THE BECHSTEIN GRAND PIANO

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22951, 20 May 1949, Page 6

THE BECHSTEIN GRAND PIANO

The Mayor, Mr N. H. Bull, submitted the following statement to the Herald yesterday:— “Your report in Wednesday night s Issue relating to the Bechstein grand piano recently purchased by Mr. H. F. Wise, although substantially correct, did not make clear the reason that this matter was brought up at the Borough Council meeting. During my remarks I produced a report published in the Free Lance on March 30 in which the following statement appeared: “‘A search in England and on the Continent over the past 12 months for a concert-grand piano preceded the arrival in Gisborne of a 9ft. Bechstein instrument. The beautifully toned piano has been donated to the town by the president of the British Musical Society in Gisborne. Mr. H. F. Wise.’

“The publication of this article and various statements in the local press,” stated- the Mayor, “had apparently caused many people to believe that the piano had actually been donated to the borough and was under its control. “Having received a number of inquiries and one complaint from a celebrated artist; who was not permitted the Use df the Beehstein'and who was under the, impression that the borough had something to do with it, I felt it was essential that the real position should be clarified, and Mr. Wise, has now made it quite clear that the piano is entirely tinder his control and he selects to whom he will hire it.”

The matter has been referred to Mr. H F. Wise, who states that since the piano has been installed' in' the Opera House no artist has been' refused pefmission to use it.

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