NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 277, 27 November 1906, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION.

THE EXHIBITION ORGAN. WELLINGTON MUSICIAN'S CRITICISM. By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) * WELLINGTON, this day. Mr. Maughan Barnett, the well-known organist, interviewed by a "Post" reporter on his return from Christehurch, where he has been giving a series of recitals on the Exhibition organ, was not very flattering in his remarks concerning the merits of that instrument. It badly needed regulation, asserted Mr. Barnett, it was not in tune, and some parts of the action wera altogether too noisy. There are some charming effects to be obtained on the choir organ, but the other manuals contain no stops soft enough to accompany the more delicate solo stops on that manual. The pedal organ also contains no stops soft enough for such accompaniments. ' There are stops on the other manuals, which Mr. Barnett likes, but the full organ is harsh, an effect chiefly caused by the heavy reed stops. As to the orchestral work, Mr. Barnett says that it is far and away ahead of anything orchestral he has heard since he has been in the colonies, and the shockingly bad attendances at the concerts was a surprise to him. Unless, there is a very big improvement in this respect, o says Mr. Barnett. it wiU be difficult to credit Chvistchurch people with a taste for good 'music. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday, The attendance at tlie Exhibition today was ST'iO, which brings the total to date to 320;374. It is proposed to keep the Exhibition open until one a.m. on February 1, and at midnight to have a grand display of fireworks, arranged and executed by the firm of Messrs James Pain and Sons, of London, who have been sent out specially for the purpose. Exhibitions of fire-walking by the Fijian natives from the. island of Bega will take place in the Exhibition sports grounds on Monday, December 17 (An niversary Day); Thursday, December 20; and Saturday, December 22. It is proposed to run railway excursions on the Monday and Thursday. His Excellency the Governor will be present at the exhibition to be given on December 20. , WELLINGTON, this day. The Secretary of .Customs (Mr W. T. Glasgow) lias informed Mr H. F. Allen, secretary of the Wellington Advisory Committee of the Exhibition, that no duty will be charged ou pictures, statuary, and works, of art exhibited at the Exhibition and subsequently purchased by any public institution (.that is any public institution or art association registered as a corporate body, or any public school, college, or university) for display in the buildings of such institutions, and hot to be sold or otherwise disposed of by such institution.