Art and Antiques Exhibition

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 273, 18 November 1936, Page 4

Art and Antiques Exhibition

(To tho Editor.) Si r _Both local newspapers as well as visitors to the Exhibition of Pictures and Antiques now on show in the Municipal Hall under the auspices of the Y.W.C.A. have made such eulogistic reference to the excellence of the exhibits that you will probably bo surprised to learn that there is every indication that the cash receipts will not equal the expenditure incurred. The expenses have beeen kept within reasonable bounds but it was impossible to put on such a show under £SO, covering rent, lighting, cartage, advertising, printing, etc., for the period of ten days that the exhibition is to remain open, yet the total receipts to date are only £29 with four days still to go. To owe like myself —a member of the male advisory board who in his wisdom (or lack of it) recommended that, instead of soliciting cash donations from the public, an exhibition such as was staged at New Plymouth with great success, should be tho means of raising funds for tho Y.W.C.A., it is a matter of great regret that the patronage extended by the public of Palmerston North should have beeu so poor, particularly in view of the vast amount of work undertaken by the ladies of the committee and the members generally. 1 have already mentioned that only £29 has so far beeu received, showing that —including the 100 guests of the Lunch Club —less than 600 people have attended the exhibition during the past five days; just think of it, less than 500 havo voluntarily paid Is to view an exhibition of pictures and curios that has been, for the excellence of its quality, a revelation to appreciative lovers of art.

To those who have favoured tho establishment in Palmerston North of a museum and art gallery and who have pointed out to the City Council and the public loss sustained by tho community in having no place to house its treasures, it must be distinctly discouraging to find so few residents taking an interest in what is only, of course, tho nucleus of such a museum, but is deeidedly a nucleus. The Mayor of the City, Mr. Mansford, has already written to you stressing that the exhibition is definitely worthy of support and encouragement and I can assure the intending visiting public that they will get more than full value for their money. In addition they will be supporting tho Y.W.C.A., a body of earnest workers under a most capable trained secretary, on duty, for every hour of the day in tho interests of the -women and girls not only of our community but of the Dominion generally. Yours, etc., A. A. LANGLEY.