FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 6956, 7 September 1883, Page 3

FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION.

The first annual meeting of the Fine Arts Association was held at the Museum, Mr W. S. Beetham (President) occupying the chair. Mr N. Barraud (Hon. Secretary) read the minutes of the two general meetings which had been held.

The report, copies of which had been distributed, was takeu as read. It set forth that the Association had enrolled 89 working members and 41 subscribing members. Two Exhibitions had been held—one in the Museum, in February, and the other in a room placed at the disposal of the Association by Messrs Lyon and Blair. The number of entries at the first exhibition was 94, and at the second 307. The report further stated that lectures on suitable subjects had be>n given during the year, that various prizes had been offered during the exhibition, and dealt with various other subjects. From the balance-sheet it appeared that the total receipts had been £377 12s 2d* and tho expenditure £335 3s 3s, leaving a substantial balance of £42 8a lid.

Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald proposed that the report and balance-sheet be adopted, and, in doing so, said that he was highly pleased to find that such satisfactory progress had been made by the Association. With reference to the lectures, they were justified in concluding from the bad attendance that they should in future bo held in some more central part of the city—say at the Athenaeum. They had reason to feel highly gratified to find that so many had sent works forward for the exhibitions. The.question of a suitable'room wherein to display pictures, was a subject which required their attention, and he took the opportunity of directing to it the attention of the Council for, the ensuing year. It was a matter for regret that there wasno public room where the student could spend an evening when he liked, to perfect himself in drawing. He suggested that they might ask the City Council to grant them the lease of a suitable site on the Te Aro reclamation at a peppercorn rent, so that they could erect a gallery for themselves: Dr. Hutchinson seconded the motion, and cordially endorsed everything that had been said by Mr Macdonald, except that- ha thought the Art Gallery should be connected ■with the Museum. Parliament should assist them, though he doubted whether they would get anything from them. ■ Mr B. Brandon thought it • would be worth their while to ask, as the Government had given similar assistance at Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Messrs Bnthomley and Stowe having spoken, the resolution was agreed to. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year Vice-President, Mr 0. D. Barraud ; Hon. Secretary, Mr N. Barraud ; Hon. Treasurer, Mr Treanore; Council, Dr. Hutchinson, Messrs W. S. Iteid, It. F, Holmes, 0. J. Toxward, L. Stowe, A. T. Bothamley, T. K. Macdonald and E. Brandon. The election of a President was, at the suggestion of the present holder of the office, allowed to stand over.. Votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring officers, and a special vote, together with an honorarium of £IQ to Mr N. Barraud for the zeal he had displayed in carrying out his duties as Secretary. The meeting then closed.