MR COPLEY'S SUCCESSFUL EFFORT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12601, 5 September 1910, Page 8

MR COPLEY'S SUCCESSFUL EFFORT.

1 PLAYS FOR 684' HOURS. The effort of Mr Godfrey Copley, of : Wanganui. to break all previous re- ! coids for endurance piano-playing, was crowned with success on Saturday rught when .he'"succeeded in playing fo" 68 I hours 30 minutes, or four hours longer I than the record. Considerable intfiiest was taken .in the effort from the beginning, but on Saturday the number of visitors to tho Opera House Avas unusually large. In the evening the building was crowded, almost oery seat being occupied. At 7.45 Mr Copley equalled the record, and when this announcement was made he was heartily cheered. He then played for the pictures,. and at the conclusion of the •entertainment P[is Worship the Mayor [ came forward and congratulated the player on his achievement. It was also announced that Mr Copley would conj finue as long as he was able. An extempore programme was then subnritt--ed to "pass time." About 11 o'clock a meeting of the committee was held, and it was decided to stop the player at 11.35, when he would have added four hours to the record. It was felt | that this was quite sufficient maigin, although Mr Copley, judging by appearances, could have continued for some considerable time. At tho hour arranged, the pianist ceased ploying, i'amidsf much cheering and applause. The Mayor, on behalf of Mr "Copley, thankpc' the audience, and said that if the record was broken by anybody, Mr -Copley would make another attempt to lower it.

As has been previously sbated, a small committee made arrangements for the contest, but special meulion must be made of Messrs Bert Brown, Frank Lincl. George Chamberlain, and S. Collis, who worked like Tnv.ans in atteding to the pianist, taking "shifts" during each 24 hours. They employed common-sense method.? of treatment, and lost no chances of bringing their man safely through bis ordeal.