PURCHASE OF AN ORGAN

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 136, 13 June 1927, Page 10

PURCHASE OF AN ORGAN

BISHOP'S EXPLANATION 1"

(By Telegraph.)

(Speoial to "The Evening Post.")

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Whether it was right to spend such a largo sum on the new cathedral organ at the present timo of financial stringency and economic strcsß was a matter, said Bishop West-Watson, at the dedication sorvice yesterday, which would probably be exercising the minds of somo people and the suggestion provoked an explanation on his part. "It was not a question as to whether we should give ourselves the luxury of a new organ or whether we should carry on with the old one," said the Bishop. "If wo had kept tho old one some great expense would have had to be incurred in any case. The actions were worn out. The alternative^to what wo have done would have been to restore the old organ at a cost of £24,000. We built the new one at rather more than double that cost wisely, and with a broad view to efficiency and economy in tho long run. The larger task Avas undertaken. We now have an instrument that will last us for a long time to come. "There must be some who are asking if wo were right in erecting this organ in such a time of intense financial stringency and industrial distress. Therefore, it is opportune that I should remind you of these facts. Tho work was planned and arranged when things were much brighter than they are to-day, and once the contract was signed the work could hardly be postponed."

volving £5000 of material and £5000 of labour, the Government will now, if the proopsed modification of policy is adopted, find half the cost of the labour portion of the expenditure.