Dresden Piano Company, Piano, Organ, and Music Warehousemen, Lambton Quay, Wellington. Manager Mr. M. J. Brookes. P.O. Box 221. Telegraphic and cable address, “Dresden, Wellington.” The business of the Dresden Piano Company was established in 1880. The premises now occupied are those art decorated two-story buildings, situated at the corner of Lambton Quay and Brandon Street, which have been enlarged, altered, and improved from time to time, to meet the demands of their ever increasing business, and are now indeed all that can be desired. The floor space is upwards of 7000 square feet. The Dresden rooms, as the upper floor apartments are called, are the rendezvous of musical people generally. Here they have a fine concert hall, capable of seating 350 people, in which the Wellington Orchestral Society, Wellington Harmonic Society, and Wellington Liedertafel hold their weekly practices, also several sound-proof teaching rooms, which are used by some of the best musicians in New Zealand. The importations consist of pianos, organs, and musical instruments of every description by notable makers—English, French, German, and American. Their music department contains an immense stock and comprises all the latest novelties in book and sheet music. The company are sole agents in New Zealand for Erard pianos, the Kuhse pianos, Pinfold's metronomes, and Boosey's famous band instruments, which have for many years occupied the premier position among musicians. The specialties of the firm are: pianos by Broadwood and Son, Collard and Collard, Erard, Kuhse, Lipp and Sohn, Schwechten, etc.: orgaus by Bell and Co. and Weaver, and harmoniums by Alexandre, etc., any of which can be purchased either for cash, or on their well-known time payment system.

Hoffmann and Sons (C. L. Hoffman), Musical Instrument Importers, Willis Street, Wellington. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Private residence, Ghuznee Street. This well-known firm was founded in 1860 by the father of the present proprietor. Thousands of splendid instruments have been introduced into the Colony by the enterprise and push of the family of Hoffmann, who are all highly musical. The music-loving people of New Zealand owe much to the operations of this old-established business. The Wellington branch was opened in 1887. Mr. C. L. Hoffman, who has conducted the business for five years and is now the sole proprietor, was born in Auckland. Educated at the Auckland College and Grammar School and at Nelson College, he gained his musical and business knowledge with his father in Auckland. Messrs. Hoffman and Son are importers of all classes of musical instruments. They are agents for John Brinsmead and Son, of London (pianos), for F. Besson and Co., of London (brass instruments), and for Story and Clarke, of Chicago, U.S.A. (organs). The winning band in the contest of 1895 is replacing its instruments with Besson's, and they have at the present time several of them, but intend to have a full set as soon as possible. The splendid showroom occupied by the firm in Willis Street has two immense plate glass fronts, and the floorage space is about 2000 square feet. page 451 A large stock of instruments will be found at all times available for selection. The reserve stock, which is very considerable, is kept in the bulk store in Manners Street, opposite the Fire Brigade. Messrs. Hoffmann and Son undertake all kinds of repairing and the tuning of instruments. The public may rely upon the firm in all branches of their business.

Jones, F. and Co. (Frederick Jones), Music and Musical Instrument Importers and Music Publishers, Lambton Quay, Wellington, Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. This firm was fonnded in 1895. Mr. Jones learned his business with Mr. Reichardt, with whom he remained for twelve years. Messrs. Jones and Co. have already established a connection throughout New Zealand and Australia. They have published a good number of proprietary songs, some of which are very popular.

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).

Pinny, Frederick James, Piano, Organ, and Musical Instrument Importer, The Musical Instrument Depôt, 7 Manners Street, Wellington. Telegraphic address, “Pinny, Wellington.” Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Roxburgh Street. Mr. Pinny established his business in 1886, and having been all his life connected with musical societies and musical friends, he made rapid headway. In the beginning his imports were small as compared to his present transactions, but he has for many years been a constant importer from England, America and Germany. His principal lines are pianos, reed organs and harmoniums; but he deals very largely in the smaller instruments, and occasionally he supplies pipe organs. The Musical Instrument Depôt, is centrally situated in a fine two-storey brick building. The Modern Times, referring to musical matters in the Empire City, said:—” There was a time when it might justly be said that music was at a low ebb in Wellington. Only the best houses were supplied with pianos, and many of these were generally silent. Now that is all changed, and to no one is more of the credit due than to Mr. F. J. Pinny.” Mr. Pinny has placed his instruments with families who dare only dream of pianos before he started, and now-a-days a house without a piano or organ is looked upon as poor indeed. Many a music teacher, too, has struggled into a comfortable living from the start given by Mr. Pinny, ‘who brightens the homes of rich and poor page 452 with pianos on terms never heard of before’ Mr. Pinny is a most approachable man, and those who by their actions show an honest intention will ever meet with the greatest consideration. It is very rarely indeed that a piano is returned to him; for, stimulated by his kindly treatment of them, his customers strain every point to make the instrument their own as rapidly as possible. Many thousands of pounds' worth of pianos, organs, and other instruments have been disposed of by Mr. Pinny on the time-payment system. Mr. Pinny was born at Motueka, Nelson, where his father, the late Mr. Samuel Pinny, landed in the early fifties from the ship “Constantine.” Before coming to Wellington, Mr. Pinny was a volunteer in the Permanent Artillery force, and won several trophies as a marksman. He is a member of the Manchester Unity of Odd-fellows, but his life hobby has been music. He takes an interest in all organisations for the improvement of the people, and has for many years been an enthusiastic member of the Baptist Church. One of Mr. Pinny's principal objects has been the acquiring of the best quality instruments, and, being an expert in joinery and general workmanship he has had special instruments built to his own orders, and amongst his stock can be found the best of the instruments made by Lipp and Sons, Broadwood and Sons, Kirkman, Chapple and Co., and other leading piano makers. The choice stock of organs is by Mason and Hamlin, and the celebrated Worcester Organ Company.

Silk, Arthur, Pianoforte Tuner, Repairer, and Dealer in Musical Instruments, Ingestre Street, Wellington. Mr. Silk established himself in business in the Empire City early in the year 1896. As a boy of tender years he evinced a decided taste for music, of which, however, he was unable to commence the study till the year 1881. He made rapid progress in the divine art, first mastering the piano, which he plays well; the violin, however, is his favourite. He has studied and practised assiduously to become a really good player of this fine instrument, in which, it is needless to say, he has succeeded. His talents in this direction have been freely used to assist the advancement of music in the Empire City. Shortly after the establishment of the Wellington Orchestral Society, he joined as a violinist, continuing for several years to assist in this capacity. It is not merely as a musician that Mr. Silk finds his sphere—two years after beginning to study, he began to compose, and actually published his first piece—the “Monawai Waltz”—as long ago as 1883. Since this time he has composed many funeral and other marches, and many songs. The most prominent of his songs are the “Lovers' Prayer,” “True Love,” and “Night.” The last is set to words taken from the “Ingoldsby Legends,” the other two being entirely composed by Mr. Silk—both words and music. For nearly nine years the subject of this notice was in the employ of Messrs. Hoffmann and Sons in Wellington, where he had the opportunity of gaining large experience in the tuning of organs and pianos, as well as in the repairing of all kinds of musical instruments. Mr. Silk improved his opportunities so well that he is now an expert, and when Signor Foley and the Italian Opera Company were in Wellington he did all the tuning and repairing required for the instruments used by this talented combination. In addition to tuning and repairing, Mr. Silk has made arrangements to supply pianos, organs, and violins at the lowest possible price for cash, or on easy terms of payment.

Mr. A. Silk.

Tipling, J., Pianoforte Expert, Certificated Tuner and Repairer, and Pianoforte Maker, 2 Marion Street, near Skating Rink, Wellington. Mr. Tipling has had a long experience in his business. Born and educated in Yorkshire, England, he served an apprenticeship to the trade with Messrs. Wood and Marshall, of Huddersfield. He was afterwards for four years with the well-known London manufacturers, John Brinsmead and Son, with whom he gained a thorough knowledge of action fitting. Leaving England about the end of 1879 by ship “Western Monarch,” under a seven years engagement to Messrs. Milner and Thompson, piano makers, of Christchurch, he landed at Lyttelton early in 1880. He remained in the employ of this firm for fully ten years, and was with them when the method of stringing pianos was patented. Mr. Tipling worked out the details of the invention and made the models. The patent has been secured in Australasia, Germany, France, and England, and is proving very attractive. The great advantage consists in the use of wood being dispensed with. At every exhibition where this patent method of stringing pianos has been shown the highest awards have been secured. At the World's Fair, Chicago, a gold medal and diploma of honour were gained. In Dunedin at the exhibition of 1890, a double first award was bestowed on the instrument which was fitted by the patent method of stringing, “for high quality of tone and endurance,” and for its tuning device by which the piano is easily tuned and remains in tune. Mr. Tipling holds a special agency for Messrs. Milner and Thompson's new prize medal piano, with patent automatic tuning attachment, for Wellington and district. He formed his present connections in 1890, after leaving Christchurch, and was the recipient of a flattering testimonial from his late employers. While in London Mr. Tipling received a certificate from the society of Arts as tuner for Messrs. Brinsmead. Since page 453 settling in the Empire City he has been very successful—about fifty of the leading families employing him to keep their pianos in tune. There are few men who have the practical knowledge required to make an instrument throughout. This Mr. Tipling is qualified to do, and it is not surprising that his services are in requisition by the trade. He has suitable premises for his business in Marion Street, having erected two dwelling houses in one of which he lives on a central site purchased by him as above.

Other Music Dealers, Etc.

Charlton, Joseph, Pianoforte Tuner, Watson Street, Wellington.

Cimino, Salvatore, Dealer in Music and Musical Instruments, 78 Willis Street, Wellington. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Established 1893.

Gardiner, Frederick, Pianoforte Tuner, Sydney Street, Wellington.

Hoffmann, Fred, Importer of Musical Instruments, 25 Lambton Quay, Wellington. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Private residence, Webb Street. Established 1889.

Parsons, George F., Piano and Music Dealer, 217 Lambton Quay, Wellington. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Private residence, Murphy Street. This business was established by Mr. W. H. Spiller in 1885, and has been conducted by Mr. Parsons since June, 1895.

Hutt Bridge.