ART GALLERY SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24945, 18 June 1942, Page 2

ART GALLERY SOCIETY

— ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society was held in the Art Gallery yesterday afternoon. The president, Mr A. H. Fisher, occupied the C Reviewing the position for the past year, the chairman said that there had been no foreign exhibitions to stimulate public interest, nor had the society been able to purchase any pictures from overseas. The success of the society, he continued, was entirely due to the foresight of its benefactor, the late Mr Peter Smeator., who in his wisdom had providea that only the interest from his legacy could be spent on the acquisition of pictures bv British artists. The result was that ttiev had to-day something over «500 per annum for this purpose. ihla included a generous sum from the Adolph Moritzson endowment. It naa always been his personal desire, said Mr •Fisher, that these endowment funds should be augmented, so that future generations might have the benefit of a substantial annual income to replenish and improve their collection from time to time. Fund to Purchase Pictures

Members would see from the balance sheet, the chairman said, that the society had accumulated a large sum of money, which was available for the purchase of pictures but nothing could be done during the war period. When peace came the council would lose no opportunity of acquiring works of outstanding merit. They were not unmindful of their New Zealand artists, said the speaker. It was the desire of the council to encourage them in every possible way, but it must be understood that no picture would be selected unless it. was of a sufficiently high standard to justify its inclusion in their collection.— (Applause.) In conclusion. Mr Fisher reminded members that outside the grant provided by the City Council they were largely dependent on subscriptions to meet general expenses, and it would be very helpful to the council if many more members enrolled. —(Applause.) The president then moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. Mr F D. Barron seconded the motion. He referred to the loss the society had suffered through the death of Dr F. Stanley Batchelor. and spoke of the possibility of Ihe society securine further pictures for the jjallerv The treasurer for the past 10 years Mr H. Mandeno. said that although their assets were in a sound position, thenactual current expenses caused them considerable anxiety. They could not at the nresent time expect a grant from the City Council. Mr Mandeno referred to the self-sacrificing work of the secretary of the societv (Mr R. H. Neilson) for many years, and said he was sure they all regretted that he was unable to be present that day through ill-health, and that they hoped he would soon be able to be with' them again.—(Applause.) Office-bearers

The following office-bearers were appointed :—President. Mr H. Mandeno: vicepresidents—Mrs E. C. Reynolds. Sir Lmdo Ferguson, and Messrs A. H. Fisher and P. L. Halsted; council—Dr F. t'J.'rhett, Dr Russell Ritchie, Dr Carmalf .Inies. and Messrs W. Downie Stewart, Jr f. Barron. F D Bell A. C-. Mathesi.ii Mesdames Gerald Ferguson, J. Mclnd<.e and Miss Theomin: hon. treasurer. Mr A. C. Matheson; auditors, Barr, Burgess and Stewart. On the motion of Sir Undo Ferguson, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Fiiher for his services as president during the past three years.