WANTED—A CITY ORGANIST.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1585, 31 October 1912, Page 6

WANTED—A CITY ORGANIST.

TO SUCCEED ME. BARNETT. A deputation from the Wellington Choral Socioty, consisting of Messrs. R, T. Caldow, ]?. S. Popo, W. J. Huoston, and W. E. Caldow, waited upon tlio tfinanc*Committee of tho City Council yesterday afternoon.

Speaking cn behalf of tlve deputation, Mr. Caldow asked tho City Council to consider tho appointment of another City, Organist. A' iirst-class' City Organist must, of course, bo liberally paid, and, considering tho fact that it was desirablo that Wellington should not lag behind other iitios; 'he hoped that the council would offer a salary equal to that given by Auckland. It tvas impossible to get a really good man without offering a good salary. Under Mr. Barnett, tho Wellington Choral Society had come to bo looked' upon as tho leading society of its kind in New Zealand, and it would be regrettable if such a position were surrendered, Tho Choral Socicty woro anxious to Cooporate with tho. council, with a view to getting the best available man from 'England to fill tho position. It was um likely that such a man as was contentf dated could bo got in Australasia. Auckand tried in this direction, and had failed. So they (Auckland). offered a higher salary than Wellington was paying and obtained the servicos of Mr. Barnett. If the council were willing to pay .£IOO per annum, tho Choral Society, would find another <£100, and, for a salary* of <£500 a year (with right of privato practice), a suitable man could lie obtained. Mr. Caldow suggested that a sulw committeo 'should bo appointed in Eng.land, and that they should advertise m the loading musical papers. They could reduce tho applicants to three and tlien send a full roport on theie three to the' City Counoil; tho Choral Society to have a right to veto one of the three applicants if necessary, the final choice being left to tho council. If his Worship thought it necessary for a largo deputation to wait upon the full council, it could bo arranged, but Mr. Caldow added: "I do not think that will bo neccssary."

In reply, tho Mayor (Mr. D. M'Luvon) stated that bo did not thinl: it at nil necessary for a larger deputation to wait on tho full council. Tho council was seized of tho necessity of having good music, but the matter had <i business sido as well, and it would bo necessary to consider matters of finnnte. Wellington, however, did not intend to let Auckland, or any othor city, got ahead of tbeui. Mr. Burnett would not bo leaving before February or March, and so thcro was ample time to consider matters. As regarded the actual selection, his Worship thought that tho council would wish that left entirely to themselves, although, of courso, t.hoy would obtain professional advice. Moreover, ho was not sure that tho council would agree that a suitablo man could not bo found v in Australasia. Thai and other aspocts of tho matter, however, would bo fully considered.