THE ART GALLERY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 600, 31 August 1909, Page 6

THE ART GALLERY.

APPEALS FOR HELP. ANNUAL -MEETING OF ACADEMY. ' Tho annual meeting of tho New-Zealand Academy of Fine Arts ,was held in the Art Gallery, Whitmo're Street, last, night. Mr. H. . S.';WardeU presided, and about thirty radios and gentlemen were present.

The twentieth annual report stated tho roll contained the names of three life members, ISO subscribing members, and 85 artist members. The works shown at the annual exhibition, which was opened 1 on September 28, 1908, were 'very satisfactory. in' character, and comprised 128 pictures in oil, 176 in water colour; a few in black and white, a little sculpture, and some works'in wrought silver, jewellery, enamelling, and painted china. The sales, however,, fell somewhat short in numbers And amount "of those of the previous 'year; the numbers being: 43 pictures and 17 Works in art craft; the amount £231 3s 6d . iuclusive of the art union prize*. ' The ■ attendance was good, as in addition to the attendance of members and 7 their wives, there was paid for admis : sion the sum 'of £48 155.. representing 766 admissions. Nineteen worts were, submitted to the judges in the student competition. The sum of £73 was allocated tlie art union fund. The'report also stated: "We have been able to add a few pictures to the gallery, which now contains 34 oil (3 being loans), and 22 water colour. The atteudance of the public, although not so large , as, desired, '. shows', a considerable interest, in the gallery, 3500 persons having visited it .during the period .under review.. 1' • v

"We regret that no great addition has been made to the collection, and sincerely lippß that some of cur friends, will be generous enough to assist-,-in promoting the intellectual enjoyment and 'artistic 'education of the community by; the donation or . loan of suitable pictures or'other works of art, or,by liberal contributions,; which Will enable your council to procure them." The annual grant of £50 by the City . Council was gratefully acknowledged. ', , . ■ PrOjid'jnt's Ac.'J'ross, Tho' president, in moving the'adoption'of tli6 report and balance-sheet, said tho rfe-' suits .'shown were fairly satisfactory.' 'The balance-sheet showed notwithstanding heavy expenses in repairing the building, aiid making .it more • sacure'- aim'. in '-printing new articles''of jisSsfchtion, last yoar's overdraft had .been paid off,-£36 .had been spent on the-purchase of pictures; and there' was £7 in haiid with £52 of unpaid subscription's on Juno; 30. He urged members .to • . earnestly for now. members. The subscribing membership svas oiily half tliat 'of the Can-' terbu'r'ySociety, and ,he hoped they wonld, get ,it. doubled ,by next- 'annual meotirig. This, would double "tho 1 amount .of the art union. prizes and increase the vitality of the (society.' 'Ibe experiiiierit of. opening tile gallery on' all Sundays .had been successful,. and the.practice would be continued. While gratefully 'acknowledging' the help ~of, the' public,.' the . Governrtieiit,' and. ...tfie.".City, Council, the president .appealed to members to. obtain further, subscriptions or donations, or . tha • loan : of. pictures. Tho pemapeht housing-of the gallery pictures wa3 still, a matter of anxiety. , ; ';-

. Concerted . Action Vfantsd. ■ ' Mr. H. M. Gore, vice-president, '.in seconding the motion, , acknowledged, the assistance given by'the press, but odmpiainod that' the newspapers . twitted the society on ils poverty. .Tho pessimism of .the p.ist had not been'"justified' by events; iuid . life ■ believed that, concerned, .action .on, the part _ of. themembers would be the, means of placing Wellington in possession of a free public gallery worthy of - the, centre of the Dominion.' He hoped the new council would tako steps with the object of securing a site and a building in 'which to house_ the permanent/ public collection. . - x The roport and balance-sheet were adopted. ■ ; Officers. •. V The following .officers... were elected President, Mr. H.. S. ' Wardell; vicepresidents, Mr. H. M. Gore and 1 Dr. Fell; council, Misses D;" K. i-. Richmond and S._ Johnson, Messrs.'-A. ,T. Bate?, :W; ;Fj Bar-' rand.-'- J. "W. Joynt, A, Hamilton, L. .H. B. • Wilson, and- H; : : Linley Richardson; treasurer," Mr;: C. Wilson; - auditor, •- Mr. C. D. Morpeth. ' '■' • ■-,