A RELIC OF EARLY DATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12303, 22 June 1903, Page 5

A RELIC OF EARLY DATS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] Dtjnedin, Saturday. The OLcign Early Settlers' Association, which is doing good work in preserving the memories of the early days and the pioneers of the province, lias just secured an interesting relic in the shape of the barrel organ brought out in 1351 for the English Church, whoso services were then hold in the old Courthouse on ihe beach. Dr. Hocken, in his book, " Contributions to Early History," gives an amusing account of this organ, but even it (the organ) was not free from disadvantages, perhaps due to the wilful carelessness or ignorance of those who ensconced behind a curtain had charge of its internal arrangements. Thus a long-metre tune might be fitted for a- line or two to a short metre hymn, and when the mistake was rectified a neglected stop produced an appalling silence only biolvfcii. by the vicious turning of the handle. One gentleman (Mr. W. Oarr Young), after treating the congregation to two or three curies by way of voluntary, was heard to mutter, "So much for that little lot." In 1853 this organ was replaced by a harmonium, and was bought and taken to Oamaru, where, on the application of the (secretary, it was presented to the association.