VIENNESE BOYS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 126, 23 November 1935, Page 19

VIENNESE BOYS

CIVIC RECEPTION

TRIBUTE AT MEMORIAL

Hundreds of persons showed a < keen interest in the arrival of the1 Viennese Boys' Choir this morning, a large crowd gathering at the Wellington Citizens' War Memorial, where the boys paid a tribute to the memory of New Zealand's war dead, and later at the Town Hall, where the" Deputy Mayor, Mr. W. H. Bennett, extended a civic welcome to the visitors. Both at the Cenotaph and at the Town Hall the boys delighted everyone with their beautiful singing. ' ■

The War Memorial was reached at 10.40, the boys, the Rev. Father Josephl i Schnitt, their conductor and teacher,' being received by representatives, of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association and the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association. The boys formed up on the steps of the memorial while the youngest member of the choir, accompanied by Father Schnitt, went forward and placed a wreath in the shrine. The boys then sang: a hymn, the hundreds gathered around the memorial being hushed while their voices rose on the clear air. From the memorial the boys went through the city to the Town Hall, where the Council Chamber was: filled, a large number of schoolboys! being present to see and hear the visitors. THE CITY'S WELCOME. The Deputy Mayor expressed pleasure at the visit of the boys and their, companions. He was deeply interested in the choir, he said, because he was; chairman of the Technical College Board of Governors, and that, college1 had choirs ■ for both boys and - girls. Music was one of the joys of life, and the boys of the choir were living up to a tradition- started centuries ago. Many great men had preceded them, and he felt sure they felt the responsibility of following in their footsteps and upholding the traditions that had been established. "After all," said Mr. Bennett, "what would the world be\ without its music? Without its birds, without the song of

the winds, even the rattling of the waves of the sea on the shore." All Nature was full of music, and it was a delight to have the choir, not only in the city of Wellington, but in New Zealand; Mr. Bennett expressed the hope that' the visit of the boys would be full of, pleasure and would contribue to their education. On behalf of the city he extended to them a hearty welcome, and wished them an enjoy--able stay, in; Wellington. ■

Councillor L. McKenzie supported the Deputy Mayor's remarks, and said that if there was anything the civic authorities could do to make the stay of the boys enjoyable they would be pleased to do.it. : : .:•■■■ ■';

Father Schnitt thanked the people of Wellington .for the reception accorded the choir at the Cenotaph, during their walk through-the city; and at the Town Hall. He , referred to the value of music, and said that if the boys could give, the people of Wellington pleasure with the ; musicd • >,heir:,bel6yie<i. Vienna theyi would be well satisfied, >He also expressed -the hope' that-they prove.messenp^rs of r pea.ce,in..a,'worjd of trouble. ; (Applause.) .VV,..'.'V. The boys-then, sang' ttie"; Austrian National Anthem and ''God, Save the King." ' /. :■:",::-::.r.%;-:■<■ l ■