ART GALLERY SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18624, 4 August 1922, Page 3

ART GALLERY SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING CONCLUDED. ■ The adjourned annual meeting of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society [lncorporated] was held in the Dunedin City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. Iho business of the meeting was to elect a president, four vice-presidents, an hon, treasurer, and members of committee. Mr A. Bathgate, who occupied the chair, said that they would understand that that was an adjourned meeting. They had held their anunal meeting some little time ago, and adopted the report and balance sheet. But they had not proceeded to elect officebearers because the new constitution, which had been drafted, approved, and sent to the Registrar, had not been registered. Under this the members of the Otago Art Society became members of the newly-constituted society, and had a voice in the election of a council for the ensuing year. And so the meeting had been adjourned sine die. Since then the Registrar 'had passed the new constitution, and in consequence the present meeting' was being held. He had pleasure in proposing Sir George Fenwick for the position of president.—-(Applause.) Sir George Fenwick had been a member of the council for a lengthy period, and was quite conversant with the aims and' objects of the Otago Art Society and the Public Art Gallery Society, but apart from that ho had other qualifications that rendered him a most suitable man for the position of president. Mr A. H. Fisher seconded the proposal, which was unanimously agreed to. Sir George Fenwick said ho appreciated the compliment that had been paid him in electing him as the first president of the new society, but at the same time he recognised that the position necessarily involved responsibilities and work for the man who held it. He would, however, do all that • was in his power to help the committee in carrying on the work of the -society. Thebe was much important work ahead of it ere the society attained that enlarged measure of success that they had a. right to look for. In saying that he did not in any way wish to depreciate what they had accomplished irf the past. Ho . was indeed, as, a member of both of the societies they had known for so many years, proud of their gallery; It was a pleasure to him, as it had been to all -of them, to occasionally take friends from abroad to see the gallery, for there were' in it many pictured of striking merit; yet they wanted to improve it and enlarge it, and there was much work ahead for those who were’ now assuming control. There were two matters to which the new committee must devote its .energies. , First, an increase in the membership ■of ' the society, ..which Could only bo done by means ctf a personal' canvass - by members of the committee, and he would be very glad to take his share in this. He felt quite confident that there were many of our citizens who had not been attached, either to the Art Gallery Trustees or the Otago. Art Society, who would, now that the two bodies had been united into one society, cheerfully become members and take some interest in placing the gallery on a progressive footing. Secondly, there was the question of placing very earnestly before the City Council the claims the Art Gallery had upon its consideration as one of the features of civic life that was deserving of liberal recognition at its hands. Dunedin was justly recognised as the very pivot of the educational life •of the, dominion, and it might be fairly claimed that the promotion of the love of art . among our citizens was an important feature in our educational life. The City Council could materially, help the Art Gallery Trustees by an annual grant that would enable the trustees to do away with the adventitious aid to its revenues it at present got through letting portions of the gallery for dances and suppers. It was anomalous and incongruous that the rooms which had on their walls an extremely valuable collection of pictures, virtually the property of the citizens, should be converted into supper rooms, crowded with tables and chairs, and all their l incidental furnishings. There was always more or less danger of accidental damage being done to valuable paintings, and the new committee must bend its energies to an.effort to have this, anomaly swept away. But he need not further enlarge upon these matters at that time. They would, he felt sure, receive early attention at the hands of the committee. He again desired to thank them for the honour conferred upon him in electing him president. Sir George, addressing the Mayor, who was present, emphasised the fact that the funds of the society were only available for the purchase of pictures, and "that help in their ordinary administrative expenditure should be, generCU Mr A. Ve ßathgate, Sir John Roberts. Mr D. E. Theorain, and. Dr H. L. Ferguson were elected * vice-presidents, on the motion of Stir George Fenwick, who mentioned that each of those gentlemen had devoted a large amount of time to the interests of the two societies. He would have liked Mr Bathgate to accept the position of president, but that gentleman had resolutely declined, claiming a rest. Mr D E. Theomm, in nominating the committee, made it quite plain that there was nothing at all cut-and-dned in the nominations, and pointed out that other names m addition to those ho waa proposing would b e quite acceptable. He nominated the Mayor, Mrs MTndoe, Mrs H Reynolds, Dr L. E, Barnett. Messrs A. H. Fisher, E. Hoisted, R. Hudson. T. H. Jenkins. H. Mandeno, E. Price, and G. R. Ritchie. Sir George Fenwick, who had at this period taken the chair, rendered vacant by the retirement of Mr A. Bathgate, pointed out that the Mayor for the time being was under the rules, a member of the executive, and that it was not necessary that his Worship’s name should bo included in the nominations. The name was therefore removed, and th 0 nominations, having been seconded by Mr J Loudon, were, agreed to. Mr J. Loudon was appointed, hon. treasurer Mr Bathgate, who nominated him, explaining that Mr Loudon, had been anxious to be, relieved of his duties as treasurer, but had under pressure been persuaded to remain in office. Mr Peter Barr was elected auditor. The Chairman said it was his pleasing duty to nominate as life members Lady M'Lean and Mr Haggitt. Lady M’Lean’s health was such that sh P could not take ap active part in the affairs of the society, but in the past she had done a great deal of good useful work. Mr Haggitt had been practically the founder of the society. Mr Bathgate, in seconding the nominations, mentioned that Lady M’Lean had been instrumental in acquiring the present site for the gallon', and that Mr Haggitt had in the past rendered valuable services as secretarv to the society. The nominations were very cordially accepted and agreed to. ... , Mr Haggitt, in aclmowledging the honour mentioned that he believed Mr Bathgate / and he were the only two remaining 'originators of the society. Mr John White had been the other, one. He thought that Lady M’Lean deserved, more credit for what had been done in the past than anyone else.- , A vote of thanks to the retiring president, briefly acknowledged by Mr A. Bathgate, concluded the meeting.