SOME WANDERING
( AND LOST ) PIPE ORGANS IN MELBOURNE, ORGANISTS, FAMOUS MUSICIANS
AND MASONIC CONNECTIONS.
AN ARTICLE FOR MASONIC PUBLICATION AND TALK
By W. Bro. Dennis Middendorp, PM
Lord Carrington Lodge, No. 111 UGLV
Organist :
Arcadian Veritas No. 340 UGLV
Lodge Devotion No. 723 UGLV
Lodge Garibaldi No. 890 UGLV
Lord Carrington Lodge No. 111
UGLV
Victorian Naval & Military
No. 49 UGLV
Melbourne, St. Claire, Reunion
No. 17 UGLV
Acknowledgements :
I would sincerely like to thank the following people for their
encouragement and input …. W. Bro. Damien Hudson, PM Lodge Devotion and Masonic
historian for initiating the idea of an article for Lodge Devotion newsletter,
which has grown into this paper.
Mr. John Maidment, OAM, Immediate Past Chairman ( after 40 years ) of
the Organ Historical Trust of Australia ( OHTA ) for providing much useful
information, images , photographs and specifications of organs.
Monday, August 14, 2017
Above, Pipe Organ in the Grand Hall of Freemasons' Hall, London
Table of
Contents
SOME WANDERING
( AND LOST ) PIPE ORGANS IN MELBOURNE, ORGANISTS, FAMOUS MUSICIANS AND MASONIC
CONNECTIONS. 1
INTRODUCTION.. 3
FIRST EXHIBITION
BUILDING MELBOURNE AND MASONIC CONNECTIONS. 4
THE MASONIC BALL OF
1866 OLD EXHIBITION BUILDING. 4
MELBOURNE'S FIRST
MASONIC HALL. 5
FIRST PIPE ORGAN.. 6
MOVEMENT TO FORM A
UNITED GRAND LODGE OF VICTORIA AND NEW MASONIC HALL IN CENTRAL MELBOURNE. 7
“ PROPOSED MASONIC
TEMPLE FOR MELBOURNE. 7
MOVE TO COLLINS ST. 8
LAYING THE FOUNDATION
STONE. 9
PROGRESS TOWARDS
COMPLETION and a RISING STAR. 9
OPENING AND
CONSECRATION OF THE NEW COLLINS ST. HALL. 10
NEW ORGAN FOR COLLINS
ST. 11
FREEMASONS HALL COLLINS
ST. IN REGULAR USE. 11
THE GRAND ORGAN IN
COLLINS ST. 13
THE GREAT MAN VISITS. 13
SALE OF COLLINS ST.
ORGAN.. 14
CLOSURE OF COLLINS ST.
AND THE MOVE TO E. MELBOURNE. 15
DALLAS BROOKS MASONIC
CENTRE AND ITS' ORGANS. 15
OTHER PIPE ORGANS IN
MASONIC HALLS. 16
FATE OF OTHER MELBOURNE
ORGANS WITH MASONIC CONNECTIONS. 17
BIOGRAPHIES. 19
Henry Benjamin. 19
George Peake. 20
David Lee. 20
Joseph Kilner. 21
Take yourself back in your
imagination to Marvellous Melbourne in the latter half of the 19th
century, a period of robust economy and growth, largely driven by the fabulous
wealth from the gold fields.
The town of Melbourne had
grown into a city of magnificent public buildings and mansions of the wealthy.
Following British example,
public buildings took pride in placing magnificent organs therein, and due to
protectionist policies in Victoria, “ colonial “ organ builders gained the
advantage over imported products.
The foremost of these artisans
was Brother George Fincham, whose organ manufactory in Richmond produced more
than 150 instruments for Australia and New Zealand under his direction from
1862 until his death in 1910. Fincham was born in England, and had been
apprenticed to and worked for various prominent organ builders there until he
emigrated to Australia in 1852. His life has been well documented and many of
his instruments still exist; working perfectly today. The largest unaltered
example is in the church of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, at the top of Victoria
Street Hill in West Melbourne. It was my privilege to have been part of the
organising team for its' restoration in 1992. Do yourself a favour and visit
this magnificent building, which has also been wonderfully restored, and glance
up at the organ in the rear gallery.
The three largest and most
important instruments to leave the Fincham factory were those for the
Exhibition Building, Freemasons Hall, Collins St. and the Australian Church,
the latter being the only survivor although in an altered state and divided
between two locations. The superb case is in the Sacred Heart Church, Carlton,
where it forms the facade for a later Fincham organ, and the “ innards “ forms
the nucleus of the large organ in Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne, which was
rebuilt by George Fincham and Sons, P/L with a distinctive facade.
We should also mention the
other “ Grand “ organ in the city at this time, at the Town Hall, which was
built by the eminent English firm of Hill and Son in 1870. This company later
built the organ in Sydney Town Hall in 1890, which was, at the time, the
largest in the world.
As will be demonstrated
throughout this article, all these instruments and buildings had Masonic
connections.
The Masonic Fraternity has
been an integral part of life in Melbourne from the earliest days of
settlement. An article in the North Melbourne Advertiser, 15 Nov. 1889 (page 4)
on the history of Melbourne, states :
“ …. from 1835 when John Batman arrived …. until
1848, chief progress included the building of 70 shops, 450 houses, laying the
foundation stone of St. James Anglican Cathedral, and the formation of a
Masonic Lodge. “
The Argus newspaper of 4 March
1939, included an article entitled “ Bygone Days “ where it recorded the
laying of the foundation stone of the first Supreme Court House in Melbourne (
corner Russell & LaTrobe Sts ) on 25 July, 1842 with “ full Masonic
honours .”
The same paper on Tues. 29 December
1846 (page 2) carried a lengthy article on Freemasons marching through the city
to lay the foundation stone of the Temperance Hall in Russell St. “ The
proceedings throughout were characterised by the greatest decorum although the
concourse of people assembled was immense ! “
Throughout my research for
this paper, I found it astonishing how frequently and with such detail, Masonic
functions were reported in the news of the day. In the 19th century,
Freemasonry did not appear to be considered a “Secret Society “, being widely
publicised, including many public functions of a social and charitable nature.
Melbourne's first Exhibition
Building was constructed in 1854 on the present site of the Royal Mint in
William St. ( cnr. Latrobe St. ) and exhibitions were held there in 1854, 1861
and 1866. It was 257 ft. long, 90 ft. wide and 50 ft. high, and the interior
was filled with light coming from 200 large windows and a roof largely made of
glass. By 1869, it was in a decrepit state and demolished in that year.
1854
sketch of the original Exhibition Building, demolished 1869
Reported by the Illustrated
Melbourne Post ( page 367 ) :
“Formerly, in those days
when Mayors of Melbourne were not given to treating their citizen constituents
to fancy balls as they are just now, when there were no volunteers in the land
to organise a “ hop “ a la militaire and when the dancing mania, so far as it
manifested itself in public, was placed under restraint by the terms of a very
stringent publicans' law, the annual ball given under the auspices of the
masonic body was undoubtedly the greatest salutatory effect of the year. Even
at a very early day in the life of the colony, the Freemasons were a numerous
and important section, their lodges multiplied rapidly, and the “ mystic tie “
was soon acknowledged by thousands in the land.”
A description of the ball
follows : “ …. the company numbering some 400 and including His Excellency
the Governor and the ladies of his family, and nearly all the principal officers
of the fraternity in the colony.
The ball room was handsomely
decorated with the emblems and insignia of masonry and with the elegant dresses
of the ladies and glittering regalia
worn by their partners, produced a very striking, though to the outsider perhaps,
a fantastic “ coup d'oeil “. Our illustration represents the reception of His
Excellency and party by the brothers of the Rose Croix and Knights Templars
under the mystical “ arch of steel “ composed by the drawn swords of the
initiated. “
Illustrated
Melbourne Post – “Our illustration represents the reception of His Excellency
and party by the brothers of the Rose Croix and Knights Templars under the
mystical “ arch of steel “. Old Exhibition building 1866
This building housed an organ
built by Smith & Co. Bristol in 1854 which had been purchased by the
Melbourne Philharmonic Society. It would seem to have been moved to the hall of
the new Public Library, where exhibitions were held from 1866 onwards.
The Argus, Monday 12 April,
1869, (page 4) describes the following
scene :
“ The Art Treasures
Exhibition at the hall of the Public Library …. about 1500 persons were present
when Mr. J.A. Edwards the accomplished organist at All Saints Church, St.
Kilda, presided at the Exhibition organ, whose wretched condition and elevated
position effectively prevented the proper effect. This is not the magnificent
one erected by Mr. Fincham for the Intercolonial Exhibition, but the old
organ of the Melbourne Philharmonic Society, and its' most important stops are
unworkable. “
This organ went to Holy
Trinity Church, East Melbourne in 1869, where it served until 1905 when it was
destroyed by fire.
The “ magnificent “
organ built by Fincham referred to, was built in 1866 for the
Intercolonial Exhibition, also known as
the Third Melbourne Exhibition of Natural Products and Works of Art, where it
was described by The Argus, Saturday 27 Oct., 1866 ( page 2 ): Mr. D. Lee presided at the organ built by Mr.
Fincham of Richmond. When completed, it will be the largest in the colony. At
present only the Swell organ is constructed, the Great and Choir organs being
wanting. “ This is our first mention
of Brother David Lee, who became Melbourne's first City Organist. More about
him later. This organ was never finished, and was eventually installed in St.
Jude's Anglican Church, Carlton, where it survived until recent times, when it
was badly damaged in an arson attack.
The Illustrated Melbourne Post
of 1866 shows the interior of the hall entitled “ Intercolonial Exhibition:
Interior of the Centre Hall – Reid and Barnes, Architects. “ An organ is
clearly visible at one end, but bears no resemblance to that of 1854 or 1866.
Perhaps it was a case of “ artistic license “ ?
As was the usual custom in the
early days of the colony, Freemasons met in private rooms of hotels. The first
Masonic Hall in the city of Melbourne was in Lonsdale St. The Illustrated
Australian News for Home Readers
Mon. 5 Oct., 1868 ( page 4 )
reported :
“ BANQUET AT THE NEW MASONIC HALL …. The Masonic
Hall Company, having recently purchased the premises situated in Lonsdale
street, formerly occupied as the Insolvent Court, have entirely renovated and
fitted them up into offices for the use of the order. The principal feature in
the building is the grand hall, which formerly served for the public business
of the court.
Its' dimensions are in length 50 feet, in
breadth 26 feet, and in height 24 feet. On the evening of Monday the 14th
September, the new hall was inaugurated by a complimentary banquet given by the
Lodge of Australia
Felix ( No.474 ) ….. the impressiveness of the
ceremony …. being materially enhanced by the performances on the harmonium by
Brother Schott. “
Page of
the Illustrated Australian News, of 5 Oct 1868 giving an account of the
Inauguration banquet of the first Masonic Hall in the city of Melbourne in
Lonsdale St. Mon. 5 Oct., 1868
On Fri. 17 May, 1872, the
North Eastern Ensign ( Benalla ) ( page 2 ) gave this account :
“ MUSIC IN MELBOURNE “
“ The usual monthly meeting of the first
constituted lodge of Freemasons in the colony of Victoria, Lodge Australia
Felix, took place on the 13th inst. at the Freemasons Hall, Lonsdale St. …. “
“ The brother who presided at the harmonium on this
occasion, was not that great composer, Henry Benjamin ( more of him later ) who, it appears, is the
official harmonium grinder of this lodge. On the same date and place, the Duke
of Sussex Lodge met in the upper room for business purposes and a similar
ceremony took place; the harmonium being very efficiently played by a member of
the lodge, Bro. I. Mayall. “
The toast given to the musical brethren and those connected with music,
was “ responded to by Bros. Kilner ( also more of him later ),
Fincham, Myall and Blazey. In the course of Bro. Fincham's remarks, he said
that the cost of an organ suitable for lodge purposes would, comparatively
speaking, be trivial. Now Bro. Fincham, being a professional organ builder, his
remarks should have weight and consideration. The present appliances in the
Masonic hall for carrying out the beautiful ritual connected with Freemasonry –
musically speaking – is simply a disgrace.
The two instruments presently in use are simply
instruments of torture to anyone possessing the slightest idea of musical
sound, and I am not surprised at professional brethren not caring to play upon
them.
There is certainly some “ talk “ about
counteracting the evil complaint.”
Brother Fincham duly obliged
by building an organ for the hall in 1873.
The Age, Tues. 28 Oct., 1873 (
page 2 ) carried this item : “ A very excellent organ which has been built
by Mr. George Fincham of Richmond for Lodge Combermere, No.752, E.C. and
erected in the upper room of the Freemasons Hall, Lonsdale street, was last
night opened with all due ceremony in a full lodge meeting. Brother Brain ….
fairly tested the instrument, which combines ample power with great sweetness
of tone.
Technically, it may be
described as containing 10 sounding stops, 3 couplers and 3 combinations,
affording an abundant variety of tone and giving scope for the performer to
display a vast amount of skill. “
In another account of the
organ, in The Ovens and Murray Valley Advertiser ( Beechworth ) Thurs. 30 Oct.,
1873 ( page 3 ), it mentions :
“The tone of the organ has
been aptly subdued in quality to suit the purposes for which it has been
erected. “
This organ had a relatively
short tenure, being sold to St. Silas' Anglican Church, Albert Park in 1885,
possibly due to the imminent move of the Brethren to the new Grand Lodge
building in Collins St. It was in use until around 1972, when it was removed
and broken up, being used as parts for other organs. Unfortunately, no
photograph of this organ has been found.
Prior to the purchase of the
premises in Lonsdale St., the intention of building a new Masonic hall must
have been on the cards for some time.
The Argus, Thur. 5 July, 1866
carried a small news item :
“ The Masonic Hall Company held their first half yearly meeting at
the Royal Mail Hotel, Bourke street yesterday evening …. the progress made
towards the establishment of a masonic hall in Melbourne was satisfactory and
on a firm basis. A site considered central and convenient for the different
lodges had been selected in Albert street, near the Baptist Chapel, and with
frontage to that street of seventy feet. The price, 1,225 pounds, was to be
paid one fourth in cash, and the balance by bill at six, nine and twelve
months, bearing interest at eight per cent. The directors further stated their
regret that the shares had not been inquired for as eagerly as anticipated,
which they attributed to the passive and depressed state of business; during the
past month however, the brethren had displayed more energy …. “
What happened to the Albert Street
site is unknown to the author, and the Fraternity ended up in Lonsdale St.
Other meetings followed : in
1873 ( Sat. 15 Feb. ) the Weekly Examiner, ( Launceston ) reported :
“PROPOSED GRAND MASONIC LODGE OF VICTORIA . A meeting of Freemasons
was held on 5th inst. at the Masonic hall, Lonsdale street
Melbourne, Mr. A.K. Smith presiding, when a resolution was carried unanimously,
that it was desirable to form a Grand Lodge of Victoria. It was also agreed
that a memorial should be sent home to the three grand lodges of England,
Ireland, and Scotland, pointing out the necessity of having a grand lodge here,
and praying the home grand lodges to recognise it. “
An 1882 image
of the Hall Lonsdale St. hall, which was in use until the Collins St Masonic
Building was constructed
The Argus, Tues. 24 April,
1883, carried the news :
A meeting of masters and past masters of lodges
under the three Masonic constitutions was held yesterday evening in the Masonic
hall, Lonsdale street, to take into consideration the formation of a company
for the erection of a Masonic temple. Bro. Dr. Wilmott, W.M. 752, E.C. was
called to the chair, and in opening the proceedings, stated the object of the
meeting. He pointed out at length the great need of a hall, not only in which
to hold their meetings, but a building of which the Masons of Melbourne might
be proud. Bro. Cappa, W.M. 474, E.C. said it had entered his mind long ago,
that the place in which they were assembled, was no credit to the Masonic
fraternity. He contrasted it with the halls at Sandhurst, Ballarat, Wagga Wagga
and other places, and had come to the conclusion that Melbourne was much behind
other towns in Australia, considering its' population and wealth. He also
objected to the uses to which the present hall was put by the directors, in
allowing freethinkers and secularists to assemble therein. He was of the
opinion that the time had arrived for Freemasons to look out for other
premises.
The Chairman ….. was prepared to make a
proposition that they form a Masonic Hall Company. A long discussion then took
place with regard to the position of the present company ( the one from 1866 ? )”
“ It was stated that 12 months ago, arrangements had been made for
the erection of a new building on the present site, but the scheme had fallen
through. It had been ascertained that the proprietors of the existing hall
would offer no opposition to the formation of a new company. “
Further meetings were held to
discuss the construction of a new Masonic hall. On Thursday 1 Nov., 1883, The
Argus reported on a meeting held the previous day: “ ….. for the purpose of
considering what steps should be taken for the erection of a new Masonic hall,
Brother Sir William Clarke occupying the chair. It was unanimously resolved
that the Freemasons Hall Company Limited with a capital of 20,000 pounds in
shares of 1 pound each should be floated. “
Over time, the Lonsdale St.
building proved too small, and as we've read, wasn't considered suitably
grandiose for “ Marvellous Melbourne “. The Argus, Fri. 27 Mar., 1885 ( page 6
) gives this explanation :
“ For many years past, the Masonic hall in Lonsdale St. east, has
been the place of assembly, but the increase in population and the natural
growth of the order therefrom demanded a building of larger dimensions …..
finally the extensive block in Collins St. east,
the property of the executors of the late Dr. Hardy was purchased.”
First to be built was the
residential Masonic Club, which rented the property from the Freemasons Hall
Company. The new hall was to be built at the rear of the club premises,
extending through to Flinders Lane.
In a description of the
proposed hall, The Argus continues :
“ ….. it will be approached
through an arcade, 11 ft wide, which leads to a spacious vestibule 36 ft by 25
ft. Opening on to this vestibule, is the large public hall, intended for
concerts, balls, etc. covering an area of 90 ft by 54 ft, with in addition a
stage or platform at the end, 22 ft x 20 ft, the height being 36 ft. The
architects have most carefully studied all the requirements necessary to ensure
the hall being an acoustical success.”
(The stage was where the Grand
organ was later placed.)
“The hall will be handsomely
decorated with niches to each side divided by bold pilasters supporting the
ceiling beams, whilst the ceiling will be panelled. The hall will be lighted by
means of windows on each side and by two large sunlights in the ceiling.”
The mezzanine floor housed the
refreshment room, 56 ft x 25 ft, and the upper floor “ is to be used
exclusively for Masonic purposes. The first room is the large banqueting room,
47 ft x 41 ft, which communicates by a hoist arrangement with the kitchen on
the lower floor. The next principal room in size is the main lodge room, 58 ft
x 32 ft, with a large recess for the organ.
In addition, this room is provided with an ante room, also dressing and
preparation rooms. A second, but smaller lodge room, 47 ft x 42 ft with similar
ante and preparation rooms, and dressing rooms is also arranged. All the rooms
to the upper floor are 20 ft in height. The lighting arrangements are adapted
to the special requirements for Masonic purposes, whilst the question of
ventilation has been carefully considered.”
The latter would have been important considering that the lighting would
have been provided by gas.
“ The contract for the
building has been taken by Mr. D. Mitchell, at a sum slightly less than the
architects estimate by Messrs. Grainger and D'Ebro, 29 Queen St. Melbourne, who
gained first prize some years since for the best design in the Masonic hall
competition. “
The architect, Brother John
Harry Grainger of this firm, was the father of probably the most famous
composer in Australian history, Percy Grainger.
Brother David Mitchell was a
renowned builder, whose extensive work in Melbourne included the Scots Church,
St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Exhibition Building.
Continuing the extensive
article, The Argus reported :
“ Yesterday, the Freemasons
of Victoria gathered in great strength, the occasion being the laying of the
corner stone of the new Masonic hall. “
Public servants were given the
day off, and “ The Railway
Commissioners had granted holiday excursion tickets from the country towns. “
Describing the march : “ The route of the procession up Collins
St. down Spring St. up to Flinders lane was crowded with spectators; but excellent
order was preserved owing to the police arrangements. The procession having
arrived at the site of the corner stone ( Flinders Lane ) a short
interval ensued whilst a photograph was taken. All being in readiness for the
ceremony, the choir, numbering over 100 voices and accompanied by the band
under the direction of Brother David Lee D.G. Organist E.C. sang the ode
“ Father of Mercies “ with fine effect.
Sir William Clarke then
addressed the gathering in the quaint and peculiar language used on such
occasions. “
The executive committee made a
presentation to Sir William Clarke of the parchment document, cornucopia
containing vessels of wine and oil, and trowel and mallet used by him in laying
the foundation stone.
“ The blade of the trowel
bears on the point an open bible surrounded by a blazing sun. Below are the
square and compasses …. the inscription :
“ Presented to Brother the Honourable W.J.
Clarke, Bart. MLC, District Provincial Grand Master of the English, Irish and
Scottish Constitutions on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the Freemasons hall,
Melbourne, March 1885, by Brother D. Mitchell, contractor. “
Above,
view of laying the foundation stone for the Collins Street Masonic Building. The
photograph was taken from the rear in Flinders Lane.
Construction of the hall
progressed satisfactorily, and on Thur. 11 Mar., 1886, The Argus ( page 8 )
reported this story :
“ NEW FREEMASONS HALL. At the
invitation of Mr. D. Mitchell, contractor for the erection of the new
Freemasons hall, Collins St. east, about 100 ladies and gentlemen yesterday
assembled on the occasion of testing the acoustic properties of the building. A
very enjoyable concert was given. Mrs. Armstrong, nee Mitchell, was received
with hearty applause when she made her appearance on the platform. “ There
follows a detailed description of items sung by Mrs. Armstrong. Later, “ A toast was drunk to Mr.
Mitchell
the building would bear favourable comparison
with any of the other fine structures with which his name was associated in
Melbourne.”
In conclusion, the speaker
said : “ It was much regretted that Mr. Mitchell was going to take his
daughter to England, for her beautiful voice could be ill spared by the city of
Melbourne ( Cheers ). “
Mrs. Mitchell went on to
become the world's first “ Super Star “ …... Dame Nellie Melba !
Photograph
of a performance in the organ gallery at the western extremity of the Great
Hall of the Exhibition Building, 21 December 1907. The photograph shows Dame
Nellie Melba and other dignitaries in the foreground with a large orchestra and
choir extending back to the organ pipes. A notation of on this photo notes
“Removal of Grand Organ May 26th-August 27th 1965
Rare photo of a Masonic Function at
the Exhibition Centre, prior to 1965 when the organ was removed. The photo is
suspected to have been taken in the 1940s or 1950s.
OPENING &
CONSECRATION OF THE NEW COLLINS ST. HALL
In March, 1887, articles were
carried in both The Argus ( 17
th ) and The Australasian ( 19
th
) relating to the opening of the new hall. The Argus reported as follows ( page
29 ) : “
The proceedings commenced at half past 2 o'clock, when Sir William
Clarke opened the District Grand Lodge of Victoria, E.C. In No. 3 lodge room.” Two other lodges were simultaneously opened in
lodge rooms 1 and 2. Shortly afterwards all the brethren formed a procession
and marched to the main hall.
“
While
the procession was filing in to the hall, a march was played on the organ by
Bro. Geo. Peake who also had charge of the musical arrangements. “
At the end of the report, this
statement is made : “ This was the first consecration of a Masonic hall ever
performed in Melbourne, and considering the difficulties and magnitude of the
affair, those responsible for its' management must be congratulated on the
excellence of the arrangements, every detail being carried out without the
slightest hitch, and with the utmost order and decorum. “
These statements pose two
questions …..
- What organ was used in the hall? There are no records of an organ
there until 1889 -90 when the Grand organ from the 1887 Exhibition was
purchased and installed.
- Was the Lonsdale St. hall never consecrated ….. or had the Argus
reported made a mistake ?
In 1888, Fincham & Hobday
( by now his business partner ) built and exhibited an organ for the Melbourne
Centennial Exhibition. It was a relatively large instrument, of 3 manuals and
42 speaking stops, and was awarded the “First Order of Merit. “ Back in Collins
St. the Freemasons must have required extra space, as the Inquirer and
Commercial News ( Perth ) Wed. 4 Sept., 1889 ( page 3 ) reported :
“ The plans for the additions to the Freemasons Hall, Collins St.
have been approved. The grand organ exhibited at the Exhibition by Messrs.
Fincham & Hobday has been purchased by the company.
The hall when altered, will seat about 350
persons more, and will be in size and seating accommodation very much like St.
James' Hall, London.”
Above,
image of the organ at the Freemasons’ Hall in Collins Street Melbourne
Photograph
of the Masonic Hall in Collins Street Melbourne
As with Dallas Brooks Centre
in the 20th century, Freemasons hall in Collins St. proved a popular
venue for public functions.
The large public hall was
sometimes referred to as the Concert Hall of the Freemasons hall.
Examples of public use :
Melbourne Punch, Thur. 17 Feb., 1887 ….
“ The popularity of Mr. S. Mirls, locomotive superintendent of the
Victorian Railways was evinced most unmistakably on Saturday night, at the
soiree given at the Freemasons hall, Collins St. east, when some ( ? )
hundreds of employees of the Railway Department assembled for the purpose of
bidding him farewell prior to his leaving the colony on a visit to Europe and
America. “
The Argus on Sat. 20 Nov.
1887, carried this story, which makes one wonder as to the quality of the
acoustics in the main hall :
“ A peculiar scene occurred at the annual dinner of the Old Colonists
Association at the Freemasons hall, Collins St. last night, and for a time
seriously marred the harmony of the proceedings.”
A lengthy report is given
about various speakers who were inaudible in parts of the hall, with ….. “ frequent
interjections of “ can't hear a word “ and “ speak up “. A reverend gentleman spoke next to propose a
toast to the Association, which he did “ in loud clear tones, but his words
were also lost a few yards from him in the echo of the building.”
At the end of the speech, Mr.
Smith a member of the council of the Association rose to state that because the
previous speakers couldn't be heard throughout the hall, perhaps some
improvements might be made. However, he was met by “ …. cries of “ sit down “
and others of a similar purport. However he declined to sit down and strove to
be heard above the din, which was made up of laughter and indignant yelling “
The person next to him, Mr. Emerson, a
solicitor, pulled gently on his sleeve
in an attempt to encourage him to be seated, but the other angrily pulled away
and dragged his sleeve across Mr. Emerson's face …. “ whereupon Mr. Emerson
became heated and loudly expressed his wish that Mr. Smith should be turned
out, offering to make good to effect his expulsion. Thereupon, Mr. Smith
challenged Mr. Emerson to “ try it on “. Just opposite was a little old
gentleman, who had all the time been vociferously demanding that Mr. Smith
should go home and put his head under the bed clothes .” Finally the Chairman exerted his
presidential authority and ….. “
quietness and harmony were eventually restored for the remainder of the
evening. “
The hall was also used for a
variety of other functions . A notice in the Ballarat Star, Mon. 26 Jan., 1891 ( page 3 ) read : “ THE
ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC, LONDON : Intending candidates for the South Province (
Victoria ) Scholarship in connection with the Royal College of Music, London,
are reminded that the examination takes place on Tues. 3rd Feb. at
the Freemasons Hall, Collins St. Melbourne. “
The scholarship had been
founded by the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria, Sir William
Clarke, and one of the later successful applicants would become another
Melbourne City Organist and organist of Westminster Abbey, Sir William McKie.
We also find in Melbourne
Punch, Thur. 14 June, 1900 : “ Mons. Paul Bibron the well known fashionable
professor of dancing and calisthenics has secured the use of the Freemasons
Hall, Collins St. east for the season of his private classes and assembly. “
Above,
image of the organ at the Freemasons’ Hall in Collins Street Melbourne
The opening of the Grand organ
was announced in The Age, Mon. Feb. 17, 1890 ( page 4 ) :
“ An organ recital and ballad
concert will be held next Saturday evening to celebrate the opening of the new
organ. “
Perhaps the opening wasn't a
complete success, as The Argus, Thur. 27 Feb., 1890 reported :
“ FREEMASONS HALL ORGAN RECITAL.
The first of a series of organ recitals took
place yesterday afternoon at half past four in the Freemasons hall, in the
presence of a moderate attendance. The organ, the specification of which was
given in The Argus of Monday last, is a large one of three manuals and 55 draw
stops.
On this occasion though not perfectly in tune,
it was heard to much better advantage than at the formal opening last Saturday,
when the intermittent water supply nearly ended in a complete fiasco. A second
hearing fully confirms our opinion expressed then as to the general good
quality of tone. Messrs. Fincham and Hobday may be congratulated on having
produced a very fine instrument. “
The water supply problem
alluded to was a common one with large organs in those days. Before the advent
of the electric blower to supply wind to the bellows, motors powered by water
from the mains supply were used. If the pressure was insufficient, or
intermittent, it played havoc with the sound of the instrument. The first
concert hall organ in Australia was in the Albert Hall, Launceston ( and still
survives in original condition ) and used a water motor which is still in situ
in the basement and can still be used.
On 5th May, 1890,
The Argus ( page 8 ) noted :
“ FREEMASONS HALL ORGAN RECITAL AND BALLAD CONCERT. There was a slight
improvement in the attendance at these entertainments on Saturday, and all
lovers of organ music who were present, spent a most enjoyable hour and a half.
Mr. G.B. Fentum was the organist …...to make us wish to hear more from the
same. Altogether Mr. Fentum's organ recital was one of the best we have ever
listened to in this city. “
Fentum was a Grand organist
and will be mentioned in the biographies at the end of this article.
The Town Hall organ, built in
1870 by the eminent English firm of William Hill & Sons, however, continued
to be the preferred instrument for public concerts and visiting recitalists,
despite its' shortcomings.
In 1890, the Sydney City
Council invited the most famous concert organist in the world, Mr. W.T. Best,
to give the opening series of concerts on their new Town Hall organ, also from
Wm. Hill & Sons . This organ achieved world wide recognition for being the
largest in the world, and had another claim to fame as being the only one in
the world possessing a stop of 64 ft length, i.e. a row of pipes, the largest
of which was 64 ft long. This was not to be achieved again until 1929 when the
gargantuan organ for the Atlantic City Auditorium , USA, was built. It too has
a 64 ft stop and remains today the largest musical instrument in the world.
W.T. Best ( 1826 -94 ) was a
Freemason and Liverpool City organist for nearly 40 years, presiding at the
magnificent organ at St. George's hall, built by the rival firm of Henry
Willis.
His Sydney concert series was
an outstanding success, with audiences at some numbering over 7000 !
Unfortunately, Best didn't exactly have a good time there, suffering a bad fall
down a flight of stairs and contracting a bronchial condition. By the time he
arrived in Melbourne, The Leader, Sat. 13 Sept., 1890 ( page 27 ) wrote the
following :
“MUSICAL EVENTS. “
“ The audience present in the Town Hall on
Monday evening had little idea that the performance they were listening to was
to be the only recital Mr. Best would give upon the Town Hall organ. The great
organist, while loud in his praises of the instrument as regards beauty of
tone, found that playing a continuous series of pieces upon it entailed an
amount of physical fatigue which would render it an act involving grave risk
for him to attempt to give a second recital. The Town Hall organ is an
instrument of which Melbourne citizens have long been proud, and as mentioned
above, it leaves little or nothing to be desired as regards the sounds it is
capable of producing; but in the almost entire absence of any appliances for
manipulating the stops and lessening the amount of force requisite to press
down the keys, great physical exertion devolves upon the player.
Mr. Best found himself at the conclusion of his
recital on Monday in a completely prostrate condition.
With the view of discovering whether any of the
other organs in the town could be made use of for the purpose of giving
recitals, Mr. Best on Wednesday morning paid a visit to the Exhibition, to the
Australian Church in Flinders street and to the Freemasons Hall. The organ at
the Exhibition was almost, if not quite, as deficient in mechanical appliances
as that of the Town Hall, while the other two instruments tried, though
adequate for the purpose for which they were built, are by no means suitable
for such recitals as those of Mr. Best; it may therefore be taken as a settled
thing that no further opportunity will be afforded of hearing Mr. Best in
Melbourne.”
Perhaps it was because of the
public demand for use of the hall that the Grand Lodge deemed the organ took up
too much valuable space, as we see a notice in The Age, Wed. 20 Nov. 1901 (
page 6 ) which read :
“ An advertisement elsewhere
states that the large pipe organ at present in the Freemasons Hall, 25 Collins
St. is for sale .”
It took a while, but the organ
was eventually sold in 1905 for the ludicrously low sum of 925 pounds to
Ebenezer Vickery, MLA, Sydney, who had it installed in the Lyceum Hall. He
donated the hall and organ to the Central Methodist Mission in 1908, where it
remained until 1929 when it was broken up. A sad end to the third largest organ
built in 19th century Australia, and the largest ever to be situated
in a Masonic building here.
A letter from George Fincham
& Sons from 1905, when the organ was sold gives the dimensions:
“ Floor measurement across front 20 ft.
Height of highest pipe 29 ft.
Highest point inside swell box 18 ft 6 in.
Back to front 18 ft.
15 -20 tons weight. “
In the 1920s, Geo. Fincham
& Sons built two new organs for Collins St.
In 1921 for No.2 lodge room,
consisting of 2 manuals, pedal, and 13 stops with one stop, named Viol
Sourdine being a gift from Mr. L. Fincham.
In 1925, lodge room No.1
received an instrument of 2 manuals, pedal, and 12 stops. What instruments were
in these lodge rooms prior to the 1920s in unknown to the author.
Even though the address of
Freemasons hall was 25 Collins St., it actually accounted for 7 street numbers,
having expanded into the building next door, to the east, around the time of
the second world war.
In 1971, a plan was put
forward to re – develop part of the east end of Collins St., the so called “
Paris end “, with two 47 storey towers, to be known as “ Collins Place “. As a
consequence, all the buildings east from Exhibition St., 17 – 65 Collins St.,
22 – 70 Flinders Lane, and 44 – 60 Exhibition St. were demolished. At the time,
well known newspaper columnist, Keith Dunstan described it : “ Taking in the
scale of annihilation at a glance, is enough to make you flinch. “
Newspapers called it the “ Blitz
of Collins St. “ and 1972 as “ the year of the wrecker. “ Freemasons hall was one of the first to be
demolished by
“ …. the Roman Catholic
Whelans, which made for a lot of chiacking at the golf club. Owen Whelan (
grandson of the founder, Jim Whelan ) ribbed his masonic mates …. oh we're
doing it all for free ! “
From : “ A City Lost and
Found – Whelan the Wrecker's Melbourne. “
by Robyn Annear ( pages 246 –
49 ). Reproduced with permission.
Copyright Robyn Annear 2014.
First published 2005. Reprinted 2006.
Published by Black Inc. an
imprint of Schwartz Publishing Pty. Ltd.
Prior to demolition ( around
1968 ), the organs from the 1920s were removed and placed in storage.
When the new Dallas Brooks
Masonic centre was opened in 1969 by the then State premier ( and Freemason )
Sir Henry Bolte, George Fincham & Sons built 5 new instruments for it.
The largest one was situated
in the main lodge room No.1, and comprised some parts from the old organ in
No.1 lodge room from Collins St.
It consisted of 2 manuals,
pedal, and 19 speaking stops, and was situated in a recess along one side wall.
The other organs for the
smaller lodge rooms were 1 manual, 3 rank extension instruments, some parts of
which had come from the old organ in No.2 lodge room, Collins St.
In the main auditorium,
Fincham built a facade for a proposed instrument, which was never built.
Instead, a cinema organ comprising parts from Compton, Christie and Aeolian was
installed behind the facade.
The Fincham facade was
classified in 2002 by the National Trust, and the Victorian Heritage Database
report reads :
“ A unique pipe organ facade, designed by the architects of the hall,
Godfrey & Spowers, Hughes, Mewton & Lobb
and constructed by George Fincham & Sons. This consists of flue pipes (
with flat rather than the customary conical feet ) of random lengths and
diameters, placed without visible support. A central motif, of shorter pipes
and brighter alloy, stands forward and provides an abstract reference to the
outline of Victoria.
Horizontal copper reed pipes punctuate the
design. The facade has a strongly sculptural quality and is unlike any other known
grouping of organ facade pipes. It is a design of great originality
representing an unorthodox and imaginative solution. “
Although unfortunately a pipe
organ will not be built in the new Masonic centre, this facade will be
incorporated into the building.
Thankfully, all the Dallas
Brooks organs have found new homes, with the No.1 lodge room instrument being
donated to Geelong Grammar school.
East
Melbourne Dallas Brooks Hall Main auditorium. In the main auditorium, Fincham
built a facade for a proposed instrument, which was never built. Instead, a
cinema organ comprising parts from Compton, Christie and Aeolian was installed
behind the facade
Camberwell Masonic hall had a
small 1 manual organ of 5 speaking stops by an unknown builder. It was removed
from the hall and installed in a private residence in Heidelberg in 1969. Its'
current status is unknown.
The Morton Ray Masonic temple
in Dandenong Rd. East Caulfield was opened in 1922, and acquired a small instrument
by the organ builder W.L. Roberts in 1935. I had 1 manual with 4 speaking
stops. It was removed and went to the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement museum
where, as far as is known, it remains in storage.
Kyneton Masonic hall had a
small 1 manual instrument of 2 ranks built by a member of the lodge, the late
W. Bro. Doug Price between 1966 – 70.
According to the lodge
Secretary, R.W. Bro. Brian Davenport, Doug built all the organ himself,
including wooden pipes, wiring, console, etc.
The metal pipework however, originated from an organ built by London
organ builder, George King, circa 1860. ( Communication from John Maidment, OAM
Past President, Organ Historical Trust of Australia ). The original home of
this organ was a Tasmanian church, and it later wandered “ overseas “ to
Melbourne, where it was installed in St. Clements Church, Elsternwick. It was
eventually acquired by the late Bro. Bill Glasson, who broke it up.
Unfortunately, the organ has been dismantled, as a result of developing a fault
which is beyond the means of the lodge to rectify.
Mention has been made of the
Hill organ in the Melbourne Town Hall, where Bro. David Lee was the first City Organist, and
where Bro. W.T. Best gave his one and only Melbourne recital. It was also the
venue for the Installation of Sir W.J. Clarke, Bart. as Inaugural Grand Master
of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria in 1889. A well known photograph of this
event is housed in the Collingwood Masonic Centre, and other locations. Unfortunately,
the hall and organ was destroyed by fire in 1925.
Installation
of Sir W.J. Clarke, Bart. as Inaugural Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge
of Victoria in 1889 at the Melbourne Town Hall, showing organ in background.
This photo is well known in Masonic circles.
Above.
A lesser known photograph of the Installation of Sir W.J. Clarke, Bart. as
Inaugural Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria in 1889 at the
Melbourne Town Hall. Unlike its better known counterpart image, this one is
take from further back in the room showing less detail of the organ, but more
of the galleries giving a better sense of the large attendance.
Another picture of the Melbourne Town Hall’s original organ. The interior of the old smaller Town Hall auditorium that was
destroyed by fire in 1925.
The Exhibition Building in
Carlton was the largest building in the country when constructed, and contained
the largest organ ever built in 19th century Australia and by a
colonial organ builder, Bro. George Fincham.
Bro. David Mitchell was the
contractor for the building, and Bro. George Peake (Grand organist) being the
organist for the concert series of 1888 under the direction of Sir Frederick
Cowan. Masonic meetings were also held here, no doubt when numbers were too
great for the Collins St. hall.
The organ was built from 1880
- 81 and at the time was the 20th largest in the world. The facade
was a magnificent example of Victorian splendour.
It was described by the
Carlton Advertiser and Hotham Chronicle, 16th April, 1881 ( and
reproduced c. 1900 by Geo. Fincham & Son as a pamphlet )
“ The outside of the case is of an elegant appearance and was
designed by Mr. Joseph Reed, the architect of the Exhibition Building.
It is ornamented with 57 speaking and 10 show
pipes; the structure is ebonized, the moulding and panellings being picked out
in gold.
The height of the organ from the floor of the
Western gallery is 48 feet by 60 feet wide. The front pipes are handsomely
decorated in gold and colours. The motive power used for working the bellows is
supplied by an Otto silent gas engine, six horse power. The total cost is as
follows :
The organ, 4,120, case 742.18s. Total 4,562.18s.
The decorations are by Whitehall and Blair of
Swanston St. and cost 200, and the provision made for the gas engine and
connection was 200 extra, making the grand total cost of the organ 5,262
pounds, 18 s.
The total number of pipes
given in a table of comparisons of the world's largest organs of the day, was
4,726.
Over many years, the
Exhibition building has been used for a variety of purposes, including balls,
concerts, fetes, an emergency hospital for victims of the influenza pandemic of
1918 – 19 (which killed 20 million people world wide ), barracks for the RAAF
during WW 2, migration reception centre
post war, venue for the 1956 Olympic Games, motor registry and licence testing
venue, motor shows, and venue for school and university examinations. Because
of this extensive public use, and decline in the popularity of concerts and
organ recitals in the building, the organ suffered what is probably the worst
case of neglect and vandalism of an Australian icon. Maintenance was neglected,
pipes were “ souvenired “ and the instrument generally vandalised. Is was
unplayable by the 1920s and by the 1960s only the facade remained. I well
remember standing in awe in front of the massive 32 ft long pipes in the facade
and plucking up enough courage to wander behind them, only to find an empty
space !
The facade was finally removed
in 1965. The Exhibition Building itself narrowly avoided destruction, and
thankfully has been beautifully restored and was the first building in
Australia to be added to the World Heritage List in 2004. Sadly, there never will be another Exhibition
organ.
The final Melbourne organ with
some Masonic connection was that in the Australian Church, which was founded as
a breakaway from the Presbyterian Church by Rev. Dr. Charles Strong. The
foundation stone was laid on 19th March, 1887, and the ceremony was
described by The Argus of that date ( page 10 ) :
“ Sir W.J. Clarke, Bart. as District and Provincial Grand Master of
the Freemasons of Victoria ….. will today lay the foundation stone of the
Australian Church at 1 Flinders St. east.
The three district and provincial grand lodges,
having been formally opened at the Freemasons hall Collins St. will march in
procession from Collins St. by Spring St. and Flinders St. to the site …. will
then proceed to the North East corner of the building, where the foundation
stone will be laid, according to ancient Masonic custom. Ample accommodation
has been provided for about 600 ladies and children in the form of a sloping
stand from which the ceremony will be distinctively visible, while the elevated
ground behind will accommodate some 300 more spectators, all of whom will be
admitted by ticket. After the ceremony, about 500 guests will assemble at the
Masonic hall to partake of light refreshments.
The ceremony will be particularly interesting,
as the first of the kind in the Southern hemisphere. “
This last statement seems
somewhat perplexing, as laying foundation stones with full Masonic ceremony, as
we've read, had taken place in Melbourne since the 1840s. Perhaps this was the
first church to be so dedicated ?
The church was a most imposing
structure and initially an organ built by Fincham's former colleague and
friend, Alfred Hunter ( U.K. ) was installed in 1887. It served until 1889 when
it was sold to St. John's Anglican Church, East Malvern.
Fincham & Hobday built a
much more grandiose instrument for the church in 1890, consisting of 4 manuals
and 53 speaking stops. It was the largest church organ in Australasia and the
second largest built by the firm, after that in the Exhibition.
The Australian Church was
wound up in 1957, and as stated earlier, the organ was rebuilt and installed in
Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne.
The church building was
modified and used by Cheney's as a motor car salesroom. It was demolished in
the 1980s to make space for the erection of the new Shell building, at the
corner of Flinders and Spring Sts.
Information on the Australian
Church and organ courtesy of the Organ Historical Trust of Australia.
Musician, music teacher and
song writer. Known to have been active in Melbourne during the late 1860s /
70s.
His teaching advertisements
appear in The Argus as early as May 1868.
Benjamin's profile was raised
in 1870 when another local teacher was charged with attempting to incite him
into a duel ( case later dismissed ),
and again in 1872, when he
sued Harry Rickards for breach of contract over the song Doing the Block
( Benjamin was awarded the verdict ) .
As a musician / teacher,
Benjamin specialised in piano, harmonium and concertina. Described as a Novelty
Song, Doing the Block was written to lyrics by Marcus Clarke.
From : Australian Variety
Theatre Archive : Popular Culture Entertainment
1850 – 1930.
George Peake was born in
Exeter in 1853 and came to Australia as a boy.
He began his musical career as
a chorister at St. Peter's Church, Eastern Hill. He was a long standing member
of the Melbourne Philharmonic Society, both as violinist and organist. Later as
honorary conductor for 24 years. He was
one of the founders of the Musical Society of Victoria, being President for 12
years. He was organist at the Exhibition concerts under Sir Frederick Cowan in
1888, and organist and choir master of the Collins St. Independent Church for
45 years.
From : Obituary, Sat. 15 April,
1933 – The Argus
Probably the most notable
Grand organist in Victorian Freemasonry, he was born at Armagh, Ireland in
1837. His father was a Professor of music.
At the age of 12, he was made
deputy organist at Armagh Cathedral.
He arrived in Melbourne in
1864, and held various organist's positions, including the Independent Church,
Collins St. and St. Andrew's Brighton.
He was sought after as a
recitalist and opened many organs.
In October 1866, Lee played
the organ at the inaugural ceremony of the Melbourne International Exhibition.
In August 1872, he opened the new Town Hall organ. He was appointed as the
first City Organist of Melbourne in 1877, and in the same year opened the new
organ of the Adelaide Town Hall. In
1867, he formed a partnership with organist Samuel Kaye, importing pianos,
harmoniums and organs. They were joined in 1875 by organ builder Robert
Mackenzie. In 1878, George Fincham bought the firm.
From : Australian Dictionary
of Biography.
He was widely respected and
his charm and personal popularity drew large audiences at his twice weekly
concerts at the Town Hall.
When the Town Hall organ was
unavailable for six months in 1887, due to repairs being carried out, the
following notice appeared in Melbourne Punch, Thur. 17 Feb. 1887 : “ One of
the events of the season will be the complimentary concert to Mr. David Lee,
the City organist in the Town Hall on Saturday night. A splendid programme has
been arranged, and this will be the last opportunity of hearing the grand organ
for the next six months; a crowded house may be expected. “
Sadly, over time his audiences
diminished as he seemed to have gone through his repertoire and perhaps played
music that didn't suit all tastes.
On Fri. 16 Dec. 1892, the Port
Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle ( page 3 ) carried the
following entertaining column :
“ MELBOURNE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE by Rhigdum
Phunnidos “
“ Another storm in a tea pot; our city fathers
in their wisdom fixed up an organ in our Melbourne Town Hall, and appointed a
city organist ( Mr. D Lee ). This gentleman however, it is alleged in lieu of
grinding out the lofty compositions of Handel, Mendelshon and other musicians
of that school, just gets and wags his head over the key – board in discussing
lively airs, singing hall compositions, and it
only required a little burnt cork and funny corner men with bones and
tambourines, to make up a pleasant ethiopian séance. The other wind – grinders
argue that the “ pealing organ's awful mirth “ should be of a more serious and
classical kind in keeping – as the late Town Clerk would have said – with its
pow- wow - -wer and cost. Perhaps it is the want of a musical ear, but I could
get through very fairly with a band organ – at a distance – or a musical box,
and never could see the advisability or necessity for an organic volume of
sound. I can't say how it will end at present – fantasias – upon popular airs
– Boom – de- Lee pretty muchly are in
vogue. “
Imagine trying to avoid a law
suit today with a column like that !
No wonder the author used a
pseudonym.
David Lee was also conductor
of the Melbourne Philharmonic Society, but was forced out in 1888, after years
of constant friction.
On Sat. 8 Dec. 1894, it was
noted in The Queenslander that :
“ Mr. David Lee, the city organist has commenced
an action for 1500 pounds damages against the Railway Department as
compensation for a broken arm which he sustained at South Yarra recently. “
Whether he won the case is
unknown, but his death on Thursday, 13th May, 1897, was announced in
the Hamilton Spectator :
“ Mr. David Lee, the well known city organist, died early this
morning from chronic disease of the kidneys and syncope. He has been ailing
ever since he broke his arm at the South Yarra station. His wife died 13 years
ago and he leaves no family. The deceased was 61 years of age.
He was city organist for the long period of 20
years, and his organ recitals have been enjoyed by thousands. “
It may be of interest to note
that at least three Grand Lodge organists have also been organists of the
Independent Church ( now St. Michael's ) Collins St. In addition to David Lee
and George Peake, the late John Cowen was incumbent there for some years.
Kilner arrived in Melbourne
from England in 1850. He made a fortune
on the gold fields, and returned to England to collect his family and bring
them to Australia in 1853.
In 1854 he began making pianos
from parts imported from Broadwood in London where he had served his
apprenticeship.
Around 1870, his factory began
making wooden frame pianos under the name Joseph Kilner. They were of good
quality and were awarded several prizes at Exhibitions, viz. 1866 – 67 Melbourne Intercolonial Exhibition
1872 Intercolonial Exhibition
of Victoria, and 1876 Great Philadelphia Exhibition. He died in Richmond on May 9th,
1891.
The business, Kilners of Camberwell was well known for many years.
From: AUSTRALHARMONY : A biographical register of
Australian musical personnel, Ed. Dr. Graeme Skinner, University of Sydney.
G.B. Fentum.
Fentum was a celebrated
musician in the latter half of the 19th century.
His name is mentioned
regularly in news reports from Singapore, where he was organist and choir
master of St. Andrew's Cathedral.
He is also recorded as
residing in Hong Kong in 1876 and 1884, being listed as the organist of the
District Grand Lodge of Freemasons in China.
From : The Chronicle and
Directory for China, Japan and The Philippines.
There was a family of Fentums
who were music publishers, engravers and sellers in London during the 18th
and 19th centuries.
From : Groves Dictionary of
Music and Musicians.
