The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-04-10 00:00:00

PROPOiED SCHOOL OF ARM

The first town in the county certainly ought to have a
Sobool of Art, considering that Bridport and Mircheater
have so well supported Mr. Bakces able efforts. But it
seems that the special opportunity which there is for try-
ing such a School at Weymouth i 4 the inconvenience of
having that as kward break at Maiden Newton between
Mr. Rakers ltridport awl Dorchester classes, so Wey-
month, as a SAlllitlriUllll. 14 too have offered to her an
r whirl, the effortsiof her inhabitants in general have
not achieved. The Rev. John Miller, who has also
laboured well in Selena* teaching, must be olteePled from
the category of Lilow who have no fax let this honour slip,
for Mr. Miller has beAkred himself to good purpose, and
if s 1111 l e of our Town Mandl were to turn their attention
towarls a good public nail, instead of to the cultivation
of debating eloquence, the School of Art might hare a
settled home here as elsewhere.—Let no hope they may,
after the explanation which Mr. Miller gave to our worthy
Mayor, on Thursday. Although the meeting was not
large, it was intheint MI, including the Mayor(Mr. Lundie),
Rev. T. A. Greave4 (rector). Mr. John Miller. Mr. C. F.
Anhui, Rev. Feltham, Itev..T. A. 1411.011, Rev. T. A.
Falkner, Dr. Nfoorbead, Dr. Simpion, Rev. Rideout,
eaptain Chin 1111 l , 11. N., and Mr. Baker, master of the
Nsipiols of Art, Dorchester and liridpirt. Letters
Promising support were also read from the Rev. W. F.
it,rv, Dr. Smith, Mr. (T. R. Crickmay, Rev. lolin Lynes,
hr. I 'rely, awl a telegram from the Rev. V. F. Ran:tome,
am! Mr. E. Burnett, of Don•he.ter, wrote stating the
arrangements between Mr. Baker, and the Dorchester
SApsni.

Till! MAYOR said he woo sorry that, as is usual in Wey-
mouth when any meeting of interest is called, there were
so few present, lint he bad no doubt there were
sufficient there that afternoon to lay the foundation of
what evidently seemed at the present tn ~,,, ent 40 datirable,
not only for this town, bet for any other town of similar
size throughout the Kingdom It was a lamentable fact
that for years past, although we in nigland produced
everything that would sdl in the markets of the world,
yet the education of the ' title chimes and artisans in
works of art hail been Yell ih neglected. This was not
he believed, trim any deficiency lif natural talent, and we
ore now waking lip to a consciousness of what we have
been being, and he thought these itch iota of Art are doing
ercat work in the cause of effiniation. An a kind of
tributary stream ti that noble river, this afternoon they
were to ciiwiiiler what Mr. Miller had to bring before them.
thought they would be able to form a committee for
ll,' ',urn..., of establishing in this town, if not for them-
silves connection with Iffirchester.—a School of
Art of a permanent and abiding character, and one alio a
:oleo,: in a peiffiniary point of view, and he thought they
wivild 1,1 that it was not !I sl!ty ton:early too coffinience.
. _ . . .

..
The Rey. J. MILLER wished to explain his position in
having taken upon himself to ask those gentlemen whose
time was so vale:title, to meet him there to-day. For
. some years he Inel been in the town, and hoped the
ttiti dive would have been taken by some other person;
bit 114 one haul donut so. and eiretattintances at last forces'
lune t, I ake utpthe mat t.,r. lie hail his! n ..... e eorrennondenee
with Mr. I tal-er, master if the schools of art of Dorchester
and Itriulport, an to sernring bin serviees for Weymouth,
:mut shonid lie verY glad, when matters were settled,
that abler hatpin than his should take up the work, and
make it a practical ,11.11,0% Mr. Miller then stated that
Is, haul rec-ival promises of support front Dr. Smith, the
Rev. Mr. 14-net. Mr. Lrickmay, and others (whose names
we have given above). an.i that loh. Akers. and the Rev.
W. F. Tregarthen would support the school. These
Sehooln were fort-h in almatt every little town in England,
and Mr. Baker haul made his work a :Teat success at
Itritipuirt, where he haul 111 pupils, and the Government
grant, a few yearn ago was 1.:31t had been increased to LSO.
it icon not 0 ...ch the gamine—, of a scheme no the man
who worked it, that ensured, SUMO., and at Britiport Mr.
fluter, had been wont sureessf ul. his pupils having received
trios situ toustabt, white, itiNt to show what the depart-
ment thought of hips, he is now one of the examiners in
drawing in the element try public schools. Mr. Miller
Inuler-tood that Britlport were rather angry at our taking
Mr. Baker away from them ; hut it was not their fault,
ton r.nther that of Maiden Newton station, where he had
often to remain an long that it resulted in his frequently
getting a severe cold. Dorchenter School of Art had pre-
viously Inten worked in connection with the Britlport one;
hat the Dorchester Mu-tool haul consented to loin
Weymouth in engaging Mr. Baker's servieen thinking that,
if he Bets in Wcymaith, as he proposes to dlo. he would
tup,em accessible to them. anti the claimer will work well
together.—Mr. Miller then read Kr. Burnett's letter
which stated :

At our ten 'Gee meeting, on? roaster. Mr.
Baker, mentioned that it wa: intended to open a School
of Art at Weymouth meter his tuition. Mr. Baker's
arrangement with Dorchester is to give three fuU evenings,
from seven to nine—viz, Tuesdays, Wednesdays. and
Thitrelay.cand moraine and afternoon classes nn IVednes.
day: and Thursday.. The committee instruct me to
furnish you with the sis.ve information, in order to assist
any arrangements the Weymouth committee are making."
Mr. Miller continued that, as a rule it was admitted that
many things are .line for the benefit if the working men ;
but it wad time something should be done for the town in
general to realise nleasitre and enjoyment, —some ',charm
which should have the support of all classes in the town.
The w .rking to in ought to be tired of being nursed so
much, and we'd.' rather join in • scheme where people of
all classes are deriving bench t, than from anything hatched
for his own especial There are fuany advantages in
helm; connected with South Kensington, because models,
and nig-turfs can be obtained there at a fabulous reduction,
and to encourage all the students, Government gave
runs and riredalz not to the working man alone, but to
those who attended the day classes MAO. The School
would benefit the town by bringing people together, there
would be the yearly c,..ir,r4azione, to see the drawings and
other works of the students, and the productions of the
working class would be there shown beside the others
without distinction. If they took the gentlemen present
as repre.efutatives of the town, they might he well
satisfied with the attendance, and if they cauld secure
Mr. Baker's services, it would be henetit to the town, and
the sebooll would be a success. Being called upon to may
what he knew of the working of a School of Art in
Norwich,
. .

Dr. SIMPSON said he was practically acquainted with the
work in that city, and the quantity and quality of the
work there wwi of the must capital description. Such a
scho3l brought all classes together, ant such an institu-
tion in a town the size of Weymouth, deserved all
support ; it would promote that spirit of emulation which
is so necessary to success, paintings being done alongside
each other, and being more valuable than those done at
home in one's drawing room alone. He should he very
pleased to be a member of the committee, awl to further
the scheme in any way.
Mr. ARDEN said the principal thing was to consider
whether the School of Art coold he made a financial
success. If so, no doubt it was desirable to have such an
instantly in the ton.

The 3lsvon scarcely thought that financial success
would be the principal motive of the persons interested.
The town would he benefited, and it was surprising that
Bridport. Dorchester. and other towns had so far out-
stripped us. Especially when he heard what had been
done at Bri.lport. he had not the slightest doubt it would
be a financial success ; but lie did not think that should
be the principle or basis of their agreement that after-

„.. ....
The Hey. J. MILIA:11, in order to show the spirited
way in which Schools of Art are sometimes taken up, said
that at Salisbury the School of Art had I wen in lodgings
some ytare. The master had worked so hard that it had
outgrown its lodgings; but so much public spirit was
shown by the Corporation of that city that they had
invested money to the extent of some hundreds of ponnds
in the erection of a building. Governnwnt helping with
.C7OO or OM. The Corporation thought they might as
well invest the money in the erection of a School of Art,
which was a productive property, as apply it where there
was a small interest. He should be glad to see the matter
taken up by the Town Council of Weymouth. and the
property held in trust by them for the town, for he did not
think Weymouth ought to be behind-hand in public

The Rev. T. CREATES was afraid the borough of Wey-
mouth and Melcombe Regis IVRs not in such a flush con-
dition as regards money matters a.sto he able to afford any
great pecuniary help; but if a building already in exis-
tence could be rented under reasonable terms, such
annual subscriptions might be obtained in the town as,
with the Government grant, could not fail to make the
school a success. Would it not be a raving of time if 'some
gentleman were at once to move a resolution affirming the
desirability of forming a School of Art
Capt. CllllllO, being appealed to, said he would he very
I glad to assist by any means in his power. It was the duty
of all, especially those who have families, to aid.
The Rev. T. A. Giures proposed, Rev. J. D. ADDISON
' seconded, and it was carried—" That it is desirable to
: establish a School of Art in Weymouth."
' The MOTOR proasted "That a committee be formed,
consisting of the "dlntlemen present. with power to add to
' their number." He should he glad, during his term of
office, to act upon the committee as representing the
town, because this would be by no means a sectional,
sectarian, or party scheme whatever. He took it for
granted that they would not build, but rent a house.
The Rev. T. GRESS-FA made some enquiries as to the
probable income and expenditure, and Rev. J. MILLER
gave figures which showed with only reasonable amount
of success, a balance of income over outlay.
Mr. MILLER suggested that they might get the Masonic
Hall; he thought the Masons would help the School of
Art, at least at the commencement.
Mr. F. C. AUDI., thought they could have it, if it would
not be too much filled up with models and things in the
way.
The Working Men's Club RR mentioned; hut Mr.
MILLER thought there were some objections to that room.
In the course of conversation it was said that the
Freemasons might be induced to lend their hall for £2O •
year.
On the proposition of Mr. CREATES, it was resolved that
Mr. Arlen be requested to ascertain from the Freemasons
whether, and on what terms they would let the hall for the
School of Art.
Next came a conversation about terms, when the Rev.
T. GREAVIS said that if they wanted toget • large numt er
of ladies, the terms must he cheap. Those resident in
Weymouth who would like to pay five guineas, were very

The MAYOR 11112geSted the lame terms as at Dorchester,
and this was agreed to.
Ai to hulAcription., the Elev. T. GIEAVeN. believed the
school would succeed or fail in proportion as it was self-
supporting or not. Re did not believe they would want
subecriptions after the first year, and did not see why he
should pay abubscriPtion permanently.

Dr. SIMPSON prOpOlad "That guarantee fund should
: be started, and in ow the first year's income should not
be suMeient to meet the expenses, •pro rat 4 levy be made
on the guarantors."

Mr. l.RKLvgs seconde,t. and it was agreed to.
The It,. John Miller was asked toad as hon. secretary,
aml Mr. R. If. Eliot was chosen treasurer.
In further conver,mtion about the mom, the MAYOR
wished they had a public room in the centre of the town;
every day they felt the want of it.
Mr. (lumen suggested that if the Masonic Hall could
not he obtained, ermoiries should be made meantime about
the Working Mena Club.
The Mating believed they could have the Working
Men.' Clot,: but there were certain reasons why they
should not go there if they could get another place.
On the proposition of hr. MOORHEAD, seconded by the
Rev. T. GREAVEs. a vote of thanks was given to the
Mayor.