MR. VERBRUGGHEN.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 6 January 1923, Page 4

MR. VERBRUGGHEN.

The New South Wales-Minister for j Education (Mr. Bruntnell), when inter, .viewed on the subject of the resignaj tion of Mr. Henri Verbrugghen, cxi pressed regret. In a long statement ' Mr. Bruntnell indicated the position in regard to the orchestra as he found :it on taking up office. IHe said he found that there was an ; annual loss of £8000 on the orchestra, and that Mr. Verbrugghen was on i holidays to extend over twelve months. Mr. Bruntnell said that he got into communication with the most reput- , able musical authorities in Sydney, and they were unanimous that Mr. VerI brugghen was the man for the job. i , Ways and means were then devised to ' i assure that the orchestra could be ! maintained without this loss, arrangements having been made with Victoria and New Zealand.. Then he, as Minis, ter, endeavoured to get into communication with Mr. Verbrugghen, , sending wires wbich chased him all over the world. Finding him at last, much communication was' maintained be-1 tween Mr. Verbrugghen and hinrself. | and it was evident from the nature of Mr. Verbri\gghen's replies that he had grievances, real or fancied, for which the present Government certainly was not responsible. One of the conditions of his return was that he should be ; free from political interference, and he also asked for an addition to his< salary of £1500 per year and a guaran- '■ tee of at least 60 concerts. j "In reply/ continued the Minister. I "I told hini that, personally. I could guarantee nothing, but that'l believed •

that if he would return and have a personal conversation with me we should be abje to smooth away most of the difficulties. Some time elapsed after this, and then he cabled his resignation This matter was discussed i by the Cabinet fourteen days ago, ancLJ it was decided to cable him, asking"^ him to reconsider his resignation and come back at the end of his leave, when it was believed, all the matters would be amicably settled. That was the last I heard of it till 1 saw in the papers that he had cabled to his wife that he intended to lesign. Personally, I regret the action Mr Verbrugghen has taken, and 1 still hope that he may reconsider his decision Unquestionably, Mr. Verbrugghen is a man of genius, but the Government will make every effort to maintain the orchestra."

mis is a quiet time in the musical world, for many people take advantage of the holidays to get away for a trip. Ihe societies enjoy a snelf and church choirs do but little extra music. Carols and a Christmas anthem were suim- at St. Mary's Church, Mr Hutton at the organ, but nothing special was sung at any of tlie other churches. The good work done during the year by the Male Choir, the Orchestral' Society, and the Hawera Chorus and Orchestra in coniunction with the Wellington Choral Society, were so successful that it is to be hoped the possibilities of more good choral work being done will not b e overlooked. There are distinctly good prospects, and it wouldbe a sin not cultivate them. The Taranaki Herald made appreciative reference to the choral work done by the Hawera Society, and showed that they have that spirit of reciprocity which is so valuable in music as in other spheres, and which has received by the Wellington visit a striking proof of its real existence amongst musical bodies in the Dominion. Everyone will hope that this spirit will grow and be extended. It is an influence for good in every sphere of life and o£ activity. Many will remember with pleasure the Westminster Abbey Boys some yeairs ago. jVLusic lovers are now promised a treat in the tour of the Westminster [ Glee Singers. They will comprise four | men and sixj boys, the most noted boy j soloists in England. Their work is principally madrigals and glees, and includes solos by both boys and men. Master Harry Collier, one of the small boys of the party, is reputed to be one of the most talented pianists of the London School of Choristers. Master Collier, too, is regarded as among tbe most noted boy soloists in England. All the six boys have been chosen from this school. 'The youngest. Master Albert Cooper, who is only 12 years of i age, is the possessor of a sweet voice which was well suited to his solo, ."The Swallows." The chief boy soloist is Master Edmund Walter. The salient characteristics of the boys' voices are their beauty, purity of expression, and faultless articulation. One of the most interesting numbers is the 1560 com- ; position, "Going to My Lonely Bed." . Mr Branscombe describes this period in j British musical history as very interestI ing. A suite of nursery rhymes has been composed especially for them. Mr Branscombe is bringing out some new ! arrangements of Christmas carols as well as some favourite anthems. The ! voyage will provide the necessary time \ for final rehearsal, and the tour should ' be i|he means of affording very many ; pleasant musical evenings. j One is always glad to read of the success of a New Zealand artist. The notice therefore of a London recital by Miss K. Garven, contralto, from the j Dominion, which has met with genuine approval from the London critics —a. very severe ordeal—will be read fiih in- ] fewest. Her work was unproved >by such critics as M> T. P. O'Connor. Other newspaper critics ' said they were convinced of her success in the future. "Olla Podrida," in the .Taranaki Herald, refers interestingly to further records of past musical doings in New Plymouth. These date back to August, I 1881, and relate to the doings of the Taranaki Philharmonic Society. The earliest programme is that of a vocal and instrumental concert given by the society's orchestra, under the direction °l A£ r* Drew- ' The string section of the orchestra was quite complete; the wood-winds consisted of flutes and clarinet, the brass of cornets, horns and euphonium, and the percussion instruments included drum. and tympani. This concert was given in the Oddfellows' Hall and was for the purpose of raising funds for the purchase of instruments for the orchestra. A later programme shows a'fuller orchestra, including the oboe and trombone, this concert being given under the direction of Mr. G. Garry. Some of the members of the orchestra of those far-away days are still jn New Plymouth among them being Mr. Arnold, Mr. W. F Gordon, and Mr. R. c! Hughes. One of the most interesting ot the programmes is that for the. production of the oratorio "Elijah," under the direction of Mr. AngeV Forrest, at the opening of the Alexandra Half on January 17, 1883. The programme stated that the oratorio would be performed in its entirety. At, .th? end of an interesting biographical sketch by Mr. Charles Santely, the writer^ says: —"Sir Charles' recipe for old age was: Food—Anything eatable—in moderation. Drink Anything drinkable, red wine preferably—in moderation. Smoking— -Anything smokable, pipe preferred—in moderation. The four Charles—Gounod, Fechter, Santley, and Dickenswere all friends, and the two latter once combined in financing Fechter for a tour."