ART GALLERY. 85 
On 16th December the Curator submitted the following 
recommendations to the Committee :— 
1. The outside of the Gallery requires considerable attention, 
and an inspection by the Surveyor will probably result in a 
report calling for expenditure. 
2. The ventilation of the Galleries is inadequate, and the 
5 heating appliances are most unsatisfactory. The warm air is 
admitted by gratings immediately below the pictures, and this 
is prejudicial to all paintings, especially to those that are old. 
? To remedy this would be costly, but the Curator is of opinion 
3 that a change is most necessary. A proper compartment for 
; storage of pictures in the basement is urgently required. 
5 3. The state of the flooring is by no means good, and the 
tiles in the Entrance Hall are very much worn. 
epee et inthe re 2 
4. The re-decoration of the Galleries was discontinued this 
year in consequence of the reduction in the amount voted, but 
it will be advantageous if the work can be resumed in 1908. 
5. The Curator again draws attention to the inadequacy of 
the Gallery for the present requirements of the Permanent 
Collection, especially having regard to the fact that a large part 
of the space is appropriated annually for several months to the 
Autumn Exhibition, and that other Exhibitions are held in it 
from time to time. It would meet the case completely if a new 
suite of Galleries could be erected at the rear of the present 
building, sufficient to accommodate the Autumn Exhibition and 
any other Exhibition which might be arranged. The whole of 
the Walker Art Gallery could then be devoted to the purpose 
for which it was first intended. In this connection the Curator 
has the honour to remind the Committee that he already has the 
offer of £500 from Mr. E. P. Thompson, and another of a 
similar amount from a member of the Sub-Committee, and it is 
very probable that the rest of the amount might be obtained by 
subscription if an appeal were made to the public with the 
approval and support of the Committee. 
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Aenagrtee 
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