Obituary MR A. E. WILLYAMS

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30960, 17 January 1966, Page 17

Obituary MR A. E. WILLYAMS

The death occurred in Christchurch recently of Mr A. E. Willyams. Mr Willyams was 78.

A versatile musician, Mr Willyams played the piano, the double bass, and was a composer and conductor. Mr Willyams was associated with the Christchurch Orchestral Society, of which he was secretary, the CaledonianConcert Orchestra, which he conducted, and the Royal Christchurch Musical Society. He toured with J. C. Williamson’s and played in the Crystal Palace Theatre Orchestra, Derry’s Band, the Motor Traders’ Association Orchestra and others. He was a past president of the Musicians’ Union, and formed the first jazz band in New Zealand in 1920.

Mr Willyams taught the piano for many years, and was teaching until only a few months before his death.

He endorsed the teachings of Major C. Douglas after he visited New Zealand in 1926, and he took part in the Real Democracy Movement, and later in the formation of the New Zealand Social Credit Political League, for which he stood as a candidate for Christchurch Central in 1954. He also lectured on Social Credit for several years. Mr Willyams is survived by Ms wife.