Victoria's Peabody.

Evening Star, Issue 7197, 27 April 1887, Page 4

Victoria's Peabody.

The Hon. Francis Ormond last week met the Council of the Melbourne University and intimated to that body his intention to at once hand over to them L 20,000 for the furtherance of the study of music in that Colony. He mentioned that at a meeting held some time ago, at which there Avere present a large number of representative laymen and many professional musicians, after a long discussion a resolution was carried (there being only one dissentient) in favor of the establishment of a Chair of Music. The meeting had also made a stipulation—not at his instigation or desire, but which had been forced upon him by the general discussion which took place—that the public should subscribe a sum for three musical scholarships. A little time after this it was stated in the papers that a Chair of Music would not meet the wants of the Colony, and that a Conservatoire or College would be much better. His own Hca in the first place had been for a College, but he saw a difficulty in the way. He wished to assist, provided the public would raise another L 20.000, making in all L 40.000, which he considered was the smallest amount they could manage to make a start with, a* it would take all the interest on his L' 20,000 to pay fees and so on. After visiting nearly all the conservatoriums in Europe, he felt convinced that LIO.OOO would be necessary to erect even the plainest building, leaving only LIO.OOO to endow. The salary of a principal would be LSOO; four professors at the least LSOO ; caretaker, gas, water, wear and tear, and so on, another L4OO a-year. That could not be got out of L 20.000, so he had therefore come to the conclusion that the College must be abandoned. The orchestra was also out of the question, as to endow one it would be necessary to have at least forty musicians, and he knew their services could not be obtained for a less sum than Ll5O a-year each, to play once a-week and attend rehearsals. Last January he received a letter from Sir A. Nicolson, stating that the stipulated amount for the scholarships had been raised, and was about to write to the University Council with reference to the handing over of the money, when he saw an article in one of the morning papers, saying that as the people had contributed so much he had no right to dictate what should be done with it. He replied to the article, and said that if any promise had been made for a College he would not be averse to re-opening and discussing the whole matter. That hung up the question, but it was no fault of his, and in the meantime a BeconJ meeting was held, at which the proposal for a Chair was endorsed. Under these circumstances, he felt committed to a Chair; but as he was anxious to do his best in the interests of music, he left it open for those who objected to call a meeting and invite him to hear reasons against it. He waited, but this was never done. His opinion was confirmed by the Home authorities, and once they had a Chair he felt sure a College would spring from it.

The ' Telegraph ' adds : "In connection with the establishment of a Chair of Music, to defray the cost of which L 6.000 has been subscribed by the public apart from Mr Ormond's offer, a stipulation is made by the principal donor that a scholarship shall be awarded for the purpose of encouraging the study of wind instruments. One of the ideas associated with this movement was to form a grand orchestra; but the expense forbade its consideration. That it, however, may become an actual fact of the future, it has been thought wise that attention should be given to the cultivation of the study of brass instruments, clarionets, flutes, and the like, so that in years to come the orchestra will really be an outcome of the Chair of Music, just as much as it is hoped the College will be before long. Mr Ormond holds that too much time is spent upon the piano and the violin, and accordingly has recommended the matter to the consideration of the University Council. When Mr Ormond met the Council and acquainted them that he would hand over the L 20.000 he had promised this week, he further stated that he would enclose a cheque for L2OO, to cover the expense of cablegrams and pay the fare of the professor and all the cost he incurred in coming to Victoria, so that he might land free of all liabilities. The offer was accepted with thanks, and an assurance given that every effort would be put forth to secure the best man, and his attendance, without delay. Tho new professor will receive a salary of LI ,000 a-year, together with house and eo on, and will be chosen from the musical circles of Great Britain or the Continent, according as the committee of selection may determine."