MR. ROBERT PARKER

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 15

MR. ROBERT PARKER

A GRATEFUL TRIBUTE

The loss which has been suffered by musical circles in Wellington and throughout the Dominion by the death of Mr Robert Parker, C.M.G., was the subject of sympathetic reference at the annual meeting last evening of the Wellington Harmonic Society. Mr. R. A Wright, M.P., the president, said music had been left considerably the poorer. . Mr H. Temple White, conductor for the society, who had known Mr. Parker for nearly 25 years, said he revered him for his musicia'hship and the steadfast way he clung to his ideals, which were of the highest. His generosity was freely extended to all his younger brethren in the profession. His influence on the musical and cultural development of New Zealand couldnever be estimated. As a pioneer, he was responsible for the first performance in the Dominion of many fine choral and orchestral works. His industry and study, even to the end of a long life, never flagged, and was an inspiration to those who were left to carry on the work he had just laid aside. The gracious influence of Mr.; Parker would be gratefully remembered by his old pupils and choristers, and the importance of his work would ■•iieverjbe,fully 'realised..',.j^.,....-'.,...- .■: