FINE ARTS ACADEMY

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1220, 31 August 1911, Page 3

FINE ARTS ACADEMY

ANNUAL MEETING. Mr. H. S. Warclcll, president, occupied the chair at thu annual meeting ot tho New Zealand Academy of. Fine.Arts. The report showed t'hjt the present roll stood at 191 subscribing, 79 artists, and 3' life members. The annual exhibition was opened by Lady Islington on October 1 with a very interesting address. An unusually largo number of works were sent in and -173 exhibited, being 70 more than the previous, year. Tho sales amounted to £%0 Us. Id., being XllS more than at tho previous exhibition. The attendance of tho paying public produced .£3B 45., .£23 less.than last year, which represented a falling-off of 500 in'the attendance. During the year the gallery had been opened to the public on 135 afternoons, and visited by .3075 persons. The collection had been added to by the purchase of "Idhes?e," by T. IS. Itonuington; a Maori study, "Old Familiar Face.?," by H. Linlcy Kichardson; a water colour by Mrs. Hughes (Miss Waymtuth); and by other works donated or loaned, for which tho council desired to record hearty thanks. In moving tho adoption of the report, .-Mr. Wardell urged upo;i members the importance of each individually making • an enort to add to the number of members, ami mentioned that the falliug-off in t'io attendance of the public at the last exhibition was probably due to extension ot members privileges in respect of the admission of friends, and alter refcrrin" to the popularity of the Art Gallery, emphasising tho thanks of the ncadeiliv for the grants made last session in favour of public art galleries, he expressed the nope that, it would be repeated and eventually become an annual appropriation. Ihe report was adopted. Before proceeding with tho election of officers for the. ensuing year, the president said: "It is due to members, especially those who have honoured me with their proxies that I shnuld explain why I am not offering hyself for. re-election, alter having notified my intention to do Mr rw°n *l ,vns ,; l . ltere( l "Pon between Mr. Gore and myself ln an amicable, spirit and after an exchange of confidences as not h, P m S f le? " e Mch h€ - ld, T determined not to put in any nomination. I was elected vice-president at the first meeting of the academy in 18S9, and held that position, being re-elected from time to time, for seventeen years. As president I have successfully contested three elec-. tions. During all that time I have taken a very great interest in' the academy, and it would bo afiectation for me to say 1 do not. regret the severance of my connection with the governing body. But a man of my years is not prepared to light an eleclion vigorously, and the position of president would afford mo no p cas.ire unless I felt I-had the confidence of the academy. Tho work of president has been congenial to me, and if I have done the academy as much good as the doing it has afforded me pleasure, I have accomplished a great deal. I now leave the .work in younger hands. . My interest in the academy will continue, and I hope to see it realise the ideals I have had in view. I declare Mr. H. M. Gore duly elected president for tho ensuing two years, and if he proves as good a president as ho was a secretary, the academy will have no ground for complaint." (Applause.)

Mr. Gore, in returning thanks for the honour done him, referred to his early connection with the academy (he was a prize-winner at the first exhibition), and assured memlxrs of his earnest desire to proinute its interest?. He paid a -liferli tribute to tlio services rendered by the retiring president, and was much applauded.

The following officers were then elected: —Vice-presidents, Dr. Fell and Mr. 11. Linley Richardson; members of coundl, j\li?s D. K. Richmond. Hiss Holmes, Mr. A. Hamilton; Mr. L. H. B. Wilson; treasurer, Mr. C. Wilson; auditor, Mr. C. D. Slorpeth. Some' discussion took place on the expediency of abolishing tho Ufo of proxies in the election of officers, and on tho motion of Mr. Rayward, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, a resolution was passed making a recommendation to the incoming council to formulate a plan governing the USO of proxies, and to submit it to a special general meeting of members. ■ "A vote of thanks to the retiring president was carried enthusiastically, followed by the si wring of "For He's A Jolly Goad Fellow."