WALKER ART GALLERY. 
The Curator has the honour to report in reference to the work 
_ during the year 1908 of the Department under the direction of 
_ the Art and Exhibitions Sub-Committee of the City Council. 
During the year, as in 1907, the demands of temporary exhibitions 
_ prevented any adequate display of the Permanent Collection. What 
_ was possible was done to minimise this evil, rooms being utilised 
_ even when free for only a short period; but there has not been 
anything approaching to a full display of the City’s Art Treasures 
since July, 1906, when the usual ten rooms were cleared for the 
Autumn Exhibition. The effect of this upon the interest taken ‘n 
the Gallery by the public is well illustrated by their attendance : — 
1905, total visitors 350,759 ; 1906, total visitors 403,592 (during this 
year the entire Collection was shown); 1907, total visitors 387,208 ; 
1908, total visitors 338,652. 
No progress has been made in regard to the extension of the 
Corporation Art Galleries, although the subject has now been under 
discussion for several years. Such an extension is urgently needed 
‘in order that (1) the Permanent Collection may be properly housed 
and shown, (2) the undue wear and tear of frames and pictures and 
the expenditure for labour caused by frequent removals, as well as 
deterioration while stored, may be avoided. 
_ The renovation of the first floor of the Gallery has been completed 
of Rooms H, PD and K. 
The wood and iron work of the exterior of the building, including 
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