N.S. WALES STATE ORCHESTRA RETURNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 52

N.S. WALES STATE ORCHESTRA RETURNS.

MR VERBRUGGHEN'S IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND. (Feom Oue Own Coheespondknt.) SYDNEY, February 25. The New South Wales State Orchestra, said to be the only State-owned enterprise in this part of the world that is a commercial success, returned from New Zealand by the Maheno. this week. The conductor, Mr Henri Verbrugghen, discussing the dominion tour, said that three things were clear: The people of New Zealand had bo?n wonderful in their enthusiasm and in making the tour a financial success (the orchestra getting no le&s than £12,000 of their money); travelling in New Zealand was too often a serious discomfort; and there was a troublesome scarcity of suitable accommodation. "-

"It was a great experience in a beautiful country,", said Mr Verbrugghen. ' Everywhere great cordiality was shown the orchestra, and the people were generous with their motor cars, _ taking the' musicians on delightful excursions. There was ah official welcome in each town—altogfcher it was a wonderful experience for • the members of the orchestra." But the conductor could not forget the discorh--forts of travelling—the long journey frorh' Wellington to Auckland without adequate sleeping accommodation; the arrival in Wellington from Napier, only to find that sufficient hotel accommodation was not available ; the experience of going to sleep on the Maori," and, in the morning, finding her still tied up at the Lvttelton wharf; the nights spent in dismal country "pubs"; the lack of enthusiasm in cold and immoveable Otag'o and Southland, where the. takings considerably reduced the hitherto excellent average per concert. However,. Mr Verbrugghen declared himself more than willing to return to New Zealand and the pleasant friendships he had made there. On his return to Sydney, Mr Verbrugghen; found a cablegram from America offering, him a five years' engagement at 20,000" dollars for a seven months' season each year. Mr. Verbrugghen is waiting to 'see what the State Government has to say about, it. Mr Verbrugghen is a man of unique quali-, fications—but that ..salary is likely to make the average elector sit up ant? talk.: