Wallingford/Jarlov Family Trees

The Dominion 20 Aug 1931

Mrs J. Prouse Dead - Keen Devotee of Music - Famous Artists' Friend
[Portrait included with article]

Formerly one of Wellington's best known personalities, Mrs Prouse, relict of the late Mr John Prouse, died at her home in Clifton Terrace (where she had lived for forty-five years) on Tuesday evening, after a long illness. Mrs Prouse's health had not been satisfactory for ten years past, and it had failed noticeably since the death of her
husband less than a year ago.

The late Mrs Prouse (nee Helen Hardinge) was born in Cardiff, Wales, and came to New Zealand in the ship Salisbury, which arrived here on January 20, 1874. Later she married Mr Prouse, and had, with the exception of trips abroad, resided in Wellington ever since.

The love of music, so strong in the Welsh, was deeply implanted in this lady, whose record of achievement in encouraging the best in music in New Zealand is probably unique. This urge was accentuated by her husband's fine talent as a singer, and her constant association with artists and leaders of musical thought. When Mr Prouse toured England with Kubelik years ago, Mrs Prouse accompanied him and became the personal friend of Sir Charles Santley, Sir Henry Wood, Antonia Dolores, and many other famous artists. Distinguished artists such as
Mr Andrew Black, Dolores, Mr and Mrs Albert Mallinson (the celebrated composer and singer), made Mr and Mrs Prouse's residence their home while in Wellington. Once when Mr Alfred Hill lay suffering from pleurisy in the hospital here, nothing would do but that he must be removed to Clifton Terrace so as to be under Mrs Prouse's special observation and care. It was Mrs Prouse who first detected exceptional talent in the Ellwood trio, of Christchurch, and who was instrumental in having Mr George Ellwood, now of Wellington, sent to study the cello under Jean Gerardy at the Liege (Belgium) Conservatoire.

Orchestral Enthusiast

Mrs Prouse was particularly keen about orchestral music. She had a knowledge of the best of the world's orchestras through her four or five long trips to Europe, and lost no opportunity of doing all in her power to bring about an improvement in New Zealand. Realising that the Christchurch Exhibition Orchestra was the finest ever assembled in New Zealand, Mrs Prouse sponsored a tour of that organisation when the exhibition closed. Through the failure of the Auckland season, the venture was not a financial success, and Mrs Prouse had to realise on some of her property to meet the deficiency. In sponsoring the first professional orchestra here (under the baton of the late Mr Herbert Bloy) Mrs Prouse had the idea of popularising Sunday orchestral concerts on the lines of those given at Queen's Hall, London and many will remember what a high standard was achieved by that
orchestra.

On another occasion Mrs Prouse showed her enthusiasm for music in a remarkable manner. Madame Melba was associated prominently with the musical arrangements in connection with the festivities for the Duke
and Duchess of York (the present King and Queen), when they went to Melbourne to open the first Commonwealth Parliament. Melba wanted a good baritone, so cabled to Mr Prouse to go across. Mrs Prouse accompanied him. She heard the band of the Royal Marines on the Ophir, on which the Royal party travelled, and decided there and then that the public of New Zealand should be given a chance to hear it, though the band seldom if ever was allowed to play off the Ophir. Being a woman of great tact and strong in purpose, her representations in the
right quarters were successful, and this fine band gave concerts in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Mrs Prouse knew Italian opera thoroughly, having experienced two long seasons in Milan.

The deceased leaves a family of three sons and two daughters. The sons are Messrs W. J. and Oliver Prouse of Wellington and Mr George Prouse of Milan, Italy; and the daughters are Mrs George Anderson, of Buenos Aires, and Miss Constance Prouse, of Wellington. There will be a memorial service at St Paul's Pro-Cathedral at 2pm tomorrow. The interment will take place at the little cemetery at Wainuiomata, the valley associated with the family ever since Wellington was first settled, and where three generations of the Prouses lie at rest.

From The Prouse Connection:

Lena arrived in N.Z. on the 'Salisbury' on 20 January 1847. She was a governess, a music enthusiast and the accompaniest to a number of eminent singers. Sponsor for the first professional orchestra in N.Z.