Be PORT 
OF THE 
CORPORATION ART GALLERY COMMITTEE. 
For the Year ending September 29th, 1887. 
HE Art Gallery Committee have much pleasure in presenting 
their Fifth Annual Report, and are glad to be able to state 
that the appreciation of the Gallery by the public is steadily on 
the increase. The Gallery has been open 264 days during the 
past year, of which 43 have been free. The attendance on the 
free days has been 14,673, or a daily average of 341; by payment 
15,477 average, 70 daily, making a total of 30,150 visitors, against 
28,326 last year. The Committee regard with pleasure the large 
attendance on the free days, and would be very glad if financial 
considerations permitted the extension of the privilege. 
The Committee find much gratification in the fact that the 
deficiency in their funds is much less this year than last, amounting 
only to £195, against £303 in 1886, and this without the 
Institution having suffered at all either in interest or efficiency. 
Every care has been exercised in the management, and the 
Committee think that the Institution can scarcely be worked more 
cheaply, and that while present conditions are maintained, the above 
amount will represent about the average annual cost to the town 
in time to come. They are persuaded that the advantages to the 
town in possessing such an Institution in its midst, maintained at 
such a small cost, can scarcely be over rated. 
The Autumn Exhibition last year extended from November 6th 
to February rgth, and was attended by 10,160 visitors. There was 
a successful Art Union in connection with it, and the picture sales 
were about normal. 
The Spring Exhibition consisted of pictures by Local Artists, 
and a loan collection. For the latter the Committee are indebted 
to Mr. H. H. Bemrose, and Mr. W. Naylor, who kindly lent a 
large portion of the pictures from the collection of the late Mrs. 
Walters, also to Messrs. Bemrose and Sons; and to Mr. E. Wilson. 
The Exhibition was open from March 5th to June 4th, and was 
visited by 8241 visitors. 
