ARTS SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20102, 4 December 1930, Page 13

ARTS SOCIETY.

ANNUAL RErORT

The annual report of the Council of the Canterbury Society of Arts, which is to bo presented at the annual meeting on December 17th, states that the finances of the Society are in a healthy state and records the death of Mr William Reece, who was for many years an active and valued member of the Society and who was president in 1911 and 1912, and vice-president from that time until his death. .Mr C. F. Kelly was elected to fill the vacancy on tho council caused by the death of Mr Reece. The annual exhibition, which was the jubileo of the Society, was opened on March 2~th. The exhibition contain 552 exhibits, representing works by artists from all parts of New Zealand, augmented by exhibits from New Zealand painters abroad. The attendance of the general public again showed an increase. In the, matter of sales there was a large decrease on the

figures of last year. The total was very satisfactory under the circumstances. iii Several pictures were purchased during the vear for the permanent collection, including works by the following artists:—Miss D.'"K. Richmond, Russell Clark, and Cedric bavage. Ail arts and crafts exhibition, held in September, was not supported as well as it was hoped. The students' competition was very interesting in some sections; some very fine examples were exhibited. Mr Cedric Savage, who returned from Australia, held a very interestin" exhibition, and the sales were very encouraging for this young artist. The Hon Mrs Vane and Mrs Norman Hope also held an exhibition, which proved most successful in every respect, the sales being exceptionally large, and Mr J. Fitzgerald held an exhibition of sketches and etchings, which was also quite successful. A conference of rsew Zealand Art Societies was held in Wellington on October 3rd to discuss the advisability of forming an Association of Now land Art Societies. The matters discussed at the conference are now under review by the various Societies. As the matter is of importance to this Society, members will be asked at the annual meeting to give consideration, to the advisability of the

association of this Society with such a body.

In accordance with the Articles of Association, the following officers retire:—President, Mr Cyrus J. 11. Williams; vice-presidents, Dr. G. M. Lester aud Miss M. 0. Stoddart; council, Messrs L. H. Booth. F. L,. Hutchinson, W. Menzies Gibb. and G. Hamilton; hon., treasurer, Mr it. Walhvork ; hon. auditors, Messrs Anderson, Bicknell and Co. AH are eligible, if nominated, for re-election.