SOCIETY OF ARTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4162, 23 August 1881, Page 4

SOCIETY OF ARTS.

The annual general meeting of moinbers of the Canterbury Society of Arts was hold at eight o'clock laßb evening, in the Public Library. The chair was taken by tho President, Mr H. J. Tancred j thero wa3 a moderately good attendance.

Tho following reporb was read by tho hooorary Secretary, Captain Temple : - " The Council, in presenting their firat annual report, have to congratulate tho members on the successful commencement of the Society. Tho exhibition was held in the Boya' High School, the free .use of which was liberally granted by the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College. It was open for a period of 24 days, from January 18 to February 12 inclusive, and may be regarded as having been fairly successful. Tee total number of visitors was 633 ; the number of original workß exhibited, 105 ; the number of members exhibiting, 22 ; and 23 works were sold, to . the value of £145. There was also a loan collection of 41 works of very considerable merit and nterest ; and tho thanks of tho Bociety ara due to those gentlemen who bo kindly lent their pictures. The Council, deeming it advisable to give every aid to the working membora, and at the same time to form the nucleus of a gallery of art belonging to tho Society, which may hereafter develop into one of some importance, passed a resolution devoting a large portion of the balance (after defraying all expenses) to the purchase of one or more works of arb exhibited by members, and accordingly this year thoy have purchased for tho Society a work exhibited by Mr J. Gibb, which Dr von Haasb has kindly allowed to be hung for tho pressnt in the Museum. The financial position of the Society may be considered as satisfactory. Tho total number of members is now 61. The arb union, in connection with the exhibition, entailed a loss to the Society, and the Council ib of opinion that success can only be obtained by tho co-operation of the members, in making its advantages more generally known to the public. There seeniß to be no doubt that as the Exhibition becomes bettor known, year after year, and the works exhibited increase in numbers and importance (as it is hoped they may) the public will not fail to appreciate the efforts of the Bocioty to encourage art." The balance-sheet showed that £23 12s 6d had been expended in tho purchase of the picture referred to (" Shades of Evening ; the jSßtuary,") and that there was a balance in hand of £14 8a 4d.

In reply to a question, the Secretary said there were three outstanding subscriptions, for which he had not taken credit.

Tho report and balance-sheet as read were approved.

On the motion of Professor Cook, Mr H. J. Tancred was unanimously re elected President of tha Society. He briefly thanked the members, remarking that the duties devolving upon him were not very onerous. On the motion of Mr Parker, seconded by Mr Mainwaring, Mr Wynn Williams was reelected Vice-Pre6ident. Captain Temple was again chosen to fill tho combined offices of honorary Secretary and Treasurer. The following gentlemen wore elected as the Council for tho ensuing year : — Professor Hutton, Mr Stuinwaring, Mr Parker, Mr Neville, Profea.-or Cook, Mr ftfountforfc, Mr GKbb, Mr T. S. Cousins, Mr L. Harper, Mr H. Lance, Mr T. S. Lambo/t, and Mr Scott. Mr G. G. Stead was elected auditor.

Tho Chairman thought that, for the guidance of tho Council, members should express an opinion as to the date on which the next Exhibition should be held.

The honorary Secretary intimated that the use of the Boys' High School could again be obtained.

It was suggested that; at about tho commencement of tho new year would be tho best time, for example, from December 24 to January 14 inclusive. The proceedings then terminated.

A big sturgeon was caught on June 7, in the Yuba River, about five miles from Marysville, Oal. This is said to have been the first sturgeon seen in the Yuba .River for 15 years. Queen Victoria is quito as observant of trifles as ever George 111. was, and overlooks nothing, and if any members of the royal family reside more than a certain number of days at Buckingham Palace they are obliged to "do for" themselves at the end of the specified term. A son-in-law of Her Majesty, who was limited to three days at a time, evaded the regulation by going every third night and returning to begin a fresh btay the next morning.

The actual construction of the masonry oE tbo now Eddystono Lighthouse, now being built on the English coast, is all but completed, and within a few wicks the last stone will be in its place. There will then remain the fixing of thulanfern and the fitting of the lighting apparatus, for winch the engineors have now the bes', tiino of tho year before them. Thero is not ono of tho granite blocks in tho Ughl house that shown tho slightest spook of discoloration, making ife a very remarkable and beautiful piseo of workmanship.