SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT 



OF THE 



(Eorporation JUt dalUrg QLommittn, 



For the Year ending Sept. 28th, 1889. 



THE Art Gallery Committee have much pleasure in presenting their 

 Seventh Annual Report. The Gallery has been open on 263 days, 

 of which 45 have been free. The attendance on the free days has been 

 13,847, with a daily average of 308, and visitors by payment have num- 

 bered 14,112, with a daily average of 65. The total visitors for the year 

 have been 27,959. The highest attendance on a pay day was 423, the 

 day of our most numerously attended concert, and the highest attendance 

 on a free day was 1,052, on Dec. 26th. 



The Committee's estimate as to the annual cost of the Gallery is again 

 justified by the facts, the deficiency amounting to ^202, as against ^209 

 last year. Little or nothing has been required in the way of repairs to the 

 building, and the establishment charges have been kept down to the lowest 

 figure compatible with efficiency of management. The Sales of Pictures 

 this year amount to ,£363 14s. od., as against ^350 6s. od. last year. 



The Autumn Exhibition last year opened on Sept. 19th, and closed on 

 Jan. 25th. It was visited by 13,095 persons. The Art Union in connec- 

 tion with it was well supported, and yielded ^"88 16s. as against ^7 6 is. 



The Spring Exhibition lasted from Feb. 9th to May 25th, and was 

 visited by 7,990 persons. It was of a rather higher character than usual, 

 several important London artists contributing pictures ; and the Committee 

 are further indebted to Mr. Councillor Clemson, Mr. T. C. Simmonds, Mr. 

 W. Seth Smith, and Mr. E. Crosland (of Nottingham) for the loan of 

 interesting pictures. The President and Council of the Royal Academy 

 also lent Waterlow's picture " Galway Gossips " from the Chantrey 

 Bequest Pictures. 



The Summer Exhibition this year consisted of Photographs. Many of 

 the best Photographic Artists in the kingdom exhibited, and the Exhibition 

 which lasted ten weeks, from June 10th to Aug. 20th, was visited by 6,874 

 persons. Mr. W. England, of London, and Mr. H. J. Whitlock of Birming- 

 ham, were again the Judges, and their awards gave general satisfaction. 



The Autumn Exhibition now on view in the Gallery was opened on 

 Sept. 1 8th, when His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Councillor Woodiwiss, J. P.) 

 gave a Conversazione at which about 600 guests were present, who much 

 appreciated his kindly hospitality. The gathering was a great success, and 



