A NEW ZEALAND MADE ORGAN.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1386, 25 July 1878, Page 3

A NEW ZEALAND MADE ORGAN.

Mr E. Giraud, recently head maswr at the Orphanage, haa had an organ constructed (originally intended for the use of that institution), containing many improvements on any instrument of the kind in Canterbury, or, in fact, in New Zealand. The constructor is Mr E. H. Jenkins, of Kaiapoi, and a great feature in fho work is that, with the exception of the metal pipes of the great organ, which arrived per Columbus recently, the whole of the organ is not only made in New Zealand, but also o'c New Zealand woods, Kauri and white pine being chiefly u*ed._ The organ has now been under construction for more than a twelvemonth, but during the greater part of that period it has been in use, having been made temporarily available for the Sunday services at the Orphanage. There is one peculiarity about the instrument specially noticeable, namely, that by means of additional

mechanism the action is reversed, so that the person playing, instead of facing the front of the organ, sits with his back towards it, which enables him to see what is going on. It need hardly be pointed out, to any one who has had the control of a choir, what an improve-

ment this is. The following is a description of .the instrument: —

(Great Organ—CO to Fin alto ;54 notes. No. 1. Open diapason, Bft. metal; No. 2. '-top diapason, bass, Bft. wood ; No. 3. Claribella, Sit. wood; .No. 4. Oamba, 811 met 1; No. 5. Koraulophon, Bft. metal: No. 6. Principal, 4ft. metal; No. 7. Flute, 4ft. word; No. 8. Piccolo, 2ft. wood ; No. 9. Trumpet, Bft. metal. Swell Organ-CC to Fin alto. No. 1. Open diapason, Bft. metal ; No. 2. Stop diapason, Bft. wood; No. 3. Principal, 4ft. metal; No. 4. Hautbois, Bft. metal. Pedal organ—COC to C, twenty-five notes. No. 1. Bourdon, 16ft. wood : No. 2. Violmccllo, Bft. wood. Couplers—Swell to great, great to pedal; swell to pedal; three composition pelals to great organ. Nineteen of the lowest notes of the open diapason are of extra large scale, and form the front ornamental pipes, which are very handsome, being ornamented with gilded fleur-de-lis on a grey ground. ~..,,, , The total number of stops is Id, total number of pipes, 638 ; accessory stops, 0. '1 he bellows are provided with double feeding action, and are double leathered throughout, being of large size to ensure an ample supply of wind, and like the mechanism generally, contains the latest improvements. The work throughout is beautifully finished, and reflects the greatest credit on Mr Jenkins, who has certainly reason to be proud of having built such an instrument. It is expected the organ will be completed by August Ist, and on the Bth there will be a recital, Mr E. Searell having kindly offered his services for the occasion. Mr Giraud intends to dispose of the instrument, as he is proceeding to England. _____