Blue, Daniel , Teacher of the Violin, Viola and Violincello, Waianawa, near Invercargill. Mr. Blue was born in Southland, in June, 1868, and there also he received his musical education. Subsequently he studied in Dunedin under Signor Squarise. He commenced his career as a teacher in Invercargill in 1892, and removed from that district in October, 1897. After a trip in search of health, Mr. Blue settled early in 1898 in Oamaru, where he acted as conductor of the Oamaru Amateur Operatic Society. During his residence in Invercargill, he was leader of the Orchestral Society, and took part generally in concerts and local entertainments. Mr. Blue is also a qualified teacher of the tonic sol-fa system. He is attached to the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, and was initiated in Lodge St. George in Invercargill. Mr. Blue was married, in 1896, to a daughter of Mr. Geddes, merchant tailor, of Invercargill, and has one daughter.

Mr. D. Blue.

Collis, Mrs C. , Teacher of the Piano and of Singing, Fountain Lodge, Wharfe Street, Oamaru. This lady is the wife of Mr. Edward Collis, wine manufacturer. She was born in Glasgow, and afterwards studied under Herr Julius Seligman, gold medallist, and took lessons at Tamworth, England, from Mr. Grieve, organist of Lichfield Cathedral. She came out to Australia for reasons of health. For some years she was head teacher of the Ladies' Training College in Geelong, and she settled in Oamaru in 1880. A great many pupils have passed through her hands since she commenced to teach in 1885, and she has been successful in passing many pupils through Trinity College examinations.

Deihl, Miss Nellie , Teacher of Piano and Harmony, Reed Street, Oamaru. Miss Deihl was born at Otepopo, and was educated at the Oamaru Middle school. She commenced her musical studies in Oamaru, took lessons from Mr. A. J. Barth, in Dunedin, and began to teach music in Oamaru in 1893. Miss Deihl is secretary of the Oamaru branch for conducting examinations for Trinity College, London, and prepares pupils for the examinations. She has frequently taken part in concerts and public page 524 entertainments in Oamaru, and is pianiste to the Oamaru Operatic Society. Miss Deihl is also an organist.

Miss N. Deihl.

Fergusson, James B. , Member and Representative of the Tonic Solfa College; Organist and Choirmaster of the Columba Church, and Teacher of Piano and Singing, Wharfe Street, Oamaru. Mr. Fergusson was born in 1867 in Dundee, Scotland, where he was educated. In 1881 he arrived in Sydney, where he followed commercial pursuits for about four years. Having studied the Tonic Solfa system in Dundee under Mr. A. Adamson, and the organ under Mr. W. Richmond and Mr. J. K. Strachen (since known as “The Scotch Organist”). Mr. Fergasson continued his musical studies, especially voice culture and piano technique, in Sydney. He was appointed organist at St. David's Presbyterian Church at Ashfield. New South Wales, in 1886, and was very successful in training choruses for various musical festivals and concerts. Ill-health compelling him to relinquish teaching for a time, he travelled for two years, and in 1890 he arrived in Dunedin, where he soon became identified with musical matters. In the sight-singing contest of 1891, Mr. Fergusson was selected by Messrs. A. J. Barth and A. Brunton to act with them as judge. In this competition, only one candidate using the old notation reached the final stage, and at its conclusion the first five places were taken by Solfaists. From the end of 1893 till 1896 Mr. Fergusson was musical director of the Dunedin Burns' Club, and met with such success that the club's choir was repeatedly asked to go far afield and give performances. After leaving the Burns' Club he became a propagandist for the Tonic Solfa system, and instituted classes at Port Chalmers, Mornington, and Mosgiel; these classes have produced many candidates for certificates. Towards the end of the year 1900 Mr. Fergusson was invited to take charge of the musical portion of the services at Columba Presbyterian Church, Oamaru. He accepted the invitation, and has done such good work as choir trainer that the Columba choir now holds one of the first places in North Otago, and the musical service gives pleasure to all. Besides, it is largely due to Mr. Fergusson's zeal that a pipe organ was built in 1903 for Columba Church by Jones and Son, of London. Mr. Fergusson is always to the fore in any movement for the improvement of musical matters—a fact to which his frequent contributions to the local press bear unmistakeable witness—and his advice is keenly sought after on every hand. Great sympathy exists between him and his fellow-workers, whether professional or otherwise. Mr. Fergusson instituted the movement for the purchase of an organ for the Presbyterian Church at Mornington, of which he was organist and choirmaster. At Ashfield (New South Wales) he also secured a large amount of support to a propesal for the purchase of an organ for the church, but left Australia before the instrument arrived. Mr. Fergusson has received many presentations from pupils and friends, including a silver mounted and engraved baton at Ashfield, a purse ofsovereigns in Trentham, Victoria, and a substantial cheque by public subscription, as well as a purse from the Baptist choir, at Mosgiel in 1897.

Mr. J. B. Fergusson.