1908, which was laid on the table of the Legislative Council on Wednesday,
states inter alia :—

“The attendance at the Museum for the 12 months and at the Art Gallery
during the shorter period that it has been opened is of the most cheering
and encouraging character, showing how highly the general public
appreciate the educational advantages of these institutions. During the 12
months under review the Museum attendance has amounted to 56,097, giving a
proportion of visitors of over 1,000 a week. In regard to the Art Gallery
the record is even more encouraging. In comparing our work with that of
the Eastern States it must be remembered that as against £3,800 spent in
this State on Museum and Art Gallery purposes we have in Melbourne a State
grant of over £11,000 and in Sydney a State grant of over £10,000. It is
only by dint of the most strenuous and loyal endeavour, and by the
strictest attention to economy that the results have been secured.

“With regard to the Art Gallery we have hopes that a working arrangement
can be made with the Technical School and similar institutions, as well as
with private teachers, by which such instruction may be given in art, both
principal and applied, as will enable us to follow not very remotely the
efforts of which examples are to be found in the Eastern States of
Australia as well as at South Kensington, in London. The committee are
also anxious that pictures from the collection may be exhibited from time
to time in country towns. The obstacle in the way is want of proper room,
the absolute need of watchfulness by night and day, involving a
considerable charge, and the cost of transition, which the committee with
their limited funds find themselves unable to defray. At present with the
existing grant the committee find themselves at a standstill, being able
to do little more than keep the institutions in a state of proper repair
and as ‘going concerns.’”

The following note is added to the report: —“I may add as a postscript
that the information at my disposal enables me to say that during the five
months of the present year, since the Art Gallery was opened, the
attendance at the Gallery and the Museum has totalled no less a figure
than 41,412 souls. Nothing can be more gratifying or more cheering than
this result.”

The Director in his report on the Museum writes :—“The collections now
contain 47,178 specimens which, with the 194 cases and 40 cabinets, amount
in value to over £50,000, 5,735 specimens having been added during the
year ; while over 200 specimens have been destroyed by insects during that
time through the want of sufficient assistance.”