FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8523, 1 November 1888, Page 7

FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION.

The sixth annual exhibition of the Wellington Fine Arts Association was opened by his Excellency the Governor on Wednesday. The exhibition was held in those very suitable premises between the Fire Brigade Station and Messrs Kirkoaldie and Stains’ establishment, Brandon-street. His Excellency and party arrived at 3 o’clock, and were received by the President, Mr C. D, Barraud.'

The President read to his Excellency a copy of an address which the Association asked his acceptance of. The wording of the address was as follows : ■

“To His Excellency Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, C. 8., G.C.M.G. —Your Excellency,—lt is with extreme regret that the Council of the Fine Arts Association, of which you have been Patron from the first, learn that your term of office as Governor of New Zealand will shortly expire. They, therefore, desire to take this opportunity of tendering to your Excellency their hearty thanks for: the warm interest you have always taken in the welfare and progress of the Association, and your readiness to help them in their efforts to cultivate a taste for art among our rising generation, as well as for the encouragement you have given to New Zealand artists. And they beg yonr Excellency’s acceptance of'their very best wishes for the welfare of yourself. Lady Jervois, and family.—Mover, Charles D. Barraud, President; seconder, Arthur D, Riley.”

Thia address (the President continued) would be properly engrossed and forwarded to his Excellency in a few days. As to the exhibition, the exhibits were about on a psr with those of previous years, both as to number and merit. They sadly missed some old faces from among - the exhibitors, particularly Mr Gully, whose illness, it was feared, Avas of such a dangerous nature that they would not see his pictures again. The ate Mr Beetham, formerly their president, had also always exhibited; and Mr Gouldsnsitb, he believed, had left the Colony, On the whole, however, many works worthy of consideration would be found, especially among the exhibits of the pupils at Mr Riley’s school of art, Apmng these were some excellent studies, promising well for the future. Mr Morison’s life studies were also excellent. ,

His Association; most heartily address they had presented: td ’ him, which was T quitd unexpected. He was Very, glad'.indeed if ,any-. encouragement he had' given to art in - this * city. or io the .Colony had in the slightest degrpe been of value ia furthering this and institutions. On the part of Lady .Tervoia and his family he also gave them his cordial and sincere thanks for the address. He certainly regretted exceedingly, with the President, that this was the last occasion op which he should have the honour of opening an art exhibition in New Zealand. "It was always a great pleasure to him to take his humble part in furthering the objects they had in view, and which they so thoroughly accomplished. Having looked over the exhibits of the School of Art pupils,'he agreed with the President that great progress had been made under Mr Riley’s able conduct of that institution, and that great promise Was shown. He’ regretted the absence of exhibits from many whose works had been generally shown at this exhibition. First and foremost was Mr Gully, and it was a matter of sincere regret to him to hear of that gentleman’s dangerous illness. He must also express his regret that they had none of Mr Gouldsmith’a works; but that Avas unavoidable, as Mr Gonldsmith had left the Colony. Before he closed his remarks he would refer to the loss the Association had sustained by the death of its worthy, kind, and able President, Mr Beetham. Not only’by the encouragement he gave, bnt also by-his own exhibits, the deceased /gentleman, an artist of ,no small merit, showed that he had well carried out his views in this part of the world. He had left behind him many friends who would join with them in regretting his loss. After alluding, in conclusion, to the part borne in the work of colonisation by Mr Beetham’s family, his Excellency again thanked the Association for its address, and declared the Exhibition open.