Auckland Choral Society’s Organ.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XV, 13 October 1900, Page 685

Auckland Choral Society’s Organ.

At the meeting; of the Auckland Choral Society last week, after a most warm reception had i>een accorded to Dr. Thomas, the society's new conductor, the Hon. J. A. Tole, who occupied the chair, intimated that tie nad a very pleasing duty to perfolilt. He had that night to announce that Mr Henry Brett, proprietor of the “Auckland Star" and chairman of the committee of the Choral Society, had made a gift of the fine organ in the hall to the Auckland Choral Society. (Applause.) It was Mr Brett’s express wish that it should be formally presented on the evening of Dr. Thomas’ reception. He need hardly say that in choosing that occasion for presentation of the gift Mr Brett had not only added a graceful touch of eclat to Dr. Thomas' reception. but thus marked a long-to-be remembered period in the history of the Society. The terms of the gift were short and simple, and betokened Mr Brett’s generosity and encouragement of musical societies. His letter was as follows: — “The Committee of the Auckland Choral Society: Dear Sirs. —It has been my earnest desire for a number of years now that the Choral Society, which has done so much for the education of the Auckland public in the appreciation of higher class music, should be in possession of theimportant

auxiliary of a first-class organ. When the organ was erected in the Society’s hall in connection with the recent Exhibition, it appeared to me that, providing the instrument was a good one, it would be a great pity not to devise means of acquiring it permanently for the Society. On this question of the excellence of the organ, there has been a gratifying and almost unanimously favourable consensus of opinion; 1 am pleased to find that the opinion of the merits of the instrument is coincided in and confirmed by the late Herr Carl Schmitt's successor, Dr. Thomas. “As the state of the Choral Society's funds precluded the purchase of the organ, and its removal would necessarily follow. I decided to purchase it myself and present it to the Auckland Choral Society; and I now have pleasure in doing so, subject to the condition that any other properly' constituted musical society in our city shall have the use of the organ at any concert given in the hall upon payment of £l, in addition to the usual hall charges. The revenue derived from this source should, I think, be employed in defraying the expenses of maintaining the instrument and extending its compass. I hope that in this way the Choral Hall will be better fitted to fulfil the purpose of its founders as the chief centre for the culture of music in our city, and will be a source of perennial pleasure to all lovers of the divine art.

“1 would suggest that the organ be held in trust for the Society by the Chairman and Secretary for the time being; ami I shall be glad to confer with the members of the committee, or a sub-committee appointed by them, for the consideration of this question. “Mr F. Earl, one of the trustees of the Choral Hall, haft kindiv offered to prepare any necessary documents free of charge. “Yours sincerely, (Signed) H. BRETT.” Mr. Tole, continuing. said he might add that this was not the outcome of a new-born impulse or love for the Choral Society on Mr Brett’s part. Mr Brett was one of the oldest, and he might safely add one of the fondest members of the Society (applause). For many years he took the principal bass solos of the important works | rod need. and when, owing to the multifarious claims upon his time. Mr Brett was unable to devote time to solo work. he. as often as his ma.ny duties would permit, assisted in the choruses. He was vice-chairman for many years, and was elect* d chairman on the death of the revered founder of the society, Mr F. 1). Fenton. Mr Brett was also, with Mr Fred. Earl, a trustee of this hall, and in all these capacities he had rendered signal service to the cause of music. His great per-onal interest in the society and his loyalty to the pro-

motion of the art of music bad been of greatest value. Whilst the organ was a free gift, and under th control of the Auckland Choral Society. it was practically a gift to the public, for all recognised musical societies were to have the use of the organ for a merely nominal fee, which would l>e devoted to the maintenance ami extensi n of tin* capabilities of the instrument. It might be of interest for him to state that the organ was built by Mr G. Croft. in 1898, to the order of the Auckland Exhibition Executive. Its original cost was £625; small altera* ions. £25; cost of engine, b Hows, and tittings. £lll. Altogether, therefore, the value of the organ amounted to £786. (Applause.) With regard to this munificent gift, many f<atuns for eulogy must pass through their minds, but the one which commended itself most to his for the moment was that it was not that worst form of a gift, a posthumous gift, but one the fruits of which the giver would enjoy with them all. and also enjoy the gratitude of this generation, who would perpetuate his memory and his benefaction. In Mr Brett’s name Mr I ole formally declared the organ as presented by him to the Auckland Choral Society, and in conc’usi.m proposed the following resolution: — “That this society owes a deep debt of gratitude to Mr Henry Brett for his most munificent gift.” This was carried by prolonged applause.