IN A GOOD CAUSE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 253, 28 November 1914, Page 11

IN A GOOD CAUSE.

A NOTABLE ART UNION. There are several schemes on hand at the present time for the purpose of raising funds for the indigent and starving Belgians, whose cities have been wrecked, whose homes have been devastated, and whose nearest relatives have been killed and mutilated because Belgium dared to do the unexpected—she dared to oppose the advance of the German armies over her neutral territory. Subscriptions have been collected and flowers sold in the streets to augment the funds intended to relieve the sufferers, but there is one means of helping established in Christchurch which has been overlooked to some extent through the insistence of other funds. And yet this particular means is more calculated to appeal to the public than other methods —not that those others are not equally worthy, since they exist for the same excellent cause—but this particular method is so designed as to give the contributor something in return for his contribution, if it is only a "run for his money." The method referred to is, of course, the Belgian Aft Union. Possibly the reason why it has not been so extensively supported as some of the other funds is that the public suspects that the articles offered as prizes are of the worthlessness of some of the "art" unions, but this is far from being, the case, and anyone who should care to convince himself of the value of the prizes offered may see-them where they, are displayed in the rooms of Messrs Charles Clark and Co., Hereford Street., There are pictures there by artists of considerable reputation, pictures by* Continerital artists and by New Zealand and Australian artists whose merits are well known.' There is some statuary also, some excellent prints, rare porcelain, a fine example* of Japanese lacquer work in a screen, and, amongst other objects d'art, two beautiful examples of modern Chippendale design represented by two" cabinets. There are 120 prizes offered, arid though some of the pictures and other things offered are of greater merit than others there is nothing that is not well worth possessing. This is not to be - wondered at, since all these pictures, porcelain, cabinets, statuary, and tapestries have been donated by self-sacrificing people, who have given these things from 'their own collections—wOrks which have been treasured objects in private homes. Indeed, the Art Union is to be commended in that, it has appealed to no shopkeeper for assistance, . yet it should get some support from the shopkeepers, since they have not been asked to contribute. /"'■■■-

The works of art offered are not of the usual type, as said. There are piejtures by such a well-known New v'Zea[land artist as C. N. Worsely, one of ! which is valued at £SO, fine paintings by such local artists of big reputation as Mr Wallwork and Miss M./C\ Stoddart, and others by painters of. an older school with wider reputations. The collection offered as prizes is'estimated to ■:. be, .worth'_£s,oQo ? .but the cpniT } to;-th6se" ?who like' a : sporting- cMhce, and the opportunity of getting for a shilling something really worth while, are anxious to get at least £2OOO. for the Belgian Belief Fund. ' The; committee contemplates holding concerts to augment the fund early in December,. and already has received promises of support from local entertainers, but in the meantime the art union tickets may. be obtained from any of the art dealers in Christchurch, from, the secretary, Mr Stewart, of Mawsoh, Stewart, and Beckett, or from Messrs "Charles.Clark and Co., and any who feel dubious regarding the quality of. the work' for \vh\iX they may risk their shillings are !iK"VYc<i.to call at the'rooms of this last mentioned firjn and assure themselves that the risk is worth while.