Mr. Richard Trist Searell, Organist and Choirmaster at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, occupied corresponding positions at the Durham Street Wesleyan Church from August. 1876, till October, 1899, when he resigned. He was born near Chudleigh, South Devon, in 1832, and educated at the Independent Church College, Taunton. He studied music under Messrs Comer, Linter, and many others, and came to Lyttelton in 1865. After being at Christ's College for five years. Mr. Searell was articled to Mr. H. Slater, solicitor, and passed every examination save the final one. Preferring a musical career, he be came organist at Christ's College, and six months later at St. Luke's church, where he remained for two years. After six months at St. John's in the same capacity, he was appointed to the Durham Street Wesleyan Church. Mr. Searell commenced his career as a teacher of music in 1877, and has been a prominent member of the profession since that time. For eleven years he was conductor of the Garrison Band, and at the present time is bandmaster and conductor of the Stanmore Band. He was one of the promoters of the Society of Professional Musicians, which was formed page 199 in 1890, and has been continuously a member of its council. Mr. Searell was married in 1880 to a daughter of the late Mr. W. H. Ellis, of Christchurch, and has four daughters and one son.