THE REID COLLECTION OF PICTURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9497, 28 April 1894, Page 3

THE REID COLLECTION OF PICTURES.

■*- JL \J TO THE EDITOB. Sib,—ln your report of the meeting of the City Council, I read with great regret the following words " Mr. Garratt objected to any thanks being given to Mr. Reid, for ib had been stated the reason, he wished the pictures in the Gallery was because he could not find a place of safety for them." If Mr. Garratt means by that that Mr. Reid was afraid to keep Ills own pictures, and made use of the Gallery as a storehouse, he is mistaken. It.was with the greatest difficulty that Mr. and Mrs. Reid could be persuaded to part with their treasures even for the year agreed on. Not in one interview or in ten was it accomplished, but only after frequent and persistent argument could they be induced to agree to the proposal. They often consented, and on reflection withdrew their consent. One day, when they had consented, Mr. Crowther, tne Mayor, quickly made the necessary arrangements remove the pictures; and it was done. No doubt it is quite true, an argument most strongly urged upon Mr. and Mrs. Reid was, that it was very dangerous to retain so valuable a collection in a house built of wood, but that fear was nob entertained by them; nor was it the motive that decided them. What decided them was their kind willingness that their neighbours, the citizens of Auckland, should have ample opportunity for inspecting, and students for studying, what is by far the best single collection of oil paintings in the colony. If Mr. and Mrs. Reid will forgive me 1 will go further and say that every persuasion that could be thought of, was used to induce them also to deposit the most valuable and _ unique collection _of treasures of art furniture, glass, and china which they also possess. Simply beautiful indeed they are, but they could not be induced to do that the wrench of separation was too great. The value of these is at least; as great as the pictures, and sufficiently disposes of the idea that their motive was fear of loss. Nine hundred and ninety-nine out of every thousand citizens thank them for what they did. It is a noble spirit of munificence that prompts possessors of great treasures of art te place them, whether temporarily or permanently, at the service of the public. But an equally noble spirit of generosity is required to worthily receive such benefactions ; and, notwithstanding Mr. Garratfc's unkind remark, that is the spirit in which Auckland has received the magnificent gifts of her loving citizens.—l am, etc., .T. H. Upton.