The Jennings Model G organ, Civic Auditorium, Lower Hutt

"Electronic Organ Magazine", February 1973. In the original paper print one can just make out "JENNINGS" above the third manual. At the time of the photo the original electronics had been almost completely replaced.

Civic complex, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Picture .

Jan. 2026, more to come - skeleton chrononlogy. Huge thanks to Laura at the Lower Hutt County Archive for making the documentation available.

1958: Jennings signals that a Model G organ is to be installed in the Civic Auditorium.

1960: recorded [May 1972] that the organ had been purchased in 1960.

May 1960: Wellington Organists' Association asks about the possibility of an inaugural performance.

12th June 1960: the performance, a programme of Bach, Handel, Stanley, Alfred Hollins, Mendelssohn, Edward MacDowell, and Boellmann.

1960 - 1965: performances.

1965: maintenance required. The organ was not staying in tune. Howell Piano Company (Wellington) is asked to investigate. The company had been appointed to look after the organ following its installation (i.e. 1958 / 1959).

April 1966: J.E. Salmon appointed City Organist with a honorarium.

March 1967: town clerk writes to Jennings for technical documentation to help the repairman - John Daglish of Dunedin - to fix the faults. The Howell Piano Company had gone out of business.

In May, Daglish repairs the organ, replacing 85 faulty diodes and among other things fitting a Great to Pedal coupler which, although a requirement of the original installation, had not been fitted by Jennings. The repair bill came to $1045. Daglish proposed an annual maintenance charge of $95.50 plus the cost of any components. In 1969 Daglish's work was described as a "tonal rebuild", necessitated by the failure of the organ to stay in tune for more than 24 hours.

26th October 1967: a lunch-time organ recital [programme].

Sept. 1968: A second set of castors fails under the weight of the organ, which had to be moved regularly.

1969: Discussions about the moving of the organ. The large wire looms in the rear of the unit were exerting undue force on the fine wires of the key contacts as the unit was moved. Dust a problem too, a result of the need to sweep the floors regularly.

April 1970: A report by the Dominion Electronic Organ Co. of Christchurch (John Daglish a director). Dust and dirt had the effect of distorting the German silver of the key contacts, which were very difficult to get at. The speaker wiring moreover had been changed over the years for the worse. The recommendation: replace the key contact system, and move the organ to a permanent position in the gallery. Despite the troubles, the organ is described as a worthy asset for the city.

June 1970: a pronounced mains hum develops. Key contacts continue to give trouble, notes sometimes failing to sound. But the organ keeps its tuning.

August 1970: some serious damage reported - stop knobs broken off. The Dominion Organ Company recommends a complete rebuild of the keying system, as the original one had so many non-standard components. The overhaul would require among other things three new keyboards, contact assemblies, 20,000 feet of wire, and 5,000 resistors. Parts, including the keyboards, could be acquired from Kimber-Allen in England. The cost: 3,043 including one year's free maintenance.

August 1970: a further letter from Dominion reports the decision to place the organ in a new gallery above the east front door, and to raise the organ speakers on both sides of the hall. Having the speakers permanently wired in would prevent ad hoc use for public address [the cause of the wiring troubles, reported in April].

August 1970: City Engineer's summary of proposal to re-site the organ. He notes that when the organ was installed a cupboard had been provided rear of stage to house the console. But moving the organ in and out was difficult.

October 1970: a complaint from a member of the public about the organ (or organ playing). Reply from Town Clerk in November. The organ required tuning. The City Organist, Mr J.E. Salmon, did his best to compensate.

March and April 1971: Dominion Organ Co. Organ could be rebuilt and remain in its present position until the new gallery constructed. Removing the original power supply and amplifier sections would enable the organ to be moved around on stage more easily in the meantime. The underlying plan was to house the power supply and amplifier separately - in a cabinet of its own.

May 1971: reported that some notes sounding continuously. This has been fixed, and organ is "at least playable".

July 1971: Dominion Organ Co. authorised to start the work of rebuilding the organ.

October 1971: Town Clerk to J.E. Salmon, the Hall Organist: people hiring the Hall are entitled to use the organ speakers for public address purposes so long as the setting up is done by the Halls Supervisor.

December 1971: Instruction from J. Salmon to City Engineer to build the cabinet for power supply and amplifiers, and move the organ's bass horn to the beam above the back of the stage.

May 1972: a report on the terms and conditions of the City Organist.

July 1972: connection to be installed whereby organ speakers can be used for public address.

July 1972: letter from Christchurch Town Hall Organ Committee. Question of whether to buy electronic or pipe.

December 1972: decision to review terms and conditions of the City Organist. Post is revised. Salmon to be invited to re-apply.

Applications for position of City Organist to be in by 16th March 1973. [From 672486 back - applications and receipt notes.]

4th April 1973: A.D. [Arthur David] Fagan, music teacher at the Hutt Valley High School, appointed City Organist.

Typescript of press release. "Mr Fagan will be arranging a series of organ recital annually which will predominantly be held in the lunch hour periods or at such other times when citizens can be present to enjoy them."