89TH BIRTHDAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20072, 19 October 1939, Page 2

89TH BIRTHDAY

WELL-KNOWN MUSICIAN FORMER GISBORNITE Looking hale and hearty and keenly awaiting the time when he can claim to ?Ti member of the select band of Hawke’s Bay nonagenarians, Mr Henry G. Spackman, well-known musician, focmcrly of Nap.er and Gisborne, and now residing in Hast ings, celebrated his eighty-ninth bi.thdav yesterday. He was the recipien of Congratulations and greetings from a Born ° f in r CoSham, Wiltshire, England, Mr. Spackman came of a wellknown musical family, his Sl ® te^ s ’ brothers, mother and uncles all being talented musicians and artists. tie came to New Zealand on January 1, 1883 and was engaged as organist lo St John’s Cathedral, Napier. It is interesting to note that there havebeen three cathedral buildings constructed in Mr. Spackman’s time, ana he has played in all three. After 10 years he resigned and subsequently resided m Gisborne .where he became organist of Holy Irimtj Church. Later he was appointed musicmaster at the Boys’ Collegiate High School, Wanganui, and also conductec the Wanganui Orchestra. In 1902 he returned to Napier ahd resumed practice in his profession, teaching the violin, piano and singing. For many years he was examiner of music for the Hawke's Bay Education Board and also conductor for the Napier Orchestral Society. Immediately after _ the earthquake he went to Hastings, where he has lived ever since. Apart from his musical attainments Mr. Spackman was a keen cricketer and has plaved in Napier, Gisborne and Hastings. His son. Roy, now in Dunedin, followed in his father’s footsteps in this direction as well as a musician, and represented Hawke’s Bay on numerous occasions. Mr. Spackman has two hobbies, though on account of his age he is unable to indulge in one of them these days to any great extent. This hobby is walking, and he claims to have covered a very substantial part of Hawke's Bay afoot. On one occasion he walked from Napier to Maraokakaho and back. His other private interest is astronomy. Mr. Spackman has three daughters, Mrs. H. Nelson, Tolaga Bay, Mrs. P. G, Tritt, Hastings, and Mrs. H. Homer, Wellington; and two' sons, Mr. Roy Spackman, Dunedin, and Mr. Arthur Spackman, Napier.