May 2, 1927, Special Vestry Meeting
At some point following the departure of the organist, Dr Spencer Compton, who resigned in November 1926 and May 1927 Mr A C K Harper was appointed to the position.
Mr. A. C. K. Harper, organist at St. Matthew's Church, Masterton, who was injured in an accident at Wellington last Saturday and was admitted to the Public Hospital, is making good progress. His injuries are not serious. [See note below]
Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Vestry held in the Common Room on Monday, May 2, 1927, at 4 pm (Page 108)
Present
The Vicar presiding; Messrs Maunsell, Hale, Hyde, Herbert, Smith, Denbee and Mr Harper.
Organ
Consideration of state of organ blower system. Mr Maunsell moved and Mr Hale seconded that the tender of Mr J E Dodd for the installation of a modern electric blowing system, as per his letter of 31st March, at a cost of £100 "be accepted". Carried.
The meeting then closed.
(Signed) Wm. Bullock, 26 May 1927
Note: Alan Charles Keith Harper was born in 1904 in Chilcompton, Someset. He was ordained a deacon in the Anglican Church in Christchurch Diocese and ordained a priest in 1935. He served as assistant curate in Temuka and Kumara and was appointed vicar of Ross and South Westland in 1937. In 1941 he was appointed vicar of Akaroa, but on military service.
He served as a military chaplain during WW2, as a Chaplain 3rd class in the NZ Expeditionary Force. He was killed in action - the only military chaplain to be killed. When returning from burying a soldier he was killed by shellfire.
Sources: Blain Biographical Directory of Anglican Clergy in the South Pacific, 2023 edition;
Online Cenotaph.
