MR MOULTRAY'S PICTURES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 56

MR MOULTRAY'S PICTURES.

There is now open for public inspection at his studio in Frederick stre-et an interesting exhibition of paintings from tho brush of Mr J. Elder Moultray, the result of his work during the past year. Mr Moultray also shows a collection of his pupils' work. Mr Moultray exhibits 34 examples of hia own work, all in oils. Variety of treatment and subject alike characterises the display, landscape work from Nature naturally occupying a prominent place. Mr Moultray is undoubtedly at his best when depicting New Zealand scenery, and few are not familiar with his faithful and effective delineations of Otago lake scenery in particular. In his search for beauty spots Mr Moultray has made himself very familiar with this lake country, and as a result has always something new to show. In his latest collection the picture that will attract most attention to itself is a large-sized canvas showing the Head of Lake Wanaka. The view is got looking down to the foreground from some height, and in the background are lofty ranges .circled with distant storm-clouds. The whole picture is characterised by breadth of treatment and harmony of colour. Another striking landscape shows the Cathedral Peaks, Lake Manapouri, the stern solitude of the scene being strongly conveyed, and contrasting with another large picture showing a sunset view of the same lake. " Unwelcome Visitors " is the title of another Maori war picture from Mr Moultray's brush, the scene showing troopers inquiring from Maoris the whereabout* of the fugitive chief Te Kooti. Other large landscapes particularly noticeable are of Lake Wanaka, from Ely's Island ; Glen Dim Bay, Wanaka; a sunset harvest sce>ne; and Mount O'Rorke, Clinton Valley. In a picture of some size the artist has made a new departure, taking his subject from ancient history, and showing ancient Briton captives being brought to Rome. The picture speaks for itself. Amonpc the collection are aho a few smaller pictures of Scottish scenery that will not fail to please. The featuro of the work shown by Mr Moultray's pupils is that it is all original and done outside the studio, without the teacher's aid. This beinor so, the results are very creditable, especially bearing in mind the fact that the studies are all made direct from Nature. Mr Mathieson can be complimented on his work, especially on a little view of Woodhaugh Gardens. Miss Passmore has also certainly done well ; but all the work is up to a good standard, and indioates excellent tuition. Miss Bruce, Miss Martin, Mrs Rossbotham. Miss Swan. Miss Nixon, Miss Gray. Miss Morton, and Mr Birrell also all exhibit work worthy of inspection. The exhibition will be open to the public every evening for the next week, and on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.

On Sunday morning in the North Canterbury district a north-west gale did some damage to apple and pear crops by shaking the fruit off in bushels. Toward midday the force of the gale moderated. No other damage is reported. The Forbury, No. 2 Company, Kaikorai, Kensington, Macandrew Road, Port Chalmers, Ravensbourne, and Stirling Public School Cadet Comnanies, and the No. 1 North Otago, No. "l Otago, No. 2 Otago. No. 3 Otago, and No. * Otago Public School Cadet Battalions, together with their respective officers, have been recognised, notification whereof appear 3in the current issue of the Gazette.