NELSON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND ITS NEW ORGAN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue X, 7 September 1895, Page 291

NELSON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND ITS NEW ORGAN.

THE amount of interest shown by the people of Nelson in musical matters is probably not exceeded in any town of similar size in New Zealand. The School of Music, established some years or so ago, and directed by Herr Michael Balling (a magnificent viola player, and a cultuied musician who has enjoined a personal acquaintance with many of the foremost European celebrities), has been a great success, and under the same gentleman’s conductorship the Harmonic and the Orchestral Societies flourish. The latest event in the musical world there has been the erection of a new organ in the Trinity Presbyterian Church. The present edifice was opened by Rev. James Paterson in February, 1892. It has a seating accommodation of about 450, and cost / 2.000. The new organ, erected by Messrs Fincham and Hob. day, of Melbourne, has given unequalled satisfaction. It contains eleven speaking stops, a tremulant, and five couplers. It is constructed on the most modern improved tubular pneumatic principle. ’ The tone is exceedingly good, and the touch lighter than of most pianos. The opening recital was given on Friday, July 26th, by Mr Maughan Barnett, of Wellington, assisted by members of the church choir and others. The second recital was also given by the same performer on the following Monday, when he had the assistance of Herr Balling. The congregations on both these occasions and the intervening Sunday were record ones. The Rev. James H. Mackenzie is the present minister, and Mr Robert Snodgrass is the organist.