THE JUBILEE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10755, 7 September 1900, Page 5

THE JUBILEE.

THE PICTURE GALLERY.

MR HURST SEAGER'S MISSION TO

DUNEDIN.

Mr Hurst Seager is enthusiastic in ins endeavours to get a really first-class picture gallery for the Jubilee Exhibition, and judgr ing by the success which has so far attended his efforts in- this direction this part of the Exhibition will be one not soon forgotten by those who visit it.

Mr Seager has just returned from Dunedin, where he received most encouraging support from all the art people. He has obtained promises from private collections of some most valuable paintings by English artists, including Colin Hunter, R.A., Frank Brangwyn, R.A., Waterlow, R.A., Stanhope Forbes, and others, in all about thirty pictures. There is also every prospect of getting the loon of the pictures in the Dunedin Art Gallery, a very valuable collection. This matter will be decided by the Truste-i? of that institution at an early date. Mr Seager interviewed the majority of the Trustees while in Dunedin, and found they favoured the suggestion. He sincerely hopes this may ba effected, as he seeks to institute some system of exchange of pictures between the art galleries of the Such an exchange would be of'great value from an educational point of view to ar-sts and lovers of art. In addition to the work of Emglish artists, many of the best wbr__ by colonial painters, now in the hands of private owners, will be sent on loan. lias collection will include tho pictures presented to Mx John Roberts, C.M.G., as a souvenir of the Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition. A_ great many of the Dunedin artists promised to send pictures for sale, and these pictures will also be available for the art union which is to be held.

In selecting the pictures, Mr Seager chose those of the greatest -educational value— those representing different schools and different methods of work—so that every sort and style of work will be represented. Lady Ranfurly has promised to send some picture_ from Wellington. Mr Seager is more than pleased with the result of his" week's work in Dunedin. He has succeeded beyond hit? greatest hopes. He has also very kindly, recollections of the cordial manner in which, the people of that city assisted him, and -the willingness they exhibited to lend their treasures.

In addition to the pictures Mr Seager has the promise of a very fine and most unique collection of medals and casts-of medals.! He left yesterday evening for Wellington,! whence he will go on to Auckland, on the same mission. . Thanks to his untiring efforts, the collection in the art gallery of the Exhibition promises to be an exceptionally fine ono7