ART IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19289, 30 March 1926, Page 9

ART IN AUCKLAND.

Sir, —May I be permitted to make a slight correction of your account of certain observations made by myself at the dinner given on Saturday night in honour of Sir Bertram Mackennal. Far from blaming the reporter, I must be grateful to him for mentioning me at ail in that connection. I should not liave presumed to speak if not to voice the gratitude of their guests ito our hosts for giving us the: means to enjoy Sir Bertram's very wonderful exposition of the gospel of art, which will live long in the memories of all who were privileged to h6ar it. Would that he could repeat it to a larger audience! Your report says that I "declared that art was not recognised as it should hi in Auckland," which may conceivably give , a wrong impression both of what. I, did say and of my general attitude toward local art. The gist of my remarks in that connection was that I had been frequently told on my arrival ill the city that at was in a particularly bad way in Auckland, and that subsequent experience had led'we to doubt that statement; that in my opinion art was in no worso case in Auckland than in any other city of the same size in other countries, because the proportion to the whole population of those who take a sustained "and really deep interest in art is always small. Let me add that a city which contains a Society of Arts which has been in existence for more than fifty years, and an art gallery which, whatever its limitations, does certainly compare favourably with public galleries in towns or cities of like size at Home, can scarcely be said to be unusually backward in art matters. As regards that gallery, I should like to point out that it is particularly creditable since it has not heen formed, as is the case at Home, in an old country, with ancient and high traditions of art, and containing so wonderful an array of the world's masterpieces. Again, oar city gives distinguished proofs that it has produced architects of which any country might be proud. It is just because I think that art in Auckland shows such golden possibilities that I, in company with others who believe it to be of highest import, presume to devote' myself to the spreading of its gospel in our fair city. ,W- Pack Bgwje.