NEW SHOW ATTRACTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 398, 16 May 1922, Page 5

NEW SHOW ATTRACTION.

MR J. H. STEVENS' PROPOSAL

ART GALLERY SCHEME 1)18 CUSSED.

Consideration was given at to-day's meeting,' of the general committee ol the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association to the proposal of Mr J. H. Stevens for the establishment of tin art gallery, to be open lor exhibition under the auspices of the association. In a letter read at the meeting, Mr Slovens said that, briefly put his (suggestions were its follow:—(1) That the aid, gallery be held during the show and, say. for two or three months thereafter; (2) That several months' previous preparations would be necessary. (3j Thai a professional man lit l engaged at say i"10 per week. lie would require to take entire charge under the direction of the (4) The pictures to be obtained (a)' from art galleries on loan; (b) from artists on exhibition and sale; (e) from the local- public on loan, (o) That an art union be promoted, prizes to be selected of special value front pictures on sale by the winners. (6) That immediate .steps be taken to ascertain whether the beautiful exhibit of marble .statuary recently shown it) Wellington could be obtained for the show. Mr Stevens attached the following estimate of receipts and expenditure in connection with the scheme:—

Receipts: 5000 art union tickets at 2s Od. £625; 5000 other admissions at (id, £125; 15 per cent, on sale, £75; total, £'B2s. Expenditure: Services of expert, say 20 weeks at £lO, £200; special advertising, £100; rebate on commission on tickets, £SO; freight and assistance, £100; insurance, etc., £100; total, CV)O. This left an estimated profit of £275. Mr Stevens also enclosed a letter he had received in June. EM7. from i\[r w Alec Paterson, of Wellington, in which the opinion was expressed that the proposal wtts a step in the right direction. Further, he was confident that such an exhibition could bo quite easily made the best and most important of its kind in the Dominion. He personally could arrange with leading; artists in New Zealand to send exhibits, of which at least 500 could be obtained; and possibly the "Wellington Art Gallery could be 'induced to lend a number of the National Gallery pictures.

HOUSING THE EXHIBITS. Mr W. E. Jacobs drew attention to the fact that there was no provision in the estimated expenditure for prize money. . The president (Mr H. Y. Lethbndge) said that, while he did not wish to throw any cold water on the scheme, he could 'see difficulties in the way of housing the exhibits. At the Winter Show, for instance, the only building suitable for the purpose would be otherwise occupied. Then again, any gross surplus would be swallowed up by the cost of insurance and re-packing. Mr J. M. Johnston thought the proposal was a splendid idea and he considered that an excellent exhibition could be arranged for. A good revenue could be made out of the exhibition for some time after the show. lie' moved that the matter bo referred to the arts and industries committee for a report. . In reply to a question, Mr Johnston said that'll was proposed to institute the exhibition at the Spring Show. In the course of a general discussion the opinion was expressed that consideration might well be given to a modified scheme. .Reference was also made to the difficulty of securing proper lighting for the pictures. _ Ultimately the motion was earned on the voices.