WELLINGTON'S NEED.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 855, 29 June 1910, Page 6

WELLINGTON'S NEED.

A PUBLIC ABT GALLERY. The Mayor has received a letter urging the need of a public art gallery for Wellington from Mr. U. S. Wardell, president of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. Mr. Wardell refers to an earlier appeal addressed to the Hon. T. W, Hislop, as Mayor, in February, 1908, for assistance iii the establishment of a public art gallery. The reply to that appeal was that the matter would be considered, but up to the present he had not seen any result In appealing to the present council, Mr. Wardell urged that the expenditure of public money would be justified. The want of a suitable gallery had been characterised as a stigma on the city, as showing a want of interest in that which, while providing an intellectual pleasure, was calculated to educate and improve the artistic taste of the community. The corporation had shown its recognition of its duty in relation to the aesthetic side of life by providiug for the gratification of the sense of iuumc. ami had provided an organ, organist, and concert chamber. He asked for u like recognition of its duty in respect of another branch of fine art. "That a new and properly constructed public nailery is needed," continues the letter, "is generally admitted. The sneers habitually Ihrown by the public press at the present gallery, although aimed at tho academy, rebound on the city. ]t was erected .by the academy for its ordinary exhibitions, and, while suitable fov that purpose, is admittedly uot adapted for a permanent public art gallery. The ground attached to it is ton limited for any useful addition, even if the academy had the necessary funds." '1 be writer then points out that, the value of the collection, now comprising -thirty-five oil and twenty-five watercolour pictures, worth about. JSOOO, would be materially increased by donations from the public if the public character of the gallery were clearly established. Then there was the question .of damage to pictures arising out of (ho necessity for removins them to make room for the periodical exhibitions. Should the per-nii.-sion freely granted by the Railway Department to the pictures in the strong-room nl its office be withdrawn, the risk wonld be seriously increased. The writer concludes with a hope that the Mayor will put the matter favourably liolovo Hip ronncil. and I hat action will be taken without delay.