GIFT FROM PORT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 254, 23 July 1936, Page 11

GIFT FROM PORT

Three Pictures For Art Gallery FORMAL PRESENTATION Harbour Board’s Action Praised Admiration for three pictures which the Wellington Harbour Board has had painted by Messrs. Nugent Welch, A. F. Nlcoll. and Sydney l>. Thompson for hanging in the National Art Gallery Was expressed freely by speakers when the board formally handed them over to representatives of the board of trustees of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum at a meeting of the harbour board last night The paintings are views of the port from three different points. The gifts were accepted on behalf of the board of trustees and the Government by the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs. Others present, in addition to members of the harbour board, were Mr. D. A. Ewen, president of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Mr. W. Fielding, chairman of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, Mr. F. H. Bass, secretary of the board of trustees, and Messrs. S. Thompson and N. Welch. Mr. Parry conveyed apologies for the absence of the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, ''hairman of f he board of trustees, the Mayor. Mr. T 0. A. Hislop. Mr. G. A. Troup, deputy chairman of the board, Sir . Harold Beauchamp. Sir George Shirtcliffe. members of the board, Dr. W Evans, vice-president of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Mr. B. C. Aston, member of the Royal Society. Dr. W. R. B. Oliver, director of the Dominion Museum, Mr. J. W. Heenan, secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs, and Mr. D. J. McGowan, chairman of the harbour board.

Source of Money. "We, although a commercial institution. ought to take an interest in the culture of the community,” said Mr. T. R. Barrer, acting chairman of the harbour board, in formally presenting the pictures. He asked what could be of greater help to the youth and the artistically inclined than the founding of the institution to be opened on August 3. When the board had decided to make a donation of £5OOO to the building fund for a National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum it had further resolved, until a contract for the whole building had been let to place that amount at interest to be devoted to furnishing works of art and exhibits for the Art Gallery and Museum. A special committee of the board had been set up. consisting of Messrs. M. A. Eliott, 11. Morrison, the Hon. P. Fraser and himself to consider the best means of allocating tho?e accumulations. It had been decided, first, to commission three representative Now Zealand artists to execute paintings of Wellington Harbour for hang'ng in the Gallery, and, secondly, to allocate a sum to the museum section for purchasing suitable exhibits of historical, geographical or marine character. Mr. Barrer praised the work of the artists. He apologised for the absence of Mr. Nicoll on the latter’s behalf. "Three Beautiful Pictures.” The Harbour Board was congratulated by Mr. Parry on the great practical Interest it had manifest in the Art Gallery and Museum. The board’s intimate connection with that great national work deserved the appreciation of the public. The interest on the £5OOO the hoard had decided in 1928 to give to the building fund had reached a sum over £llOO, and the £5OOO had been handed over for the building fund. A sum over £2OO had been allocated for the purchase of exhibits for the museum. The chairman was a member of the board of trustees, and the occupant of the office had always taken a keen Interest in the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum. In recognition of the harbour board’s interest in the new Art Gallery and Museum it had been decided to increase the board’s representation oh the board of trustees from one to two members. “The story of these three beautiful pictures is short but in line with the spirited action of the harbour board in its great help toward the building of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum.” he said. "I feel sure the gift you have made will be always valued by the citizens of Wellington and New Zealand,” said .Mr. Ewen. “They are three outstanding works by three outstanding artists. We have reason to be proud of them, for they are worthy representatives of art in New Zealand."

The Hon. P. Fraser, supporting the harbour board chairman’s remarks, said' be was proud that the board had been a minor instrument in having the pictures presented. Mr. C. H. Chapman, M.P., also spoke in support of the chairman, saying that the pictures would gain in value as the years passed and the scenery and the shipping changed. They had many photographs of the harbour, but those paintings were full of life and colour. “I think it is the first time any important body in New Zealand has had sufficient vision to commission anything so important," replied Mr. Thompson, on behalf of the artists. He thanked the speakers for their kindly remarks, and said he hoped the action of the board would be an example to others to encourage art.