Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Saturday 31 October 1936, page 7


GIFT TO ART GALLERY

Portrait of Late Mr. A. Meston

A striking portrait of the late Mr. Archibald Meston, painted by B. E. Minns, and acquired by public sub-scription for presentation to the

National Art Gallery of Queensland, was handed to the Chief Justice (Sir James Blair) in his Chambers yester-day morning. Sir James Blair re-ceived the gift as chairman of the trustees of the Art Gallery and pre-sident of the Queensland art fund. Those present were Messrs. F. Gould, G. Comrie Smith, trustees; E. Col-clough, secretary to the trustees; L A. Meston, A. W. Albers, and also Mr. Charles H. Gough, who organised the fund for the purchase of the pic-ture by the people of Queensland. Mr. Albers, who represented Mr. Minns, said that Mr. Meston had en-joyed the respect of the whole com-munity, not only as a man but as a writer on the life and lore of the Australian natives. It was rather in-teresting to know that this portrait of Mr. Meston was painted by a great artist, who also had an intimate know-ledge of the aborigines. Mr. Meston and Mr. Minns had been close friends for very many years. He asked Mr. Meston's son to hand the portrait to the Chief Justice. SCIENTIFIC WORK Mr. L. A. Meston said he appre-ciated the action of those who had purchased the picture. Although a Scot by birth his father became an ardent Queenslander and Imperialist, and he served in scientific expeditions to the Bellenden-Ker ranges in the early days, one of which he himself financed. His publications had ap-peared in many languages. In accepting the gift on behalf of the trustees of the Art Gallery Sir James Blair said that he knew Mr Archibald Meston for many years, and first became acquainted with him when he was reading for the Bar in the chambers of Dr. Boone. In those days he often had pleasant chats with Mr. Meston, in association with Mr, Harold Lilley, Mr. Owen Cowlishaw, and others. Mr. Meston had a fine personality and characteristics that distinguished him not only from other men but made him stand out in the presence of great men. He had won-derful literary gifts, and he was a great raconteur. Although not born in Queensland, he served the State with great devotion.