CHRISTCHURCH ACID DROPS

Oxford Observer, Volume V, Issue V, 14 April 1894, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH ACID DROPS

BY ROBIN GOODFELLOW.

As promised I had a stroll through the Art Gallery. Did space permit I should like to go into details but I can only express my surprise at the marked improvement by our local artists. There is ho mistake that Christchurch is the home of New Zealand Art and Culture. I doubt very much if there is any town in England even of equal size that could produce such an admirable collection. Since last year the Gallery has been much enlarged and a concert room added. The pictures are all well hung but I do not think the Committee has been quite fair to your local artist. d\ He has a thoroughly typical piece .of N. Z. scenery which however is not, seen to advantage as it is high up over the entrance door. The great fault I ( find with our artists is want of originality. We get the same, old Sumner Beach, West Coast Road, and Milford Sound year after year. Surely they could iii New Zealand find subjects that are "racy of the soil.'". ""." "" V

* # # # * *• • - ■ -.-- f . ' Last week I wrote about our false fire alarrns.~"~ r 'Wednesday week' we had a real 'fire'.' Peafce ? s i Railway Hotel was completely, gutted. -Isitt &Co. will probably say that the Devil

takes care of his own for the only part not burnt was the bar which was open for business. The Hotel belongs to Ward & Co. and irT face of the late election will probably hot be rebuilt. More work taken but of the .hands of the unemployed by the prohibition craze. There was another fire just before at Mr Lanes in Peterborough St. and the engines had to leave that and go to Manchester St.