N.Z. ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 277, 19 August 1919, Page 3

N.Z. ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS The annual meeting of members of the New Zealand Academy of Fiue Arts was held lust evening in the Art Gallon-, Whitmore Street. Mr. H. M. Gore, the retiring president, was in Ithe chair. There was an exceptionally good attendance of members. Mr. Gove, in moving the adoption of tho report (which has already been published) said that they had come through n successful and satisfactory year as was indicated by the report, which stated that there were 78 new) subscribing members and 11 artist members. He referred to the losses sustained by the Academy in the death of several of its members, and as a mark of respect he asked those present to stand i'or a moment., The chairman then referred to tho desirability of erecting a National Art Gallery. Jle pointed out that the Government was receiving work 3 of art, and sooner or later a home must bo found for these. Ho deprecated the erection of two art galleries—a Dominion gallery and a local Bailor/—which would bo contusing. In addition to the works mentioned in Ihe report as having been presented to the gallery,during tho year, a fine little water-colour by Mrs. ,1. A. 'iripe hail been presented by Mr. W. H. Booth, of Carterton. Ho concluded by eulogising tho services of Mr. J. M'Donald as secretary, who found it necessary to retire owing- to pressure of business, _ Mr. H. i\ von Hnast, in seconding the motion, also spoke in high terms of the services rendered by the retiring secretary. , '.Uio motion was carried without anj discussion. , The election of officers resulted as follows;— President, Mr. T. Shailer Weston; vice-presidents, -Messrs. AY. A. "OW" ring and J. BUh; council, Miss D. ,K. Richmond, Messrs. H. M. Gore, r*. H. Welch. 0. Wilson, and W. Gray : hon. treasurer, Mr. Ernest W. Hunt; auditor, Mr. C. D. Morpeth. A v'ote of thanks was accorded Uie retiring officers. Mr. Gore said that in retiring he was not doing so because ho wished to shirk work, but he was retiring because he felt that it was not fair that one man should monopolise tho position, and secondly he honestly believed that a change was desirable and would be good tor the Academy. _ He thanked thorn for the very great assistance given him lioth by the members and artists. He was under a deep debt of gratitude to th e,n - Mr. Charles Wilson hoped _ that the retiring president nould see his way in a littlo while to become the secretary oi tho Academy. Mr. \Yileon said that All. Gore had held that position some years ago, and his son-ices' had been ot the utmost value to the Academy. Mr. von Haast moved:— .mt tins society desires to place on record its deep appreciation of the very valuable services rendered by the retiring secretary, Mr. J. M'Donald." In doing so, Mr. vo'n Haast spolto in very laudatory terms of Mr. M'Donald, who lie said was an artist and knew art. He provided the rare combination of artist and business man. The motion was carried with acclamation.