THE CHAIR OF MUSIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9015, 30 March 1888, Page 3

THE CHAIR OF MUSIC.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —As a member of the community I must enter my strong protest against this appointment, and the way in which it has been made. What the members of the Council were about it is difficult to say. The subject no sooner appears to have been mentioned by the chairman than it was wholly accepted by the Council, as if because the chairman named it and there happened to be a windfall from one of the endowments, the appointment must be made off-hand, as it was. It may have been quite right to establish a Chair of Music and to fill it; but why were applications not invited both in this and the adjoining colonies, saying nothing of England. Had this been done the public would doubtless have been satisfied, for their diplomas, &c., would have been produced and qualifications could be tested. As it is the matter looks as if there was some pre-arrangement, and the Council had not the backbone to say "no" to it. The answer which should have been given to the chairman was that the subject was too important a one to be dealt with in such a summary manner, and that time to secure applications and to consider must be given. This was the bare duty of the Council, arid it was especially due to the very large music-loving section of this community. I think it is very greatly to be regretted that this first step in this direction was not taken after more mature consideration and in a manner which would have produced every satisfaction.—l am &c., Citizen.

Auckland, March 29, 188 S.