Under the Sun

Southland Times, Issue 22051, 26 June 1933, Page 5

Under the Sun

Australian Scenes

A Journalist on Tour

(By

I. G. G. M.)

THE BULLETIN’S GALLERY. In George street, Sydney, the offices of The Bulletin Newspaper Company are to be found. This centre of Australian literary activity is a very interesting place to spend a morning or an afternoon. The principal feature is the Macleod Gallery. Australia’s first public art gallery was opened in Melbourne over seventy years ago. Since then the capital cities have each established a national gallery, where the work of men famous abroad, as well as of the ever-growing band of Australian-born artists, has been collected for exhibition. In addition to these national institutions, semiprivate and public art galleries have slowly come into being, where much fine work is regularly shown. The Australian Art Exhibition, established by The Bulletin Newspaper Company, and named the Macleod Gallery in memory of one of the firm’s most outstanding personalities, William Macleod, has just taken its place among the smaller galleries. Early in 1932 when The Bulletin moved into larger premises in George street, one of the firm’s first moves was to open the large art gallery, which is now a centre where the art-loving community may find many fine examples of work by such artists as George Lambert, A.R.A., Norman Lindsay, B. E. Minns, Sir John Longstaff, Sydney Long, A.R.E., and H. B. van Raalte, A.R.E. In the few short months of its existance the gallery has achieved an enviable record in the matter of helping artists to dispose of their work. The examples of Norman Lindsay’s work on view are impressive. He makes a brave show with his many voluptuous ladies, and his leering terrible pirates. A big pen drawing “In Vain the Christian” is striking. It represents a Dionysian carnival in a Roman setting. This type of thing appeals strongly to Lindsay, who has touched upon the theme on more than one occasion. This gallery has been established for the permanent exhibition of Australian art and to give the public an opportunity of inspecting and securing the best examples by Australian artists. It is proposed to hold one man shows from time to time. As the pictures will be changed at intervals the gallery will provide a wide range of interest, SYDNEY’S DAILY. Certain institutions are invested with a patina of romance by reason of the multitude of people who have been associated with them. The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia’s oldest newspaper, is a case in point. This daily dates its existence back to April 18, 1831, when it started its career as the Sydney Herald. On August 1, 1842, the word “Morning” was included in the title. The paper, however, had been a daily for two yearn. In 1841 John Fairfax and Charles Kemp bought the paper. A few years later Mr Fairfax bought out Mr Kemp. Mr Fairfax was proud of his knowledge of the typographic art, and, having taught two of his sons the business (the late Mr C. J. Fairfax and the late Sir James Fairfax), he took them into partnership. The firm of John Fairfax and Sons owns the Herald to-day. Thus for over eighty years the paper has been under the same ownership. To-day facing Hunter street, Pitt and O’Connell streets, the Herald office is one of the most handsome buildings in Sydney. Mr V. C. Fairfax conducted me over the building, and explained the various phases in the production of this daily which to-day takes its . place among the great newspapers in the world. The library, a department under the control of Mr. Percy S. Allen, is really the most interesting place in the whole building. Here Mr Allen has collected documents, letters and newspapers issued, written and published in the early days. Here is an effusion received by the Herald advertising manager many years ago from . Fitzgerald’s circus who made a passionate appeal for a better position for their notice in the paper. For God’s sake, Not under Eden Photos, Arnott’s Biscuits, Undertakers’ Advertisement, Or Otherwise. Give us a good show, Rain is plentiful And times bad. What man could resist this plea? Copies of the Herald showing the advances made in type and style curing the years are also to be found. A battery of fifty linotype machines print the paper while eleven sets of readers correct the proofs. The copy from the reporters and other contributors, is sent from the sub-editor’s room by means of a pneumatic tube to the linotype floor where it is collected and distributed to the operators. These departments hold the attention of the Jayman because everything is straightforward and easy to understand. This short talk about the Sydney Morning Herald would not be complete if the development of the Sydney Mail was not chronicled. The Mail was established in 1860. Its aim was to interest country readers—readers who could not afford the luxury of a daily newspaper. It was an instant success and quickly attained great popularity. The growth of the Sydney Mail during the last few years had been phenomenal. Much of this success is due to its fine pictorial section. . . And finally. As an institution the Sydney Morning Herald has become a great force in the British Empire. In its presentation of news and opinions the personalities of those who control it are entirely subordinated. This policy has been followed by father and son, by editor after editor without a break in the continuity of tradition and outlook. (To be Continued.)