The Abstract showing was of much the same standard as the group show; perhaps, in some respects, technically more pleasing. Roy Cowan's ceramic Action Painting showed considerable skill and qualities of design, though the effect on me was not the same as I got from the artists's Academy effort. Kate Coolahan's "Slip" was quite a pleasing canvas: unfortunately I had no time to see much more.

A word on Galleries. The recent Academy showing has had record attendances and sales this year, and this reflects both public interest and pleasure with what was seen. Certainly much inferior work was bought, but as long as one does not fall into the easy trap of regarding such minor and amateur-work as good art, I see no reason to condemn such sales: if some of the public get pleasure from such work, why should we complain? What one does try to aim at is to point out the wheat from the chaff, to educate people who, because of insufficient means, are unable to afford I he price demanded by good work.

Yet, this is no vindication for hanging the rubbish which finds its way to the walls each year, inviting the serious consideration of all present, and deluding some thereby.

The Centre Gallery, Lambton Quay, has a full programme ahead for the rest of this year. Subject to change the following exhibitions are to be seen:—

June 25-July 6—Paintings and sculpture by Don Driver and Barry Brown, two young New Plymouth artists. Experimentalisms may be tin? keynote,

July 9-July 20 — "Subtopia", a community arts service touring exhibition prepared in Britain by the Royal Institute of British Architects, dealing with the erosion of countryside by semi-urban sprawl.

July 23-August 3 — Susan Skerman: fabric painting and design. This should be interesting.

August 6-August 17—An exhibition by Melvin Day of Wellington, abstract painting.

August 20-31—The Eastern Bays Group.