GENERAL TELEGRAMS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 227, 23 March 1912, Page 2

GENERAL TELEGRAMS

WELLINGTON ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Friday. A deputation from the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts waited on the City Council to-night asking for a grant to assist in the purchase of some pictures from the collection being brought from England by Mr. John Baillie. Mr. H. M. Gore, president of the Academy, pointed out that the Government was establishing a public art gallery in connection with the Dominion Museum and the Academy would consider a proposal to hand the whole of its collection of pictures over as the nucleus of a National Art Gallery. The Academy had now £SOO voted by Parliament in 1910 for the purchase of works of art from the forthcoming exhibition, but hoped that sum would be very largely augmented by public contributions. It was hoped to raise £2OOO. At the present time the council gave the Academy an annual grant of £5 for the present gallery, This would be discontinued under the new conditions. He pointed out that £SO would represent the interest on £IOOO at Jfast, and some very fine pictures could be 'secured for that sum. The Acting-Mayor expressed sympathy with the Academy, and promised'that the request would receive careful consideration. '