ART TREASURES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20623, 12 August 1932, Page 13

ART TREASURES.

INSPECTION BY LORD BLEDISLOE. ANTIQUES AND ART GALLERY. Yesterday morning the art treasure*, collected from various parts of Canterbury and South Canterbury, and housed at the Art Gallery, Durham street, were inspected by the GovernorGeneral, Lord Bledisloe, Lady Bledisloe, and party, and later their Excellencies visited the McDougaU Art Gallery. They spoke in the highest terms of both collections.

At the door of the Durham street gallery, their Excellencies and party were met by Mr Heathcote G. Helniore (chairman) and Miss M. Havelaar (secretary of the Exhibition) and introduced to the members of the executive. They were keenly interested in the Rochester Purse, lent by Mr G. B. Starkey, and the Sevres china, lent by Mrs J. F. Studholme. The Sheraton (1727-1806) and Hepplewhite period furniture, too, claimed their Excellencies' interest for some time. At the conclusion Lord and Lady Bledisloe congratulated the promoters on their enterprise in staging such an unusual collection of interesting works of art. On arrival at the McDougall Art Gallery in the Botanic Gardens, their Excellencies were met at the steps by the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) and the Mavovess and the Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville) and Mrs Neville, and introduced to Dr. G. M. L. Lester (president of the Canterbury Society of Arts), Mr It. E. McDougall (giver of the gallery), Mr A. F. Nicoll, and | Mr R. Wallwork (all members of the Art Gallery Committee of the Christchurch City Council), and Messrs George Harper and H. Kitson (of the Christclmrch Domains Board). The Vice-Regal party was conducted through the gallery and their Excellencies were particularly struck by Mr Nicoll's portrait of Mr George Harper, the Menzies Gibb pictures of quiet, pastoral Canterbury, and Mr C. F. Goldie's Maori studies. His Excellency also expressed interest in the Hurst Seager system of lighting,- stating that it was very similar to the lighting system employed in the Venice gallery. He spent some time looking at the Van der Velden "Head of a Fisherman" and "The Dutch Funeral," and spoke in the highest terms of the generosity of Mr McDougall in giving the art gallery to the City. In conversation with the Mayor, his Excellency expressed pleasure at the number of pictures handed over to the Gallery Committee by the. Canterbury Society of Arts.