Public Reception to Miss Maida Hooker at Hawera

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 31, 23 July 1924, Page 41

Public Reception to Miss Maida Hooker at Hawera

It was fitting (writes the Haw era. Star ) that on her return from London, where she had been studying music for three years, Miss Hooker should be publicly welcomed by the people of Hawera. The Mayor, Mr. L. A. Bone, who presided, told of the excellent work she had done from the time she passed her first examinatioi till she got her A.T.C.L. and L.A.B, while a pupil of the Timaru convent under Mrs. Mangos, and her A.R.C.M. in London. He also mentioned her success in securing an Associated Board exhibition, which after a year or two spent at the Sydney Conservator! um, she was able to take up in London. He specially referred to the fact that in a great deal of her training she was under New Zealanders, all of whom had 'achieved great success, showing how the young New Zealanders became prominent in the profession when they went abroad. It was, he said, most creditable to her, and showed that besides being a brilliant musical student, she was gifted with the power to work and persevere. He said that the people of the town had taken great interest in her success, and now on their behalf he had the greatest pleasure in publicly welcoming her back to the town, and in giving her the assurance that wherever she might settle, she would carry with her the heartiest good wishes of all. Amid hearty applause, Miss Hooker made a brief reply, expressing the great pleasure she felt at being back once more with her friends, and also her deep appreciation of the many nice things said about her. Mr. R. Page, hon. representative of the Associated Board, under the aegis of which institution Miss Hooker had studied, welcomed her on behalf of the musical people of the district. He said that he felt sure the welcome given was sincere, and whole-hearted, and that Hawera was proud of her as one of the girls whose good work in the Old Land had made better known the name of Hawera and of the Dominion. He said that Mr. and Mrs. Hooker must be proud of her and quite fittingly so. In conclusion, he endorsed the Mayor’s assurance of the interest that would always be taken in her future, and that she would carry with her the best wishes of the people. Monsignor Power, in an eloquent address, sketched the progress made by Miss Hooker from the time she first entered the convent school, where later she made a brilliant pass in the top standard at the age of twelve, on the occasion of which a highly complimentary letter had been sent to the Hawera Convent School by the members of the Wanganui Education Board. He said that with the success she had secured, the excellent reports of her work she had received, and the laudatory remarks of that evening’s speakers, she would still remain unspoiled. As the Mayor was present in his official capacity, to state that she had done credit to the Royal Academy that had honored her, so he (the Monsignor) was also officially present as her parish priest and head of her first school. Therefore his words would be official and spiritual. He reminded her that she had been taught by the nuns, both in Hawera and Timaru, that no girl could be a great musician -who was not herself inspired by a nobler muse than the mere world knew anything about; that music and song were the natural voices of piety, that she must first gaze within her own soul and then sing the pomp she saw there. For this there must be unaffected simplicity of mind, a singleness of purpose which does all for God, and gives its light to life, and a serenity of heart, unclouded as crystal, which is a joy of the love of God. Inspiration and imagination played a large part in the life of her who would give expression to the soul of song, and these were to be sought in the heart of prayer and in the morning meditation, which is the great essential of soul-culture. Let her go in for technique and the mechanical scaffolding of the musical art as much as she pleased, but music sprang, not from the scaffolding but from the cultured soul within. The soul must be cultured to express itself, and deeply cultured to express itself nobly, and our convent pupils had a duty to express themselves nobly. There must be nothing meretricious about their art; they need never stoop to the vulgar or merely commonplace; it was for them to pick and choose and lead the fashion ; their number and their place in the first rank of New Zealand artists gave them this advantage. But in choosing they must remember that the musical art was trine—noble words, noble music and noble expression, forming a perfect harmony between the good, the true,' and the beautiful. He knew of nothing

more capable of turning a. girl into a finished and conscious artist than the training and experience of the Convent School. When such a girl sang or played, you heard the soul of music, you beheld Revelation, Religion, and Piety beautified by art. He was proud of Miss Hooker whom he had known from her birth, but he was more proud of her parents who took little care about filling their children’s pockets with money, but who had made many sacrifices to give them minds and, hearts well developed and well equipped. Mr. L. 0. Hooker briefly thanked the speakers for their appreciative remarks, and said that Mrs. Hooker and he were more than repaid by the success of their daughter and by the fact that she had had a very thorough training. He paid a very fitting tribute to the excellent work in training done by Miss D. Reilly, and added that later she went to Timaru, where under Mrs. Mangos she secured her degree and her scholarship. He said they had made it their aim in life to give the best education possible to them to their children, and this, he added in conclusion, was the best that any parents could do for their sons and daughters. He thanked all those who were present, and said the evening had been in every way most gratifying to them. Piano solos were given by Miss Mara Mackie and Miss E. Goodson, songs by Mrs. M. J. Goodson, and ’cello solo by Mr. Saxon Jones. By special request Miss Hooker played two piano solos, a very descriptive selection by a modern French composer and a Brahms waltz, both of which were most appreciated. Miss Hooker showed excellent technique and brilliant execution, and withal the power to express the delicacy of artistic expression necessary for the beauty of the Brahms number. Her playing was much enjoyed. It will be of interest to our readers to learn that Miss Hooker is granddaughter of the late Mr. J. J. O’Connor, who was so long and so honorably connected with the New Zealand Tablet. <Xh> ASHBURTON NOTES (From our own correspondent.) July 9. On Wednesday evening, the 2nd inst., a social conducted under the auspices of the Catholic Literary and Debating Society, took place in the club rooms, the gathering being presided over by the president (Mr. Win. Bryant). Progressive euchre was interspersed with musical items contributed by Misses Meeking and Scott, and Messrs. Cullen, Hutchinson, and Horgan. The winners of the progressive euchre were Mrs. T. Sullivan and Mr. H. Lennon. The consolation prizes being awarded to Mrs. D. Fitzgerald and Mr. T. Gorman. A dainty supper served by the ladies terminated a very successful evening. On Wednesday evening, July 16, there will be a competition for a trophy given by an enthusiastic member of the chib. The .programme will be a ten minutes speech on any man of note in history. Mi. M. Timmings, who has been for several years in charge of the N.Z. Farmers’ Co-operative Association at Rakaia, is at present on vacation. He proceeds shortly on promotion to a post in the head office, Christchurch. His transfer is very much regretted in Rakaia, where he has proved himself a capable and popular official. The funeral of the late Mrs. Sarah Brankin took place on Friday, the 27th ult. The cortege left the residence of deceased, Madras Street, Christchurch, and proceeded to St. Mary s Church, where Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father O’Connell. The funeral then left for the Ashburton Cemetery. At Rakaia. it was joined by a large number of motor cars, and many Ashburton relatives and friends attended at the graveside, where the Very Rev. Dean O’Donnell officiated. The late Mrs. Brankin, who lived for 48 years at Wakanui, leaves six daughters and one son to mourn their loss. —R.I.P. Members of the Catholic community throughout Canterbury will regret to hear of the serious illness of Mr. P. Hanrahan, sen., of Dromore. Mr. Hanrahan is the father of Father T. Hanrahan, Adm. of the Christchurch Cathedral, Father James Hanrahan, and such valued members of the Catholic community of Ashburton as Messrs. L. Hanrahan, J. Hanrahan, and F. Hanrahan, also Mr. E. Hanrahan, representative in Christchurch of the N.Z. Tablet. All wish him a speedy recovery.