NATIONAL ART GALLERY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 97, 24 April 1912, Page 8

NATIONAL ART GALLERY.

PICTURE PRESENTED BY LEVIN AND CO. The organisers of the campaign for funds for tho purchase of pictures for the National Gallery find that a great impetus is being_ given to the movement now that the pictures are being unpacked and hung in the Harbour Board's U store. The few who have so far been privileged to see ' the collection are amazed at the scope_ and quality of the work, and are- unanimous in expressing tho opinion that no finer exhibition has ever been seen in the Dominion., Preparations for the opening are being pushed abend rapidly. The first definite selection of a picture from Mr. Baillie'3 collection for presentation to the National Gallerjr was made by Messrs. Levin and Co. this morning, the firm's choice falling on a_ very fine canvas by Melton Fisher, entitled "The Ro3e-makers of the East End of London." This, without doubt, will bo a most popular picture. Mr. Melton Fisher is a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy. Illustrations of hi 9 work appear from year to year the publication of Royal Academy pictures, but -the country now has an original for the first time. He is also represented in the National Gallery of New South Wales. The picture which the Arts Club has decided to give to the National '* Gallery from the Baillie collection is to be selected by the life class of the club. The Chamber of Commerce is according its hearty and practical support, to the movement, and i<> appealing to the business men of the city to subscribe liberally to the fund. The council of the chamber expresses its opinion that apart from considerations of an. educational and aesthetic character, such an institution as a National Art Gallery is in the best interests of the city, and would not only afford pleasure to__citizens but would be on attraction to visitors from oversea and from our own country districts, and be to tho benefit of the commercial community generally.

The contributions to date are: — £ b d Amount acknowledged •» ... 831 7 0 J.H.O 110 Brooklyn School ... 14 3 3. Mainland ... ... ... 010 6 Dr. G. Hassell 3 3 0 W. F. Ward 110 W. Freeman ... ... ... 110 J. H. Eethune and Co 5 5 0 H. E. Nicholls 2 2 0 Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Tennant ... 2 2 0 D. Goio 110 I. R. Blair 5 5 0 W. J. S. Hayword 110 Mrs. M. Mathe\v3on 110 B. W. Armit 1 ... 2 2 0 dellate Bros. 110 -. Holliday 110 Right Hon. Sir J. G-. Ward ... 10 10 0 Noel Barraud 5 5 0 A.rts Club ... ...A picture D. Parata, M.P 110 L. Hursthouse ... „. ... 110 E. Atkinson ... ... ... ... 110 M. W. Kichmond 110 F. ?lauusell, jun. (Masberton) ... 2 2 0 Wm. Hume 2 2 0 Levin and Co. (picture) 350 0 0 Chamber of Commerce List: k. 13. .Mabin ... 20 0 0 B. W: Lowo ... 5 0 0 J. M'LeUan 5 5 0 B*. D. Sladdeu ... ... ... 110 £1266 17 9