A NATIONAL ART GALLERY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8793, 1 May 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

A NATIONAL ART GALLERY.

A mooting to consider the advisability of taking steps to Require, as tbe nucleus of a national art gallery, ono or more of tho pictures HOW in the exhibition was hold ia tho library of the Town Hall buildings yesUrrtay afternoon. sThe Mayor (llr John Huberts) occupied tho chair, niu! amung thoso present were the following ladies and gontlemen:-—Mesdauies John Roberto, George M'Lean, Sale, Joachim, and Sinclair-Thomson, Misses Edwa«ls and Koss, professors Sale and Gibbons, Drs Colquhouu and Robert*!, Messrs J. White, D'Arsy Haggitt, A. BaMigstu. J. M. Bitcfcie, J. Allen, M.H.R., U. W. Jmo, T. I>owd, T. Cotill, A. Hill Jack, James iimitli, U. ElioS iDtiotfc, L. W. Wilaou, H. lUraut Lloyd, A 1-T. O'KetftV, aud J. 1). Perrett. Apologies for their abscnuu worn recuivod Jrom Mr Win. Uawson, Mr Joseph l>r<uthwaite (who olfnred a contribution uf £10 towards the jnrojeci), Sir Ktilli Unmsay, and Professor Scoy; forwarded ft cheque for £5 sj). Thii Mayor stated that Messrs Bacbgate, IHodgkins, and D'Arey Haggitt were the originnlors of the meeting, which was called •for the purpose- of ascertaining, as far as was possible, whether there was any prospect of securing funds by subscription or in other ways in order to purchase one or more of the .good works Slut had b'y.:n shown in tlw exhibition and thus prevent them I'roni going Home, availing themselves of the opportuuity of acquiring pictures on tho ground without the risk of getting them out here. He believed that any pictures that might be bought would le admitted by the Government free of duty, for the City Council had had certain photographs froVu Melbourne presented to them, and these had been allowed by the Colouial Secretary to pass in duty free. To a largo extent ho •was, through haviug been absent from Dunediu for a fow ilajf, in the dark as to what was proposed, but two resolutions dealing with tho subject would be submitted to the meeting. Personally, ibo move that had so far been initiated had his hearty support, aud anything that he could do by contribution or iv other ways would be done with the view of securing some of the valuable works of art that were now in our midst.—(Applause.) Mr James Smith moved—"That in tho opinion of this meeting it is desirable to estabblish a public art gallery in Dunedin, and that as a lirst t-tep in that direction an immediate subscription bo raised to acquire from the exhibition collection B. A. Waterloo's 'Sunny Hours,' aud as ininy other pictures as the f undr. raised ra?.y suftico to buy; the selection of such other pictures to bo made by a committee to be nominated at this meeting, and all pictures acquired iv pursuance of this resolution to be handed over to the City Corporation io trust for thu citizens of Dunediu." The originators of tho meeting had been forcibly struck, he believed, that the present was a favourable juncture for tho formation of an art gallery. The interest that tho public of Dunedin had manifested in tho beautiful works of art in the exhibition, coupled with the near approach of tho time when all the pictures would,unless secured, be packed up and aeut away from tho colony, never to return, had impressed the promoters of the meeting with the necessity for prompt action in order to secure oao or more of these pictures. Tho speaker emphasised tho high educational value of tho institution of an art gallery, and the source of perpetual and elevating enjoyment which it afforded. One of the most striking characteristics of such an institution, he reminded them, was that it was a haven of rest to which people might retire, and, for a time at all events, forget the cards and worries of life, losing even self iv admiration of tho creations of genius. It appeared to him that it was high time that some attempt was made to form an art gallery in Dunedin. The city of Auckland had a long start in that respect, and it had enjoyed the benefit of munificent gifts and bequests. Wo wera not so favoured in Duncdin.but we might hope to be if the nucleus of nu art gallery were secured. Ho thought there was no doubt that if some of tho indomitable energy and determination which, uuder the mayor's conspicuously able management, had been productive of such success in tbe case of the exhibition were only applied to the present undertaking, the immediate result would be the acquisition of the picture they sought to possess aud tho Retting together in Ite course of years of a rich and noble collection of pictures of which the citizens of Dunedin would havo reason to be proud. If an active system of canvass was instituted he had little doubt that sufficient funds would be obtained to buy not only the picture that had been named but others also. With regard to the picture nameJ, it had been named because it was understood to be a public favourite. Itwas the production of au artist who had for some years been regarded as of groat merit and rising eminence, tbe seal of whose artistic reputation had bseu recently set by his being admitted as an associate of the Royal Academy. It appeared to him thst if a vigorous effort wero now made, totivithstandiDg that people had been expending more than many had been accustomed to expand in order to enjoy the festivities in connection with the exhibition, they would secure some of the pictures which they would never see again unless they were purchased now. Ie hailed tbo presence of ladies at the meeting as a happy augury of the success of the movement, and hs would suggest that their more active co-operation be sought by inviting them to become' members of the Collecting Committee. The main advantage of placing tbe art gallery in charge of tbe City Council was that the permanence of that body avoided the casualties which were inseparable from the appointment of individual trustees, who might be removed by death, incapacity, or resignation; and another advantage was that for years to come the Town Hall building might furnish sufficient accommodation for all tho pictures they possessed. He would suggest that it might be an instruction to the committee to be appointed at the meeting that they should confer with the City Council, with the view of making arrangements to secure the proper care and management of tho works of art to be obtaiucd, and with the object of giving to citizens the best use and easiest access to the art gallery.—(Applause.) Mr J. M. Ritcuie seconded the motion wilh much pleasure. He hoped very much the movement would be aucicsful, although he had suffered a littlo dis»ppointrrent in the same matter, having been one of a number who started the same idea a little timo ago without meeting with success. Mr Bathgate's idea had, however, gone further; it embraced a wider field for subscriptiuns, aud would, he hoped, have the desired tffcefc. He thought the object was iv »very way woithy of tho subscriptions of all who were interested in works of art, and that it wa3 better it should bo supported by the public rather than that the'work should be given by amorelimitednuaiber. He approved, too, of tho picturo having been specifically named, because that would act as an inducement to those who had admired it to nive their support. He could not think there would bo any difficulty in raising the amount, because Ecany who had admired it would be willing to give a small sum in order to have the opportunity of seeing the picture at any time, and that it might be placsd in the same category as the pictures in tho room in which they were assembled for the benefit of the public. Tho pictures beforo'them, he had no doubt, if it were thought desirable, would be formally made over to the corporation, He would be happy to assist with his subscriptions and would also be prepared, if they were successful, before long to hand over to the corporation another not altogether unimportant picture and one of some little interest.

Mr Wilson moved without remark an amendment to strike out all the words referring to Mr Waterlow's picture, leaving it to tie committee to purchasa such pictures as might be deemed advisable.

Mr James Allen, M.H.R, seconded the amendment. Although it might bo under some ciccumstauces wise to name the picture, it seemed to him they were quite dependent upon the amount raised, and if £300 should not by raised they would not be in a position to buy Waterloo's picture. Then, even it the sum were raised, it was still open to doubt whether that would be the most advisable purchase to make. It seemed to him it would be better t» leave the matter open.

Mr James Smith said that the gentleman who had moved tho amendment had given no reasons for it, and the only reason the seconder had given wag a fear that the £300 might not be raised. —(Mr Allen : That was one reason.) He gathered that there was no other reason excepting that Mr Allen thought itinjudicious t'i tie the hands of the committee; but inasmuch as the merits of the picture were generally nomitted and it was generally admired, anil as ba personally had the assurance of those who might be regarded as experts that it was a picture of very great merit, he did not think they would err in fixing upon ie a3 one of the pictures to ba obtained If they could not raiso £300 for this purpose he thought they had better hang their heads in shame and give up the enterprise altogether. Ho, however, had not the slightest fear but that they should raise the £300; in fact he would take out cf his own purae to make up to t:.at sura whatever was wanting.— (Applause.) On the question being put the amendment was lost by a large majority, and the motion was then carried unanimously. Professor Salk having explained that the nsrae3 of a number of ladies had been omitted from the list, but could be added subsequently, and thut their assistance would be welcomed, moved —" That for the purpose of carrying out th.? previous resolution a committee be forWd, consisting of Mesdamts Davidson, Chamberlain, Joachim, Twopeny, M'Lean, Sinclair-Thomson, Misses Gibson, Ross, and Hodgkins, and Messrs J. M. Ritchie, W. M. Hodgkins, J. White, T. CoulJ, A. Bathgate, DA. Haggitt, Jas. Smith, and the mover, wilh power to add to their number."

Mr Hill Jack seconded the motion, which was carried nem, dis., and it was also resolved that Mr D'Arcy Haggitt should bo thu convener and Mr A. Bathgate the treasurer of the committee.

On the motion of Mr T. Bbown, seconded by Mr Jas. Smith, a vote of thanks was passed to his Worship the Mayor fir presiding, and before the meeting dispersed subscriptions amounting to upwards of £100 were obtained.

—The Argentine Government has contracted, through its agents in Europe, for the construction of warships, the cost of which will exceed £1,800,000 sterling.