NOTABLE PAINTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22984, 11 March 1938, Page 14

NOTABLE PAINTER

"SAPPER" MOORE-JONES

SOCIETY OF ARTS ADDRESS

The life of a notable figure in New Zealand art, Horace Moore-Jones, better known as "Sapper' Moore-Jones, was described at a luncheon of the Auckland Society of Arts yesterday by Mr. 11. A. Singer. Mr. Moore-Jones, whoso painting "Simpson and tho Donkey" now hanging in the hall of the Auckland Commercial Travellers 'and Warehousemen's Association, caused some controversy last July, was a member of the 1911 council of the Society of Arts. Moore-Jones' capacities did not receivo recognition in his lifetime. Mr. Singer said. In earlier life he went to Sydney, but in spite of his gallant efforts against adversity he failed to win success. While he was engaged in his struggle there his wife fell ill from tuberculosis and by the time of her death three years later he had stripped his house bare except for his wife's room. Everything had been sold to keep her from realising his financial straits.

After coming to New Zealand, where his patrons were few, Moore-Jones went to England and was painting in Cornwall when the Great War broke out. He enlisted and was given special work sketching and mapping various localities, and he later brought his pictures made there to New Zealand. The Government refused to buy them and they were sold for £I2OO to the New South Wales Government. Moore-Jones' death in 1922 in heroic circumstances in a fire at Hamilton was described by Mr. Singer, who added that his will perished with him. "Prohate was granted on the will in a manner probably unique in legal history," said Mr. Singer. "Although the document had been destroyed, the witnesses, one of whom was the late Mr. Trevor Llovd, remembered the terms of the will and it was proved in the Supreme Court at Auckland." Mr. Singer was introduced by the president of the society, Mr. It. 0. Gross, and Mr. It. M. Crockett moved a vote of thanks.