‘Welcome’ gift for library

Press, 18 June 1980, Page 5

‘Welcome’ gift for library

PA Wellington . ‘An important collection of 24 ■ watercolours by New . Zealand’s seventh Premier, ‘ Sir Frederick Weld, has been presented to the Alexander Turnbull Library. • ' The paintings, given by the artist’s grand-daughter, Mrs Mary Scrope, were acclaimed as a “welcome acquisition” by the Chief Librarian (Mr J. E. Traue). “The paintings, fine in themselves as works of art, are in many cases of considerable historical value. Weld’s position, as one -of the ablest of New Zealand’s early politicians, give the pictures an added interest,” Mr Traue said. Sir Frederick Weld has not previously been widely recognised as an artist, for relatively little of his work has survived.

Weld, of an old aristocratic, Roman Catholic family, arrived in New Zealand in 1844 to become

a successful sheepfarmer, the owner of Brackenfield station near Amberley. In 1864 he became Premier, remaining in power for one year. Later he was Governor of West Australia and Tasmania. He died in England in 1891. Weld’s paintings include views of Flaxbourne and Stonyhurst stations, scenes 'of early Lyttelton, and some record of a visit to Taupo and Rotorua. Of particular interest are fine views of the artist’s camp on the Waimakiriri River when he was exploring Canterbury in 1850, and of his exploration in 1855 for the Nelson Provincial Government, when he found a route through the mountais south to Canterbury. can take his rightful place among the many colonial artists represented in the Turnbull art collections,” said Mr Traue.