University Organ Committee

Following a memorandum from the Chancellor, Sir William Manning, dated 12 November 1878, the Senate approved his recommendation to form the Organ Committee. The members were the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Gurney, Mr Cecil Stephen, and Mr John Kinloch. At some later stage, Sir Patrick Jennings, a prominent contributor, and Alexander Oliver, a distinguished graduate of the University, were apparently co-opted. The first meeting of the Committee was on Thursday 31 December, 1878.

Manning recounts in his memorandum the account F.L.S. Merewether has given how he began to solicit subscriptions some years before when he was Chancellor. His letter is included in the records. Merewether (1811-1899) was a foundation Fellow of Senate, Chancellor 1862-1865, and sometime auditor of NSW.

Prior to 1878 Senate at its meeting on 1 July 1874 had discussed the placement of an organ in the Hall and resolved "that the Registrar be requested to write to Mr Merewether on the subject of the subscription entered into some years back for a purchase of an organ for the Hall". Merewether’s reply was discussed by Senate at its meeting of 5 May 1875. Merewether stated that the amount of subscriptions held by him, including interest, towards the purchase was £400. Senate resolved ‘that Mr Dalley, Mr Rolleston, Mr Allen and three professors be appointed a committee to endeavour to obtain further subscriptions for that object". However, it does not seem that there was any further action on this project at the time. Merewether, in his letter of 1878, stated that only Wentworth, Professor John Smith and he himself were prepared to subscribe, of all the Fellows of Senate. By September 1878, a total of 265 pounds had been subscribed, and this had also accumulated interest of 197 pounds & 10 shillings, a total of 462 pounds & 10 shillings.

Following the circulation of specifications, 2 tenders were apparently sent via F.L.S. Merewether, who then resided in England. E. T. Blacket was instructed to consider the structural alterations to the interior of the Great Hall, and the tender of Forster and Andrews was accepted in February 1880. The organ arrived on the ‘Balmore’ in October 1881. By that date, the organ had cost 1641 pounds, 11 shillings & 4 pence.

By 1882, the Committee had virtually completed its task. Most of the material from that date is to do with recitals by various individuals and groups.