NATIONAL GALLERY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1430, 3 May 1912, Page 4

NATIONAL GALLERY.

'ANOTHER GENEROUS GIFT. The fund for the purchase of pictures for the National Gallery now stands withiu easy distance- of half tho amount stipulated by fho City Council in promising' its grant, and as that result has ljecn achieved in just about half the time allotted lo the work, it seems as though Wellington will confound tho critics without and the pessimists within, who said the thin? could not bo done.

Tho latest "gift to the fund is n most generous one from Mr. Sidney Johnston, of Oruawharo Station, Takapau, Hawke's 13ay, who has presented to the National Gallery Mary Young Hunter's charming child-portrait, entitled "Gnbrielle." This is a picture that has attracted imivc-rsal and appreciative attention. The exhibition continues to attract attendances, and already keen interest is being taken in tho voting to determine tho six unsold pictures in tho collection which most appeal to the public. The first results will be noted to-night, and published in to-morrow's paper, and after that it is proposed to publish tho results daily until the voting closes. The New Zealand Academy of Fino Arts has been advised that Jlr. Mann, superintendent of the National Art Gallery, of Sydney, is coming across to Wellington to inspect Mr. Baillie's collection oi' British pictures. In deference to a Yery_ generally-ex-pressed wish that the exhibition should be opened on Sunday afternoons, visitors will he admitted to the gallery between the hours of '2 p.m. and 5 p.m. A collection will be taken at tho door, The donations to date are:— •E e. d. Amount acknowledged 2,215 7 !l Dr. To) hurst 10 (i James M'Kerrow 5 5 0 Sidnev Johnston, Takapau (picture) : 175 0 0 E. Trpgeav 110 Mrs. Harding 110 H. H. Marshall, Motukowhai 1 1 0 "Well-wisher" I 1 0 Total £2,430 7 3