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The National collection has been enlarged by a number of gifts and purchases. The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts presented further pictures to the Art Gallery, and the T. G. Macarthy Trust made a grant for purchase of pictures and exhibits and for furtherance of educational work in both institutions. The Board extends its grateful thanks to the donors. A portion of the Museum section of the main building has also been required for national purposes, but, although closed to the public, the Museum has continued active operations in its various departments. The Carillon has undergone a complete repair and renovation, and recitals will recommence in the near future. Owing to war conditions it has not been possible to keep the whole of the grounds in their usual order, but the slopes and lawns in front of the main building have been well maintained. Contributions from local bodies have been maintained, and their support is much appreciated. The Board records its appreciation of continued assistance from the New Zealand Government, Carnegie Corporation of New York, T. G. Macarthy Trust, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, the Royal Society, and others ; also to the press for valuable publicity. The main building and Carillon suffered no damage through the earthquakes that occurred in Wellington and district in June and August. The staff has rendered excellent service. Some of the members are on active service, and others have been transferred to other Departments and to work connected with the war effort. The reports of the Management Committees and of the Treasurer are appended hereto. In addition to the usual provision of £1,000 for Renewals, Repairs, and Extensions Fund, appropriations have been made for educational purposes (£500), purchases of pictures and exhibits (£500), and a special reserve of £1,000 for rehabilitation of the Art Gallery and Museum when the time arrives for resumption of occupancy of the main building has been created. P. Fraser, Chairman. F. H. Bass, Secretary.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ART GALLERY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST March, 1943 Committee op Management of the National Art Gallery D. A. Ewen, Esq., M.B.E. (Chairman); Messrs. A. D. Carbery, C.B.E. ; Nugent Welch ; W. S. Wauchop, M.A. ; G. G. Gibbes Watson, M.A., LL.B. ; Stanley W. Fearn, A.R.1.8.A., F.N.Z.I.A. ; and Mrs. M. Murray Fuller (Wellington); Richard Gross, C.M.G. (Auckland); and Archibald F. Nicoll (Christchurch). Sub-committees : National Art Gallery Architectural.—Stanley W. Fearn (Convener) and William Page. Sculpture.-- Richard Gross (Convener) and F. H. Shurrock. Educational. —W. S. Wauchop (Convener), A. F. Nicoll, A. D. Carbery, and Mrs. M. Murray Fuller. Hanging. —Mrs. M. Murray Fuller (Convener), A. D. Carbery, and Nugent Welch. Finance. —D. A. Ewen (Convener) and Stanley W. Fearn. Management Committee Meetings Four meetings of the Committee of Management were held during the year. Staff The Secretary, Mr. E. D. Gore, was granted leave of absence from 25th July until 22nd January on account of his serious illness. Mrs. M. Murray Fuller was appointed Acting-Secretary to the Committee for the six months during which Mr. Gore was absent. General In spite of many difficulties and restrictions due to war conditions, the Committee has endeavoured to continue as many of its usual activities as possible so that the interest of the public, steadily built up over a number of years, will not be lost. Unfortunately the taking-over of the whole of the Art Gallery by the Government, necessitating the removal and storage of most of the exhibits from the Buckle Street Gallery, seriously curtailed the normal activities of the Committee during the year. A large part of the year was taken up with the work of removal from the Art Gallery, packing the remaining pictures belonging to the permanent collection for storage in the country and in certain rooms in the Art Gallery building, and with the preparation of pictures and furniture for removal to the D.I.C. building. This work was extremely heavy owing to lack of staff and assistance. Gallery Accommodation Early in the year the Committee was faced with the alternatives of ceasing its art activities for the duration or finding other suitable accommodation in Wellington. Fortunately it was able to obtain a lease of the old tea-rooms in the D.I.C. Building, Lambton Quay. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Stanley Fearn, W. S. Wauchop, E. D. Gore, and Mrs. M. Murray Fuller went into the matter of converting the room in the D.I.C. into a gallery. A false wall was built and the pillars covered, allowing for continuous hanging space. Laths were placed on the walls at certain heights from which to hang as many pictures as possible on these temporary walls. Owing to lack of space the accommodation for the storage of pictures is inadequate, and this is a definite disadvantage when the consideration of continuous exhibitions is before the Committee of management. This is a war' condition and has to be faced cheerfully. The gallery, despite its drawbacks, has one great advantage, that of a position in the centre of the city, which makes it easily accessible to the general public. The material available at the. time was limited, but much was done without undue expenditure, the result being a very attractive and modern looking gallery. The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts was asked to co-operate, and its Council readily agreed to make use of the gallery for its usual exhibitions on terms to be arranged.

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