SIR JAMES ALLEN

Evening Star, Issue 22576, 18 February 1937, Page 7

SIR JAMES ALLEN

PORTRAIT FOR DUNEDIN GALLERY VETEfiAN STATESMAN HONOURED Last year, at a representative gathcrof parliamentarians, and representative citizens in Wellington, a portrait of Sir James Allen was formally handed over to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Art Gallery by the Hon. W. Downie Stewart on behalf of the subscribers to an appreciation fund. It was then announced that, so well had the fund been supported by people in all parts of the Dominion and of all shades of political thought, that it permitted of another portrait being presented to the city of Dunedin. Accordingly Sir James gave another sitting to the artist, Mr Archibald Nicoll and the second picture will ; come to Dunedin shortly as promised. The Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society has advised the association of the Sir James Allen fund in Wellington that it will be pleased to accept the , portrait. Pending the time when pro- \ vision may he made in the gallery at j Logan Park for a suitable display, the | portrait has been offered on loan to j Otago University, with whifeh Sir j James was intimately connected for so long as Chancellor and as a member | of the council. The Chancellor (Mr W. I J. Morrell) has informed the associa- i tion in Wellington that the Otago ' University Council has appreciatively accepted the offer ami that the portrait will be displayed on the landing outside the Allen Hall. It was noted in a communication iroin the Otago University authorities that Sir James was for many years Chancellor of the University and gave great service to the University not only in that position, but also as a

member of the council. Ho has completed 50 years of national and Imperial service with the exception of a period in London as High Commissioner for New Zealand. The veteran® legislator has been almost continuously in. active politics for half a century. On Trafalgar Day (October 21) of this year it will be exactly 50 years since Sir James first entered the House of Representatives by sensationally defeating for the former Taieri scat the late Sir Robert Stout, who at the time was Premier.

Over 300 subscribers in 50 towns in New Zealand contributed to the appreciation fund.