MR. ROBERT PARKER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8184, 27 July 1912, Page 6

MR. ROBERT PARKER

FAREWELL TO MUSICAL UNION

PRESENTATION OF PURSE

Mr Robert Parker, the retiring conductor of the Wellington Musical Union, was evening the recipient of a purse containing 150 sovereigns, at a farewell gathering tendered him by members of the union in St. Andrew’s schoolroom. Mr G. Shirtcliffe, who presided, said the gathering was supplementary to the recent benefit concert given so successfully in the Town Hall. They took leave of Mr Parker with mixed leelmgs of pleasure and regret. It was always pleasant to do honour to one who was held in such high esteem and respect, but they deeply regretted that the long connection between Mr Parker and the Musical Union was to bo severed. Bishop Sprott, speaking of an association with the guest of the evening extending over a period of twenty years, said Mr Parker’s work had .always been characterised by great reverence and the most r-ensativo devotion, with an entire absence ol self-display. During these twenty ycai-s there had been many visitors to Wellington, and many such visitors had from time to time worshipped in the church of which Mr Parker was organist, ami they had spoken to him in terms of high appreciation of the reverence and beauty of the music. It was only a few months ago that he received a letter from Lord Glasgow, a former Governor of Xew Zealand fifteen years ago. in which he recalled his enjoyment of the beau tv of the services of St. Paul's. (Applause.) Mr Parker might in a real sense be called the "father'' of music in the city of Wellington. He came here when Wellington was a very small place, and they knew how Mr Parker had fostered the growth of his art, not, indeed, it must be said, without some little criticism at times; nevertheless, they knew he never lowered his standard, and never allowed them to be content with anything but the highest and best in music. (Applause.) Mr F. V. Waters, on behalf of the choir, said that in tho name of every individual member of tßio union, ho wished to testify to their affection for Mr Parker personally and convey thenunqualified regret that he was unable to continue to conduct . the Musical Union. ...

The chairman, in handing’ tho gift to lur Parker, recalled bow hot .was a chorister undcV him in tho old days in Christchurch, over thirty years ago. His feelings of respect for him had grown with the years. They all admired the splendid work Mr Parker had done for the Musical Union, and for the societies prior to the formation of that union. His good work had permeated right through-out the community. They hoped he would be spared for many years of usefulness yet, and they asked him to accept this purse as an indication of the great esteem in which they held him. (Applause.) Mr Parker, who was very enthusiastically received, said that his first word of gratitude ■was to the speakers that night. It had been his privilege to have served under Bishop Sprott for twenty years, and he could not look back on that period without a feeling of emotion and thankfulness that be had been able to servo in this way. His musical work extended over forty years, and that was a very big slice in a man's life. To the members of tho Musical Union he was deeply grateful for the loyal and splendid work they had done during the period they had been together. It was difficult to keep anything going permanently here, because in this city we were in a constant state of flux, with the ever-changing population. The effort had to bo permanent but they did nob get permanent results. The works they had presented to tho public were of a kind that one would hardly expect t.o hear in such a remote part of the world. They might live in many towns in England, and never hear such works, except in the larger centres of musical life at Home. There was always a certain amount of sadness in coming to the end cf things in life, but ho had felt that the time was coming for him to narrow down his work. Ho had too many things on hand, and the work ho was doing for the Musical Union had made the greatest strain on his energies. He hoped that the church work would he the last that ho would have to renounce. (Applause.) f T am deeply grateful to you for all your kindnes« to me,” concluded Mr Parker. ‘ f l owe many of you thanks, many whom I don't even know byname. But with some of you, of course, I shall be associated with still, in the church choir and in my own private work, but it is now a final parting between us, as conductor and members of the Musical Union, and in that capicity I can only now bid you a grateful, respectful, and affectionate farewell.” (Loud applause.) During the evening musical items were contributed by Mesdames B. M. Wilson and A. M. Lewis, Miss Kennedy, and Messrs J. Bowman, P. K. Thompson, and Lgyoock. • > 1 ■"