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MUSICAL.
McNEILL, ROBERT, Teacher of the Piano and Violin, School of Music, York Place, Dunedin. The subject of this notice was born in Stirling, Scotland, in 1833, came to New Zealand at an early age, and was educated at the Middle District, now Arthur Street, school. His father, Mr. John McNeill, was one of the first piano-tuners In Dunedin, and instructed his son in musical matters from his early years. He was afterwards placed under Mr. Twining for the piano, under Mr. Kelly for the violin, and later received instruction from Mr. A. ,T. Towsey. Mr. McNeill commenced to teach music in 1873, and has followed his profession continuously up to the time of writing. As a composer he is author of the “Maypole Dance and Mazonrka,” and other instrumental pieces, the former having been published in Dunedin. Mr. Mcneill was married in 1886 to a daughter of Mr. Heany, of Belfast. Ireland, and has two sons and one daughter.
BEGG. CHARLES. AND CO., Wholesale and Retail Importers of Pianos, Organs, Music, and every description of musical instruments and requisites, Mussic Publishers. Tuners, and Repairers, 21 and 23 Princes Street. Dunedin; 107 Stafford Street. Timaru; 77 Willis Street. Wellington. Telephone. 337. P.O. Box, 139. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This extensive and prosperous business, which occupies the foremost place of its kind in New Zealand, was established by the late Mr. Charles Begg immediately after his arrival in the Colony by the ship “Robert Henderson” on the 8th of October. 1861. The founder of the firm had served a thorough apprenticeship to every branch of the piano manufacturing industry in Aberdeen, Scotland. He started business for himself at 152 Union Street in that town in March, 1849, and soon earned a first-class reputation for his make of pianos. His business steadily increased until it reached an average output of thirty-five pianos per month. Not a few of these instruments were brought to the Colony by the purchasers who, like himself, emigrated, and some of them are in use at the time of writing thus showing the care that was exercised in the choice of material, and the skill and thoroughness of the workmanship. As an instance of Mr. Begg’s energy and persevering character, it may be stated that he commenced work tuning pianos the day after his arrival in Dunedin, and within a very short time opened a shop in Princes Street, next to the present warehouse, with a stock of but four pianos. One of his first acts was to have specially cut and dried, specimens of all the New Zealand timbers with a view to manufacturing, but as he could not get these cut into veneer, and found they were unsuitable for making solid ends and sides of pianos, he decided to leave manufacturing alone, and go into the importing and retail business generally. For the exhibition in 1865, he built the first four pianos made in New Zealand, one of which was on view at the Otago Jubilee Exhibition of 1898. Mr. Begg, who was well known throughout Otago with his tuning kit in the early sixties, was possessed of such a practised ear that he could distinguish between the different pitches (continental, philharmonic, and medium), and tune a piano to either of these, without the aid of a tuning fork. The first brass band and orchestra in Dunedin, both of which practised in his premises for a considerable time after starting, were formed through Mr. Begg’s personal influence. In the year 1867, at the time of the great fire in Dunedin, the premises occupied by Mr. Begg were totally destroyed, together with the whole of the stock, resulting in very considerable loss. Shortly after his arrival in New Zealand, Mr. Begg was unfortunate in severely straining his back in lifting the end of a heavy piano. For various periods he was confined to his bed, and his death in 1874 resulted from the injuries sustained. The business was then carried on by his trustees, who found it necessary in 1877, to build the present commodious and extensive premises, which contain the largest piano show-rooms In the Colony. The business, which has since assumed much larger proportions, is now under the management of the two sons, Messrs. Alexander and Charles Begg, who have been actively engaged in the development of this great concern since the year 1887. Messrs. C. Begg and Co. have agencies in all the leading towns of New Zealand, and their branch which was established at 167 Stafford Street. Timani. In 1885, is under the management of Mr. W. J. Huggins. The Wellington branch at 77 Willis Street, which is controlled by Mr. Salvatore Cimino, was opened in 1807. Customers in Timaru and Wellington can rely on being charged Dunedin rates, as Messrs. Begg and Co. have determined to maintain uniformity in their prices. The commodious and central premises occupied by this enterprising firm in Princes Street, Dunedin, are unique of their kind and consist of a handsome two storied brick building, with verandahs extending across the foot-path, and the large cellar under the entire ground floor of the building is devoted to the repairing, tuning, and polishing branches of the trade. The piano and organ show-rooms, which are situated on the first floor, are very extensive and contain makes and styles of musical instruments of all kinds, which ought to suit the most fastidious. Messrs. C. Begg and Co. are sole agents for celebrated English piano firms, such as Messrs. John Brinsmead and Sons, Collard and Collard, Pull and Field, Monington and Weston, and in German makes, for Messrs. Geo. Schwechten, Waldemar and Gors, and Kallmann. They make a specialty of British pianos, and have specially constructed instruments built in England to their own specifications. An iron-framed full trichord piano —a handsome looking instrument known as the “C. Begg and Co.” or “Exhibition Model,” has already become very popular, over 350 of these having been sold in Otago alone since the Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition of 1889-90. The organ trade is given the prominence it deserves, and the world renowned reed organs of Story and Clark and of the W. W. Kimball Company of Chicago, can be inspected in great variety. Messrs. Begg and Co. are sole agents for the Portable Kimball Pipe Organs and display oue of these large and handsome instruments in the show-room of their establishment. Their stock of sheet and book music is claimed to be the largest in the Colony, standard, up-to-date music and songs being kept in great variety. As they are in touch with all the leading composers and music publishers in the world, every mail brings some fresh novelty. Their stock of cantatas, operas, oratorios, church and orchestral music is very extensive. Messrs. C. Begg and Co. cater for every section of the music loving public, their stock of flutes, accordeons, clarionets, and similar instruments, being very extensive, while for violins and all needful fittings they are second to none in the trade. The “Student’s” speciality violin, with bow and case complete for £1, is a marvel in value and price, and deserves special commendation. This well known music-house holds the sole agency for the famous “Prototype” brass instruments of Besson and Co., Ltd., of London. These instruments are recognised as the best and leading make in the world, a fact which is evidenced, year after year, by the principal prizes at the band contests, both in England and the Colonies, going to bands which are equipped with this make of instrument. The staff of assistants both in the sale and workrooms of Messrs. Begg and Co.’s establishment are not to be excelled for general practical experience, courtesy, politeness, and attention. Country music orders are posted per return mail, and in both the wholesale and retail departments, the utmost attention and despatch are used. It will well repay all intending purchasers before buying elsewhere to give Messrs. Begg and Co. an opportunity to quote prices and submit illustrations and catalogues, and those who are wise will avail themselves of the benefit of an experience extending about thirty-seven years, in respect to the choice of musical instruments of any kind.
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