Advisory Body On Art Suggested

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30190, 23 July 1963, Page 17

Advisory Body On Art Suggested

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 22. The setting up of an advisory committee for recommendations on the purchase of major works of art will be considered by the parks and library committee of the Auckland City Council.

The council decided this at its meeting tonight after a two-hour debate on notices of motion on the purchase for the Art Gallery of a Barbara Hepworth bronze sculpture.

At midnight the council carried the following notice of motion by 16 votes to 4:— ’"Hiat the parks and library committee be requested to give consideration and report to the council on the advisability or otherwise of again setting up a purchases advisory committee of. say, three members in addition to the gallery director to assist the director in recommending the purchase of major works of art exceeding sO3gns in price.” Seating in the council chambers was overta :ed and at least two dozen persons remained standing until the sculpture debate began about 10 pjn. Before the debate, Mr F. N. Ambler, chairman of the

parks and library committee; which decided to buy the sculpture on the recommendation of the director of the gallery, Mr P. A. Tomory. presented three petitions from Auckland. Wellington and Christchurch urging the

council to support its gallery director in his recommended purchase. The Wellington and Christchurch petitions said Auckland city had enjoyed “enhanced prestige as a city hospitable to the arts” and that the City Council had obtained full credit as the body

responsible. The petitions reached the council today. The Auckland petition, containing about 1000 names, was to be handed to the Town Clerk, Mr F. J. Gwilliam. this afternoon.

The Wellington petition, containing 108 names, was organised by Professor F. Page, professor of music at Victoria University.

The Christchurch petition, with 46 names, was organised by Professor H. J. Simpson, professor of fine arts at Canterbury University. She petitions were identically worded. They asked tite City Council to proceed with the purchase of the sculpture, or, if the work was accepted as a gift or for loan, to express its confidence in Mr Tomory.