who undertook to complete for Art Gallery purposes, 

 the building, towards which the Corporation were to 

 provide ;£ i o.ooo in respect of the portion required for 

 Museum Extension. This was based on the estimate 

 that the entire structure would cost about £30,000. 



In their last Report the Committee were able to 

 further state that the plans had been completed, and 

 possession obtained of the premises that had to be 

 demolished. After the approval of the plans by the City 

 Council on the 1st of January in last year, it remained 

 for the Local Government Board to sanction the 

 borrowing of the money for that part of the undertaking, 

 which then devolved on the Corporation. 



On the 4th of February in the present year, however, 

 Sir William Henry Wills wishing to have an entirely 

 free hand in carrying out his scheme, communicated 

 through Sir Herbert Ashman, his desire to enlarge the 

 offer already made, so as to include the amount for 

 which the Corporation was responsible, thus defraying 

 the entire cost of the structure, which it is understood, 

 will amount to close on £40,000. This extremely generous 

 proposal was received with the utmost pleasure by the 

 City Council, who on the nth of February expressed 

 their gratitude in a unanimous vote of acceptance. 



During the present year the extensive building 

 operations have been carried on without interruption 

 and with the greatest activity. The excavations 

 necessary for the construction of the basement floor 

 involved much time and labour. The massive foundation 

 walls were in due time completed, and at the present 

 time the building which is of a most substantial 

 character is rapidly rising, and gives every promise of 

 being complete and effective as regards its purpose, and 

 a striking ornament to the City. 



