NOT RETURNED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 13

NOT RETURNED.

HOBSON'S PAINTING. HOUSED AT WAITANGI. PROPERTY OF PARLIAMENT. (By Telecraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Bill was put through its remaining stages and passed in the House of Representatives this afternoon. During the Committee stage the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, said he agreed that provision should be made for a Maori representative on. the Board of Trustees, and the bill was amended accordingly.

Mr. Speaker (the Hon. W. E. Barnard, Napier) drew attention to the provision to lend works of art to the Art Gallery, and he hoped the Minister would see that such loans were returned. He said that the painting of Governor Hobson had been lent out from Parliament Buildings nearly three years ago, and despite repeated requests it had not been returned. The picture was lent for the purposes of the Waitangi celebrations, and was now hanging on the walls of a house at Waitangi, and recent letters asking for its return had not even been replied to. He hoped that nothing of the kind would happen in future.

The Minister said the property of Parliament would remain where it was.

The Minister of Education, Mr.' Eraser, thought the painting should be returned.

Mr. Coates (National, Ivaipara) said he was not sure that the painting -vvas not in its proper place at Waitangi, as Governor Hobson was definitely connected with Waitangi. The house was of concrete, and the painting had attracted considerable attention. An effort was being made to raise imds to have the painting copied. If rSe committee controlling Parliament Buildings desired the return of tlie painting that request would be respected, but it was recognised that the picture was only a loan.