PROPOSED ART GALLERY.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8278, 19 June 1895, Page 2

PROPOSED ART GALLERY.

In response to the invitation of the Bishop ] of Nelson & considerable number of citizens, < including several ladies, assembled at ihe , Council Chamber last evening. : His Worship the Mayor, who presided, said , ihat as they were aware the object o! the | meeting waß to consider ways and means by < which they might add to the munificent gift j of Mrs Soter for the purpose of establishing an art gallery in Nelaon. Most of tbe larger , cities were provided with art galleries, which were a source of interest and profit both to residents and visitors, but, he w«b sorry to ! say, Nelaon had not yet an institution of the ' kind. Mra Suter, however, hai acted most ' nobly in giving a munificent endowment for tbe purpose. She had already transferred a piece of land in Hardy street for the erection thereon of an art gallery, and had authorised the transfer of an amount of some 100 and odd pounds to trustees whom she had appo ntad for a like purpose, her gifts being with tbe object of commemorating her late husband. Many of them had long looked forward to seeing an art gallery in Nelson, and he was sure they would all feel very grateful to Mrs Suter. (Applause.) The Mayor then related a conversation with the late Bishop Suter, who expressed a desire to eeoure for himself a pieca of land near tbe Institute in order that he might erect an art gallery for the people of Nelson. The efforts of the Bishop at that time were not successful, but they indicated his desire. Mrs Suter had been mindful of his desires, and he, tbe Mayor, desired to impress upon his hearers the energy and perseverance with which the late Bishop undertook bia duties some 26 years ago, and how well he carried them out. (Applause.) The present meeting was called to take steps to erect a suitable art gallery, and at the same time to provide a fitting memorial for one whom they all respected. (Applause.) It was then for them to do their utmost to secure an art gallery in this beautiful little city. He then called on Bishop Mules to move the first resolution. (Applause.) The Bishop said the Mayor had dwelt on the object for which they were met. It would bo appreciated by them all that suoh an object must be put on foot at once. It was the wish of tha late Bishop's friends that some fitting memorial should be erected to him, and they were taken almost by surprise at the action of Mrs Sutsr. As tha Mayor had indicated, Mrs Suter had vested in Trustees a pieoe of land, and that action rendered it impossible that they should delay taking steps. Ha pointed out that all they had in view wbs not to be done in a hurry, and that uUimate sneoess was not dependent on that whioh might immediately be met with, for as time went on the aims in view would be gradually furthered. Of the ultimate Buoees3 they need fear no doubt, but they wanted to take steps immediately that would be conducive to iacoess. Hie Lordship then recalled ciroumstanoes of the last few years, He said that three or four years ago friends of the lata Bishop were desirous of presenting him with some tribute of their regard, and to that end they subscribed certain money. But only a day or two before bishop Suter was to have left he was taken seriously ill, and was never able to go away. Mrs Suter was consulted as to what should be done with this money, but the result was that the money remained in hand, and after Bishop Suter's death ehe was again consulted, a wish being expressed that a memorial providing a permanent reaord of his worth might be provided. Mrs Suter favored the establishment cf aa art gallery, and it was impossible to overlook her decision, That lady mads oil dua allowances for the feelings of thoßo who might have wished the memorial to be more closely in touoh with tbe late Bishop's Episcopal duties, ard showed appreciation for his long-cherished wish to benefit the oltizena aa a whole. Then, aa they wers aware, the late Bishop oollected a number of works of art, including some very valuable paintings. Those he had stated he had purchased with the ultimate intention of looating in an art gallery, whioh he hoped some day to present to the people of Nelson. (Applause.) In bar desire, Mrs Suter also wished to Had a resting place for these, so that Nelson would not only have an art gallery, but many objects of art. These, however, would remain in Mrs Suter's possession during her lifetime. Thus it was settled tbe form the memorial Bbould take. They lived at a time whan art played a very important part in everything that ministered to their comfort. Thoße pursuing it needed a good model, and there was a moral advantage to be gained ; but besides that, it posposaessed a very considerable commercial, value. Exhibitions in older countries bad resulted in general advantage from the wise j and judicious use of art in its application to the necessaries ob well as the embellishments of life. Tbe resolution he had to propose did, he thought, supply what they wanted to think of first. He referred to what the Mayor had said of tbe great liberality of Mrs Suter. (Applause.) With another and a command-, ing figure beside her, Mrß Suter might not have been bo well understood, but that figure having been withdrawn, qualities that might hardly have been discovered had become manifest. He had much pleasure in moving — " That tkis meeting tenders its most hearty thanks to Mrs Suter for the munifioent gift ehe has bestowed on the citizens of Neleon as a site or endowment for the erection of an art gallery in memory of her late husband, the Right Reverend A. B. Suter, D.D., tbe seoond Bishop of Nelson; and that tbe Chairman be rsqiested to forward a copy of tbia resolution to Mrs Suter." (applause). Mr Maginnily said the motion needed no reoommendation. The value of the magnificent gift to the city could not well be calculated now, for they could not see how far tha results would extend, but that they bad a grand nucleus to work upon was without doubt. He imagined that the oitizens would not cast back upon Mrß Suter her munificent gifts by being negligent. He did not think ihe ooat of an art gallery need trouble them now, for he believod the people would come forward nobly to assist. In other plaoeß people helped to improve suoh institutions, and he fat sure Nelßon would prove no ezoeption. Even with the gifts already made, he was convinced they could make a fair start, and it behoved them all to assist. He heped their meeting would be fraught with great advantage, and that at no dißUnt date they would be able to say Nelson possessed an Art Gallery- (Applauße.) The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Fell expressed his pleasure at the speeches he had listened to, and before proceeding to move the practical resolution placed in hia hands he would like to snpplementthe remarks of the Bishop as to the appropriateness of the contemplated memorial. To bis mind it seemed the most lasting and fitting tribute to one of the widest and most liberal minded of men they had had in Nelson. True he waa Bishop of Nelson, but he carried tha respootof everyone whatever his communion, and in that respect be waa much more than Bishop of his Church. He was a citizen in the widest and truest gense, and he, the speaker hoped he would not be misunderstood when ho said that meant more than a mere Bishop. It seemed therefore particularly fitting that the memory of a man who had taken bo muoh interest in them all should be kept green by something common to all. Therefore, he waa happy to sac that it was likely the proposal would be given effect to, and that Bishop Suter'a name would be associated with the Art gallery, for | it would remind them of their late Bishop, and their late friend. They could not imagine that they would accomplish all they deaired in a minute, for tbe work was one that must be begun and then continued, but it would grow and improve as the city became older. They mast not despair if their most sanguine hopes were not immediately realised. He agreed that the object would commend itself to the liborality of all. Aa the matter stood they bad

half an aore of land vested in the eight gentlemen named in the resolution. It was poseible that Eome other Bite might be secured for the Art Gallery — perhaps n«ar the Government Eut!dings they might seonre Government ground. In that case the land in Hardy Bire-t might be b>'H, and the Truetses had power to do as they thongbft beßt. If the land given them were allowed to lie idle for ya«B, citizens would forget ths matter, bat if they had a room oapaba of being added to before their minds he bad hopes that the progreaa of the Galleiy would not be alow. If ths land given them were sold, the prooeeds would be available for buiiaing. But whatever ccarse was adopted money must be raised. With a Gallery, he knew of many noble works of art that wonld soon find a plaoe there. He then moved — " That a Committee be formed for the purpose of collecting that ■am of £500 in furtherance of the object desired by Mra Suter, viz,, the arection of an Art Gallery, to be called ' The Bishop Suter Art Gallery.' That the Committee oonsist of the following gentlemen, with power to add to their numbsr :— The Bishop of Nelson, the Worshipful the Mayor, Mr John Graham, M.H.E., Colonel Branfil, Messrs Cook, Fell, Pitt, and Solanders ; and that the f ands so collected be handed over to the Trustees appointed by Mrs Suter in furtherance of the objects of their trust." He said the sum of £500 was quite arbitrary, a thousand would be more appropriate, bat he Bhoald think a suitable building could be ereoted for about £600, but Blill there would be the cost of equipment, oare taking, and so on. He reoognieed the site given was the very beßt in the City,— (Hear, bear) — but if hey built there he feared it wonld be years before they would be able to do so. Mr Cook said it was one of the sad things he learnt on his return to Nelson that Bishop Suter was no more. He spoke of the act of Mrs Suter as a meat gracious one, and he Baid it most commend itßelf to them as a duty to set up some fitting memorial of the late Bishop, and of appreciation of Mrs Suter. The gifts of that lady enabled them to commence with greater hope than otherwise they coald have entertained. He oonld not help feeling that tbe work should be taken in band immediately— they could not contemplate some future generation receiving the benefit aimed at. As a mere motive power towardß the moral, mental, and material welfare of the people, the proposal commended itself to him, and he would be very glad to do bis best to farther it. They might, he suggested, establish annual sob" soriptions to enlarge the gallery, but he thought the amount in hand would enable them to make a start. With a gallery it was necessary that its contents should be fit models for the training of those around them. The artistic feeling was a growing one, and their very surroundings impressed such feeling upon them, and they would like to see Nelson endowed with an institution of that kind that would he progressive. The fact that it would be a benefit to the place and a fitting memorial to one who had gone from their midst should make it a pleasure for them to give. He was glad to second the motion. (Applause.) After a few words from the Mayor, the motion was carried unanimously. His Worship then invited those present to nominate additional members of the Committee, and the following were appointed : - Dr Hudson, Dr Maokie, Messrs Maginnity, Holloway, Livesay, the Mayor of Biohmond, the Chairman of the Waitnea County Goanoil.JMr Hurst taoaie, Bey G. Bond, Hon J. W. Barniooat, Bey Father Mahoney, Beys E. O Isaac, Eempthorne, Oaohemaille, end MacKenzie, Messrs Galdera, Snodgrasa. and Bannebr, Mesdamea ' Mules, Turner, Pitt, Fell, Gully, Gibbs, ToplißS, F. Cook, Bannehr. and Glasgow, Misß N. Jones. Mr Fell mentioned that stamp duty amounting to £32 had been required on the deed of gift. He had written to the Gommisßioner and had spoken to the City member on the question. Be moved that Mr Graham, M.H.R., ba aßked to see the Commies oner and asked to endeavor to get a remission. Dr Hudson seconded the motion, which was carried. On the motion of the Mayor, a vote of thanks to Mr Maginnity, for aoting as Seoretary, was carriad by aoolamation. Mr Bnodgrass laid that, as one of another oommunion. he desired to express the deep esteem in whiob he held the late Bishop. He Bpoke of Bishop Suter's kindness, and expressed a wish to aid in providing snob, a memorial bb was suggested. In response to the invitation of the Mayor, he would be glad to give a present subscription of five guineas and Baid he hoped they would soon have an ark gallery, and that it would grow. Mr Maginnity Baid the Mayor had headed the list with a subscription of five guineas. (Applause.) The Mayor intimated that the Bishop would be the oonvener of the Committee. Dr. Maokie moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor for bo efficiently presiding, and co practically co-operating in the object in view, a»d, in doing bo, paid a high tribute to his Worship and his desire to further the interests of the city. The Bey G. Boad seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, and acknowledged by the Mayor, who said he was always glad to do his beßt.