PRESENTATION TO MR. ALFRED HILL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 8, 9 July 1909, Page 7

PRESENTATION TO MR. ALFRED HILL.

THE RECENT CONCERT. The members of the committee which organised the complimentary concert recently tendered to Mr. Alfred Hill, the well-known musician, assembled in the Mayor's room at the Town Hall to-day, and piesented Mir. Hill with a cheque for £134. Dr. A. K. Newman presided. About thirty ladies and gentlemen were piesent. In making the presentation Dr. Newmap delivered a characteristically happy speech. He said the concert had been a great success. When it became known that Mr. Hill had been laid aside by illness, the musical people in. the community rallied round him, and the result had been most gratifying. Everyone was pleased to see Mr. Hill present. (Applause.) Dr. Newman referred to the pioneer work Mr. Hill was carrying out in connection with the collection of Maori melodies. If Mr. Hill had not strength to carry out his task these melodies would be lost for all time. In co^chioion, Dr. Newman said that each member of the committee hoped that Mr. Hill would soon be restored to perfect health, and that he would live amongst tnem for many many years, and be a joy to them. (Applause.) Mr. Hill said he was very very, grateful for the kind sympathy that had beenshown to him. While in the hands of the doctors and the nurses he had heard a lot about microbes, and now he had come to the conclusion that there was an organism which might be called the microbe of human kindness. It first attacked Mr. H. Plimmer, and spread very rapidly. To him it was a source of great joy to think that musicians like Mir. M. Barnett, Mr. Parker, Mr. Prouse, and others had come together on one common platform to show their sympathy with him in his time of trouble. The good people of Auckland and Palmerston North had specially touched him by their kindness. "It has touched me /cry much," he said. "I only hope I can live to be worthy of_ such an occasion as this." (Applause.) Mr. J. W. Jcynt, chairman of the committee, said the working up of the concert had been a labour of love to everybody concerned. He wished the cheque we.s for double the amount, but considering- the demands that were made on the public, and the present condition of things, he thought they could consider the net result of the concert a very gratifying one. Hp concluded by wishing Mr. Hill long life, health, and prosperity. (Applause.)