A COLLEGE OF MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 260, 7 November 1906, Page 5

A COLLEGE OF MUSIC.

BALLABAT, Tuesday,

Professor F. W. Beard, the English adjudicator, regarding the founding in Australia of a national school or college of music, lias accepted from the New Zealand Government the position of adjudicator of the musical section of the competition to be held at the Christchurch Exhibition.

Professor Beard states that since his arrival in Victoria lie has had abundant evidence "that Australians arc a musical people, and that there is a good deal of latent talent capable of high-class development if proper means arc devised for a comprehensive system of tuition under Federal auspices. The proposed college should be properly equipped with a staff of professors, who should be specialists in their particiilar departments of study, so that pupils would be enabled to receive a complete course of tuition similar to that given by the Boyal College and Academy of Music in England. This course, Professor Beard foels assured would result, with tlie splendid material available, in the presentation to the world in due course of a number of Australian artists who would reflect very great credit on their college and on the country that gave them birth. The founding of an Australian national college -would obviate the necessity of Australians journeying to othev lands to receive, at considerable expense, a musical education that could be made easily available at their own doors at a minimum cost.

Professor Beard is also of opinion that the time is ripe for the instituting of a national musical festival in Australia, at which Australian artists all over the world could be brought together, say every three years, for a series of performances of an educational character.

Mr. R. H. W. Bligli addressed a meeting of men and lads in the Newmarket Public Hall last night. The Mayor presided, and spoke "highly of the work being done by the lecturer. To-day Mr. Bligh was at Devonport school., and the children were very pleased with the address. Mr. Bligh will address men and lads in St. George's Hall, Grey Lynn, tomorrow evening.

The price of soap has been raised £ 1 per ton by the local companies, makinw a total advance of £ 2 per ton within the past' week, evidently in keeping with the rise in the English and Australian markets. This is not far off a farthing per pound increase, and it necessarily follows that a corresponding advance -will take place in the retail rates.

Mr. C. A. Hickson, Secretary .for Stamps, has been on a holiday trip in Australia, and has returned to Wellington, yeiy much improved, in health.