Colonial Piano and Organ Importing Company.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11828, 27 November 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

Colonial Piano and Organ Importing Company.

D- McKINNON BAIN, Manager.

Since the time when the old monkh 6rat astonished the people with their Gregorian chants, music has been the most popular of arts in England. In battle, in the ladies' boudoir, or on occasions of Statw, the English have shown themselves to be lovers of the harmony of sweat sounds, anc 1 while they may noi be so universally musical as the Italians, or so intensely elevated in their concep tion of the art as the Germans, they encourage the musician more practically than an} 7 other nation. In Australia and New Zealand the very freedom of lift stimulates song and laughter, and perhaps proportionate to population colonists are more musical than their kin in the Mother Country. They have produced stars of such eminence as Melba, She) - wiu, and Crossley, to mention no others. The trait characteristic of all New Zealanders is abundantly evident in this centre, and, judging from the rapid success of the Colonial Piano and Organ Importing Company, Taranaki people are unusually keen in their appreciation of the best music. They encourage the higher branches, and in later years arc evidencing a more ambitious favour. This improvement seem* to have been sensibly fostered by Mr D. McKinnon Bait!, manager of the above-named institution. The Company was established about four years ago by local people, Mr McKinnon Bain taking charge. They set themselves the task •of efficiently catering to and educating the tastes of New Plymouth people By tact, close observation of the requirements of the local community, and by a concise knowledge of the ramifications of the business 'at Homo, the manager has made his establishment a musical depot. The premises origi nally used were small, with but one window, and a stock of seven instruments on show. Within the short period of four yenrß,j[a large double windowed two storied building has been occupied, exhibiting in the show rooms constantly some forty pianos and organs, besides every other sort of wind and string instrument. Indeed, it is justly claimed that the Company have to-day the largest stock on the coast, and the most diverse, running the gamut from a violin |strin^ to a church organ. The premises ara handsome and well adapted in lighting arrangements and capacity to show otf the interesting collection. The Company are direct importers, in some re-, spects leading the way in Aastralasi 1, and their enterprise has met with its full measure of appreciation. Their pianos i come direct from the manufacturers, and besides being sole agents for the famous Hopkinsons pianos and also the Barratt and Robinsons, they stock such celebrated instruments as Collardand Collards,Mornington and Westons, and others. Tho Hopkinsons have become widely known all over Taranaki, and the Barratt and Robinsons are of such a reputation tha-t the firm are makers to the London School Board. Their object in obtaining these makes is (that they may present to the public a good English piano at a liberal price, whether the financial arrangement be for cash or on liberal terms. In organs they keep Mason and Hamlin*, the Thomas organs, and the Miller Organ Company's American manufactures, the people of the States being the most noted for excellence of tune and finish the world over. "In A addition to these larger lines the Colonial Piano Importing Company have every instrument in common or particular use in New Zealand—violins, banjos, mandolins, zithers, reed instruments, brass instruments, and whatnoi. They are sub-agents for Besson and Co, of London, and sole

agents for Kohler and Chase, of San Francisco, in musical compositions. The j latter agency is specially valuable, and enables Mr MeKiuaon Bain to give local people in bund music opportunities not presented so early anywhere els 9in tho colonyi Letters come to him from Queensland, Victorian, and Westraliau br«us bands for this inuaic, and he pushes the sale sedulously in tho Commonwealth by advertising in the newspapers. A big stock of sheet music is obtained, and as special , orders are tdwaj-s abroad, he gets the latest compositions before anyone else, -having a running arrangement with a wtell-known Australian house, and getting supplies from London. Ifc has been by evincing enterprise in such a manner that the business has grown so remarkably. The Company have never had any diSicnlty with their clients, and because every sale is made direct, without employing can vassers or other agents, the lowesfprices may be quoted. Piano tuners are stint out, and it is the intention of the Company to increase their usefulness in this department. In charge of tho tuning and repairing branches is a gentleman of wide experience in celebrated English houses. The Company send pianos and other instruments throughout Taranaki, as far f north as tho King Country and south as Dannevirke. Mr McKinnon Bam has a string band known all over the North Island, and is one of the leading spirits in tho projection of band contests. Ho is vicepresident of the North Island Band Association, and is otherwise well known iv musical circles, and is the composer of some pleasing music, fie has been associated with the music business all his life, his father being so engaged for forty years in Glasgow. Under him Mr D. McKinnon Bain remained for some time, after which be extended his experience in London. Then he visited various Australian colonies, coming to New Zealand seven years ago. In such experienced and enthusiastic hands as his the Colonial Piano Importing Company is sure to prosper and maintain its strong position on the coast.