A New Zealander in Sydney Town

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 972, 15 May 1930, Page 9

A New Zealander in Sydney Town

SYDNEY, March 8. Success of Baekhaus It says something for Sydney’s musical taste in these days of financial depression, not to mention talkies, when a pianist can fill the town hall. Almost every seat, including every available one in the organ stalls, was occupied today at one of the most notable afternoon concerts Sydney has known for a very long tithe. It was interesting to observe that a good half of the great audience there to listen to Wilhelm Baekhaus. comprised young people of both sexes. Baekhaus has changed but little since I last saw. him in Sydney. The hair has retreated a little from his “Beethoven” brow. Perhaps he has lost a little condition as -well. But he Interprets with the same magnificent brilliance, and he makes an even greater Intellectual appeal than he did before. There may be pianists who have given one more emotional satisfaction: but, as an intellectual of the piano this truly great German is in a realm of his own. To the brain comes his challenge, rather than any great appeal to the heart. First of the Winter Concerts Baekhaus is the first of the musical visitors for the winter season. Next on the list are Florence Austral and her husband, John Amadio. They are already in Melbourne. Then Kubelik will be here before long. The attendance at all the Baekhaus concerts has been most gratifying: so much so, in fact, that extra concerts are announced. This is very satisfactory for E. J. Gravestoclr, under whose management the pianist, is appearing. Baekhaus was the first musician of importance to give an all-Beethoven recital in Sydney. It was so success- j ful that it is to be repeated next ! week. . “The Shivery Isles'* An upheaval of several acres of mud flats in the Poverty Bay district was heralded in a certain section of the Sydney Press as another sensation in "the shivery isles.” Nothing is more annoying to a New Zealander who has the welfare of his eountry genuinely at heart. The average New Zealander iii his homeland may not realise what a had effect such propaganda has upon, for instance, the tourist traffic. As is it, the Australian has a very hazy idea of New Zealand. He imagines that it is In a constant state of upheaval in one part or another. I recall one old grandfather who solemnly assured his grand-daughter on the eve of her departure for Maoriland that she would have to rvalk very warily in New Zealand because of the pot-holes, and that she should neve, venture out alone at first without a guide! Which sounds very silly, of course, but is nevertheless true. The dear old man had never seen New Zealand. He had never been out of Australia. But he regularly read the scare-lines concerning New Zealand thermal and other wonders in the Sydney newspapers. This is a matter that the New Zealand Association in Sj-dney should take up. Mr. John Fuller has been one of the few who have protested. And even his has been a “voice crying in the wilderness.” Alfred Frith in New Role It seems only the other day that 1 sped to Circular Quay to welcome Alfred Frith, comedian, on his return from the States. Poor Frithy had left under a cloud, hut was returning—and everyone rejoiced to know it—under the happiest circumstances. Now he is minus work and wife. Prospects for him are not particularly bright. Lucy Frith informed the judge in divorce this week that she had written to her husband asking him to return to her. Frith had declined. “I think it is in the interests of us both that we remain apart,” he replied. 1 That certainly appeared definite. Mr. Justice Stephen sanctioned the usual legal machinery being set in action to sever the marriage. Frith and Lucy Greenhill were married at Calcutta in 1913. Although she said she was “perfectly willing to forget and forgive” all that the comedian had done to make them quarrel since their return to Australia last year, Frith said he would never return and make another home for his wife. The Revenge of a “Red” Yelling of future wars and revolutions, a “Red” who was standing addressing a small crowd in Macquarie Place one day this week was enraged by the persistent taunts of an interjector. Unable to stand it any longer the Communist, his temper having got the better of him, shouted: “Ah! You do not know that I have a great memory for faces. When the revolution comes 1 will be on the guillotine, and then you shall pay for this day!” Revenge is sweet. But the crowd failed to take the speaker seriously. Laughing heartily, the bystanders drifted along the street. Admiralty House The residence of the Governor-Gen-eral in Sydney, which is really rather a beautifully situated white elephant overlooking the harbour at Kirribilli, has long been the cause of conflict between the State and Federal Governments. The Privy Council decided recently, however, that It was the property of the State Government. The Bruce-Page Government declined to pay the Governor-General’s rent to the State Government, claiming that the State should forgo Its right rather than have the naval base removed from Sydney. The old house-is used very occasionally by his Federal Excellency. For the great part of the year it is closed. The suggestion has been made that portion of its grounds, ! which are among the most attractive ! around the harbour, should be available to the public when the GovernorGeneral is not in residence. However, as yet the Labour Government has not announced its decision. ERIC RAMSDEN.