CITY ORGAN RECITALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15410, 19 September 1913, Page 4

CITY ORGAN RECITALS.

SATURDAY MOST SUITABLE.

PERFORMANCES FOR CHILDREN.

Certain suggestions affecting the most suitable nights for giving organ recitals at the Town Hall were placed before the City Council last night. The city organist (Mr. J. Ma-ughan Barnett) had' recommended to the Finance and Legal Committee that there should be a fixed night for recitals, and that tho hall should be reserved f<jr recitals on, Christmas and Good Friday nights. The committee had resolved that Saturday nights should be reserved for the organ, recitals, subject to engagements for lengthy periods; and that the city organist should have authority to recommend the engagement from time to time of vocal soloists.

Respecting Mr. Barnett's suggestion that there should be four free recitals in the year, primarily for schoolchildren, the committee recommended that it be adopted, and that the arrangements be left in the hands of Mr. Barnett to confer with the school authorities. , Mr. R. T. Michaels said he would like to have a balance-sheet showing how the recitals paid. He did not think Saturday i night was suitable for an organ recital. -j The council could let the Town Hall for j £20 on Saturday nights, and the recitals could be given on another night. The Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr)" stated that the sum of £230 was received from recitals given on 17 Saturday nights, and only £25 from recitals given on three other nights. The average attendance on the three other nights was only half that of Saturday night performances. It seemed quite impossible to induce people to attend during the week. He thought Saturday recitals should be given a trial, as they seemed to be preferred by the people. The idea ■of giving four recitals to children was an excellent one. Besides being educative it would be a good advertisement. • The recommendation was adopted.