Case for Exhibition Gallery
It is probable that the people of Dunedin have not, as a whole, any real recognisance of the extent to which the art collection which this city possesses has been augmented by acquisitions from the Exhibition Gallery. These acquisitions are such that they mark a veritable epoch in the history of the local gallery. Between thirty and forty works of art, some of them of considerable importance, have been acquired, and the value of the civic collection has been increased by several thousand pounds. These are most notable results, worthy of more attention than they have received, and upon which the public and the Art Gallery Society are to be alike congratulated. The present building is a sepulchral place which could only be redeemed of its most serious faults at a very considerable cost, which, whenever faced, would fall on the City Council. It is a question of whether reconstruction and extension would be worth the candle. On the other hand, the Exhibition Gallery is a building admirably planned for the purpose for which it was erected. Its retention as an art gallery would solve the very real problem of the adequate housing of the city’s valuable art collection. — editorial
Harbouring a grudge
The Otago Harbour Board has forwarded a cheque for £9555 10s to the Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board, under the award of the arbitrators, in respect of foul and stormwater work done by the Drainage Board on the reclaimed area at the back of the railway station. A covering letter by the secretary of the Harbour Board (Mr W.J. Bardsley) reads: ‘‘In handing you the cheque for £9555 10s, I am directed to say that my board pays the sum in honour of its sealed agreement to abide by the decision of the court, but that it does not accept the award as scientific or just.’’
First birth at maternity hospital
The first birth in the Palmerston Maternity Cottage Hospital took place on Thursday, when a daughter was born to Mr and Mrs James Keown.
Plea for Town Hall
To the editor: Sir, At the back of the municipal buildings there is sufficient ground upon which to erect a Town Hall, as they have done at Wellington and elsewhere. Some time ago the late Mr Dawson promised to contribute so many thousands for the organ to be placed in the Town Hall, and some time ago I was advocating that the said building should be erected and be called ‘‘The Memorial Hall’’ in memory of those that lost their lives at the war. The cost of the monument erected in the Queen’s Gardens would have gone towards the erection of the Town Hall. All we have now is the Burns Hall, as the Government took the Garrison Hall and converted it into a Post Office, and the hall at South Dunedin. At Wellington they have their Town Hall, with the large organ for concerts. Delays are dangerous. It is a disgrace to Dunedin not to have, as elsewhere, a Town Hall. — I am, etc, H.W. Mitchell — ODT, 22.5.1926
