VIENNESE CHOIR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23503, 14 November 1939, Page 11

VIENNESE CHOIR

STAY IN AUSTRALIA CATHOLIC CENTENARY ' VICTORIAN CELEBRATIONS Until the end of the war the youthful members of the Viennese Boys' Choir, who were not allowed to leave Australia when the war broke out, will remain in tho care of the Archbishop of Melbourne, who has arranged for their education. They have made a deep impression in Melbourne, according to the Rev. Dr! Buxton, who, with Mon6ignor Holbrook, represented the Auckland diocese at the recent Catholic Centenary of Victoria, and returned to Auckland yesterday. When war broke out, the choir was »t Perth. The authorities refused to e!!ow them to leave the country, and the Archbishop in Melbourne, Dr. Mannix, was able ; to arrange for them to be boarded out with families in the parish of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. They have since formed themselves into the nucleus of a cathedral boys' choir,' under Dr. Gritber, who ably conducted them in their concert tours in vari'ous parts of the world. Dr. Buxton said yesterday that their fine singing, and their striking red silk robes and white sashes formed a memorable background for the centenary celebrations, among which was the blessing of the newly-built cathedral spires, second only in height to those of Salisbury Cathedral in England. These spires are flood-lit at night, and on the top of the main spire is a light which shines over Melbourne as a warning for local aircraft. Both the spires and the narthex, or outer porch," were erected in memory of pioneer bishops and archbishops of the Catholic ChiYrch in Melbourne.