The Wanganui Orchestral Society —which was established in April, 1890—has thirty-two performing members, and gives three concerts a year in St. Paul's Hall. The committee (1896) were:—Messrs. F. R. Jackson (president), C. C. Kettle (vice-president), J. Stevenson, R. W. Green, W. H. Bird, J. L. Stevenson (treasurer), and W. Hall (secretary). Mr. Herbert Collier acts as conductor.

Mr. Geo. Sherriff's Studio.

Black, Miss F. E., Teacher of the Piano and Singing and the Theory of Music, “The Oaks,” River Bank, Wanganui. Miss Black was born in Melbourne at the residence of her grandfather, Dr. Thomas Black, of “Cintra,” St. Kilda, and accompanied her parents to Auckland while still an infant. She was a pupil of Mr. J. H. Beale while in Auckland, and subsequently in Wellington of Mr. J. A. Edwards, who was at one time conductor and choirmaster of All Saints' Church, St. Kilda, Melbourne, which was reputed to have the best choir in the Australian colonies. Miss Black was pianist to the Choral Society of Wellington, of which Mr. Elwards was conductor. Miss Black studied singing and voice-production under Signor Carmini Morley, and subsequently returned to Auckland, where she was a pupil of Mr. Angelo Forrest, one of the best pianists in the Colony. For ten years Miss Black taught music in the Girls' High School in Wellington, Mr. Parker and herself being the first teachers appointed to give musical instruction in that school. During her residence in Wellington, Miss Black taught at St. Mary's Convent for four or five years. While resident in Auckland she taught at the Girls' High School. She has resided in Wanganui since 1893, and during the year 1894 was one of the teachers at the Boys' Collegiate School. Sh is one of the appointed teachers on the staff of the Girls' College. Miss Black has been very successful in training pupils for the Trinity College examination, and has a large connection.

Photo by A. Martin.
Miss F. E. Black.

Caffry, Mrs., Teacher of Music and Singing, Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. Mrs. Caffry was born in India, and educated in Scotland, Germany England, and France, arriving in Wellington, 1867. She has resided in Wanganui since 1867, and has taught music with success for fully twenty years. Displayed musical tendencies in very early life. Was a member of the Wanganui Harmonic Society, and has a number of pupils.

Consterdine, Arthur Robert, Professor of Vocal and Instrumental Music, “Aorangi Cottage,” Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. Born in the month of March, 1866, in the city of Manchester, England, the subject of this sketch received his primary education at the Manchester Grammar School. Developing a taste for music at an early age, Mr. Consterdine was articled to Mr. R. H. Wilson, then well known as a musician and subsequently as choral director of the Hallé concerts at Manchester. After serving three years, and on completion of a thorough course of training in both theory and harmony, Mr. Consterdine began to teach music in the Old Country. After gaining some experience as a teacher, and having heard a good deal of the conditions of life at the Antipodes, he turned his longing eye towards the Southern Cross. In 1887 Mr. Consterdine determined on leaving his native country, and soon after arrival in Victoria he was appointed organist of St. Paul's Church, Geelong. He retained this position for four years, and at the same time engaged in the practice of his profession. On leaving Geelong he removed to Queensland, and settled in Maryborough, where he became organist of St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, which office he held for three years. For a short period before coming to New Zealand Mr. Consterdine resided in Sydney, New South Wales, where he was conductor of the orchestra at the Criterion Theatre. In 1895 he landed in the Colony, and soon after settled in Wanganui, where he was appointed organist at Christ Church, Victoria Avenue, which position he held till the following year. Since locating in Wanganui Mr. Consterdine has been busily engaged in teaching both instrumental and vocal music, in which branches he has already been very successful. He makes a specialty of preparing students for the Trinity College examination, and though but a comparatively recent arrival he has already achieved distinction, one of his pupils having been the only candidate in Wanganui to pass the 1896 examination with senior honours. For some time Mr. Consterdine has acted as conductor for the Wanganui Operatic Society. Mr. Consterdine has ever been ready to render his assistance in promoting concerts and other entertainments of a charitable nature. He was complimented in the Wanganui journals for his ability as an author on a recent occasion, when some of his works were rendered by the society under his conductorship. There can be no doubt that, both as a teacher and as a composer, this gentleman enjoys excellent prospects.

Hatherly, Miss Constance, Harpist, St. Hill Street, Wanganui. Miss Hatherly is a daughter of Dr. Hatherly, and was born in Nottingham, where she was educated. page 1399 She was a pupil of Chevalier Oberthur, the noted Belgium professor of music. Miss Hatherly is a bronze medallist and silver medallist of the London Academy of Music, and takes part in public and orchestral performances. She arrived in New Zealand per s.s. “Tongariro,” landing in Wellington in 1894.

Newcombe, Mrs., Teacher of Music, St. Hill Street, Wanganui, Mrs. Newcombe was born in Pas de Calais, France. Her father was solicitor to the British Consulate at Boulogne-sur-Mer. She was educated in France, and studied music in London and on the Continent. Mrs. Newcombe teaches the piano only, and has been very successful in passing candidates for the London Trinity College examinations in music. She has also harmony classes for junior, intermediate, and senior pupils. Mrs. Newcombe has been a teacher in Wanganui since 1883.

Price, Mrs., Teacher of the Pianoforte and Singing, Music Studio, Campbell Street, Wanganui. Mrs. Price was born in Sydney, and educated by French, German, and Italian masters, on the continent of Europe. For twelve years past Mrs. Price has been teaching music. In Christchurch she gave several successful concerts with her pupils, under the patronage of Sir William Jervois. In January, 1892, Mrs. Price came to reside in Wanganui. She has now a great number of pupils at the studio, several of them taking the three subjects. She has already given several recitals and concerts, under the patronage of Lord Glasgow. Mrs. Price has three daughters, the Misses Evelyn, Claudia, and Violet, all of whom are highly musical, and are brilliant performers on the piano and violin, also possessing sweet soprano, voices of considerable range. Mrs. Price is also an excellent soprano, and her singing has been much appreciated, frequent encores being the result of every appearance. Mrs. Price's teaching is on the continental method. She prepares pupils for the Trinity College examinations. The studio is centrally situated not far from the ladies' college. Two rooms are especially furnished for the purpose of instruction, four excellent pianos being used.

Price, Miss Evelyn, Teacher of the Pianoforte and Violin, Music Studio, Wanganui. Miss Evelyn Price was born in Melbourne. She was educated at the Ladies' College, Napier, and at Miss Lohse's School for the higher education of girl in Christchurch. Her musical education was derived chiefly from her mother, but she also took violin lessons from Herr Schwarht, and from Mr. F. M. Wallace, of Christchurch. When but fifteen years of age, Miss Price gained ninety-five points out of a possible hundred for playing Chopin's Polonaise in A flat, winning the prize, a silver tea and coffee service, which was presented to her by the Mayor of Christchurch. Miss Price's first concert was given in the Oddfellows' Hall, Christchurch, when she was but sixteen years of age, and was a brilliant success. The Wanganui Chronicle of May 12th, 1892, refering to the concert in the Oddfellows' Hall, Wanganui, says: “Miss Evelyn Price accompanied the solos on the piano with great taste and skill. Miss Price has more than once shown herself to be one of those rare treasuries, a first-class accompanist.” The Wanganui Herald says: “Too much praise can hardly be extended to Miss Evelyn Price for the admirable manner in which she played her solos. Proved by her taste and facility of execution, her undoubted skill as one of the best pianists it has been our good fortune and pleasure to listen to. She also played two excellent violin solos with considerable artistic skill.” Her two sisters, Claudia and Violet have already shown great ability as pianists and violinists, and have received ovations and floral tributes whenever they have appeared in public.

Sparks, Fredric, Teacher of Music and Singing, Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. Private residence, No. 2 Line. Mr. Sparks is a native of London, where he received his musical education. He studied the piano and singing under Dr. O'Mara, Professor of Music, and for the organ under the celebrated F. 'V. Melon, composer of the opera “Victornie,” one of the best organists of the metropolis. While studying under the latter, Mr. Sparks was assistant organist at St. James's Church, Southwark. He was successful in winning a three years' scholarship in music under Mr. Lansdowne Cottell, R.A.M., who is now principal of the London Conservatory of Music. Mr. Sparks was one of the first students to take the harmony lessons under Dr. Bridge, at Trinity College, London. On completing his musical education in 1879, Mr. Sparks left London for the Colony, per ship “Hurunui,” arriving in Wellington. He at once came to Wanganui, and since settling in the district has acted, for about three years, as conductor of the Harmonic Society, and bandmaster of the Patea Rifle Band. Mr. Sparks is deservedly popular as a teacher of music and singing, as evidenced by the fact that his pupils number over fifty.

Watt, Mrs. J. M. L., Music Teacher, Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. Mrs. Watt was born in Helensburgh, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, and came out to New Zealand in 1863, per ship “Princess,” arriving in Wellington after a passage of 135 days. Mrs. Watt was educated at Helensburgh and Glasgow and studied music as a part of her education, leaving school at the age of eighteen. She came to Wanganui in the early days of settlement, and has watched the growth of the town with considerable pride. For three years and nine months Mrs. Watt was teacher of the Kohi school, Waverley, She has been a prominent teacher of music in Wanganui since 1885, and has been very successful with her pupils. In April, 1894, Mrs page 1400 Watt gave a concert in St. Paul's Hall, in which a considerable number of her pupils took part. The hall was packed on the occasion, and the concert was a great success, the playing and singing being much appreciated. Mrs. Watt herself, who is always ready to come forward and assist in any charitable object, is well known as a good soprano and usually receives hearty encores. This concert was no exception to the rule in this respect. Mrs. Watt teaches both the piano and singing, and has a considerable number of pupils.

Martin, George Augustus, Professor of Music, Wilson Street, Wanganui.

Jones, Mrs. Leonard, Teacher of Painting and Drawing, old Colonial Bank Building, Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. Born in the Colony, this lady is a daughter of Mr. A. McNeill (late of the Royal Engineers), neice of General Sir John McNeill, and a cousin of the present Duchess of Argyll. Her early education was received in New Zealand, but her art studies were prosecuted in London at the studio of Sir James Linton, president of the Royal Institute. Returning to Wanganui early in 1896, Mrs. Jones commenced teaching. She holds special classes in her well-appointed rooms, and has a considerable number of pupils. She teaches painting at the Turakina Ladies' Classical School.

Mrs. L. Jones.