EXHIBITION CROWDED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 906, 25 February 1930, Page 9

EXHIBITION CROWDED

ITALIAN ART ATTRACTS IMMENSE CROWDS EXTENSION MAY BE MADE British Official Wireless RUGBY, Sunday. The Council of the Royal Academy will meet next week to consider the possibility of extending the period of the exhibition of Italian art, which is still attracting immense crowds daily. Strong public representations have been made in favour of its continuance beyond March 8, which is the proposed closing day. It is known that the Prime Minister ‘of Italy, Signor Mussolini, has sanctioned the extension of the loan period until the end of March. MANY DIFFICULTIES There are many difficulties, however, as a considerable proportion of the pictures are lent by private owners in Britain and abroad. Arrangements for continuing the insurance of these priceless art treasures would also be necessary, and the continuance of the exhibition would to some extent interfere with plans for the Royal Academy’s own summer exhibition. KING’S SURPRISE VISIT

King George, who has been very little in London since iiis illness, visited the Italian art exhibition today. He was accompanied by Queen Mary, Prince George and other members of the Royal Family. His Majesty looked remarkably well and walked as iirmly as before his illness. He did not hesitate to make a complete tour of all the rooms and remained for more than an hour. The public were unaware of the visit. His arrival was noticed, and when the King drove away numbers of people pressed forward to greet him. He appeared very pleased, and smiled an acknowledgment.