DUNEDIN PUBLIC-ART GALLERY SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13893, 3 May 1907, Page 8

DUNEDIN PUBLIC-ART GALLERY SOCIETY.

Tho following report for tho yoar ended March.3l will 1* presented to members of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society at tho annual meeting, to bo held in Mr' Joachim's office on Friday, 10th inst.: — "Tho last report presented dealt with the year ending December 31, 1905, but as, owing t) alterations in our constitution, the financial yoar now terminates on the 31st March, this report- covers a poriod of 15 montlm. During that timo th'o trustees, seeing tho largo responsibilities that were being undertaken, resolved to put matters on a sounder business footing by registering under the Unclassified Societies' Act. This was duly arranged, and' all annual subscribers of not loss than 103 Cd wero registered as members. The lease oi the site promised by the Government .'or tho new gallery has been duly ooinplcted for a period of 21 years, with a right of renewal for ft similar period, tho only condition being that the Government retain tho right to resumo'tlie land if required for railway purposes, but this provision is quite understood to bo merely a necessary formality, and our occupation of tho ground is not likely to bo disturbed. In addition to tho granting of this site, tho Government also mado a grant to us of £500. AVc also, received a grant of £500 from tho City Council,' payable at tho rate of £100 per annum, the first instalment of which has been duly paid over. iFnrthor donations were promised by members o'l the community, which brought the subscriptions up to tho sum of £-2461 9s Sd, all of which has beeu collected except £17 Gs, which will doubtless bo forthcoming shortly. In addition to thisw? liave earned interest on bank deposits totalling £100 83 Id, and from entertainments and other sources £216 15s lod, receipts through those- various to date totalling £3811 13s lid. To augmont this sum the trustees have resolved to issue debentures, and applications repjosenting £-2tCn aro in hand. The debentures will be issued as from J?t July next for a period of 20 years, but mleeniablo od three months' notice if the 1 trustees so wish. During the year plana for tho new gallery wero submitted by Mr J. A. BurnsUe. architect, and duly approved, and the contract for erection was let to Mr On Campbell. The total cost, including furnishings, is estimated at £7000, so that liere still remains £800 to be provided, ivhich iho trustees hopo to rcceivo in subscriptions, eo that no further amount than is absolutely necessary shall be owing ou the gallery whon it is completed. Since th:- close of tho year, Mr William Dawson presented to fch» trustees a picture of Mount Caok by Mt E. V. Christmas, and, through a fund organised by the Otago Art Society, two pictures from the Giristchurch Exhibirion havo been secured for our gallery. Messrs D. E. Theomin, C. R. Smith. Dr Scott, and Mrs Sale retire from the Board of Trustees, but are eligible for re-e!«otion.