THE CITY ORGAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23529, 18 June 1938, Page 28

THE CITY ORGAN

ro the EDiroii

Sir,—ln your issue of Wednesday, in an announcement in connection with the visit to Dunedin of a French organist, it is stated that the recital is under the auspices of the City Council. Now. Sir, may I ask why this artist merits this unusual attention from our city fathers? One would reasonably think that all their available time and

ability would be necessary discussing the extremely difficult and intricate municipal problems and investigating the causes underlying the social and economic difficulties now confronting them without initiating a precedent in arranging musical recitals for the entertainment of the general public. May I suggest to the new councillors, if they felt it was necessary that there should be a change of organist for some of the recitals with a view yi increasing the audience, that there are olenty of our local organists who would welcome the opportunity of playing on the Town Hall organ for the fee generally paid to the city organist, which, I understand, is £6 for about one hour’s performance every, fortnight, averaging 20 recitals during the year for £l2O. I am sure the ratepayers would be glad to know that money was being divided among I "cal organists, many of whom have never had the opportunity of performing on this organ., instead of the City Council introducing artists to perform from other countries. Efforts made in the suggested direction would foster the spirit of good fellowship among musicians and set up an atmosphere of welfare and harmony to the advantage of everyone concerned. —I am, etc.. Ratepayer. [The reference In the above letter to “a change of organist” may be supposed to be promoted by the fact that the city organist has applied for leave of absence for six months, during which period the fortnightly recitals will, under an arrangement made by him, be carried on by two local organists. The city organist does not receive a fee per recital. He is paid an annual salary, and is at the call of the City Council for any important occasion for which it may require his services.—Ed.. 0.D.T.l