancesheet were read and adopted, and the following officers were appointed for the ensuing year .—President, Mr. A. E. Atkinson (reelected); Vice-Presidents, Miss L. M. Luke, Rev. C. Dallaston, and Mr. A. Hoby ; Exeontive Committee, Mesdames Hancox and Helyer, Misses L. Pinny, Bradford, and Messrs. R. G. Denton, J. Collins, D. Gain, N. Dodgshun, R. Thompson, O. M. Lake. T. Garland, and J. T. Rash. The following resolution was passed by the meeting — That this League warmly thanks the Temperance Party in the House for their firm and independent attitnde with regard to the Licensing Bill, and while expreßßing a general approval of the amendments proposed by Mr. M'Nab's Committee, strongly urges that club charters be made subject to tho Local Option vote. The annual meeting of tho New Zealand nstitute of Journalists takes place at the Press-room, Parliamentary Buildings, at 4 o'olook on Monday afternoon,

There are now (Captain Edwin advises us) evidences of the approach of low pressure from the west ; and hard gales from the north, with rain, may be expected in most parts of the country between midnight on Sunday and noon on Tuesday next. Stone-throwing by children was responsible for an accident whioh happened yesterday afternoon, and may have serious results. A little fellow- named fctanley 13oock, four and a-half years old, was standing at his parents' gate in Abel Smith-streot, when he was struck on the eye by a stone hurled by one of several lads playing in Dransfield's Paddock, and knocked senseless The flesh about the eye wbb shockingly bruised and lacerated, but Dr. Bawson has some hopb that the Eight will not be permanently injured. Additions to tho Telephone Exchange list have been made as follows: — Agricultural and Pastoral Association , Featherston-street ; New Zealand Farmers' Dairy Union, Ltd. (and butter factory), Davis-street ; Hon. It. J. Seddon, private room, Club Hotel. An inquest was held yesterday afternoon by Mr. J. Ashcroft, District Coroner, regarding the death of a late inmate of the Mount View Asylum named William Percival, aged 78. A verdict was returned of Death from Senile Deoay. Deceased was admitted in July from Wanganui, where his wife resides. At the Magistrate's Court this morning a simple-looking youth named Jamos Breen was brought before Mr. Martin, S M., In the oustody of Constable Button, charged with forging a cheque for JBS Sn the namo of Thomas Bearnes, and uttetiDg it to one Harry Wilmore. Accused, who >vas defended by Mr. Wylie, wa'a remanded to Tuesday, bail being allowed in two Rureties inisJseach. The cafee against Annie Ward, who was remanded from yesterday on the charge of keeping a houso of ill-fame, was again remanded till Wednesday, to give her an opportunity of leaving her present place of abode. If this is not done, his Worship said, he will inflict the highest penalty in his power. Nineteen scholarships ai'e offered for competition this yea? by the Education Boardten for ottjr chjtdren (JJIS per annum), three for the/Wairafapa (.£l5 per annum), and six for the other country districts, two of these being of J230 and four of .£l5 annual value. The conditions are stated in an advertisement. The Fine Art Exhibition was visited yesterday by the Governor and Lady Glasgow. A concert has been arranged for this evening, at which Misses Gore, Hilda Williams, and Henry, and Mesers. W. A. Day and Walter, will perform. The art union will also be drawn to-night. A parade o£ the Keretaunga Monnted Rifles took place at Mount Cook. Thero was an excellent muster under the command of Lieutenant Hydo. Tho company was exercised in seotional and other movements by Lieut. Hydo and in the manual Arill by Sergt. G. Pringle. The Superintendent of the Home for the Aged Needy, Adelaide-road, desires to thank A Friend (per Mr. A. G. Johnson) for a parcel of clothing, and Mrs. Charles B. Izard and the steward of tho Junior Clnb for parcels of books and periodicals for the inmates of the Home. Mr. Lee, head teacher at the Pahiatua Sohoo', has been transferred to Waihenga. Mr. Thomas, of the Mount Cook School/ replaces him at Pahiatua. At tbis weok's ooc'al gathering ol the WelUiisjton Women's Political Club, on the annivesoary of the enfranchisement of the Women of the colony, a discussion took place re the present financial policy of tho Government. It was the expressed opinion of the meeting that the legislation of the present Ministry is detrimental to the best interests of the country, and as such doeß not tae'rit the approval of an honourable, intelligent people. Thoao interested in the proposal to sond a prospecting party to C'oßlgardie met at Petone last evening, Mr. G. London presiding. Tho committee appointed to ■confer with tho promoters of a similar project at Lower Hutt reported that it had arranged terms of amalgamation. The articles of association Were discuse'ad and adopted. A general ; committee was appointed, representing Petone, Lower Hutt, and th'e City, and consisting of Messrs. T. M. Wiiford (Chairman), London, Oxenham, Mothes (Secretary), Stutter, Purser, Cudby, Williams, Henry, and Wilkins. It was decided to adopt tho title of the Hutt and Petone Association. In another column applications from practical miners prepared to represent the Association are invited. On our fourth page will be found the full programme of sports drawn up by the Palmerßton North Caledonian Society for its annual gathering, which is to be held this year on»the Show ground, oh the Prin.ce of Wales' Birthday. The program'uie is attraotiTo, ,^ nd excellent prizes are given. The WellingWn-Hanawatu Railway Company has agreed to run trains at greatly reduced fares. Entries close at Palmerston North at noon on the 24th Ootobor, A certificate of insanity was given yesterday by Drs. James and Harding in the case of a man named John Cahill, who was ftc eordingly committed to the Asylum by Mr Martin, S.M. A meeting of delegates trttm. tho various friendly societiqs tea's lield last night, in St. Patrick's Hall, for tho purpose of arranging .lor the annual demonstration. Biro. Higginbottom, 8.U.0.0.F., was voted to the ohair. It was unanimously deoided to hold the next demonstration on Anniversary Day. Tho meeting was adjournod until Friday, sth October, when it is hoped that one or two societies which were not represented last evening will send dolegates. The annual promenade ooncert of the Potone Brass Band took plaoo last evening. Songs wore contributed by Miseos Stewart and M'Kainj and.Mfs. Wiley, a duet by Mr. and Mrs. Dash j Scotch dances were executed in boßtume by Misses M'Arthor (2), Sharp, and Carr, Messrs. T. M'Arthor, Sharp, and Glen ; and instrumental selections were given by members of the band. The dance music was supplied by Finch's orchestra, and Mr. J. Ibell acted as master of ceremonies. A successful concert was held last Evening at tho United Methodiot Schoolroom. Cour-tenoy-place, under the auspices of the St. JohiPs Lodge, 10. G.T. The Eev. J. K. Elliott presided, and an excellent programme was provided by Misses M. Smith and James, Mesdames Potrie and Spiers, Messrs. Ingram, Hazlewood, Robertson, Duncan, Hall, Fred. Thornhill, Chas. Hales, H. Hall, James, and Wheeler. Tho limelight exposition and reunion of tho Catholio body, in aid of the now infant school building fund, throngh the liberality of the Wellington Navals and the general public, promises to be moat successful. The committee of ladies ia Working energetically with the tickets and refreshments, and arrangements have boon mado for dressingrooms, &c, to suit the requirements of patrons. A lantern-lecture was givnn in tho Petone Wesleyan Church last night by tho Rev. H. Dewsbury, the subjects being "A Peep Behind the Scones " and " Jane Conquest." A hearty vote of thanks was given to the lecturer. Entries for a number of events at the Eight Hours Demonstration Sports are advertised to close next Saturday evening. The prizes for the competitions in connection with the procession are also announoed. J. H. Bethune & Co. announce in our advertising columns that they will sell by auction, without reserve, on Tuesday next, at 1.30 p.m., at the residence of Walter Knowles, Featherston-terrace, the whole of the superior household furniture, and on Wednesday next, at 2 o'clock, the same firm will soil at their auction rooms, Featherstonstreet, the whole of the stock of drapery in the assigned estate of Mr. F. Taylor, removed for convenience of sale. In our auction columns George Thomns & Co. insert the full details of Mr. L. L. Harris' sale of valuable household furniture, which takes place at his residence, Wellington-terrace, on Wednesday next at 11 o'clock. The residence will bo open on Monday and Tuesday of ternoons for inspection. Catalogues ore now available. Tho order of sale is also specially announced. On Monday, at 1 o'clock, W. F. Shortt sells the furniture and effects of Mr. George Ejlands Special attention is called to this sale as the furniture is of the best manufacture* There are seveu of Gully's celebrated water color pictures, and a splendid upright grand piano. The sale is entirely unreserved, as Mr. Bylands' is leaving the colony. Subscribing members of Wellington Harmonic Society are notified that they will receive tickets for any one concert of Musical Festival series, in lieu of the Society's second concert, upon application at Dresden Booms. Kauri-gam nuggets are the latest thing in firelandlers placed on the local market. They aro composed of kauri gum dust and other material, are Bold retail in small packets, each of which lights more than 100 fires, whilo each nugget will burn for ten minutes. Frank Wise, tobacconist, &c., Willis-stret, ad■vertiseß in another column that the largest cigar box in New Zealand is to be scon at his shop, Wilhs-street. Suratura Tea, as supplied to His Excellency the Governor, is advertised by T. Dickson, of Lamb-ton-quay, in three qualities. Tuition will be resumed by A. F. Hill, 8.C.M.L., at No. 79, Ingestre-street, on Tuesday next. Members of the Good Templar Order are asked to attend Divine service at Trinity Church, Biddi-ford-street, to-morrow night. The order of services at St. Peter's Church for to-morrow is advertised. At St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Terrace, to-morrow, the services will be conducted by the Rev. C. S. Ogg, M.A. At the Wesleyan Churches, to-morrow, services will be conducted as follow : — Wesley Church, Taranaki-street, 11, Bey. B. J. Murray ; 6.80, Eev L. M. Isitt. Molesworth-street.ll. Bey. W. Baumber; 6.30, Bey. B. J. Murray. Trinity Church, Newtown, 11, Bey. J. Word ; 6.30, Mr. H. Field. At the Terrace Congregational Church, tomorrow, the services will be conducted by the Bey.. J. B. Glasson. At the Conrtenay-place Congregational Church, to-morrow, the services will be conducted by the Bev.B.T.Hallowes. The services in the Primitive Methodist Church, Webb-street, to-morrow, will be conducted by the Bey. S. Burnett and Mr. B. Ayres. The services at the other Primitive Methodist churches ore advertised. At the Vivian-street Baptist Church, to-morrow, the services will be conducted by Mr. C. E. Button in the morning and Mr. B. S. Gray in the evening. Lectures in connection with the Forward Movement will be delivered at the Bechabite Hall, Manners-street, to-morrow. The subjects ore advertised. At the Church of Christ, Bixou^street, tomorrow evening, Mr. A, F. Turner will preach. - Mr. Wilson and Mr. Lowers will preach in the Gospel Hall, Herbert-street, to-morrow evening. Mr. W. W. Collins, M.H.R., lectureß in the Exchange Hall to-morrow evening. The subject is advertised. Mr. TTinman preaches at the new Assembly Hall, Riddiford-street, Newtown, to-morrow evening and Monday evening.