ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2554, 31 August 1915, Page 8

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

ANNUAL MEETING Th<j annual-meeting of tho New Zea land Academy of Fine Arts was held i: the Art Gallery, AYhitmoro Street, las night. The president (Jlr. H. JL Gore presided, and there was an attendane of alpout fifty. The annual repor stated that there aro now 011 the book t'lirco life, 235 subscribing, and 78 ai tisfc members. Tho total inembershi is this year higher than at any prt vibus period of ths history of the Aca demy. "As reported last year, the Govern ment, in consideration of our liousinj and keeping open to the public dail; the National' Collection until the Do minion Gallery is ready for its iccep tion, promised a grant of £600 toward the cost of extending the gallery, am that amount was voted by Parliament Iho council, however, deeded not t claim the amount until after the ter initiation of the war, and several mom bors of tlio Academy agreed to taki up debentures to .the amount of' £601 until the Government grant was avail able. Tenders were called for the addi dons to' building, the lowest beiiu £1048. This, with architect's fees would involve a, total expenditure o about £1100. After the most carefu and anxious consideration, the counci was regretfully forced, to the conclusiot that it was impossible,, in the preseni acute nature of the War conditions, t< raise t'he additional funds necessary foi the work. - This is the more to be de plored as tho council had planned t< provide in the Art Gallery a studio foi continuation work, and a special lif< studio for members and for studenti who had received technical school train ing. Au appeal has now been made t< the T. G. Macarihy Trustees for i grant of £500 to enable this work t< bo carried out in the interests of ar education in the Wellington district and it is sincerely hoped our appea will receive favourable consideration. "•'We have to express our thanks to tlio trustees of the estate of the lat-i Mr. T. G. Macarthy for a grant 0 £100. This lias como at a most wel come time, as it enables annual grant! to. be continued to tho life class, aii< has assisted in the purchase 'of a. selec tion of black and white work and sculp ture, of which the Academy had pr<S viously no examples. Tho Academy hai also to express its thanks to the Citi Council for the renewal of its gran" of £50 per annum towards the maiuten auce of the Art Gallery. "In accordance with tho articles o: association, the president (Mr. H. M Gore), one vice-president (Mr. C. Wil ison), the treasurer (Mr. I'. Hodgkins) and four members of the counci (Messrs. L. EI. ]3. Wilson, H. F. Vor Haast/ IC. Ballantyne, and Miss D. K Richmond), and tho auditor.(Mr.',C. D Morpeth) retire. All are eligible foi re-election. The financial statement shows a eredii balance for the year of £41 Is. od. Tin assets of tho academy are set down ai £10,702 Bs. 2d., which includes £591' 7s. 6d. as tho value of the national collection, £3564 as the value 'of the permanent, collection, and £926 17s. 6d as tho value of the Art Gallery building. 111 moving tho adoption of the re port and balance-sheet Mr. Gore saic that the academy was to be congratulated 011 having a record number ol members for the war year. They hac taken steps to get representation 011 the Technical School Board, and thai would place them in closer touch witli the art side of' tho:Technical-School, Owing to the war 110 start had been made with additions to the building, although tenders had been called, and tho lowest received was £1048. The Government were going to give thcii £600 at the conclusion of the war,- and Messrs. T. S. Weston and O. Haines had promised to take debentures for that amount in .'the meantime. The question was to raise the additional £400, and they hoped they might get assistance from the /Macarthy Trust. If the Macarthy Trust could give them that assistance tliey would be doing a great deal to further art education in the district, and be doing something to worthily commemorate the Memory of that gentleman who had been a member of the academy up to the time of his death. . Mr: C. Wilson seconded the motion, and said, that the academy ■ owed a great deal to Mr. Goro for his work during the past few years. Further, lie hoped the Council would see its way to get tho modern Bolgian Sohool represented 111 the gallery. The report' and balaaice-sheot were adopted. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr. H. M. Gore (re-elected); HCB-presiuent,'.Mr. J. Ellis; council, Messrs. 0. Wilson, T. S. Weston, and H. F. von Haast, Mrs. J. A. Tripe, liul Miss D. K. Richmond; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. M'Donald; auditor. Mr.