ART GALLERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3400, 14 May 1919, Page 8

ART GALLERY.

Tho annual report of the Dunedin Publio Art Gallery -Society states that i the past year may be considered a very satisfactory one. The trustees were pleased to grant tho use of the hall for patriotic purposes on numerous occasions. The trustees granted the free uso of the hall for the exhibition of pictures in aid of the French Blind Soldiers' Fund, and the exhibition evoked a great deal_ of interest, and _ resulted in a substantial sum being raised for that laudable object. Several valuable pictures have been added to the jrallery. A number of lovers of art subscribed the sum of £462 12s 6d for the purchase of some of tho pictures from that exhibition. The trustees are grateful to all those who subscribed towards these pictures, and < it is felt these will prove a valuable addition to the gallery. Hearty thanks are expressed to tho donors of pictures—namely, Mrs Hayward, for "News from Home," by A. HT. O'Keefe; to Dr Barnett, for "On the Border of the New Forest," by Hugh Wilkinson, of Brockenhurst; and to Mr R. Acton-Adams, for "The Martyrs," by E. T. Mazy. The late Mrs Catherine Royse bequeathed three engravings—" Ancient," " Modern Jerusalem," and "The Lost Shepherd." Mr James Begg also presented a beautiful bust, " Devotion," The late Miss Emily Winifred Smith bequeathed the sum of £SO to the society for tho purchase of a water-colour by a British artist, and the trustees have made arrangements for purchasing a watsr-colour in Britain. Mrs J. M. Ritchie, who was the holder of one of the society's debentures for £IOO, very kindly handed it over for cancellation, and the trustees desire to thank her for her liberality. The membership of the society is still far below what might be reasonably looked for. In a city like Dunedin. instead of 48 members, there should bo at least 500. The trustees did not, during tho period of tho war. deem it advisable to make an' effort to increase the membership list. Nowi that the war is over, it is hoped that citizens will see their way to give tho trustees more practical support. The following truetees vetirc. but are eligible for re-election—-viz Messrs J. Loudon, D. E. Theomin, T. : Brown, and D'Arcy Hagffitt.