Legal action for return of historic church organ

Legal action is to be taken against Mro Joseph Gatt for the return of a small, 17th century organ which was removed from the Church of Our Lady of Victories in Valletta for restoration, Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said yesterday.

He explained that representatives of an Italian firm had inspected a number of organs with Mro Gatt and it was eventually agreed with Mro Gatt in collaboration with the Italian firm that the small but important organ at Our Lady of Victories Church would be restored. Lm2,990 had so far been paid for the work.

The project was supposed to have been completed two years ago but Mro Gatt had so far not returned the organ despite several meetings and requests, even through legal channels. The decision to proceed with legal action was taken this week after Mro Gatt did not reply to an official letter.

Dr Zammit Dimech said the restoration of the church was one of the main projects of the Valletta Rehabilitation Project. The work done so far included a report on the state of the paintings, replacement of metal pipes and the restoration of two urns on the façade in collaboration with Din L-Art Helwa. Bronze works on the façade were currently being restored by the firm Sante Guido Restauro.

The minister was replying to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Evarist Bartolo.