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There have been three exhibitions as usual during the past year. 

 This is one more than in most other towns, where they are content to 

 rely chiefly on the attractions of their permanent collection during the 

 summer montlis. Our i)ermanent collection at present is so small, 

 that we could not ventui-e to do this, and the present arrangement 

 must continue for some time to come. The Spring and Autumn 

 Exhibitions were of the usual chai-acter, consisting of the best pictures 

 in both oil and water colours which could be obtained, and many 

 artists of high standing contributed to one or both. In the Spring 

 Exhibition special efforts are made to secure a representative collection 

 of the works of local artists, and they were well represented, while 

 it is a cheering sign to notice that their work steadily improves. 

 Sixty pictures were sold during the year, and the Art Union held 

 annually in January was also more successful than that of the 

 previous year. The Summer Exhibition consisted of works in black 

 and white, which although not so interesting to the general public, 

 wei'e a great attraction to the artists and students of the town and 

 neighbourhood. For these work sthe Committee were indebted to 

 the Proprietors of "The Graphic" and to Messrs. Cassell & Co., 

 Limited, to whom the warmest thanks of the Committee and the 

 Council are due. 



The present Exhibition, which was opened on October 17th, 

 compares favourably with its predecessors, and judging from the re- 

 turns lip to the present will be well patronised. His Worship the Mayor 

 and the Mayoress entertained the visitors to the Private View to 

 Afternoon Tea, a custom successfully inaugurated by the Chairman 

 in the previous year. The thanks of the Committee have been sent 

 to the Mayor and Mayoress for this kindly proof of their interest in 

 the Art Gallery. 



The objects on loan from the Board of Education have not been 

 changed during the current year, and have now been with us fifteen 

 months, but the change will be effected in a few days. "With the new 

 collection a new regulation comes into effect, by which the Committee 

 have to undertake to insure the objects lent against burglary and all 

 travelling risks. This the Committee feel is not an unreasonable 

 requirement on the part of the Board, and they have as a matter of 

 course, complied with it. 



