ART NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1190, 21 December 1894, Page 10

ART NOTES.

* ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Academy of Pine Arts was held on F. i lay afternoon in the Academy, Mr Charles D. Barraud : n the chair. Twenty-five members were present. The report presented by the council stated that there were 5 new subscribing and 15 artist members, and that the names of 12 subscribing and 5 artist members had been removed through death, resignation or departure from Wellington. The number left on the list is 89 subscribing and 86 artist members, 35 of the latter being non-resident in Wellington. At the annual exhibition the receipts for admission and catalogues amounted to <£4o Bs. The council expressed regret that so few of the Wellington artists were represented at the exhibition. Thanks were expressed to Miss Holmes, who, on behalf of the ladies or Wellington, had deposited with the'council, towards the formation of an art gallery, two water-colours by Walter H. Paton, R.S.A. Miss Holmes had also, at the expense of much time and trouble, got up some entertainments for the benefit of the Academy. Thanks were also given to the Wellington Dramatic Students. The balance-sheet showed an overdraft of .£370. : 1

On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr F. H. Fraser, the report and balancesheet were adopted. Mr W. Ferguson proposed the re-election of Mr C. F. Barraud as president. The motion was seconded by Mr F. de J.. Clere, and agreed to. For the position'of vice-president, rendered vacant by the retirement (according to rule) of Mr W. S. Reid, Dr Fell was proposed by the Hon. Dr Grace, M.L.C., and Mr W. S. Reid by Mr D. T. Stuart. Upon a ballot being taken, Dr Fell was declared elected by a majority of 10. Miss Holmes urged the members not to change the personnel of the council- so rapidly and so completely as had been the case in the past. If they succeeded this time in electing a good council, they should keep them in office practically for three years. If it was to be for only one year it did not .seem to be worth while to make any great effort to reduce the very substantial debt of the Academy. The Hon. Dr Grace expressed regret that Miss Holmes herself did not see her way to accept re-election. ~ uL The following were then nominated for election to" the council (all the former members except Messrs D. T. Stuart and R. H. Govett retiring, which with Miss Holmes* resignation, and Dr Fell’s election as vice-president, left six vacancies to fill) : Miss Richardson, Miss Hill, Messrs J. Baillie, J. M. Nairn, Geo. Butler, J. 11. Baker, W. S. Reid, A. T. Bothamley, H. M. Gore and the Hon Dr Grace. A ballot was taken, and resulted in the election of Miss Richardson, Miss Hill, Hon Dr Grace, and Messrs Nairn, J. Baillie and H. M. Gore. -

Mr I). 1. Stuart proposed a hearty vote thanks to Miss Holmes for her services on behalf of the Academy. He said she had been full of energy and spirit in promoting its interests, and. the year before last she raised a considerable sum of money in aid of its funds.

The \ ote was passed by acclamation, and Miss Holmes, in responding, said she .would be as firm a friend of the Academy outside the council, and would be as willing to help it as she had been while a member of the council. ; Mr W. F. Barraud was re-elected hon treasurer, and Messrs T. R. Fleming and F. H. Fraser were re-elected auditors, a vote of thanks being passed to these three officers for their services last year. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting. , ~