NATIONAL ART GALLERY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1393, 20 March 1912, Page 9

NATIONAL ART GALLERY.

BAILLIE COLLECTION OF BRITISH PICTURES. ,It is now generally known that (lie public of Wellington are to bo privileged shortly to view the best ami most representative collection of pictures by the loremost British artists of the day that has over been seen in the Australusian Stales. These works have been carefully selected by Mr. John Baillie, under the supervision of Mr. Geo. Clausen, li.A., at the request of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, following upon the decision of the Government to establish in Wellington a central National Art Gallery. A meeting of the council of the academy was helil last week to make preparations in connection with the forthcoming exhibition, which it is expected will open towards the end of Anril. The Council was unanimously of the opinion that a determined effort'should bo made to secure for Wellington the very best of this magnificent collection, and, as one means to this end, a strong deputation, consisting of the members of the council, representatives of tho leading art and educational institutions, members of Parliament, and others, who have taken an interest in the promotion of art in this city, is to wait upon the City Council at its meeting on Thursday evening next to ask ,ior a special grant from tho civic treasury for the purchase of these pictures. It was also decided at this meeting to create a picture purchase fund, to which it is confidently expected citizens will generously subscribe, so that a reproach which has long rested on the Empire City may bo removed. Mr. J. D. Gray, of No. 75 Grant Jtoad, Wellington, >vns appointed secretarv to the fund, and active steps are to be talten to raise a sum of money sufficient to enable die National Gallery to be opened with a collection of pictures worthy of the capital citv of the Dominion. It is felt that the decision of the Government to establish in Wellington a central public a.rt gallery has relieved the 'municipality, as it has relieved the citizens, of the responsibility which would otherwise have been theirs of providing a site and building for such purposes, and thfit therefore it is an obligation cast on all citizens to do their utmost to furnish that gallery with good works of art. As very wide interest is being_ manifested ill this unique collection of pictures, and as it is known that most of the leading Australian galleries are sending representatives to Wellington to make purchases from it, tho council of the academy desires to make an earnest appeal to all citizens of Wellington and surrounding districts to contribute to tho fund as speedily as possible, in order that the council may be in a position to secure for this city the pick of Mr. Baillie's art treasures.

Mr. Baillie is expected to arrivo in Wellington on April 3. The pictures arc due about the same time by tho Rcmuera.