NATIONAL GALLERY FUND.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1436, 10 May 1912, Page 4

NATIONAL GALLERY FUND.

GOVERNOR VISITS EXHIBITION. The attendances of the public al the ex« hibition of British pictures continue to be very large and easily constitute a record for Wellington so far as similar shows are concerned. The final consignment of works of art only reached tha gallery yesterday, having arrived from Jjoudon by the Kuahine, and already one, of these pictures, on canvas by frank Uickee, K.A., entitled "The Mother," is I lie centre of attraction. Its quick popularity is shown by the fact that i! hits figured conspicuously on most »l ibe ballot papers marked since it was liiing". Visitors are almost unanimous, in expressing (he opinion that it should be secured ior the National Gallery. Included in the recent arrivals also are two fine watercolours by U, Aiming Bell which are now on exhibition. His Excellency the Governor spent tho wiiolo of yesterday morning at the gallery having visited Wellington expressly for that purpose. Ho was conducted round tho pictures by Mr. H, M. Gore, president, and other members of tho Council of the Academy, and Mr. John Baillie. Before leaving Lord Islington said lis was delighted with the pictures mid ho expressed tho hope that tho exhibition might lio kept open for a few days beyond May 25 in order to enable Lady Islington to wo the collection. Arrangements will probably be made to keep the gallery open until the end of this month. His Excellency thought that tho results so far in connection with tho movement for the purchase of pictures most encouraging and that admirable taste and judgment had been shown in the selections already made by private donors and the Council of the Academy. He was greatly charmed with the newlyarrived' Uicksee picture and expressed th« strong hope, that it would find a permanent home in the National Gallery, The voting for pictures will close on Saturday evening. The latest count of (lie votes shows that No. 26, in Gallery 1, "The Green Gown," is still the greatest favourite, with 1295 votes, and then follow :-No. 110, in Gallery 2, "Goblin Market," with 7GO votes; No'. 132, in Gallery 2, "The Tower Bridge," with 711 votes; No. 57, in Gallery 2, "Passage of the Red Ken," with 70!) votes; No, 37, in Gallery 3, "September in tho Highlands," with 502 votes; No. 103, in Gallery 2, "Judith Shakespeare," with 469 votes; No. 93, in. Gallery 2, "Waiting for Darkness," with 138 votes • No. 25, in Gallery 2, "Oucb Upon a Time," with 430 votes; No. 105, in Gallery 2, "The Minuet," with 372 voles; No. 33, in Gallery 2, "Card Players," with 370 votes; No. 37, in Gallery 1, "Apple Blossom," with 309 votes; and No. 7, in Gallery 3, "Journey's End," with 32(1 votes. The donations to date arc:— £ *. d. Amount acknowledged 2702 11 5 Ucrdman and Kirkcaldie 3 3 0 1). M'Laron 1 1 0 Cr. John Smith ' 2 2 0 Mrs. If. L. Ferguson 10 10 0 Wm. Ferguson 10 10 0 Wellington Woolbrokers' Association •> ' r ' 0 Wellington Rugby Union 5 5 0 Pupils Kaiwarra School 0 10 1 Staff, Health Department 1 5 0 J. M. Geddis , 2 2 0 J. ,T. Curtis and Co 5 S 0 Tonne and Tripo 5 5 0 Munt; Cotticll and Co 5 5 0 John Fuller, junr 3 3 fl M.C ...» 1 1. » Miss Francis's School (picture) •.. ■■ 81° 9 28G2 13 fl