ART EXHIBITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 443, 15 October 1869, Page 2

ART EXHIBITION.

A meeting of gentlemen, convened by circular, was held in the refreshment room, at the Provincial Government Buildings, yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of discussing the feasibility of holding an exhibition of arts, sciences, aud manufactures in Christchurch, during the ensuing summer.

His Honor the Superintendent presided, and there were also present the Right Eev. the Primate of New Zealand, his Honor Mr Justice Gresson, the Very Rev. the Dean of Christchurch, his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, C. C. Bowen, Dr Haast, T. W. Maude, G. L. Lee, D. Macfarlane, W. H. Wynn Williams, T. S. Duncan, J. G.Hawkes, W. D. Carruthers, J. Ollivier, H Thomson, C. R. Blakiston, A. Lean, J. C. Veel, W. P. Cowliahaw, C. Davie, H. 11. Hennah, B. W. Mouutfort, J. A. Bird, J. S. Willeox, R, W. Fereday, E. Griffiths, W. Perry, D. L.Mundy, W. Calvert, G. Gordon, and M. B. Hart. His Honor explained the object of the meeting, and referring to the great success attained by the exhibition held some time ago in Dunedin, said it was most encouraging to them, and by some considered a sufficient and just reason why Canterbury should take the matter up in a similar manner. The advantages of an art exhibition to the community at large were manifestly very great as cultivating an improved taste and raising the mind, but as several gentlemen were to move resolutions he would leave further reference to such in their hands. He would call upon Mr Bowen to submit the first motion.

Mr Bowen said he had much pleasure in submitting the matter entrusted to him. He was satisfied from the very influential attendance that the project was going to be taken up with such interest and vigour as must ensure its success. He moved " That it is desirable to hold a Provincial Exhibition of works of Art in the city of Christchurch, such exhibition to be held at the Town Hall about the middle of January, 1870. The exhibition to include paintings in oil and water colours, choice engravings, photographs, models and architectural designs, sculpture, marble, parian, terra cotta, articles of manufacture exhibited for artistic merit, antiques, &c. &c. It was well known that there were a considerable number of works of art scattered about in the province, but from the isolation of many residents, one person cannot know what we really possess. He had much pleasure in moving the resolution.

Dr Haast felt muchigratification in seconding the resolution, because he knew many gentlemen possessing works of art who only required such an opportunity as the one sHggested for enabling their possessions to be of use to the general public. He hoped, however, that contributions would be obtained from other provinces, and had every confidence in a satisfactory result being obtained. >• Mr Davie said he would like to see the resolution divided. AH would no doubt agree with the first portion of it, but he should like it to be ascertained whether the exhibition could not be held in some building that would entail less expense than the Town Hall, and also as the Flying Squadron were about to visit Canterbury, whether it would be well to entirely appropriate that building during their visit. Mr Ollivier said the building must necessarily be large enough to ensure a success sufficient to cov?r all expenses, or otherwise they might have been satisfied with a smaller space than afforded by the Town Hall. They must all be satisfied that the Town Hall would be the best adapted in this respect, and also the most convenient, and he believed that an agreement might be made with the Managing Committee to rent it for one month for £50. The promoters of the project had thought of several other buildings including the new museum, but none were so well adapted for the purpose. It would easily be understood that extensive hanging space would be required, which would not interfere with models and other exhibits of a similar class. Mr Lee would like some means to be first taken by which they could arrive at what there really was in the province to exhibit. If they had to rely on . other provinces or colonies, January would scarcely allow sufficient time for contributions to be procured, and he therefore considered Mr Darie's suggestion a very good one. He certainly was in favour of the exhibition being held, but would advise that the time and place should be^ left for after decision. Another point also in favour of this was, that although some persons thought the Flying Squadron would be here in the early part of January, he was of opinion that it would be a month later. . , His Honor Mr Justice Gres'son also agreed with these remarks. If the exhibition were to be held during the visit of the Squadron he thought it would be undesirable to bespeak the sole use of the Town Hall, for the residents of the province would no doubt desire

to tender aIL the hospitality possible to the ships' crews, and as naval men were proverbially fond of balls, he knew no place the public would be able to get, if the Town Hall were engaged. Mr Bowen suggested that the point in question should be left to a managing committee to decide, and urged that after all there was no great reason to consider the Squadron in the matter, for the exhibition was promoted in the interests of the inhabitants of the province, and not of the Squadron, whilst it Avas scarcely likely that men who had visited all parts of the world would take very much interest in it.

Mr Lee again asked whether it would not be best to ascertain what the province was likely to supply for such an exhibition, or if any inquiries had already been made. For his part, he doubted the possibility of collecting a satisfactory number of exhibits.

Mr ITereday replied that from personal knowledge, be thought there was sufficient to justify the action it was proposed to take.. Enquiries had shown far more than he expected in this respect, more especially in valuable pictures.

After some farther discussion, it was resolved to erase the words referring to the Town Hall and the month of January from the resolution. The avows, "at such time and place as decided upon by a working committee " to be substituted. ,

The motion was then carried nem con

Mr Ollivier rose to move the next resolution. He urged that if the exhibition were carried out at all, it should be carried out well, and that it was useless to enter into it unless they were prepared to make it a provincial success. He had the pleasure of visiting the one held at Duuedin, and if that were not a financial success it was a decided success as an exhibition of art. There were many exceedingly valuable pictures from various provinces, together with o'her works of art which were very instructive and entertaining, and were deservedly admired. But he believed the one great flaw preventing a complete success was, that the original suggestion to 1 keep open the exhibition during the evening was not adopted— the hours being only from 11 a.m. to dusk. In consequence a large number of persons was not able to attend. This, he hoped, would be avoided in the present instance. The suggested exhibition was intended by the promoters to form part in a train of projects for instructing and amusing the general public, and works of art were particularly desired in such a case. He knew many who had not had an opportunity of enjoying matters of that kind, for they left the old country before they were able to properly appreciate them, and this was what the promoters now desired to enable them to do. He fully believed that the project would prove a success, and that whatever outlay was incurred would be repaid. In order, however, to have some protection against an opposite result, and that any one should not lose more than he was prepared to give, if necessary, for promoting the exhibition, it would be desirable to establish a voluntary guarantee fund. With this object he would move, "That in order to protect the working committee from any loss resulting from the cost of the Exhibition — aud for the purpose of defraying the same in full or in part— a guarantee fund should be formed amounting to £250, and that application be made to the Provincial Government to contribute a portion of the said amount." Each one by this means would become responsible for the amount put down, and he had no doubt the Government would deal with them, in a proportionately liberal manner. He would be glad indeed to let the Government off for .£IOO, and cohsidering their acknowledged anxiety to forward all matters tending to the good and well-being of the province, he thought this would be very easy. Mr Blakiston seconded the motion, which was carried. The Mayor moved " That the following gentlemen be appointed a committee for the purpose of carrying out the foregoing resolutions:— Dr Haast, J. S. Williams, R. W. Fereday, J. Olivier, C. C. Bowen, E. Griffiths, E. P. Seeley, T. H. Potts, J. Peacock, W. Wilson, A. Lean, T. Nottidge, E. Richardson, R. VVilkin, Rev. C. Fraser, P. Hanmer, B. W. Mountfort, R. J. Harman, J. Gilchrist, J. Anderson, W. Mundy, with power to add to their number." Mr Bird seconded the motion, which was carried without discussion. Mr Maude moved, Mr Lean seconded, and it was agreed — " That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to act as president; the Right Rev. the Primate of New Zealand, his Honor Mr Justice Gresson, and the Mayor of Christchurch for the time being, as vice-presidents and ex-officio members of committee." Mr W. D. Carruthers moved that Mr Lean be appointed secretary, remarking that he was sure no one could be found who would fulfil the duties attendant upon that office with greater ability. Mr Cowlishaw seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Lean acknowledged the appointment, saying that he accepted it purely from the professional interest which he took in all matters connected with art, and that his acceptance of the pecuniary recompense which had been referred to, would depend entirely as to whether or not the exhibition was a success financially. . A vote of thanks to his Honor for presiding terminated the proceedings.