ARTS CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1369, 21 February 1912, Page 3

ARTS CLUB.

ANNEAL REPORT. The annual report of the Wellington Arts Club has been circulated among members. "The club commences the coming year (says the report) with a slightly reduced membership. Iti a few cases artists who were valuablo members have left the city, some of them have left New Zealand. In other cases persons have joined the club without, being fully acquainted with its aims and objects. Some of them have found themselves out of sympathy, and have retired.

Sir Joseph Ward, -when addressing the club last year, made tho promise that the Government would provide a National Art Gallery in Wellington. This promise tho Government is about to fulfil, and Sir Joseph Ward has written to the president to say that when the plans are prcpared, and before the work is proceeded with, the Government will favourably consider tho club's request that the plans shall be submitted to tho members for criticism. Without taking undue credit, tho club is to be congratulated upon the fact that it was through its efforts that the final determination to provide a National Art Gallery was nrrived at. "The administration of tho club must combine efficiency with strict regard to economy, but it must be tho aim of the incoming council to consider tho comfort of members, and to extend the sphere of usefulness of the club in every possible way. Some means of increasing the revenue should be devised, and it is probable that one or two more entertainments may bo given with that object. Tho club owes some part of the initial cost of furnishing, and there is a balance v. n° n •-° p,ano ' ]t suoul(1 h " tue aif " of the incoming council to considerably reduco these amounts during the current year. It will bo noticed that 20 per cent, and 10 per cent, have been written ofi the furniture in two years, this rate, of depreciation would write off the whole of the book value of the furniture in a further five years. It is also desired to institute a dramatic and literary section, which will hold readings, and' possibly performances, of plays of a literary character. The library should also b'e augmented, and with this object a strong sub-committee should be set up as early as possible."

The balance-sheet for the year shows a credit balance of .£37 3s. 4-d.