Page:Municipal Handbook of Auckland 1922.djvu/70



The fine Organ in the Town Hall was presented to the City by Henry Brett, Esq., who was Mayor of Auckland in 1877–78, and who for many years past has taken a keen interest in the musical welfare of the community. The specification of the organ was drawn up by Mr. Edwin Lemare, the noted English organist, and the instrument was built by Messrs. Norman and Beard, of Norwich and London. It was erected in the Town Hall under the supervision of Mr. H. A. Tustin, the New Zealand manager of the builders, and was opened on December 14, 1911, by Mr. Maughan Barnett, at that time City Organist at Wellington. In 1914 a set of carillons, also the gift of Mr. Henry Brett, was added to the Organ.

The Organ is the largest in New Zealand, and the most modern in Australasia. It is situated at the level of the uppermost tier of the choir platform, and is set in a special chamber, 48ft. by 22ft., provided for its reception.