ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 42, 17 August 1918, Page 10

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

ANNUAL MEETING,

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts was held in the Art Gallery, Whitmore-street, last evening. Mr. H. ■M. Gore (president) occupied the chair.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, which have already been printed, the President remarked that the number of members on the roll had been maintained during the year, arid what was most reassuring was the large number of applications for admission to membership which had come in for the current -year; and it was hoped by this time next year the membership would be higheT than at any time in the history of the Academy. Mr. Gore referred to the death during the year of three of their most valued members, namely, Hon. Sir Charles J. Johnston, Mr. C. Y. Fell, and Mr. Alex. Turnbull. Contrary to expectations and previous experience, the sketch exhibition had been a financial success, due, he thought, largely to the energetic work of the new secretary— Mr. J. M'Donald.' It had been decided to expend a, certain sum on the- purchase of works of New Zealand artists which might be considered worthy of a place in the gallery.

Mr. H. F. yon Haast, in seconding the motion, referred to the appointment of Mr. Nugent Welch- as artist to the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. A motion of congratulation on the appointment was agreed to, md the report was adopted.

The election of officers was then proceeded with. His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General is patron, and Mr. H. M. Gore president. Mr. H. F. yon Haast and Mr. J. Ellis were elected vice-presi-dents.

In returning thanks, Mr. yon Haast remarked that in these times of war there had been no opportunity of furthering art. He was sorry to say that the project of a national gallery seemed further off than ever. He hoped the war would be over next year, and that he would then be able to report that the Board of Science and Art would be able to do something for art.

The following were elected members of the council for the coming year:—Miss D. K. Richmond, Messrs. W. A. Bowring, E. G. Hood, A. F. Nicoll, T. S. Weston, C. Wilson, A. Atkins, and Dr. J. Allan Thomson. Mr. A. A. Bender was appointed hon. treasurer, and Mr. C. D. Morpeth auditor.

A motion of sympathy was passed with tbe relatives of deceased members.