NELSON AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 133, 3 December 1923, Page 8

NELSON AFFAIRS

MATTERS MUSICAL (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) NELSON, Ist December. On Thursday evening, at the School of Music, the Nelson Harmonic Society presented Mendelssohn's oratorio, " "St. Paul," under the baton of Mr. Lemmer, principal of the School of Music, to whom many congratulations are extended. The performance is considered to be one of the best of the many given by the society. The chorus numbered nearly eighty, and it is said no finer chorus work has ever been heard in Nel- ,°" m , f\| ? SJ? wele Mias Passing (soprano), Mrs. Herbert (alto), Mr. Hug gins (tenor), and Mr. Short (bass) all of wiiom were eminently successful in the asks allotted them. In this presentation the society s full orchestra was not engaged, owing to the use of the organ, only the strings and one flute taking part. mis combination acquitted itself with great credit, Mrs. Cunningham was organist, Miss V. Wilding was at the piano, und Mi 6S K. Fairhall led the orchestra. The organ at the Nelßon School of Music-a very fine instrument-is known lift r „Ca* thro" Organ," it being the gift of the late Mr. Thomas Cawthron, who during his life, bestowed many valuable gifts on the city.. The installation of electric light in the bchool of Music has resulted in a vaßt improvement in the lighting of the hall and was greatly appreciated at Thursday s performance. Twelve 600-candle-power lamps have been installed. Eight of these, however, were sufficient to give a light vastly superior to the previous gas installation.

At Mapua recently, under the auspices |of the Cawthron Institute, an instructive address was given by Mr. R. Watts °" Fles,h Collapse in Apples." Mr. X Allen, chairman of the Mapua Fruitgrowers Assqjciation, presided. Mr. Watte, per medium of a blackboard, gave statistics showing the results of experiments made with apples in cool store, afterwards answering a largo number of questions. He also informed the meeting that arrangements had been made for Jurtner experiments on a much larger scale to be carried out at the Motueka cool otore. The audience, which wa ß large and representative, was most appreciative. VALEDICTORY. A large and thoroughly representative gathering of Nelson business men was held in the Council Chambers on Friday evening for the purpose of saying iarewell to Mr. Cecil King, on his retirement from managership of the Na-' tional Bank, Nelson, after some thirtythree years' service. Mr. H. R. Duncan, chairman of the Harbour Board, was m the chair, and apologies were received from the Mayor, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, and several prominent citizens, all conveying their regret that prior engagements prevented their attendance, and extending their best wishes to Mr. King. Tha chairman, on behalf of Nelson business men and bank clients, presented Mr. King with a purse of sovereigns, and in doing so stated that Mr. King, in his' capacity as bank manager, had discharged his duties with marked courtesy, attention, and tact. His long association with the commercial life of the city had made him a valuable financial adviser. and he had proved .himself a good friend to ' all his clients.^ The speaker also referred to Mr. King's sterling qualities as a citizen and his ready help and interest in all civic movements. He had associated himself with all progressive movements in the city for many years past, and had rendered splendid services as a citizen, taking a prominent part in everything for the welfare of Nelson and district. He was a member of the coun- ■; cil of the Chamber of Commerce, prominent in all patriotic movements during the war, an active Red Cross worker, a member of the Navy League (of which he is at present treasurer), Harmonic Society, and was a member of the old Railway League.- In his younger days Mr. King was a keen member of the Nelson Golf Club, a former secretary, and a member of the Nelson Rowing Club. In the social life of the city Mr. King had taken a prominent part. Nelson could ill afford to lose him, and the speaker extended to him and Mrs. King, on behalf of the meeting, the best wishes for their future happiness and prosperity, and expressed the hope that after a well-earned holiday Mr. King would return and take up his residence in Nelson The remarks of the chairman were endorsed and supplemented in short speeches by Messrs. H. 0., Cock (managing director of J. H. Cock and Co. and. the . Anchor Co.), .C. B. Fell, T. Neale, F. Hamilton (E. Buxton and Co.", Ltd.), and C. Milner (S. Kirkpatrick and Co.. Ltd.).

Mr. King, who was heartily applauded on rising to speak, said he was utterly incapable of expressing what ha felt that evening. It was certainly gratifying to know that all had such a food opinion of what-he had been and ad done. He had tried to be useful, and had always tried to be fair. He thanked everybody from the bottom of his heart for their good wishes. He would leave Nelson with regret, and would return with pleasure. Mr. King resumed his seat amid great applause. Mr. Duncan then introduced the new manager of the National Bank, Mr. M'Pherson, of Wanganui. On behalf, of the meeting he extended a hearty welcome to him, and hoped he would remain in Nelson and see the city go forward aa Mr. King had done.

Three hearty cheers were then given for Mr. King, and the proceedings terminated with the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.