FAMOUS WAR PAINTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22098, 31 October 1933, Page 10

FAMOUS WAR PAINTING

PRESENTED TO DOMINION GIFT OF LORD WAKEFIELD (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 30. At a meeting of the board of trustees of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum to-day the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes), who presided, announced that a cablegram had been received from the High Commissioner in London (Sir Thomas Wilford) intimat ing that Lord Wakefield of Hythe had purchased Captain Longstaffie’s famous painting “ Carillon,” symbolising New Zealand’s heroic sacrifice in the Great War. It is a magnificent picture, and Lord Wakefield has requested the Prime Minister to accept it on behalf of the people of New Zealand. The Prime Minister stated he was despatching a reply asking the High Commissioner to convey the following message to Lord Wakefield

“ The High Commissioner for New Zealand has informed me of your generous presentation of Captain Longstaffe’s famous painting ‘ Carillon ’ symbolising New Zealand’s sacrifice in the Great War. On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand I have very great pleasure in accepting the painting and desire to express to you our deep appreciation of your magnificent gift which constitutes further practical evidence of your lordship’s continued interest in this Dominion. The picture will be hung in our new National Art Gallery, which building is now in course of erection, and will form a most appropriate and valuable addition to the works of art t d be housed therein.”

Lord Wakefield is well known throughout the Empire for many acts of a publicspirited and charitable nature. In 1029 he purchased and later endowed Talbot House, Poperinghe, the birthplace of the Toe H movement. He has purchased and presented to the nation more than one outstanding work of art, including Sir William Orpen’s portrait of Lord Balfour, and last year he made n special gift of £25,000 in aid of the Empire research work of the Imperial InstituteHe is keenly interested in the advancement of aviation and, incidentally, is the owner of the motor boat Miss England 111, which formerly held the world’s water speed record. One of his hobbies is the collection of pictures.