ART GALLERY SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 15479, 29 April 1914, Page 10

ART GALLERY SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Dunedir Public Art Gallery Society was held ir Mr E. ,T Wilson’s board room yesterday afternoon, when Mr A. Bathgate presided Mrs Wood house. Dr Benham, Messrs D. E. Theomin, G. Joachim, and D'Arcy Hag gitt also attended. The annual report stated, inter alia, that "the public interest in the gallery has been well maintained, and the social hal continues to prove as popular as ever for the holding of balls and social functions. During the year the Government’s picture of H.M.S. New Zealand was exhibited in the gallery andi proved of great interest to the public, and we have to thank the Government for lending this picture for exhibition. Miss Hodgkins held an exhibition of water color's m the gallery during the year, which attracted a great deal oi attention, and, through the instrumentality of Messrs Somerville and Barron, the sum of £56 11s 6d was collected by them from citizens. This amount was subsidised by the society by £3O, and two of Miss Hodgkins’s pictures were purchased for the gallery. The trustees, together with the Auckland and Canterbury Galleries, entered their protest against the formation of a National Gallery in Wellington. and suggested that the Government should make an annual grant of £SOO to each of the galleries-in the four centres, but we regret that the Government. in their wisdom, decided to fiivor the formation of a Dominion Gallery in Wellington. The water color room has been painted the same color as the main gallery, and the pictures have been rearranged and' hung, and the room now presents a bright appearance, and harmonises with the rest of the gallery. The trustees are greatly indebted to Mr A. Scoullar and a fevy of his friends for presenting the picture ‘ The Hero ’ (by James Clark,- R. 1.) to the gallery. This picture was one of the Auckland Exhibition pictures, and has been very favorably! commented upon, and should prove a valuable addition to our collection. Mr Colley, a picture restorer, was in Dunedin a few months ago, and the opportunity was taken to nave the pictures of Queen Victoria, Prince Consort, Ave Maris Stella, and others restored. Mr Colley carried out this work to the satisfaction of the trustees, and the pictures have been much improved by his work. The hon. treasurer (Mn J. Loudon), in submitting his accounts, reported that the financial operations of the society during the year had been satisfactory. The rent from the hall showed an increase over the previous year of £44 3s Bd, while the general expenses showed a decrease of £36 5s sd, notwithstanding the fact that a considerable amount had been spent in painting and renovating the gallery and in restoring some of the pictures. The cost of lighting had been reduced considerably by the installation of improved electrical fittings, resulting in a saving for the year of £22. The returns from the gallery boxes are practically the same, while the members’ subscriptions showed a small increase. With reference to' the latter, the treasurer expressed the opinion that instead of a membership of 80, the society should have a roll of 400 to 500. The annual subscription, 10s 6d, was a low one, and the gallery appealed to all classes of the community. The Chairman read a comparative state ment compiled by the hon. treasurer (Mr

u. jjvuuuji, wuu Wtia uxi«ivuiuad.>.iV ct-Uociic;, showing the chief sources of revenue (rents and subscriptions) for 1913-14 to have slightly exceeded the figures for the pre, vions year. Mr Bathgate then moved the adoption of the annual report and balancesheet, and in doing so commented upon the year’s work as reviewed therein. The most satisfactory feature, said Mr Bathgate, had been the .increase of revenue from rent for the social hall. On the other hand, the fact that the trustees had not been able during the period to reduce the debt resting upon the building was not so satisfactory. Stiil, they had acquired pictures and made improvements to the gallery, and that indicated progress. The comparatively small number of subscribers to tho society was a reproach. There were, h© considered, a great many citizens who would, if asked, contribute half a guinea per annum- towards the gallery, and flic suggestion embodied in the report that some ladies might interest themselves in the matter of obtaining new subscribers ie worthy of a trial. “It is a little surprising,” said the chairman, “that the citizens, who are justly proud of their art gallery, should be so lax in coming forward to its support.” Feeling reference was made to the death of the late Dr Scott, who had been a member of the society since its inception, and Dr Benham moved— That the trustees of the Public Art Gallery desire to place on record their deep regret at the death of Dr J. H. Scott, who had been associated with the gallery ever since its inception. His knowledge of everything connected with art had been of the greatest value, and his advice and keen interest in the gallery had helped greatly to place tho society in their present position. This was carried, and a copy of the resolution was ordered to be sent to Dr Frank Scott. Lady MT.ean, Miss Wimperis, and Messrs Thomas Brown, L. N. Harris, and George Fenwick were elected to fill the vacancies on the Board of Trustees. Mr P, Barr was re-elected hon. auditor.