THE NEW ORGAN FOR ST. PAUL’S.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4380, 3 April 1875, Page 3

THE NEW ORGAN FOR ST. PAUL’S.

A meeting of the parishioners of St. Paul’s, Thorndon, was held on Tuesday evening, to consider the recommendation of the vestry for the purchase of a new organ and the further enlargement of the church. There was a fair attendance, and considerable interest was manifested in the proceedings. The Rev. B. W. Harvey occupied the chair. The Chairman stated that he came before the parishioners with some diffidence, knowing as he did that the motive which had brought them together did not meet the approval of some of his valued personal friends present at the meeting. He, however, considered that the work was one of necessity, and not to be looked upon as a luxury. The present organ is not large enough, the position of the choir is bad, and it was high time that something should be done to place the musical portion of the church services on a better footing. It was at first intended to throw out the south aisle and erect an organ chamber on the north side of the church, at an estimated cost of £1550, including the purchase of an organ. The first part of the proposal had, however, been abandoned, and it was now proposed to purchase an organ, lengthen the church, and erect an organ chamber continuous with the north aisle, at an estimated cost of £I3OO. The Chairman deeply felt the need of the proposed improvements, and hoped that the parishioners would give to them their warm support. Tlie Hon. C. J. Pharazyn was opposed to the expenditure for this purpose. He considered that there were other and more important duties devolving on the parishioners, which should be looked to before they thought of a new organ. He thought the present instrument quite good enough for some time to come, and for these reasons he could not uphold the present proposal. Mr. J. E. Smith opposed the movement, because ho thought there would be some difficulty in raising the necessary funds, and he did not consider that the work proposed justified the expenditure. He would, notwithstanding, think differently if he knew that even half the required sum could be raised. Col. Gorton, in a few words, upset most of the objections by stating that, although no organised system of raising the money had yet been commenced, the sum of £3OO had already been subscribed. The organ being very mucli wanted, he thought that it should not be set aside because there happened to be work for the parishioners to do which might be considered equally necessary. He cordially supported the movement, as he felt sure that it would materially assist the services of the church. Mr. L. Stowe and Dr. Kemp opposed the movement.

Mr. O. E. Tolhurst did not apprehend any difficulty in obtaining the necessary funds. He had known thousands of pounds to have been raised by congregations smaller and less wealthy than St. Paul’s, without any serious results having arisen such as were feared by some who had spoken at the present meeting. The plan, if adopted, would, he thought, be productive of great benefit to the church, and was one which deserved to be supported. He should vote in favor of the work, and he was of opinion that when it is well in hand, the parishioners who were now opposed to the movement would change their views and render their hearty co-operation. Mr. C. P. Powles supported the proposal, as he thought that a new organ was much needed, and would be of great service when procured. The following resolution was then put and carried :—“That the parish authorises the vestry to incur an expenditure of a sum not exceeding £I3OO, for the purpose of purchasing a new organ and enlarging the church to receive it, subject to the approval of the Bishop, and of that amount to borrow a sum not exceeding £BSO by loan on debentures of £lO each, bearing interest at the rate of 8 per cent.”