Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards - Music, B

Lot 2707    SESSION 10 (11.30AM WEDNESDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER)    Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards - Music, Ban

Estimate $750
Bid at live.noble.com.au

CONDUCTOR'S BATON, in ebony with ornate silver fittings, length 60cm x 2.5cm wide, central panel with inscription 'Presented To/F.J.King Esq/By the/Wellington Working Mens Club/1897'. Very fine, in original felt lined case.

Together with a handwritten note "For Frank, with his Mothers love, in remembrance of His Father. The two trinkets & watch key are for Arthur & Eddy & Self, from Grandmother King"

The following courtesy 'The Cyclopedia of New Zealand', Wellington Provincial District:

"King, Edwin James, Music and Musical Instrument Dealer, 69 Manners Street, Wellington. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Te Aro Branch. Telephone, 224. Private residence, 124 Willis Street. Mr. King is a native of London, whence he arrived in the Colony, via Melbourne, in 1860. He was for some time in business in Wanganui, where he had a good connection, and established a trade in musical instruments, music, etc., which is still in existence. On deciding to come to Wellington, he disposed of the good-will and business to Messrs. Collier and Company, who still conduct the same. While in Wanganui, Mr. King was bandmaster of the Wanganui Rifles and Wanganui Garrison Bands. After eleven years residence Mr. King was publicly presented with a purse of fifty sovereigns on leaving. The present business was established in 1886; the building occupied being built of brick and wood, one story high, affording a floor space of 2000 square feet.

Mr. King imports direct a large quantity of music, and most popular pieces and songs are sent out by early mails so as to be available in the Colony almost as soon as in England. He also imports musical instruments of all kinds. He gives special attention personally to the tuning and repairing of pianos and also to tuition in music. He has a large circle of pupils, many of whom have been long under his instruction with decided advantage to themselves. Mr. King has occupied the position of bandmaster to the Wellington City Brass Band. At present he conducts the orchestra of the Working Men's Club as well as E.J.King and Son's Select Adult Orchestra. While Mr. King, senior, is thus engaged with musical matters, tuning, etc., Mr. Edwin James King, junior, who has had a thorough training with his father in all matters relating to the business, takes the management of the shop, and generally conducts. The latter has an intimate knowledge of the requirements of the trade, and may be depended on to do all in his power to supply the wants of all customers. The firm of E.J.King and Sons has received the appointment of musicians to his Excellency the Earl of Glasgow. Mr. Francis A.King, third son of Mr. E.J.King, who was leader of the orchestra at the Opera House and also of the Orchestral Society, as violinist, studied under Mr. Collier, of Wanganui, and Mr. Trimnell, of Wellington. He has completed his term at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and is, at the time of writing, fulfilling a twelve months' engagement at the Empire Theatre, in the Metropolis, as violinist. Mr. F.A.King has been successful in gaining a degree at the Royal College of Violinists in London., He is expected back in Wellington before the end of 1896. Before leaving for England he composed and published the Huia Schottische, which became immensely popular, and was played by special request at Government House. (Since the above engraving was prepared, Mr. E.J.King has removed to larger premises in the same street)."

The following refers to E.J.King's departure from Wanganui, courtesy of National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past, from the 'Wanganui Chronicle', 15 April 1886:

"During the time Mr E.J.King has resided in Wanganui he has always taken an active part in amateur concerts, performances, and other methods by which funds have been raised for the benefit of other individuals or societies, while for a long time past "King's Family Band" as it got to be named, has been a thoroughly recognized institution. In fact, anything that was arranged to appear before the public, in which music had to play an active part, was not considered complete unless the name of "King" was associated with it.

But at length the force of circumstances has made it necessary for Mr King to depart to a wider sphere of usefulness, and he has decided to make Wellington his future home. But the public of Wanganui would not let him leave without showing him some mark of esteem in recognition of his valuable services so kindly given on many and various occasions.

A committee was formed for the purpose, decided that a concert would be the most fitting method of showing him appreciation, and the best local talent was called into requisition. The concert was held last night in the Princess Theatre, which was crowded in every part. The overture "Caliph of Bagdad" was played by the Harmonic Society's orchestra, by special request, and was rendered with all the musical ability for which these musicians are famed. This was succeeded by a tenor solo and chorus from Lucia di Lammermoor, by Mr Foster and Harmonic Society. This gave general satisfaction, especially the chorus, although Mr Foster's solo was rather weak.

Mr E.J.King, junior,, followed with a piano solo, "Caprice Hongroise" which he played carefully and correctly, and with evident signs of unremitting practice. That delightful solo, "Tell Me My Heart" came next, and Mrs Lloyd sang it so prettily and with such taste and feeling that she was liberally applauded, and was required to repeat the concluding verse. An instrumental trio, piano, violin, and viola, followed, by Mr E.J.King and son, and Mr Collier, after whom Mr Culpan gave the song, "Our Jack's Come Home To-day," in his usual style. This gave pleasure to the glee, "Good Night, Good Rest," by the Harmonic Society, which sounded extremely well. Then Miss Turner appeared with that old favorite, "I Love My Love." This she sang very fairly, although not quite up to her usual standard of excellence. The audience, however, were pleased and demanded a repetition, the fair vocalist substituting "My Heart is Fair for Somebody" in which she appeared more at home. The next number "Air Varie" a cornet solo by Mr E.J.King and Harmonic Orchestra, was capitally performed, Mr King showing the complete mastery he held over his instrument by playing difficult passages with great apparent ease. The first part of the program was brought to a conclusion by Mr H.Alexander with a new song entitled "Military" representing the glorious deeds of the regiment of "Bengal Cheroots." Mr Alexander's comicalities always "fetch" the audience, last night forming no exception. In response to an encore he gave "General Jinks on the Fallbacks Blue."

After the usual prolonged interval, the Garrison Band under the guidance of Bandmaster Crichton, played selections from "Patience" comprising all the popular airs from that pretty and tuneful opera, which they rendered with good effect after which came a most pleasing performance, a presentation to Mr E.J.King by his Worship the Mayor. The stage having been cleared, Mr Spurdle came forward and after announcing the fact of the presentation called upon Mr King and presented him with a silken purse containing 50 sovereigns, addressing him as follows: - "Mr King, on behalf of the citizens of Wanganui, I have the pleasure of presenting you with this purse, which contains 50 sovereigns, and while doing so have to express regret that you consider it necessary to leave Wanganui in pursuit of your professional calling. You together with the other members of your talented family have always been ready to come forward to help any cause, religious or secular, that required assistance. In conclusion we sincerely trust that you and your family will meet with continued prosperity in your new sphere of labor.

The purse, which was a very pretty one, was worked in royal blue silk and was the special gift of the Sisters of the Society of St. Joseph. Mr King, in replying, thanked the Mayor and the citizens of Wanganui for the very kind manner in which they had shown their regard for him, and stated that it had always afforded him great pleasure to help in any deserving object that had been brought forward, and that though he had found it necessary to take his departure from among us, he would carry with him many pleasurable recollections of the happy hours he had spent while resident here. Mr King, on concluding, was loudly cheered. The Harmonic Society then gave the Gipsy chorus an extremely telling fashion, after which "The Appointment" a vocal waltz, was sung by Miss Sparks accompanied by Mr James Sparks, This was certainly the gem of the evening, the soloist being in exceptionally brilliant voice. She was listened to throughout with the most careful attention, and on retiring was greeted with spontaneous burst of applause. In answer to loud calls for an encore, Miss Sparks came forward and bowed her acknowledgements, but it would not suffice, and she was forced to repeat the last verse. A violin solo, "Life Let us Cherish" was thus played by Master Frank King, whose clever manipulation of his instrument and correct fingering was the theme of general admiration. This was followed by the solo, "The Bloom is on the Rye," in which Mr Leonard's sweet tenor voice was heard to great advantage, A selection from "Ernaui" by the Harmonic Orchestra came next in order, all the passages being excellently played, the clarinets solo by Mr Fraser calling for special mention, "Quite au fait," a comic song, was then given by Mr H.Alexander, who, in response to the usual encore, substituted another of the same class entitled "Woman Lovely Woman."

The proceedings terminated with "God Save the Queen." The accompaniments were cleverly played by Miss Willis and Messrs J.Sparks and E.J.King, junior. Messrs W.Holden and E.J.King acting as conductors, when necessary. The entertainment on the whole was an hospitable one, and reflects great credit on the promoters. It is hoped that Mr King will reap a rich harvest form the proceeds."