ART GALLERY FOR TIMARU.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12480, 17 September 1904, Page 3 (Supplement)

ART GALLERY FOR TIMARU.

To the Editor of the " Timaru Herald." Sir, —I am surprised that no correspondence has appeared in the " Timaru Herald " with regard to the excellent suggestion put forward by the Mayor for the establishment of an art gallery in Timaru. The suggestion must commend itself to all who have at heart the advancement and elevation of the young people of our community. Mr Greene's generous offer to paint a copy of one of the masterpieces of either the London or Paris galleries and present it to Timaru deserves the best thanks nf the public. There are a good many art students in and around Timaru, but comparatively few of them ever have the opportunity of seeing really good works of art, and the next best thing to seeing a masterpiece is to see a good copy of one. The educational «uvantage to the art student of having good works to look at and study is very great. Although nature should be the art student's chief master, yet he cannot make any real advancement unless he at same time studies the works of the great masters both of the past and present. I see that the Mayor is to commission Mr Greene to '."select castings from some of the best pieces of sculpture in the Home galleries, with the intention of presenting them to our town. With two such generous offeis before us, I think we should lose no time in securing a site-for our future art gallery. I am, etc., ART STUDENT..

To the Editor of the "Timaru Herald." Sir, —I wish to strongly protest against the forming of an art gallery at Timaru. Why not put the money to some bettei use? We all know that the leading citizens of Timaru are very fond of collecting money for such a thing as this, but when it comes- to some good cause these men are all " hands full in business." We have a park,, if it- is worthy of such a name. Why not do our best to keep this park in good repair instead of letting it practically "go to the dogs" ? Remember, too, that many of the people in Timaru have as much as they can do to get their meals. Ought we to let these people starve? Why not; help them? I understand that in other towns the main streets are asphalted. Why not have the/streets asphalted in Timaru? There was an attempt made a while ago to asphalt Stafford street, but this when half finished was left to finish itself. It may not be out of the way to say that it is simply a ridiculous idea to try and start an art gallery in Timaru. I am. etc., . SOLID RUBBER TYRES.