DREAM COMES TRUE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 11

DREAM COMES TRUE

National Art Gallery

and Museum VISIT OF MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS National Institutions Toward the end of July the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum will open its doors to the public. Yesterday afternoon, at the invitation of the trustees, the Mayor (Mr. T. U. A. Hislop) and the members of the Wellington City Council paid a visit of inspection to the edifice that now crowns Mount Cook, all being profoundly impressed with the beauty and proportions of the building that is to figure so largely in the cultural future of New Zealand. The party made a traverse of the whole of the building, whose admirablytoned walls appeared to absorb and hold the afternoon sunlight in a manner that induced -eulogistic comments from all who realise how valuable properly distributed light is to the display of works of art. as well as to those objects and articles of scientific and historic interest which will form part of the Dominion Museum's collection. At the conclusion of the inspection, the visitors were entertained at afternoon tea in the spacious tearoom at the rear of the building, an apartment as large as the Town Hall Concert Chamber and twice as well lighted. During tea-time Mr. G. A. Troup, as representative of the trustees, welcomed tiie Mayor and councillors, and said that it was his great privilege to invite them to see the consummation of the work of the last five or six years associated with the foundation and creation of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum. He was particularly pleased to do so as the Mayor and members of the City Council were joint owners of the great building. To himself it was as a dream come true. The idea was first suggested by the Wellington City Council, it was the City Council which took the first steps, and the City Council hud been behind each phase of the effort. He trusted that they would now feel in their minds that the trustees had not wasted their money, and that they possessed something that they would never be ashamed of. Every citizen could now feel proud of their art gallery, which he was afraid had not been the case in the past. Gallery Second to None. ‘'When one goes to Auckland, con- - tinned Mr. Troup, "one of the first questions asked Is. 'Have you seen our art gallery?’ but visitors to Wellington v, ere never asked that question, for obvious reasons. For the future all that will be changed, and visitors from .Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin will certainly be asked to see the National Gallery.'’ It must be very pleasing to those present and the citizens oi Wellington generally to realise that on this very site at one time stood a.building which housed the culprits of the community, the jail, afterward converted into military barracks, neither appropriate to such a magnificent site. Wellington had now a gallery second to none, for, in addition to the art treasures it would display, it possessed enormous advantages in the magnificent panoramas that were obtainable from almost anv of its windows. Moreover, it was going to add to Wellingtons open spaces, for the grounds were to lx- open to the publie, and there on its sunny lawns people would be able to sit and read their books, or eat their luncheons, in an environment wholly pleasing. 4 "I have always regarded Wellington us a city in the making." said Mr. Troup, "and I Itojie it will ever remain so; that vou will never think it is complete, but will add to its riches and beau tv from time to time. Wellington is beautiful: with its circle of glorious bills, its beautiful harbour and lovely vistas, it eclipses. I think, any city 1 have known. Ami, as the Prime M” l ' i.der said recently, the acquisition of such an edifice as this, devoted to ar, and science, makes one aspire to the higher things of life, for man cannot live by bread alone.'’ National in Character. Indicating the national character of the two great institutions housed in the edifice. Mr. Troup dwelt on the number of portraits of prominent men already assured for the gallery, mentioning those of Lord Bledisloe. Lord Kutherford, Sir Truby King. Sir James Mills aud Sir Francis Bell, while there were presentation pictures by Lord Makefield and others, in all some twenty canvases which would probably not have been forthcoming had it not been that tbe institution was national in name and character. In reference to the portrait of the iate Sir Francis Bell, Mr. Troup added that they had just got Sir Francis in time. Only a few days ago he had hoard from Mr. Archibald Nieoll, the artist, that all the sittings were completed and lie was just adding the final touches. Other portraits coming were those of Sir James Allen, now being painted in Dunedin, and Sir Heaton Rhodes. which was being painted in Christchurch. *‘[ think it fitting, too. that there Ehould be a painting of Hie first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand,” said Mr. Troup, and impressed upon the Labour members of Parliament present that the occasion should be so honoured. Mr. Troup mentioned the generous gift, of £lO,OOO by Sir Harold Beauchamp, and said that the estate of Mrs. Elleu Eames (who was sister of Mr. George Cooper, of the well-known seed firm) was eventually to come to the National Gallery, the Interest on the money to be expended on what would be known as the "Ellen Eames Collection.” There were two other perrons, whose names he could not mention. who were leaving handsome bequests to the Gallery, after the death of their widows, should they survive. So they bad every reason to have confidence in the future. No one need be afraid to give. So far tbe National Gallery was in its babyhood. If those who could afford to do so had not thought of the National Gallery in their wills there was time yet lo change them. Expression of An Ideal. The Mayor said be wus pleased to be present, and lie and those with him were greatly impressed with the edifice now nearing completion. Mr. Troup must be glad to realise that lie was now able to look upon the fruition of liis work. He had been the instigator of the scheme by which the Government was to givp £lOO,OOO providing Hie citizens of Wellington province contributed a like amount; it was be, too, who iiad decided on the right time to make the appeal to tho public; and it was his lead and inspiration which

bad resulted in such a happy result. And now lie must feel very happy to see tbe buildlug completed, and to realise that in n few months it would be open to tbe people of Wellington and New Zealand. Mr. Hislop said he v. as pleased to see the consummation of the great effort which stressed tilings representing the triumphs of the mind. The building was the expression of an ideal, and the City Council was happy in supporting that ideal; more especially so perhaps as they were shortly to provide a library worthy of tho mime, and worthy of the city of which they were all so proud. BRITISH PICTURES ON LOAN Arrangements For Opening During the visit of the Mayor ami members of the Wellington City Council to the National Art Gallery ami Dominion Museum yesterday afternoon it was announced that arrangements had been made with the trustees of (lie National Gallery of England and those of the Tate Gallery for the loan of a collection of representative paintings from tbe walls of those famous galleries, a fact that, would tend to make the opening in July truly national in character. In addition to those pictures Mi's. Mary Fuller .was bringiug out another collection of British pictures of quality which would engage tbe attention of all true lovers of art. , To add to the interest tiie opening cf tiie edifice will also coincide with tiie annual show of tiie New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, and it is the intention of tiie Architects Institute of New Zealand to hold a show of architectural drawings at the same time and place. Tiie aggregate of such a show promises to lie something unique in tbe history of art in New Zealand, and doubtless will induce raauy visitors to come to Wellington from all parts of the Dominion.