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Evening Star, Issue 13013, 7 January 1907, Page 4

Aee. any-effective «teps to bo taken (before it is too late) to secure some Picture* for of &o art treasures at the Dnirdtn. International Exhibition for the Dunsdm Gallery? A like opportunity -will not recur for many a year, and it will be a thousand pities if this City misses tho chance of obtaining as a permanent possession a few first-class specimens of tho-pictures which (it is hardly too much to say) constitute the most valuable and attractive feature of the present display at Hagley Park. The elaborate appreciations -which appeared in our columns a few weeks ngo will have given our readers-some idea of the wealth of artiste achievement represented at the Exhibition Art Gallery, and the general accuracy of tho-descriptioa can be attested by scores of j Dtmedin citizens -who have visited Christcburoh during the last two months. Other centres, alive to tho educational and esthetic import of the opportunity, have stirred themselves in tho matter, and a largo proportion of tho best available pictures have ahnaey found purchasers. Moreover, it is known that a. number of determined Australian buyers will shortly be 1 in Christeburch; and if Ihmeddn remains 1 apathetic for another month or so, ali the choicest specimens will have been annexed, and tho chance of a lifetime will havo been, lost. Hex© wo have more than 1,500 admirable works of art set down practically at oor doors for selection on the spot, with liberty to pick and choose —knowing what we are getting for oar money, instead of having to give a commission to someone living thousands of miles away, to whose judgment in ordinary circumstance* we should havo to trust; and we Terase to believo that the art-lovers and weil-to-do patriots of Dunedin will allow the occasion to lapse. We am afraid that the move- j

demociatio form. Popular appreciation of high art, though gradually advancing, is stall in> an imperfect stage; and'it is not likely that the " shilling subscription" method of raising money wduld be notably successful in thifl instance, fy i« to those who possess an exceptional share of monetary -wealth, (with its attendant responsibilities) that -wo mueb chiefly look for liclp; and surely our rich citizens could desire no more suitable means of benefiting the community in a permanent Way than tho opportunity now afforded. The splendid example set by Dr Hocken is before them, and -we shall be sadly disappointed if it does not prove to be a. potent influence. Munificence in this matter might take the form of special purchase and presentation—one or more donors giving a picture to the City j or a general fund might be raised and entrusted to the Art Gallery Trustees or a special committee with authority to select and purchase. Perhaps the latter plan would be tho better, though of course its adoption would not prevent anyone -who chose from, making a special gift. It will perhaps be sai<l that thore is an ungracious element in thus insisting upon tho duty or privilege of munificence; 'but it is quite possible that the. idea of doing the City a good turn in this particular way has not lritherto occurred to some of our well-to-do cifcizer/s, and they may be disposed to thank us for the suggestion. Besides, the opportunity is of audi a. rare, nature that plain speaking, even to the point of begging, may be regarded as pardonable. We repeat, however, that there is no time to be lost. It is now or never, if a few really good pictures are to be secured.