ART SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6033, 15 September 1887, Page 3

ART SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.

The Opening.

The Black and White and Monochrome Exhibition of the Canterbury Society of Arts was opened yesterday evening in the largo room above Messrs Simpson and Williams' shop, High street.

A considerable number of ladies and gentlemen were present, and were addressed by the President of the Society, Mr R. Beetham, who said:— Ladies and Gentlemen — I have no doubt you have all been looking forward with feelings of great pleasure — anticipating the short speech I am about to make this evening. I can imagine you saying to yourselves, "At any rate he cart't talk politics, so we shall have something new for once." I have a double duty, or two duties, to perform to-night, both very pleasing. I have to open this exhibition of black and white and monochrome, and I have, on behalf of the Governor, to present to a gentleman named Parker a certificate of merit, granted by the Australasian Humane Society, for saving life. I will take the last first. As, however, humbly representing his Excellency the Governor, I think this is moat fitting. I need not say much. A matter of this sort speaks for itself. Mr Parker is present, and I will read the letter authorising me to present this certificate, and the Gazette notice, of which I have no doubt Mr Parker is, as well he may be, very proud.

Mr Beetham then read the following letter from the Colonial Secretary's office:— "Sir,— The Royal Humane Society of Australasia has awarded a certificate of merit to James Henry Parker, and forwarded it to this Government for presentation. I have the honour to request that you will kindly undertake to preseni it on behalf of His Excellency the Governor to the above-named person 'in as public a manner as possible. I enclose herewith extracts from the New Zealand Gazette, containing particulars of the case, and have to ask you to be good enough to inform re.c as soon as the presentation has been made, in order that I. may adviise.the Society.",' Tbe Gazette notice waa as follows.'— "James Henry Parker, aged 3,0 years, saved the life of a man, namo unknown, at the Sumner Baths, near Christchurch, bn Feb. 28, 18S6, by jumping into the baths to the rescue of a man seized with cramp, and ;-ter a severe struggle, owing to the roughness of the sea and the strength of the current, succeeded in getting him to the palisade, and supporting him till relief came. Awarded a certificate of merit." Mr Beetham continued : Now, ladies and gentlemen, this is a matter that speaks for itself. Good wine needs no bush, and the fewer words said by me tbe better. I will say that we must all of us here to-night envy the position in which Mr Parker stands. There is a book— l do not often quote Scrijoture— full of very wise philosophy, and it says— " Greater love hath no man than this, that he giveth his life for his friend." Mr Parker risked his life for a man absolutely unknown to him. Mr Parker, I have much pleasure in presenting you, on behalf of His Excellency the Governor, with the certificate of merit.

Mr Beetham then handed the certificate to Mr Parker, who eaid .- I thank your Worship for your kind expressions to myself. I may say that I was actuated by motives by which I trust I always shall be if I Bee a fellow man in danger. (Applause.)

I Mr Beetham then said : I now turn to | the Exhibition. I think you will agree J that Aye continue to make progress as yeara go on in all the exhibitions brought under your notice. I think this Exhibition is I an improvement on the last, both in numbers and quality. I wish to make a few remarks with regard to some misapprehension which exists with regard to the vehicle in which pictures at this Exhibition should be painted. The Exhibition has been advertised as an exhibition in black and white and monochrome. Some artists have fallen into the mistake of using black and white and one other colour. They have apparently thought that a single picture can be painted in black and white and monochrome. This ia not the case, and I have the authority of the Council for stating that in future a picture painted in that manner will not be hung. It is obvious that using another colour gives an artist an advantage over others who do not. It may be said that the expression "black and white and monochrome" may ba read as applying to one picture, but such a reading is more creditable to" the artist's legal acumen than to his knowledgo of the materials he has to deal with. A picture must be painted either iv black and white or in monochrome. 1 havo now much pleasure in declaring the Exhibition open. During the evening 3ong3 were sung in admirable style by Mesdames Corrick and 0. M. Gray, and Mr Corrick's string band played a number of selections. The Exhibition will be open this evening when a musical entertainment will be given.