OFFICIAL VISIT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 133, 29 February 1936, Page 10

OFFICIAL VISIT

National Art Gallery and Museum PRIME MINISTER AND PARTY New Building Inspected Although the Prime Minister, Hon. M. J. Savage, is - by virtue of his office chairman of the board of trustees of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum, he has been so busy since he took office that he had not inspected the new building until yesterday afternoon. On that occasion not only were the Prime Minister and most of the members of Cabinet present, but also the trustees and members of the Art Gallery and Dominion Museum committee.

Accompanying Mr. Savage were the Hons. W. E. Parry, D. G. Sullivan, 11. G. R. Mason, F. Jones and L’. Langstone. On account of previous engagements, the Hons. P. Fraser, R. Semple and W. Nash could not attend. Others present were Mr. George A. Troup. C.M.G., Sir Harold Beauchamp, Sir George Shirtcliffe, Dr. W. R. B. Oliver (director of the Dominion Museum), Dr. W. P. Evans (president of the Royal Society of New Zealand), Messrs. J. M. Ellis (representative of New Zealand Academj of Fine Arts), W. Fielding (chairman of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects), R. A. Wright, M.P., C. H. Chapman, M.P., H. A. Huggins (City Council). F. H. Bass (secretary to trustees), W. F. Hogg (hon. solicitor), Sydney L. Thompson, T. D. H. Hall, Nelson Isaac, E. D. Gore (secretary New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts), J, C. Anderson, Professor Rankine Brown and Professor H. B. Kirk, Mr N. T. Lambpurne (Director of Education), Dr. P. Marshall, Messrs. J Halliwell (clerk of works), L. EMuir, e: C. Hale, Robert Johnson (Carillon Society), Andrew Fletcher (of the Fletcher Construction Company) and Comrie Smith (of the Brisbane Art Society). K . • . With Mr. G. A. Troup as guide m chief the visiting party made a complete’ tour of the big building, now m the final stages of completion. This tour was commenced in the splendid lecture hall in the north-eastern basement, a hall with a lecturer’s or demonstrator’s table 39' feet in lengta (and fitted with a complete water service), which will face the terraces of seats capable of accommodating 300 people. This hall will be of common service to both art gallery and museum. Still in the basement though the rooms are light and airy are special rooms for the Royal Society of New Zealand and the Pmlosophical Society—both spacious apartments, toned a biscuit brown with white ceilings. Still on the same level at the back are the Museum workshops and photographic department,. The Maori Hall, Rising to the ground floor the visitors entered the building once more by the main entrance doors immediately in a line with the carillon towei. Here the lobby or foyer, with its elaborate facings (walls and pillars), of. grey-pink Whangarei marble, coin-: manded admiration; but, advancing, there were gasps of amazement at the majestic dimensions of the Maori Hall, probably the finest hall in New Zealand. There is a quiet dignity and strength suggested in the noble height and general proportions of this hall, with its broad steps and massive pillars at each end, while overhead an extensive lanterned roof admits a glow of light on to a pale green interior. The walls of the hall itself are finished in two shades of biscuit brown. Centrally there is provided space for a full-sized Maori wharepuni, the body of which forms a bridge-like structure over an open courtyard at the back. The galleries on either side and in front are all embodied in the Dominion Museum. Mounting the marble-balustraded stairway (which has still to receive its steel railing), tlie visitors brushed an acquaintance with the national- gallery itself, a series of commodious apartments, lighted from above in the most approved style (a modification of the Hurst-Seagar idea) and'lined with firmly stretched grey and brown scrim. Apart from the flooring these rooms are now ready to receive the pictures. . .. At the conclusion of the inspection, during which everyone expressed unbounded admiration for the wonderful, achievement represented in this great building, the visitors became the guests of the trustees at afternoon tea, served in the lounge at the rear of the Art Gallery floor. Visitors Welcomed. There Mr. Troup, as one of the vicechairmen of the board of trustees, gave a welcome to all present. It was with special pleasure, he said, that he welcomed the Prime Minister and the members of the Cabinet, as the creation of this national monument to culture was the joint effort of the Government and the people. It was a good thing for the representatives of the Government, the various boards and bodies concerned to visit the building, and see whether or not they had got value for their money. He did not think there was any need to go into cost or the manner and methods of construction.

In reply the Prime Minister said that most people blamed Mr. Troup for all this (the new National Gallery and Museum). It was a great responsibility, but he had to thank him for the privilege of inspecting a structure devoted to art and science that would endure long after most of them had passed away. To Mr. Troup and his comrades they were indebted for something that would live for a long time. They had only seen it in its raw state, and one had to draw upon the imagination to realise what it was going to be in the future, and the important part it was destined to play in the cultural life of New Zealand. To Mr. Troup and those associated with him they were indebted for all time. Of Mr. Fletcher, as having helped, it was perhaps too early to speak, but it might be said that the service he had rendered in his day and generation would reflect credit on him and ou all time. As to the service Mr. Troup had rendered, if they who were now responsible for the Government of this country, made the same progress in life as he had done they would have every reason to be satisfied. The Prime Minister’s speech concluded the first official gathering held in the new building. The next one will be the opening of the Art Gallery and Museum. The only work now left for the contractors .(the Fletcher .Construction

Company) to complete is the paving of the front steps (in concrete flags), the erection of stairway and gallery railings, and sundry odd painting and staining work. This will all be completed by the end of March. During March the Museum authorities will begin to transfer the exhibits to their new home, while the committee of the National Gallery will enter upon its hanging duties. .(Picture on pass