12 



was lent by the Chantrey Trustees, and Sir George Paget lent his 

 own portrait by Professor Herkomer to the Spring Exhibition. 

 The Committee were fortunate enough to secure for the Summer 

 Exhibition the first Travelling Collection of Water Colours from 

 South Kensington. This fine collection proved of great value 

 to Art Students, and of interest to the general public. 



The Autumn Exhibition, now open, is equal to any of its pre- 

 decessors in merit, and about one hundred and fifty pictures had to 

 be rejected for lack of space. Up to the present time, both attend- 

 ance and sales have been satisfactory. 



The four cases of Art objects lent to the Gallery by the South 

 Kensington authorities were changed in June last, and are of an 

 interesting and useful character. The Committee have once more 

 to acknowledge the courtesy of the officials of the Department, 

 and their anxiety to meet the wishes of the Committee in the objects 

 selected. Large use has been made during the year of the facilities 

 afforded for copying these objects, and the Committee hope that 

 much benefit will result to manufactures carried on in the Borough 

 from the advantages thus offered by the Gallery. Other Art 

 objects have been lent by various persons during the year, to all of 

 whom the thanks of the Committee are due. 



The twelfth season of Saturday popular Concerts, organised by 

 the Curator took place last winter, and to the musical friends, 

 both amateur and professional, who assisted, the best thanks 

 of the Committee are again due. 



The Committee have to report that the building is in a good state 

 of repair, and that the charges under this head have been but slight 

 during the past year, while the establishment charges are also lower 

 than last year's. Everything in connection with the Gallery has 

 been worked as economically as possible, consistent with efficiency, 

 and the Committee think that the Council may be congratulated 

 on the success of a valuable institution being maintained at so small 

 a cost. 



It only remains to express our full appreciation of the zeal and 

 efficiency with which the duties of the Curator are discharged. To 

 his good management is largely due the success of the Gallery. 



On behalf of the Committee, 



WILLIAM BEMROSE, 

 October 28th, 1897. Chairman. 



