No contributions to art gallery

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32663, 20 July 1971, Page 14

No contributions to art gallery

Disappointment that none of the other local bodies in the metropolitan area had agreed to share in the cost of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, which had been borne solely by the City Council for nearly 30 years was expressed by Cr H. G. Hay, chairman of the cultural committee at the council meeting last evening.

“I had hoped that the same spirit of co-operation evident in such projects as the Town Hall and museum would be forthcoming for the art gallery,” he said. No other local body ran an art gallery, nor would that be desirable, but. like the museum, it met the needs of the whole city. “It is not just a question: of an equitable spread of the! cost over all ratepayers of I the metropolitan area so that, the residents of Woolston and Spreydon do not subsidise the pleasures of the more: affluent art lovers of Fendalton and Cashmere, but it is I also vital that further funds: be available to finance necessary extensions to the gallery, staff to supervise it and the purchase of further works of art”

The council was grateful to i

the Paparua County Council for the lead it had given in contributing to the reference library, Cr Hay said. The Heathcote County Council now seemed to be “coming in fully after some initial -problems.” However, the Waimairi County Council’s $5OO was (far short of the $lO,OOO which • was its proportionate share of i running the reference library. "I suppose it is better than , nothing and at least we appreciate that they are now starting to spend a significant sum on their own library service after many year’s dependence on the city,” he said.

His committee was prepared to initiate discussions with other local bodies on a truly metropolitan library, Cr Hay said, and would call a .meeting next year “unless in .the meantime other developments affecting the future .local body situation in 'Christchurch should make 'this unnecessary.”