PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20489, 7 March 1932, Page 15

PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS.

FORMATION OF CANTERBURY SOCIETY. MR LUND AN ACTIVE MEMBER. Much interest attaches to the minutebook of the Canterbury. Society of Professional Musicians, at present in the possession of Mr Sid?*? Williamson The book records the proceedings of the council of the Society, and of the annual meetings, from March 2nd, 1890, to February 23rd, 1907, with the exception of the period from 1901 to 1906, •when, apparently, no meetings were held. - Of special interest is the fact that for six years, from 1895 to 1901, Mr Lund was secretary of the Society, and the. minutes are written in his well-known, copperplate handwriting. The Founders of the Society. Mr Lund was one of the founders of the Soeiety, and others associated with ■him were . A. J. Morton, Max Hirschburjr, F. M. Wallace, H. Wells, G. 1. Tendall (who was president for several years), Davis Hunt, and R. Trist Searell. The intense interest taken by Mr Lund in the affairs of the Society and in the advancement of the welfare of its members, is manifested on almost every page of the-minUte-book. The. Society was a vigorous organisation, and was instrumental, comparatively early in its history, in obtaining concessions for. its members on the railway and stealers. It also took an active part in inaugurating the system of examinations under the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music, and, later, under Trinity College. Dominion Society Advocated. A matter that was strongly advocated bv the Society was the formation of similar societies throughout the Dominion, an 4 their amalgamation into a Dominion Society, Mr Lund took a prominent "part in this movement, and was one of the prime movers nrfounding the Wellington Society, which was an offspring of the Canterbury Society. It was not till 1922 that Mr Lund saw the realisation of his scheme for a Dominion Society, and the setting up of a music teachers' registration Board. An important step in connexion with music in the Dominion is recorded in the minutes of the meeting held on March 2nd, when, on Mr Lund s motion seconded by 3lr Merton, it was resolved to write to the Senate of the of New Zealand expressing the Society s gratification at the inclusion of musicas one of the subjects for the matnculation examination. Students' Competitive Examinations. Evidence of Mr Lund's interest in students of music and in efforts to assist them in attaining proficiency is contained in his schemes, adopted by the Society, in May, 18&6, for competitive examinations,* the details of are set forth in tlie mfnute-book. The opening clause reads: — For the purpose of fostering musical talent unable to jfay for good teaching, this Society will establish eompetitive examinations to be held annually in the month of Dcccmbei. The Council was to appoint the examinfers, and two scholarships might be

awarded in each subject—piano, violin, • organ, and singing. The first success- ; ful candidate was offered the choice of a teacher from the membership of the Society "at a charge not exceeding one guinea and a half per term for one year," which might be extended to two i years; the second successful candidate was offered the same choice, but tho fee was not to exceed three guineas. "In exceptional cases," another clause set out, "the first successful competitor, upon the recommendation of the exam- ; iners, may receive instruction free from a ny charge whatsoever." Messrs Tendall, Wallace, and Lund were appointed the examiners, and at a meeting on December 14th their report of the examination was adopted, and a scholarship for violin tuition was granted to Harry Tankard; no award was made in respect of tho competitors in the piano-playing class. When arrangements were made by Canterbury College for the Associated Board to conduct examinations in music in the Dominion, the Society's scheme was discontinued. Reference to the death of Mr 11. M. Lund was made at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Division of the Music Teachers' Association ot" New Zealand on Saturday evening. The president, Mr Sidney Williamson, said that Mr Lund could .be regarded as tho father of all musicians in Christchurch. He had always been a man of just outlook, and ho never allowed anything to sway him from his standards so far as his writings were concerned. He had over been ready to assist a fellow musician when help was wanted, and his personality was such that everybody _ could not help but respect him. In his opinion Mr Lund was one of finest men lie had met in his life. Incidentally he had been one of those early members of the Association who had combined together metaphorically to turn over the first sods of the musical life of the country. At the same time his particular work of fostering the growth of the love for pianoforte music in New Zealand had been most beneficial. At the conclusion of speech a vote of sympathy with the relatives of Mr Lund was passed, members standing in silence. 1 MR R. s. TUCKER. Mr IJoger Squire Tucker died last week at the age of 76. Mr Tucker v as for many years connected with the building trade of Christchurch, having been foreman for Mr ltan Reese, Messrs CarmichaeL and Son, Mr W. B. Scott, and Messrs Barrett and Best. He was foreman for Messrs Carmichael and Son when they secured tho contract for the building of Napier Cathedral, and was absent from Christchurch for two years supervising the work. As a young man he was interested in rowing and was also a cricket enthusiast. Mr Tucker was a great lover of iriusie. He conducted the Methodist Church choir in Crescent road, now the Edgeware Road Church,' and at various times was -connected with the Methodist Church in St. Asaph street and Durham street, and for 15 years he was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church Choir. He was a mem-, ber of tli'.- Druid*.' Lodge and was connected with the Masonic fraternity. He is survived 1 by his widow, two daughters, Mrs J. Brownlee. of London, and Airs R. B. CaneWilliamson (St. Albans), and five grandchildren. The funeral took pjace on Thursday at the Lin wood Cemetery, the service both at the house and graveside being conducted bv tho Rov. J Allan of St. Ninian's Presbyterian Church, Ricf>art<>n, r>nd Mr K. P. Li Hoy. of St. David's Presbyterian Church, Hornby. T ' r - MR JAMES ROCK. The death occurred in Auckland last week ot' Mr James Rock, of Carruth road, Papatoetoe, at the age of u5 years. Mr Rock was formerly sergeant of police at Auckland. Newmarket,'and Huntly, and was widely known in Auckland for his interest in horticulture. Born in Ulster, he came to New ■ Zealand with his parents, Mr and Mrs M. W. Rock, wlio settled in the South Canterbury district. Mr Jamep Rock joined tha police, force when a young man. and retired after 32 years' service. Holding membership of the "National Rose Society, London, and being a Fellow of the Rdyal Horticultural Society, Mr Rock was well known as a e.rower and exhibitor of roses and dahlias. He won the Brett Rose Challenge Bowl three times, and the Myers Cup twice for the best garden in Auckland.

MR A. FOTHERINGHAM. Mr Alexander Fotheringham, who died at Genova, Switzerland; on February 2oth, was formerly well known in Auckland, having lesided in that city from 1921 to the end of 1930. Mr Fotheringham was a native ,of Scotland, and was trained for the law. After taking his B.A. and LL.B. degrees at Cambridge, and being admitted as a barrister of the Middle Temple, he entered the Indian Civil Service and subsequently became a Judge of the High Court of India m the district of Madras. He retired from that post in 1921 and came,to New Zealand, entering practice of the law in Auckland in partnership with Mr H. J.' Wily, two years later, tor a time Mr Fotheringham was assistant lecturer in law at the Auckland university College. lie was a keen and able chess player: He retired from practice in November, 1930, and leit shortly afterward for England. My Fotheringham. who was s;"> years' o' age, is survived by on; son, Mr <> • A. Fotheringham. who was a leading tennis player wliil*, in Auckland, ..and is now in the Sudan, and two daughters. the Misses Barbara and Cecily Fotheringham, who are still in New Zealand.. REV. FATHER T. WALSHE. (PRESS iSSOCUTIOS TELE3RAM-) WELLINGTON. March 5. The death has occurred of the Rev. Father Thomas Walslie, who had been stationed at Lower Hutt for the last tweny-fve years. Ho came to New Zealand over fifty years ago, and v.as stationed in South Canterbury districts and subsequently on the West Coast of tho South Island. He was perhaps the best known Roman Catholic priest in that portion of the Dominion. Ever since his transfer to Wellington, he invariably paid a visit to old friends iti Westland each year. SIR ALFRED MEEKS. tiiSiTEU rr.rss association —by electhic 1 TELBGKAPH—COPYKIUHT.I (Received March 6th, 6.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, March C. The death has occurred of Sir Alfred Meeks. aged 83 years, chairman of the Aiistr.iliaii Muti.ial Provident Society sin e 1906, and formerly senior partner of the Gibbs, Bright Company. He was closely identified with leading philanthropic movements in Sydney.