ORGAN AND BELLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 4 May 1938, Page 8

ORGAN AND BELLS

FINANCING A REPAIR FUND

A FI’ZZLE FOR r\RISHIONFRS WHERE’S TIIF MONEY COMING FROM ?

The statement from a responsible quarter that all is not as it should be with the All Saints organ was considered at the annual meeting of parish- ! ioners last evening in conjunction with a further question from another parishioner as to whether it was of any use asking if anything could be done to tune the chiming bells at All Saints. Mr A. C. Webb, the organist, said that in the All Saints organ they had one of the finest in the country, but over past years it was steadily deteriorating for lack of necessary attention. It had a bit of borer in it. not very serious but serious enough: it rattled somewhat, was a bit jerky and a bit bumpy; and some of the stops were liable to go off at a tangent. Wc can find money for other things; I cannot understand why we cannot find it for the organ.” said Mr Webb. “It is a compliment to the makers that it has stood up to the work so long without attention. Very few churches would put up with it in its present condition, and v\e have let it go” Unjustified criticism was sometimes levelled at the 01 ganist when the organ was to blame. Music, continued the speaker, was a very necessary part of their church life. There was* at present a fund in existence for repairing the organ, but the amount in it was only £l. Mr Webb said that he would like to see the fund extended. In other places not so well off as All Saints they seemed to find the money, said Mr Webb, in reply to Mr H. J. Flatt. who asked how he would suggest the fund should be financed. “PAINTING YEAR THIS YEAR" The Vicar. Canon D. Haultain. suggested that the incoming vestry might confer with Mr Webb and the choir in the matter to discuss ways and means ;of restoring the organ. The problem i was there was one thing after another. It would be a wrong principle to start a fund for the organ before they had finished the painting of the building. He advocated one thing at a j time. It should be "organ year” next year, just as it should be "painting year" ' this year. Mr J. Lane pointed out that the matter of repairing the organ had be~n shelved year after year. The Vicar remarked that what was needed was for someone to leave them £SOO as a legacy. It was resolved on the motion of Mr H. Burnett that the vestry confer with Mr Webb on the matter as to ways and means. OUT OF TUNE ; In reference to the bells, which need--led tuning, the Vicar said that while he was in England he had tried to get in touch with tubular bell makers but had not been successful. The original makers of the All Saints bells W'ere no longer in business. Further inquiries are to be instituted in New Zealand as to the possibility of tuning the bells. Speaking as choirmaster ui reference to matters in connection with th? church's musical life, Mr Webb thanked those ladies who had that evening offer - ed contributions for the purchase of hymn books for the children's choir. A \ ote of thanks w r as passed to Mr Webb for his interest in training the children.