PRESENTATION TO MR. MOWBRAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5520, 5 December 1878, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR. MOWBRAY.

Last evening, after the ordinary meeting for practice, the members of St. Paul’s choir met together in the schoolroom for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr. W. Mowbray, late choirmaster, Mr. Andrew Maginnitt, in a few wellchosen words, expressed the regret of the choir at the retirement of Mr. Mowbray from his old post, and then presented him with a photograph album and an illuminated address. Mr. Mowbray thanked the choir for the very laud present, and said he should greatly value it, in consequence especially of the form it had taken, because he should always have before him the faces of ladies and gentlemen who had co-operated with him very heartily, and to whom he felt he was greatly indebted. He trusted ho should long remain iu the ehoir as at present constituted, under the leadership of his worthy successor. (Applause.) Tho photograph album is very handsome, and is got up in a new style, ard known as an “ easel-album.” A largo lens in front of the cover magnifies the views and the portraits, and brings out the perspective in a very remarkable way. The album is bound in dark blue velvet, and clasped with silver. An excellent phot.graph of the cathedral in a large medallion on the cover, and immediately below the lens, renders the present a highly ornamental and attractive object of art. Messrs. ICohn and Co., of Lambtou-quay, furnished tho album. It contains a most excellent set of portraits by Mr. Clark of all the members of the choir, and no doubt this memento of bis old friends and pupils will be highly appreciated by' Mr. Mowbray, The album also contains a number of very beautiful views of New Zealand scenery and buildings, all of Wellington or of the vicinity, Mr. Gibbs, the artist, having attained au unusually high standard of excellence throughout tho whole series of landscapes taken. Tho illuminated address was very tastefully prepared by Mr. Bock, and both for clearness and for the beauty and finish of the lettering this manuscript will bear favorable comparison with any other works of the same class. About 40 signatures are appended to tho document, which is in tho following terms ; ■Wellington, November, ISIS. W. Mowbray. Esq. ~ , Dear Sir, —Aa members of the Choir over which you have presided for upwards of nineteen years, wo cannot allow tho present occasion to pass without assuring you of our deep regret ■ t your retirement from the olllco of Choirmaster of St. Paul's Church, Wo feel that wo can scarcely sutilciontly thank you both for the valuable instruction you have given us and for tho uniform kindness and courtesy with which you have made our intercourse ho pleasant, apd though you will no longer be performing tho duties you have hitherto discharged with such ability and zoal, wo trust you will be spared through many happy years In the Church’s service of praise. In grateful remembrance of all your kindness we venture to as* your acceptance of tho accompanying album as a slight token of our warm regard and esteem,—Your sincere friends.