ADDED ATTRACTIONS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2125, 17 May 1922, Page 2

ADDED ATTRACTIONS.

ART GALLERY UNDER CONSIDERATION. At yesterday's meeting of the Manawatu A. and P. Association consideration was given the suggestion, made by Mr. J. H. Stevens at the recent annual meeting, to the effect that an Art exhibition should be held in connection with the Manawatu Show. A letter from Mr. Stevens was read at the meeting backing up his previous remarks and giving general information about such expositions. lie suggested (I) That the exhibition be held during the Show, and sav for two or three months thereafter; (2) Thai several months previous preparations would be necessary. (3) That a professional man be engaged at say £l9 per week, who would require to take entire charge under the direction of the commit tee. (4) The pictures to be obtained from Art Galleries on loan, from artists, for exhibition and sale; and from the local public on loan. (5) Th it an Art I'nion Inpromoted, prizes of special value to be selected from pictures on sale, by the winners. (6) P'lal immediate steps be taken to ascertain whether the beautiful exhibit of marble statutory recently diowi in Wel'ingflo.i could be obtained for the Show, and (7) That M'\ Alex Patcrson, of Wellington, be communicated with. In connection with these suggest ions. Mr. Stevens forwarded the following estimate of receipts and expenditure . n connection with the scheme: Receipt.-: 5000 art union tickets at 2/6, £625; 5000 admission tickets at 6d £125; 15 per cent on sale £75,---

total £S2S. Expenditure: Services of expert, say 20 weeks at £lO. £200; special advertising £100: to rebate on commission on tickets £SO; freight and assistance £100; insurance, tic, £IOO, —total £550. This would leave 1 an estimated profit of £275. A letter was also enclosed which had been received by Mi*. Stevens in 1917 from Mr. Alec Patcrson. of Wellington in which the writer said he was confident that such an exhibition could be quite rasilv made the best and most important of its kind in the Dominion. Mr. Patcrson pointed out that he, personally, could arrange with leading artists in Wellington to send exhibit.*:, 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. The chairman (Mr. H. T. Lethbridge) in pointing out some of the defects of the scheme, added that he did not want to throw cold water on the matter. Ho explained the only building which could be utilised for the purpose of housing pictures at the Winter Show, would b r ; otherwise occupied. He did not think the trouble that would have to be taken would warrant the expense, for an estimated profit of only £270. That profit did not include the cost of paying for the packing of the pictures, and they would also have to pay much more insurance. In conclusion he expressed the opinion that the Association would be taking a big risk if it agreed tc> carry out the project. Several other members agreed that the scheme would involve a good deal of risk. Mr. .J. M. Johnston thought the scheme was a splendid one, and that it should be accorded the Associations' support. If they held the Art Gallery t would bring in a lot of revenue, and he pointed out that a considerable profit was made out of the last exhibition that was held in the Dominion. They would undoubtedly have to secure j big collection of pictures, and people would come, from all parts to see them. Mr. Johnston then iroposed that the matter be referred to the Arts and industrial committee, which could report to a later i meeting. Mr. A. Conway, in seconding the motion pro forma, said that they would have to alter th ■ whole of the building, and better lighting apparatus would have to be installed if they de-iied to have such an exhibition. Mr. J. R. Ho'lder also spoke in favour of the scheme, contending that it should be given every consideration by the committee. Mr. J. H. Perritt did not think there would br> anv trouble with the present lighting system. Mr. Johnston's motion was then put and carried. Mr. J. A. Nash suggested that Mi*- St-avens be ask:d to become associated with the committee when con sidcring the project, and this was agreed to.